Scoop on Scandal, Once, Mentalist, Vampire Diaries, Reign, The Flash, Homeland and zaidi 

engaging in sibling rivalry? Will it be slow and steady for

pay the Piper? Read on for answers to those questions plus teases from other shows.

this season. If anybody can get us something meaty to go on, it’s you! Do you have something? –Nicki

downright meaty: In Episode 7 of the coming season (premiering… at “midseason”), we will meet Lisbon’s two brothers. The younger one (early 30s), Jimmy, is a gambler being sought by the Feds (as a witness to a murder!), while Stan (late 30s) is a mild-mannered family man who miiiight know more about Jimmy’s sitch than he lets on.

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‘s Sally Langston has lost the presidential election, any intel on what will become of the former veep? –Dan

Good question – and one that might not be answered in full for a while. “I don’t know when I’ll be back,” Kate Burton told us at the #TGIF event. “It’ll probably be the second half of the season — that’s what they’ve told me — but [Shonda Rhimes] might change her mind and say, ‘No, we’re going to do something next season.’ Who knows.” But whenever the time comes, expect juicy stuff. Says Burton with a smile, “I mean, how can Sally Langston not be juicy?”

It appears their red-hot affair has cooled off considerably, in the wake of the First Family losing a child. “Andrew is not at peace with where things stand with he and Mellie,” Jon Tenney says. “That being said, at the end of last season, Mellie and Fitz just lost their first child, and so I think romance may not be the first thing on her mind.” As Bellamy Young herself tells is, mourning Mellie “is in a whole new place, an uncharted, unprecedented wilderness for her.”

is looking to introduce any more of the Rogues from the comics? – Andy B.

In addition to the likes of Captains Cold and Boomerang, at midseason we will also meet Hartley, a onetime mentee of Dr. Wells’ who lost his hearing in an accident and now is out to wreak havoc with an invention of his own. (Of course, you may know Hartley — who happens to be gay — as the Pied Piper.)

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planning any flashbacks to Emma’s life in the foster system? –Marissa

I can’t confirm they cover her time as a foster kid

get a good, long look at a younger Emma (likely played by a different actress). And as Jennifer Morrison teased for me, “There is a bit of a curveball in the flashbacks that I did not see coming, one that definitely adds a layer of suspense to how all of the puzzle pieces fit together.”

, but they never ask about Regina/Snow. Will their relationship continued to be explored? –Ana

You’re in luck. Ginnifer Goodwin told us at the premiere party that fans such as yourself “will be very satisfied, because we

many more scenes between the two of us. Lana [Parrilla] and I actually call the [producers] on a regular basis thanking them and asking them for more, because I personally find those scenes to be very powerful. The dynamic between them is so rich and we love exploring it.”

‘ Stefan and Caroline make an awesome friendship, so it’s very disappointing that rumors say they will become romantically involved. Is there any hope that they can remain platonic? –Scarlett

For what it’s worth, whatever might be blooming between the two will evolve slowly, given their respective track records. “We’re just seeing layers of it,” says exec producer Caroline Dies. “I think Caroline’s not even realizing how deep her feelings are. She just feels hurt and lied to and ignored [by Stefan, who\'s not returning her calls].” Mr. Salvatore meanwhile ” can’t even process or fathom the idea of another heavy, emotional connection. In his brain, he hasn’t even opened up his mind to the notion of dating someone or being with someone, actually having a true romance with someone. So it’s a very slow build for them.”

‘ Jeremy Strips Down, Steroline Turns Tense and More

I can confirm that “Andy the manny” resurfaces in the Oct. 8 episode, in which Phil has to creatively edit Mitch and Cam’s wedding video upon realizing that it reveals that he is responsible for a horrible cold that has plagued the family.

Have you got anything on how things are with Mary and Francis when

. Francis is off with Lola, trying to protect them, while Mary is trying to avoid the plague in the castle. But once he returns home, things could be looking up as Mary “spends a lot of the first three episodes naked,” star Adelaide Kane reveals. “We’re sexy this season.” However, the whole Lola/baby situation will make things “awkward” around the castle for everyone involved.

I was so surprised that Lucy Lawless’ character died in the

season premiere! Is there a chance to see her in any of the following episodes? Or is there any chance to watch Lucy on other shows, like

Sorry, but plan to be Hartley-broken – that was Lawless’ one and only appearance. As for returning to Pawnee, she discussed that in our Q&A.

Star Weighs In on Heartbreaking Twist, ‘Darker’ Season 2

Got a scoop about the “guy that kills bad guys” aka Peter Quinn on

As made clear in the Season 4 premiere (airing Oct. 5), Quinn would rather you

reputation. He’s kinda fried by the events of Season 3 (including but not limited to what he did to that poor kid), and as such will endeavor to pull Carrie out of the all-too-often needlessly deadly spy game. And that concern her may pave the way for a new… closeness. As show boss Alex Gansa said to me, in recounting the important people in Carrie’s life nowadays, “She’s got a burgeoning relationship – although not romantic, yet – with Peter Quinn.”

’ Max has referenced her mom, I’m surprised she hasn’t surfaced yet. Any ideas when we’ll finally meet her? –Johnny

Because Max’s mother is “such a giant, off-camera icon to me,” exec producer Michael Patrick King is in no rush to give her a face. Though it sounds like he’ll stop just short of that. “This season, in the first couple episodes, you will get a little glimpse of her. Not necessarily a

glimpse — but something abstract. A tease,” he shared with us. “She’ll become a little more real every season.”

Any word on when British songstress Foxes (aka Louisa Allen) will make be making her appearance/acting debut on

That would be in Episode 8 of the new season, airing Oct. 11.

Season 3 might not hit the States until 2015, I am hearing.

Morgan Freeman, who had been working with producer Lori McCreary to find just the right show to develop for CBS. “I do have time — not too much time — to get involved in other things, and I have always wanted to have a hand in telling the American story, so this is how I do that,” he explained at press tour. And before you ask, no, he has no immediate plans to appear

? Last we heard, he had Stage 4 cancer. Will that be addressed? –lwild

Though show boss Gary Glasberg had indicated to me a desire to revisit that thread during Season 12, as of this past Monday, when I spoke to Sean Murray, McGee’s portrayer had “not yet” heard of any concrete plans.

 need the Inside Line on a favorite show, email InsideLine@tvline.com! 

(With reporting by Vlada Gelman, Michael Slezak and Scott Huver)

Thanks for the OUAT scoop, Matt. I’m very excited to hear the Snow and Regina relationship is getting more focus next season. In many ways this is the heart of the show for me out of which everything else about OUAT and its setup grew over time and it’s easily one of my favorite relationships too. Like Ginnifer Goodwin said, it’s very a very rich dynamic and I enjoy watching her and Lana Parrilla as they’re exploring it at least as much as they must enjoy playing it.

I am looking forward to Emma’s arc, she is my fave but her journey is the one i love ever since season 1. So its great to finally see the past Emma as child/teens and so on. And more of herself, family and romance=Hook.

I think her magic was sparking up or something – Elsa style!

I personally would like to see them also work on the Snow/Emma scenes because that is important too.

Ditto. So little news about the Mentalist out there. Is it true that they are only doing 13 episodes and that they will definitely be the last ones?

they need to get rid of the female lead on the Mentalist. Because of her, I don’t watch the show. She’s worse than the female lead on the Blacklist- and that’s saying a lot.

I haven’t read anything about this being the last season except for Tim Kang’s tweets over the weekend. CBS hasn’t said anything. Maybe they aren’t going to confirm or deny it until they release the season 7 premiere date.

I can’t wait to see the first episode of the Flash and the Rogue Gallery. I can’t wait to see if any DC heroes/villain appear in the future episode.

Really hope Max’s mom on 2 Broke Girls will make an appearance at some point in time and who should be the perfect fit for that role?

Actually I think she shouldn’t. She is such an exaggeration that no one will fulfill the role. It’s like Nile’s wife from Fraiser. Better left to our imagination.

Thanks for the update on The Mentalist! I love that we’ll get to learn more about Lisbon’s family. Can’t wait to see what else Season 7 has in store for us!

Thanks so much for The Mentalist!! So looking forward to it, the wait seems endless!

Im looking forward to Emma’s story and more of her this season and Emma/Hook… .

I do like the Regina and Snow scenes but to be honest i rather think Snow should be more concerned and making strides with her own flesh and blood you know your daughter – Emma Swan and that relationship mostly pls!

This whole Stefan and Caroline vague will-they or won’t-they thing is just the worst, and I cannot for the life of me understand what wild hair inspired them to push this idea. How is it going to work for Caroline, whose development has been hideously neglected for the past two seasons? I just don’t understand their fixation on it. They were fine as friends. Why does a solid and relatable friendship have to be supplanted in favor of a romance that feels random and unnecessary?

I actually like them together as a couple. Stefan’s exhausted his romantic prospects and Caroline certainly has so why not develop an actual, meaningful romantic relationship between two people who already have fantastic chemistry?

We need season 2 of Saving Hope before season 3.

Ion have the rights to Season 2 onwards, they’re a cable network.

I have every faith Season 2 will be out on DVD in time.

I’m surprised The Flash doesn’t have a full season order yet, it only has the additional script order(Which is a formality really). You’d think with Arrows success it would get that full season but I suppose the CW just want to wait and see.

Supernatural is incredibly popular and their spinoff didn’t even get picked up to series. Wishful thinking is good, but it never hurts to wait and see how things play out.

Good point, but I think we all know that if The Flash has a good premiere, the CW will order the back 9-10 episodes regardless of how the rest of the season does.

Yes but the Flash is a character with a large backstory in comics that is independent of the events on Arrow. The Supernatural spinoff was essentially- white men fight demons 2.0. While the Flash could potentially pull in people who never watched Arrow, if you weren’t already watching Supernatural after 10 seasons, you probably weren’t going to watch Supernatural 2.

Thank you for The Mentalist scoop, Matt! It’s been forever since we had one… How long is this hiatus gonna be? Can’t wait for season 7!

Thanks for the Mentalist scoop! This will be interesting. Jane will also meet her 2 other brothers

Why do they have to ruin such a perfect friendship like Steroline? This whole thing is just annoying, it’s like they are forcing it. Please, stop. There’s nothing interesting in a potential Steroline romance.

Caroline Dries should move on from Steroline. There is Ivy, she could have been the perfect girlfriend for Stefan if they wanted. Steroline are FRIENDS and they should stay in that way.

And, sorry, but Candice and Paul have an awful chemistry.

I’ve definitely understand that some folks would prefer these two stay friends, but I’ve never head anyone from any camp claim these two don’t have insane chemistry. I’m open to seeing them develop a romantic relationship. After seeing him be absolutely miserable with Elena for so long, it might be nice to see him with someone who actually seems to make him happy.

Thanks for all the great scoop on AoS (sad that was her only appearance). I’m curious, on a side note, about where Simmons is. She’s actually one of my favorite characters on the show and, though I don’t ship her with Fitz-their friendship is sweet and I’m hoping she’s well and will be back soon-in more than Fitz’s imagination.

Thanks also for news on “Madam Secretary.” I enjoyed its premiere, and thought Leoni did a great job.

And last, but not least, thanks for always coming through on “The Mentalist” spoilers. You never let us down. And an interesting spoiler too. I’ve always been curious as to whether we’d meet her other two brothers.

I sent a question in. “Will Iris Allen in “The Flash” TV show hail from the 31st Century like she does in “The Flash” comic books?”

I hope that the Flash will become a winner.

Only if they get innovative about what can be done with someone moving fast. Ohhh I dunno, running up buildings or circling the globe in a flash(pun fully intended). If there aren’t any such theatrics, it will be just another yawn.

It will embarrass Fox to say the least when it beats Utopia.

I got a feeling that you must look at the series to see if she is from the 31st Century.

Awesome thanks for the Homeland scoop. Soo hoping that Quinn x Carrie happen this season! They better! I love em.

No more romance on the Stefan/Caroline front please. They’re perfect as platonic male/female friends. Those things exist you know, CW.

Surprised you didn’t mention the Morgan Freeman Tea Leoni connection of working together on Deep Impact where he played the President to her nosey reporter. Loved that film. I guess they enjoyed working together back then.

Thanks for answering my Lucy Lawless Question! And yep! I’m completely heartbroken. But I’ll keep my fingers crossed. Maybe we’ll see Diane again in Parks and Rec

I can’t wait for the seventh season of The Mentalist, but I find Lisbon so annoying.

Am I seriously the only person that doesn’t want Haley and Andy to happen?

When Lucy Lawless was in NZ recently for our election, I was thinking ‘what are you doing here, shouldn’t you be off filming SHIELD?’ I was already disappointed that this might mean she didn’t have as much of a role as I wanted. But this was just sad :( I really wanted to have her on the show for a good long time.

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