Matt's Inside Line: The Mentalist, Once, Five-0, NCIS, Hart of Dixie and zaidi 

fave Danny’s romantic rescue? Read on for answers to those questions plus teases from other shows.

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Not only can I confirm that Owain Yeoman and Amanda Righetti will be returning during this final, 13-episode season as Rigsby and Van Pelt, but I can with precision accuracy nail down for you

— during the two-hour series finale, airing Wednesday, Feb. 18.

, Marko! (That’s my way of dodging the question to instead tell you about the role being cast for Episode 15. The ABC series is seeking an African-American actress to guest-star as “Miranda,” a 19- to 22-year-old princess. Described as ” warmhearted and passionate,” this lass wants nothing more than to bring peace and beauty into the world. Yet beneath her gentle exterior, she is headstrong and full of grit – so if you cross her, you may find her more terrifying than even the most powerful kings. Did I mention she has a lovely singing voice, as well?)

plan on handling Hayden Panettiere’s real-life maternity leave? Did they find a way to incorporate her into every episode ahead of time, or will there be episodes where Juliette Barnes will not be seen? –Sharon

“We did bank some material for a few episodes,” showrunner Dee Johnson confirms for TVLine. “She may be out of one or two. It all depends on how quickly [Hayden] wants to come charging back to work.”

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‘ Tony going to be in a stable relationship this season? –sshenoy

You mean with, perhaps, ATF Agent Zoe Keates? I can confirm that Marisol Nichols has been booked for an early 2015 encore, while Emily Wickersham recently acknowledged to me that Tony and Zoe had “really great chemistry.” She added, “Tony’s love life definitely unfolds. I can say that.”

on hiatus at the moment? If so, when do they recommence? –Sharon

all have Christmas episodes to put under your tree (or menorah, where applicable) this coming week.

they go on break, returning the week of Jan. 4, 2015.

Poor Detective Sergeant Williams. Love never comes easy for him, especially when an upcoming romantic getaway goes awry, and Steve needs to ride to his brah’s rescue.

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fans need some scoop on Dean, please! —Luann

Witchy Rowena didn’t come into contact with the hunter in the fall finale, but that could soon change given her son Crowley’s connection to Dean. “I think most mothers like to interfere in their children’s business,” her portrayer Ruth Connell says. “So Rowena gets to do that in the episodes to come.”

Cam and Arastoo’s relationship is hitting a long distance snag. “[They] have a little adventure going on,” Tamara Taylor previews. “Arastoo is going to go back to Iran to take care of his ailing brother. That’s going to be a little intense and dramatic. I think more than anything, she’s just nervous that he’s not going to be able to come back.”

’ Booth has been through a hella lot — jail, FBI betrayal, Sweets’ death, PTSD, and IMO it’s all got dealt with too neatly and quickly. Will there be more fallout from this at a later date? —Mark

be more hard times ahead. “I don’t know if the season will end on a very happy note,” David Boreanaz muses. “We’ll see.” Meanwhile, creator Hart Hanson hints that a major twist could be on its way (and possibly the cause of that unhappy conclusion?). “If we have to go to an 11th season, then, in my opinion, that means we have to reinvigorate the series and make some big changes,” he says.

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scoops to share with us? This show really rocks with such an awesome cast. –Marla

EP Nick Wootton surveyed for us the growing Walter/Paige “connection,” saying: “Walter has his questionable emotional quotient, and Paige has been burned before and doesn’t want to proceed without her son’s best interests at heart.” As such, the show will take “a real touch-and-go approach” to that twosome and end Season 1 “with a big cliffhanger.”

You may already know that in the Dec. 15 season opener, Zoe goes after Wade, Lemon returns early from her cruise and there’s a surprise visitor for Brick. But beyond that, Mircea Monroe’s Tansy is coming back, in Episode 6! But with that comes some bad news for certain ‘shippers. “I don’t feel like there’s still a hope for Tansy and George,” creator Leila Gerstein reveals. “She’s back in a completely platonic capacity, but for a really important storyline. She’ll also get her own version of happiness this year.”

. When can we expect him to suit up as The Atom /A.T.O.M.? –Cassie

Hurry and read this, the episode’s almost on! “You will get a proper look at the A.T.O.M. exosuit in Episode 9″ aka tonight’s winter finale, says EP Marc Guggenheim. “I say ‘proper’ to distinguish from the ‘look’ that leaked on the Internet this week. Some international promo included a shot of what purported to be the A.T.O.M. suit but in fact was not at all the A.T.O.M. suit.”

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

(With reporting by Vlada Gelman, Andy Swift and Rebecca Iannucci

Thank you for the H50 scoop, Matt! And for all your great coverage of the show. This episode sounds great! It’s always fun when Steve has to rescue Danny.

Excited for Hart of Dixie to be back. I may be in the minority, but I kind of want Lemon and George to end up together. I never liked Lemon and Lavon.

OUAT: sounds like Miranda is code for Tiana

I thought the name was wrong. When I read the description I was thinking of that movie but couldn’t remember the princesses right name.

They always use codenames for casting calls. Aurora was “Anastasia”, Mulan was “Magnolia” (which is what “Mulan” means).

I’m sorry but I don’t want to see Tony with a Ziva clone. Are they doing the Ziva clone to anger fans more by throwing this in our faces? I mean please even naming her Zoe.

@Jeanie (screaming) ZOE IS NOT A ZIVA CLONE! And to answer your second question i’m glad they are because people like YOU still can’t live in reality! So my suggestion? start doing it! Don’t like the direction they’re going then simply don’t watch! One more thing why are you here on a article about NCIS if you hate the direction they’re going?

Zoe is not a clone of Ziva. Not even close. Unless all women who are in law enforcement are clones of one another. I liked her a lot in her first appearance. Hopefully they can give Tony a steady romance like McGee has with Delilah. It would be nice to see.

I like Marisol, but Zoe is a lame Ziva clone. Former partner, material arts, brunette with cheekbones, Ziva’s wardrobe, and a name that starts with Z. Really?

@BlueBelle (sigh) Zoe is NOT A ZIVA CLONE! Have you even watched her appearance?! My guess is apparently NOT! Start living in reality because apparently since i took a long break from this site you still live in the delusional zone.

So Tony will be in a stable relationship with Zoe? That should be interesting as Zoe’s just a Ziva clone pretty much and really doesn’t have any chemistry with Tony.

Wow, fascinating–that three comments, using the same wording, in the exact same way follow each other within 5 minutes. Really? Wonder what the odds are on that………Are you, BlueBelle and Jeanie in a club?

People have been calling her a Ziva clone since she was cast.

@Annette (sigh) How many times must i say this?! (screaming) ZOE IS NOT A ZIVA CLONE! The only reason you’re saying Tony doesn’t have chemistry with Zoe is because you haven’t even give her a chance! Start living in reality because apparently since i took a break from this site people like YOU still live in the delusional zone. Get out of there now!

Perhaps you should stop yelling at people for having an opinion that you don’ t like. Personally I watch this show for Gibbs, Abby, and Ducky. I had not thought of Zoe as a clone until now. Makes sense.

Uhhh, no, it does not–so every female with dark hair is now a “Ziva clone”? What other things make “sense” in your fantasy world? Pleas share with the class….

I love having it confirmed that Rigsby( Owain) and Grace(Amanda) are coming back for the final 2 hour show. When I saw spoilers that it was going to be about a serial killer I thought those two should be part of it. Just as they always were for Red John. Looking forward to seeing it but sure am going to miss having The Mentalist every week. A great show.

Matt. Don’t even think about something like that. lol. Enjoy reading your colums and getting info on The Mentalist. :)

Come one, Matt! Give me some Justified scoop! :)

please again gary doesnt know what to do and putting to ziva clone as tony’s girlfriend, this man who never wanted TIVA , now he is all over abt tony’s love life… also tony is a man and he has needs… but at the end ziva will come back to tony talking abt great chemistry PLEASE gary should hear, the chemistry can never be copied … the greatest chemistry what TONY AND ZIVA HAD, HAS AND WILL HAVE , IT NEVER COULD BE COPIED … as GREATEST, SPECIAL AND BEAUTIFUL CHEMISTRY WHAT MICHAEL AND COTE HAS

Well, if that’s the case, it is indeed a pity Cote didn’t feel that way, seeing how she quit and all. Have you ever really given any consideration to the fact that SHE might not want to come back? She wanted to go and do others things–she quit to do so–yet, I find it amazing how people who claim to be fans will not respect the poor women’s wishes. Perhaps, you should take the time to write her, and ask what SHE WANTS, instead of continually harping about what you want.

That’s because some immature fan girls don’t realize that poor Cote exists. They think Ziva is the real person.

@estefania (getting angry) I swear you people are like broken records and are also never grateful all the work that the show’s crew has done for the last 12 years! Gary can do whatever the heck he wants i mean he’s the showrunner, isn’t he? How many times that it must be reminded that TIVA NEVER HAPPENED?! Gary is not going to hear you because why should he listen to a Ziva nuttie like you?! Another thing (screaming) WHAT PART OF COTE LEAVING ON HER OWN DID YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?! How long are you keep this up, huh?! Until she comes back?! Guess what it’s not gonna happen so get over it now (In Father from Codename Kids Next Door screaming voice) OR ELSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Tony +Keats = Teats, what were they thinking??

Well, it’s spelt “Keates”, and, just what are you thinking since you are the one that brought it up?

Probably weren’t thinking anything about it one way or the other. Not everyone does the whole “name smushing” thing for couples, after all-some find it pointless and silly.

Or they could use Michael’s: Zony this time around. :-)

PS: Name mash-ups remind me of little girls drawing their name in a heart along with their crush of the week when they’re in Junior High School. Mary LOVES Johnny. Please take my “Zony” with the eyeroll that came with typing it.

Thank you for your Tony/Zoe information, Matt. I liked her from the moment she called him “Spider”. I hope we get to find out how/why he got that moniker. They seemed to be friends once upon a time so seeing them build on that would be nice. Like Fornell, seeing Zoe on occasion would work since she a federal agent too.

I liked Zoe Keates too. I would love to see Tony get to have an adult romantic relationship. They wrote “tiva” like two horny teenagers too awkward to try and do anything but one up each other. The constant emphasis on super/tragic Ziva in that pairing sucked all the life out of Tony, who was a far more subtle and interesting character before the writers forgot he was a great agent I also wish they’d give Tony a danger filled story arc. I’m sick of seeing super Gibbs get all the action. Zoe Keates? Bring it on!!!

Emily talking about chemistry is a joke. This lady has no chemistry with anyone.

Thanks for the Tony scoop Matt. I’m so looking forward to Tony having a fun, healthy relationship; someone who will treat him with respect. I hope Zoe is the one since I think they are great together. It’s time for Tony to Move On!

Yes, it is time for Tony to move on. He and Zoe do have a good chemistry together. They seem more like equals. I think they could have fun developing this relationship.

What about a remake of Bad Day At Black rock? Mark Harmon would make the part of Spencer Tracy.

Last one, I promise. Next time could we get some Tony info that doesn’t involve his love life?

Totally agree with that Joni. Problem is they only seem to feature Tony when it is a story about his love life. Gibbs, McGee, and Bishop seem to get all the really dramatic writing and all the interesting case action.

I’m hoping it’s not Hook that dies but I don’t think it can be him because Belle and Emma are supposed to help him get his heart back from Rumple according to spoilers we’ve read here.

I hope Hook doesn’t die either after seeing a preview of what’s on for the winter finale of OUAT next week. It looked like Hook was in pain. I hope he wasn’t getting his heart crushed. I like him way too much!!

Having another Emma love interest die would be a bit much. And I don’t really see his death serving the story in an interesting way. Do we know that someone will die? Had there been a spoiler about that I missed or forgot about?

Sorry I got my spoiler sources mixed up. Jennifer Morrison said it in an ET interview that Emma would help him get his heart back though she wasn’t sure when or how.

Well its about time hope Tony and Keates make a happy couple. Would love for it to be mostly off screen, just talked about every now and again and seen occasionally. Would love to see Tony really in love like he was with Jeanne. Thanks for the info

Keke Palmer for the win! OUAT Tiana oops I mean “Miranda”;-).

In regards to Bones: Seriously, this show needs to do more with characters on the team. I know yeah apparently everyone watches for Booth and Brennan. I get that. In regards to the other female members of the cast and Hodgins we get rarely anything. When was the last time Cam had a storyline that didnt revolve around Arastoo?.. when was the last time Angela was out in the field?

While I agree that Cam could use something more than dealing with Arastoo issues. But still given the comparison to Castle. We get a lot with the other members of the team. Heck we know about everyone than we do Ryan and Esposito or these days Martha and Alexis. Hodgins got a big episode last year with his newly found brother. They are more involved in the show. So while some of the storylines could be better. It’s still a lot, and the season isn’t over yet.

Wait, whut, every season ending since telling Booth she was pregnant has had an unhappy ending and if they HAVE to go to a season 11…if they dont want to, just end it, what’s the big problem. IA, how about a Cam plot NOT involved with Arastoo and are Hodgela still on the show? Do they have a life outside the lab, I would not know by the writing.

It’s called drama! A cliffhanger. Almost mandatory for shows these days… I don’t think it will be necessarily a bad cliffhanger. If Brennan is still pregnant. And if they have to reduce the episode count…. It’s going to be a action cliffhanger than a ordinary day episode… Just something that will change things a tad. And Hart only has limited involvement with the show these days, so we shall what happens at the end of the season. We are only in December. They still have to confirm a new season. If they didn’t want to continue, they wouldn’t. Given new contracts have to be signed. I think there is plenty more to say.

Hart was the one who said HAD to go on, that doesnt sound very promising when the creator, even with limited involvement, words a renewal that way. I dont think anyone is forcing them to continue.

I took the wording as funny. And not to take it literal. The fact his little show that barely made it out of the first few seasons and is very likely could be continuing. Lets remember a year ago they were saying this was likely the final season so they probably entered with some scenario’s to wind down the show. And now it’s continuing if all the signatures get signed. It’s pretty unbelievable that this is about to be one of the longest shows for FOX or it’s production company. I think this season has had it’s challenges with having to write out Sweets, and then Emily’s pregnancy. Another baby wasn’t probably in the plans unless it was a series finale reveal. So a lot has to be juggled. Unless Backstrom fails, Hart is working on another show.

It would be great to have Rigsby & Van Pelt together for one last appearance on The Mentalist.

Great news for you, then: They will be! http://tvline.com/2014/12/10/nashville-season-3-spoilers-hayden-panettiere-maternity-leave/

BTW, about that scoop on Hawaii Five-O. How come we haven’t heard anything about Dane Cook coming back as Danny’s brother?

Dane Cook’s character, Matt, was killed in this seasons’ fourth episode, though Cook didn’t actually appear in the episode.

I look forward to seeing what happens with the Tony and Zoe relationship on NCiS. While I was a huge fan of TIva I realise that with one half of that gone and apparently no intention of returning, then the other character has to move on or just become stale. I liked Zoe,a nd just because she wore a black singlet in one scene and her name starts with a Z does not make her a clone. I hope her character developes, and most importantly, I hope Tony is treated with respect and not slapped down as they tend to do with him.

@Donna2712 Thank you! That my friend is the definition of a real NCIS fan. These so called fans need to start accepting the fact that Ziva is gone and most likely not coming back, deal with it and stop calling Zoe a clone because she is not! I agree with everything else you said.

Marisol should belong to Callen & “NCIS: LA” *only as far as shows with those 4 initials go).

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