Scandal joins the ranks of Grey's Anatomy, Revenge Castle Once Upon a Time and Resurrection for mid-season renewal orders. But not only does Shonda Rhimes have Scandal on the air, ABC has also committed to her new series, How to Get Away With Murder. Rhimes taking over ABC comes as no surprise.

Columbus Short Being Replaced? Or Not?

If you are not a gladiator, become one. If you don't know what that is, you've been hiding under a rock. It's no surprise that ABC's mega-hit Scandal got a re-order. It's third season averaged a 3.0 among adults, and had 9-13 million weekly average viewers. The Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn dream team not only put event viewing back into television, but that delicious interracial pairing has folks glued to the biggest scandal of all time. Add to that the historical precedent of Scandal: Washington is the first black woman to star in a primetime TV show since the 1970's. Now that's ground-breaking. That's gladiator status.

So what can we expect from Season 4? Unfortunately, Harrison has been shot by Rowan and Columbus Short has made his exit (allegedly due to real-life domestic abuse scandals). Papa Pope has not only captured Mama Pope, but has her locked her in that black hole known as B613 - where he might torture her.

Rowan teased in April 17th Us Weekly:

"In order to revenge in what Maya has done -- is probably to put her in the worst situation possible," he said. "I wouldn't necessarily kill her, but I might sort of torture her for awhile.".

To accomplish this ultimate revenge Rowan lead President Fitz to believe that Maya killed his beloved son Jerry, when it was really Rowan all along. "He took my child, so I took his," he confesses to Harrison right before he plugs him. Oh Rowan's back on top, and it feels good.

As for Olivia, she realizes that she is the biggest scandal of them all, it's her that needs to be handled. So she flies off with Jake to go "stand in the sun". For once in her life, she does not answer the president's call in his time of need. Does this spell the end of Olitz?

Tony Goldwyn told The Hollywood Reporter, "[Mellie and Fitz] have to take care of each other; they're family... Olivia is the woman that Fitz needs to be with as a partner, lover and soul mate. That's never going to change and that hasn't changed, but Mellie is Fitz's family."

Still, the actor does not see Fitz's feelings for Olivia "being diminished in any way".

As for Mellie, aka, "The Smartest Person In The Room" who had quite the season, she still hopes that her affair with VP Andrew will be a question mark. In an earlier Enstars report actress Bellamy Young said:

"It's been a crazy year. And she's been through so much this season."

"I hope that [VP Andrew and Mellie] still a question mark. Who knows..."

Why Mellie Grant Is The Smartest Person In The Room

Gladiators are gearing up for next season! Stay tuned for updates!

Olivia Leaves With Jake!