Scandal Season 4 Spoilers: Shonda Rhimes Previews Return to Series Beginning

ABC's hit drama Scandal returns for Season 4 on Thursday, Sept. 25, which means the fast-moving world of Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) and Associates will be back before we know it.

TVLine has posted its Fall TV spoiler spectacular, and Scandal is one of the shows on the list. The site has some information straight from series creator Shonda Rhimes herself, so let's get right to it.

"Olivia's gone AWOL. Harrison is dead. The Gladiators have disbanded. Basically, when the show returns, 'Everything is a pile of rubble,' says series creator Shonda Rhimes, 'and Rowan is standing on top of it.' Olivia eventually returns to D.C. to resume fixing and handling everyone's messes, but it won't be business as usual. 'Every season we try to tell this show in a different way, and we're doing that again this season,' says Rhimes. 'There is an organizing principle that brings us back, in a weird way, to more of where we were at the very beginning of the [series].'

Rhimes hints that Season 4 will see 'the emergence of a very different kind of Mellie, who I kind love almost more than I love 'Drunk Mellie.'' Might a certain VPOTUS have something to do with that? 'We do see Andrew this season and there is a trajectory for that [relationship],' teases the EP. 'But not right away. Mellie's child died and her world blew up -- an affair is the last thing on her mind.' Speaking of Jerry Jr.'s tragic passing, Rhimes confirms that Fitz will learn the truth about Papa Pope's role in his death during 'the first half of the season.'"

For some bonus scoop, TVLine reports that Lost alum Sonya Walger could play an old friend and new client of Olivia's.

What do you make of these spoilers? Let us know in the comments section.