Mega Buzz: A House Tragedy, a Housewives Baby-Daddy and an SVU Reunion

Every week, editors Adam Bryant and Natalie Abrams satisfy your need for TV scoop. Please send all questions to mega_scoop@tvguide.com.

Thanks for the preview of next week's House. Anything else you can tell me? — Alex
ADAM: While lots of (deserved) attention has been paid to Jeffrey Wright's excellent guest turn as a neurologist deciding House's fate, don't take your eyes off the rest of the team. The incident that leads to the investigation leaves a major character fighting serious injuries that could upend his or her future on the show. And the crippling fallout will even have Dr. Crankypants uttering the words — gasp! — "I'm sorry."

Is Julie really pregnant on Desperate Housewives? — Jaime
NATALIE: The promos don't lie, and neither do we. Susan is going to be a grandma. The surprise twist? The father of Julie's baby is a character who has been on the show since Season 1. Hit the comments with your guesses!

Any new SVUscoop? — Natalie, via Twitter
ADAM: Guess who's paying Benson a visit? Her younger brother Simon! The character, who is played by Michael Weston and last appeared in Season 8, shows up with some shocking news: Olivia is now an aunt. There's just one small problem: Simon is about to lose his kid in a battle with child social services. Good thing Benson knows this guy, right?

What's coming up on Grey's Anatomy? — Nikki
NATALIE: Jackson's famous surgeon mom (played by the vivacious Debbie Allen) will return in an upcoming episode with a urology fellow (Outsourced's Rebecca Hazlewood) in tow to assist on one of Richard's cases. There's just one problem: Dr. Catherine Avery has her laser focus set on more than just Richard's case...

Any more scoop on Castle's two-parter? — Christine
ADAM: As with the show's previous two-part episodes, there will be crazy stunts and big action set pieces. "We filmed a stunt, and we had to be fitted for wetsuits," Nathan Fillion tells us. But as much fun as it is to imagine Fillion and Stana Katic frolicking in the surf, stripping off their scuba gear, we hear the suits figure into a scene of a much more treacherous aquatic variety.

Loving Once Upon a Time, especially the Evil Queen. What's coming up for her? — David
NATALIE: Who's more evil than the Evil Queen? Her elegant, yet imposing mother, of course, aka the woman who taught Regina everything. Chills. (This just in: Academy Award nominee Barbara Hershey has booked a multi-episode arc as the matriarch of the most evil family in fairy tale world. The Black Swanactress has the potential to return in Season 2, should the series be renewed.)

So sad to see Catherine go on CSI. What can you tell me about her replacement Elisabeth Shue? — Stephen
ADAM: Shue's character, Julie Finlay, has a history with Ted Danson's D.B. Russell, who calls on her expertise in blood analysis to crack a case. "They're sort of rekindling the relationship, professionally," executive producer Don McGill says. And personally? "Russell, as far as he's told Catherine, has only... slept with one woman and loved one woman in his life," executive producer Carol Mendelsohn says. "But we will find out that 'Finn' was his work wife.  That's a really interesting relationship."

2 Broke Girls, please! — Boris
NATALIE: Here's an odd coincidence: When the ladies go to visit Caroline's father in prison, Max runs into an ex... who's doing seven to 10 years for attempted murder. Let's just hope he doesn't break out of prison, because he might be really jealous of the guy Max meets — and hooks up with -- when the ladies get a job house-sitting.

I love Maya Rudolph on Up All Night. Got any scoop on her character? — Heather
ADAM: Her dad is coming to town! He's the opposite of Ava is many ways — he's lovable, sweet and writes children's books. His one Ava-like aspect? He has a new wife who's the same age as Ava.

Is there any hope for Addison and Sam on Private Practice? — Lily
NATALIE: "She had a serious thing with Sam, so I don't think she gets over stuff quite as quickly as you may think," Kate Walsh tells us. "Like anything, it takes time and it's a little bumpy and there may be some revisiting." However, Addison and Jake's work trip to Palm Springs is definitely a turning point for their relationship. "There's some sexiness happening," Walsh says coyly.  

What's coming up on A Gifted Man? Will we see more of Eriq La Salle? — Jenny
ADAM: La Salle's E-Mo will be in two of the remaining five episodes, including Season 1's penultimate hour, which finds Michael in a very compromising position. "What if Michael were in a full-blown argument with Anna and somebody walked in on that? How do you explain that?" executive producer Neal Baer teases. "E-Mo walks into a major blowout ... and Michael has a lot of explaining to do." What are they fighting about? It may have something to do with a certain doctor named Kate, who will soon begin to have doubts about her marriage.

Got any scoop on Modern Family? — Sam
NATALIE: Get ready for a drunken double date! Claire, Phil, Mitchell and Cam will head out for a night on the town... to talk about some serious issues. "Everyone is discussing the pros and cons of procreating and they get drunk to do it," teases Julie Bowen. In possibly related news, "Someone in the cast who's not a female wears Jimmy Choo shoes," Sarah Hyland says.

Adam's Mega Rave: Good job, X Factor. The first step to recovery is admitting that you have a problem — or in your case, three problems. Now that you've taken the necessary steps, I'll give Season 2 a second look.

Natalie's Mini Rant: Congrats to reigning SAG champs Alec, Betty, Steve and the casts of Boardwalk Empireand Modern Family, but can't we give some other people a shot at the glory?

Crave scoop on your favorite TV shows? E-mail Adam and Natalie at mega_scoop@tvguide.com or drop us a line at Twitter.com/TVGuide
(Additional reporting by Robyn Ross and Kate Stanhope)