Scandal Mega Buzz: Are Mellie and Olivia Due for a Major Throwdown?

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Mellie Grant might be unaware of Olivia Pope's (Kerry Washington) more devious acts as the head of B613 on Scandal, but she's starting to put the pieces together. And if she finally figures out the truth, Olivia will have to worry about more than just her conniving father!

"I think what we're starting to feel is the tension between her and Olivia," Bellamy Young tells TV Guide. "Just a little of, every once in a while, catching things that she [hadn't caught] onto before."

It won't be long before Mellie figures out that her trusted friend and confidant is the one behind President Rashad's assassination. With tensions brewing and secrets waiting to be exposed, it looks like the former enemies are due for another major throwdown before the show wraps up its final season. "I think we're just a second from real instability," Young teased.

As we've already seen with Olivia's heart-racing face off with Rowen (Joe Morton) in the fall finale, two colossal forces coming to a head spells trouble for everyone in their path.

Scandal returns Thursday, Jan. 18 at 9/8c on ABC.