5 Jan 2015 11:16 AM PT
THE BIG BANG THEORY
Although EP Steve Molaro says the writers “aren’t in a rush for a Leonard and Penny wedding,” upcoming episodes will dive into the finer points of their engagement — specifically, “future living arrangements regarding Sheldon.” Also in the next batch of episodes: a tribute to Carol Ann Susi, the late actress who voiced Wolowitz’s mother. (“The death of Carol will be dealt with,” Molaro says. “We just needed time to process the loss of our friend.”) As for Sheldon and Amy’s slow-burn relationship, there are no immediate plans for the twosome to tackle another milestone after the L-word was dropped in November. “We are discovering the show, the relationships, the problems, as we go along,” Molaro says. “It’s more a discovery process than a planning one.”
RETURN DATE: Thursday, Jan. 8 at 8/7c (CBS)
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THE MINDY PROJECT
Mindy begins her Stanford fellowship with Danny in tow (at least at first), but that doesn’t mean their relationship isn’t without its challenges — especially when Mindy runs into the first guy she slept with, played by Pushing Daisies’ Lee Pace. That encounter causes the flighty OB-GYN to do some soul-searching regarding Dr. C, though series creator Mindy Kaling says her alter ego “just sort of thinks it’s going to work out” in regard to marriage, babies, etc. “I like that about the character, that she doesn’t fixate on those things… Largely, she isn’t that worried about it.” Know who is worried? Morgan. “There is trouble afoot” in Nurse Tookers’ relationship with Tamra, writer/star Ike Barinholtz says. “They’re about to hit a bit of a rocky patch, and Morgan is going to explore some other arenas.” (Translation: Look for guest star Julia Stiles to resurface.)
RETURN DATE: Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 9:30/8:30c (Fox)
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NASHVILLE
In the wake of Rayna ditching Luke the day of their wedding, “There might be some short-term craziness,” showrunner Dee Johnson says. “But part of Rayna’s journey was to recognize what was most meaningful to her and keep that front-and-center instead of postponing it.” But if that “most meaningful” bit applies to Deacon, Rayna might have to put a pin in it: Her old flame will push away just about everyone in his life as he endeavors to keep his cancer diagnosis a secret. On an even darker note, we’ll find out whether Layla survived her alcohol-and-pill-infused dip in Jeff’s pool, while Gunnar and Scarlett’s increasing closeness will hint at a rekindled romance. (As Johnson notes, “They can’t do a song together without it stirring things up.”) Juliette and Avery will let the news of their nuptials percolate — expect Ju to sit out at least one episode to accommodate Hayden Panettiere’s pregnancy — and we’ll learn more about Sadie’s history with her violent ex, who isn’t leaving anytime soon. “Pete wants what he thinks is due him,” the EP notes.
RETURN DATE: Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 10/9c (ABC)
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NCIS
TV’s most watched drama returns with a bang as we finally meet Gibbs’ second ex-wife, Rebecca Chase (played by Jeri Ryan) – in an episode that also brings back Melinda McGraw as Diane. Show boss Gary Glasberg says that Rebecca’s appearance is “unexpected, but welcome,” and that with Gibbs’ first ex also on hand, “You see the different chemistry that he has with different women.” The “action-packed” episode also fires back up the Sergei Mishnev arc, which Glasberg says will “really come to a head” in February. Also on the horizon: Cast member Rocky Carroll directed “a really touching story about an openly gay Medal of Honor nominee,” another hour will flash back to Tony’s days as a teenage military academy student, and watch for Robert Wagner Jr. to return as DiNozzo Sr. as early as March (and possibly for multiple episodes).
RETURN DATE: Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 8/7c.
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