“Scandal” took viewers on quite a ride in the midseason premiere, and “Ride, Sally, Ride” was just the tip of the iceberg. Episode 12, “We Do Not Touch the First Ladies,” will introduce a whole slew of new problems for Olivia Pope and the gladiators.

Last time fans of the ABC series left off, Sally Langston made the announcement to run against Fitz in the election. But that doesn’t mean the vice president is abandoning her office. In a move that surprised even Olivia Pope, Sally revealed that she’d maintain her position as vice president as she runs against the president … awkward!

Fortunately, Fitz has Olivia on his side. But both he and Mellie are making her job extremely difficult. Mellie wants Olivia to start dating and gave her a list of “eligible bachelors.” Meanwhile, Fitz wants her help with his new running mate and old friend, the former lieutenant governor of California, Andrew Nichols. However, Olivia thinks having Nichols on board the campaign is a mistake, and when Fitz doesn’t listen she goes behind his back and nabs herself an “eligible bachelor," namely Jake Ballard.

The big twist in the season premiere was that Fitz should have listened to Olivia … because it appears Mellie and Nichols had a pretty passionate affair when Fitz was the governor of California. And when Nichols and Mellie reunited in the White House, he made it clear to his former lover that he’s still head over heels for her.

Episode 12, “We Do Not Touch the First Ladies,” will find “old feelings and jealousies arise at a presidential event.” The feelings will cause Fitz to “face a harsh reality.” But are those feelings stirred by seeing Olivia and Jake together? Or perhaps seeing Mellie with his new running mate?

A sneak preview shows Mellie and Nichols alone in one of the White House meeting rooms, and the tension is obvious. “Stop looking at me like that,” the first lady tells her former beau. But it appears Andrew likes seeing her squirm.

“Why did you take this job?” Mellie asks with defeat in her voice.

“You think I only said yes to being the vice president so I get to be in the same meetings as you?” he asks.

“Tell me that’s not the reason and this is the last time I’ll bring it up,” she counters.

“That’s not the reason,” he tells Mellie, allowing her to relax. “Well, that’s not the only reason.”

As Mellie encounters some issues with Andew in episode 12, a confused and alone Quinn tries to prove herself to B613. But Jake made it clear to Charlie that Quinn is not B613 material. Will Jake change his mind? Or will he reunite Quinn with her former Pope & Associates colleagues?

Finally, Sally has something up her sleeves (as usual) as Leo Bergen sets up a meeting between her and an old friend. Could that “old friend” be Rowan, Olivia’s father? If so, Fitz has bigger problems than his wife and running mate hooking up.

Episode 12 of “Scandal” will air Thursday at 10 p.m. EST on ABC. What do you think will happen? Let us know in the comments section or send a tweet to @AmandaTVScoop.

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