'Scandal' season 5B premiere: Liv's new client is a government bigwig

Pope and Associates will open season 5B of the ABC hit series "Scandal" with a very important client — the head of the National Security Agent (NSA).

In the promo released by the network for the upcoming midseason premiere, Huck (Guillermo Diaz) is seen urgently knocking at Olivia's (Kerry Washington) apartment. When his boss opens the door a crack, he tells her they have a new client but his identity cannot be discussed freely, and that she should let him come in. For some reason, Liv does not want to open the door. She tells Huck she is in her pajamas and he should have called her instead.

Huck asks Liv if she has someone with her inside the house. When Liv looks exasperated, he then explains that it is not safe to talk about the client in the phone, considering the NSA surveillance capacity. Huck then reveals that the head of the government agency is the one asking for their help. The accompanying synopsis states that their team's new case could lead to a national crisis. What kind of secrets is the NSA leader keeping that Liv and her Gladiators must protect?

Meanwhile, a promo picture shows Mellie (Bellamy Young) dropping by Liv's office and showing her the biography she wrote. The former First Lady wants the crisis manager to read her work and comment on it. Mellie is said to be launching the book before the elections. Does it contain explosive information about Fitz (Tony Goldwyn) and Liv's affair? Meanwhile, another teaser shows Mellie asking Liv to run the campaign for her, but the latter turns her down. It appears that the senator is intent on running for the presidential seat and return to the White House.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Young shared about her character's bid to be elected as the most powerful woman in the United States. She also talked about the other contenders from both parties who would soon be revealed in season 5B.

"It's an amazing field of candidates. I cannot wait for everybody to see some new and old faces. Some folks will be a surprise, some folks will be folks you know very, very well, and some folks you may not have seen in a minute. It's good and juicy," the actress shared.

"Scandal" season 5 will return on Feb. 11 at 9 p.m. EST on ABC.

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