A bomb explosion, and the U.S. president's son drops dead. This was all part of "Scandal's" Season 3 finale.

How much longer can the show continue with its intrigue and plot-twisting surprises? Show creator Shonda Rhimes says the show cannot go on for eight seasons.

"Scandal" fans, known as "Gladiators," should not freak out. Rhimes revealed in an interview this week that she was aware of how the show will end. About "Scandal" Season 4, it might see a "time-jump," more character development especially when it comes Columbus Short's scandalous departure from the show, and what is going on with "#TGIT" for the fall ABC line up.

Season 3 of "Scandal" ended with Kerry Washington's Olivia Pope liquidating her firm Olivia Pope and Associates, known as OPA, and with her taking off in a plane with Scott Foley's Jake; Tony Goldwyn's President Fitzgerald Grant getting re-elected as POTUS for a second term; and Short's Harrison Wright was held at gunpoint by Papa Pope, the new head of B613.

This might be a lot to take in, but the show and its fans are used to its craziness and unpredictability. Rhimes' new revelation, however, about the show's lifespan is one plot-twist some fans did not see coming. Rhimes told The Hollywood Reporter that there is only so many "Scandal" stories "that you can tell satisfactorily." For Rhimes, this show is not an eight-season or a 10-season show, she had decided a long time ago how she wants it and the relationship of "Fitz-Liv" to end.

Rhimes adds that she is not sure at this point if she will stretch out the story by following Fitz after he leaves the presidency, but she is not worried at all.

As for Short's Harrison and his leaving the show, it will be explained, and his departure will affect some characters. Rhimes says how it all happened at the end of Season 3 is exactly as it is, The Hollywood Reporter noted. As for who will be impacted by his loss, it will be Washington's Olivia for sure, and most definitely Darby Stanchfield's Abby. Abby will be so affected by it that Rhimes says Season 4 will see an exploration into Abby's own backstory.

Other characters and the show itself are expected to receive some new developments as well. Gladiators saw that Guillermo Diaz's Huck was reunited with his wife Jasika Nicole's Kim, and their son; there will definitely be more of Joe Morton's Papa Pope, TV Guide reported. Perhaps more on Jake and Olivia's romance: There will be a time-jump, of sorts, and a different location Rhimes says about the new season. And "Scandal" will be returning back to its roots of "cases-of-the-week" episodes.

The ABC promo for "#TGIT," which stands for "Thank God It's Thursday," is a three-hour block of back-to-back Rhimes created shows coming this fall. It starts with "Grey's Anatomy" at 8 p.m., then followed by "Scandal" at 9 p.m., and at 10 p.m. "How to Get Away With Murder" starring Viola Davis.

Rhimes says she has no control over the "real-estate" of how the network sets up shows. All Rhimes is interested in is the content and stories of her shows, and that they are told well, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed. As for a crossover episode of "Scandal" and "How to Get Away with Murder," Rhimes says she has never thought about it.

"Scandal" returns in the fall on Sept. 25. at 9 p.m. on ABC.