This was an excellent hour of a show that’s still very, very flawed.
Although I still wish Papa Pope wasn’t part of Scandal anymore, I will admit that the character proved enormously effective this week. Sure his monologues can often be extremely frustrating and repetitive, but it’s mind boggling to see him play President Fitz so casually. Unfortunately, this renders Fitz quite pathetic as a character, as he seems to have lost all agency and common sense. In addition, I’m actually sympathetic for Jake now, which is a definite step-up after being annoyed by the character for so long. Now all I need is for Olivia to step it up a bit and start kicking ass where this love triangle is concerned. Sure she tried to protect Leonardwhatshisname only to be duped (in a pretty over-the-top scene), but I’m going to need her to put Fitz in his place. Also, let’s please note that she says there’s still “hope” for the two of them, and that makes me sick. Enough already.
As a counterbalance to the darkness, Mellie’s subplot with former First Lady Bitsy Cooper was a bonafide gem. I absolutely loved watching these two bounce off each other as Bitsy revealed herself as the driving force behind her husband’s presidency with a steely resolve and a plethora of witty one-liners. Not only was this subplot wonderfully comedic, it served an even greater character focus as it reminded Mellie of the power and influence she could wield in her position. In addition, it enlightened her (and us) to the fact that a President with a mistress could be a great weapon in her arsenal. Fantastic.
I get extremely angry I see people bullying poor Abby. Thankfully, the fiery redhead not only put Cyrus in his place by the end of the episode (after probably figuring out he has a boy-toy), but she faced Fitz himself in defense of her friend. Sure he still insisted on calling her Gabby and disrespecting her, but I just adore it when someone stands up to that mind-child.
Scandalous Bits
– Gorgeous opening with Olivia’s dream: swimming and a sex scene with Jake/Fitz. Love the editing and music.
– Abby running off after facing Fitz; too cute.
– Is it wrong to say that I like Bitsy more than the entire cast?
– Awesome Olivia fighting Fitz on his callous use of the word “bitch”. And then she hilariously gulps down the wine after he leaves.
– Jake’s “not choosing me is okay” speech was a stunner.
– I’d pay good money to see Mellie and Bitsy smoke a join together.
– Was anyone here moved by Huck playing video games with his son? Because I felt nothing.
– So what’s up with Quinn finding hundreds of Olivia photos in the folder?
Quipyness
Mellie: Want me to have the chef send you up some fried chicken?
Abby: I’m not asking the commander-in-chief. I’m asking the married man who used to sleep with my friend, what exactly he has done with the man she is currently sleeping with.
Bitsy: Oh, please. My husband’s only religion was believing he had to screw anything with a pulse. But since us bitches have got to get through this dog and pony show, I’m gonna need you to sit down, shut up, and follow my lead. Now, I’m gonna take the office. I’ll do the planning, and you go crochet or vaccinate fat kids or whatever silly hobby makes you feel like you’re making a difference. Show up for the photo ops, and I’ll have someone call you if I need you for anything else. Oh, um… I’d get that filthy piece of crap out of here, pronto. Probably give you crabs.
Fitz: So, Abby’s kind of a bitch.
Olivia: Don’t say that. The words used to describe women. If she was a man, you’d say she was formidable or bold… or right.
Bitsy: And what will I be remembered for? Telling idiots not to litter.
Mellie: You will be remembered as one of our nation’s greatest first ladies.
Bitsy: I will be remembered as the wife of a man who did something with his life.
Pope: I taught him, I trained him, he strayed, let me discipline my dog.
Jake: We both know in the end you’re not going to choose me. That’s okay, Olivia I want you to know I need you to know, not choosing me is okay.
Bitsy: When we got to the White House, I made sure his secretary was the homeliest woman I could find. And he still managed to bang her twice a day every day for eight years. But after a while, I mean, I was grateful. Gave me time to actually run the country.
Leonard: Now, get me the electric chair…And no lethal-injection crap! I want to go out with a bang!
David: I won. I out-Poped Olivia Pope. Eat it sucka!
Olivia: I looked into his eyes, and I believed him.
David: That is why our judicial system isn’t based on looking into people’s eyes.
Rowan: It stops you every time, the arrogance, the need to swagger, to show everyone who you are. True power hides in plain sight. I played this President like a fiddle to get you back in my possession. I was his daddy, his buddy, his priest, his valet, his wet nurse, his concubine, his best friend. I danced for him. I made him feel pretty. I held him in the palm of my hand until even he believed I was the better man, until even he believed it was his idea. That is how the job is done. That is how the work happens.
Must-Download Tune
Summer Breeze by The Isley Brothers
Conclusion
A powerhouse hour of Scandal.
Nad Rating
A
I'm just as sick of the Olivia-Jake-Fitz love triangle as you are and I hope that she kicks ass in that department too as soon as possible.
The subplot with Mellie and the other First Lady was my favorite part of the episode. I found it odd that out of all the characters this season, I find myself sympathizing with Mellie the most. There was a time I hated her guts. I also find the idea of a First Lady using her presidential husband's infidelity as an opportunity to be the power behind the throne very interesting. It makes a great idea for a tv series on the level of The Good Wife.
I was glad that Abby stood up to the President and Cyrus later on this episode and that Olivia stood up to her father as well which I hope to see more of it in the future because I love that badass Olivia and not the wimpy, confused Olivia.
The twist that Huck was playing video games with her son I actually found sweet. It's better than any twisted romance between Huck and Quinn that both disgust and bore me.
I totally agree with you!
I have to say when I listened to Papa Pope's monologue I just thought: Urgh…. Thankfully the ending of the episode was quite good. Go badass Liv! And go Abby!!!
So true suncore, I never would have expected Mellie to be the best character on the show but that's exactly who she's become over the course of the past four seasons. So impressive.
I guess the Huck thing was kind of touching, but I'm just so turned off by the character at this point :S
I think the Liv-Fitz storyline is an essential core of the show.
It's very much built around that because almost all the storyline in this show has one way or the other has a link to that main characters' storyline.
Though I very much agree that the triangle has been used very often so as to pull in emotional entanglements.
It just becomes tiring when the character's emo moments becomes pretty predictable.
Lets have a butt-heading moment between Liv and Mellie.
Problem is, Mellie knows she losses hands down to Liv.
To the point of begging for Liv to come back and help. Gosh!
But I must admit, screen times of these two characters are always enjoyable. 🙂