Scandal 4×16 – It’s Good to Be Kink

Super freakin’ cool.

This episode belonged to Olivia Pope, and our protagonist was immensely likeable this week. I think the moment she reacted to Cyrus’ schemes by uttering the simple words “This town. It’s heart.” spoke volumes. It brilliantly relayed just how much Olivia’s mindset has changed since her ordeal; she’s sick of the deceit and the evil, and she’s lost faith in the status quo. It all culminated beautifully with Liv finally choosing to indulge in something playful and sleeping with the guy from the bar. Kerry Washington oozes charisma, and that final moment with her closing the door was just awesome.

Now Huck. Honestly, I’m surprised Shonda went there. His brutal and vicious killing of Sue literally made my jaw drop for a good 30 seconds. But doesn’t this move pretty much ensure Huck will be leaving the show soon? He can’t possibly stay after becoming such an outright villain. But then I remember that Fitz killed Verna, and that anything is possible in Shondaland. Whatever happens, I’m personally done with the character and I’m more than ready for him to have his swan song.

I wasn’t too sure of Lena Dunham’s much-hyped guest-turn at first, but I was completely convinced by the end of the hour. Why? Because Sue’s rape at the hands of her boss made her extremely sympathetic, and her death was especially violent and gruesome. In addition, the Sue character provided a great foil for Olivia (that monologue about Olivia being weak was darn impressive) while the sex-book injected a real dose of fun into the show. Who doesn’t miss watching the team crack cases together? Seeing them decipher those pornographic codenames was an absolute hoot.

Scandalous Bits

– The look on Cyrus’ face when Mellie said she was running for Senator was just priceless. He looked up at God didn’t he?

– “Colt” distracting Sue with that nail fetish was pretty amusing. I like when the show uses him for comedic purposes.

– What a hilarious sight with all the men from Sue’s book in the Pope offices.

– Abby’s speech to Leo (found below) was just outstanding.

– Incredible scene with Liv in the bathroom getting ready for the one-night-stand only to flash back to the bathroom from her kidnapping.

– So Cyrus didn’t even care about Abby; he simply wanted the book and all the “dirt” inside. What a creep.

– Liz pitching herself as Mellie’s campaign manager is undeniably going to be fun. But isn’t she too slimy to be trusted?

– The look on Liv’s face when Quinn wouldn’t reveal who killed Sue was just gut-wrenching.

– Loved Rosen giving Huck his immunity in the end and then mentioning how guilty he feels about Sue’s murder (even though he did nothing).

– I’m sure whatever I’m picturing in my head with regards to Abby, Leo and the butter is even worse than what was in that perverted book.

– Very poignant moment with Olivia putting the USB in her safe and staring at her white hat.

– The fact that Fitz and Jake are having meetings to discuss Olivia as if she’s a piece of property is pretty disgusting isn’t it? And Jake lied to Fitz in the end there. Hmm..

Quipyness

Sue: When did you become so weak? Afraid. You’re Olivia Pope. In political circles, that’s like saying you’ve been to the moon. You’ve stood on the mountaintop. You make Rumsfeld look like a nanny… that’s how badass you are. The power you wield in this town, Olivia, it’s legend. You used to exude it. It came out of every pore. It gave other women a contact high. So, I must admit I’m a little disappointed by your behavior towards me. I thought you’d be brave. I thought you’d be adventurous, fearless, sexy, confident, but instead, you’re just this dried-up prude who, instead of celebrating the fact that I fully own my body and use it however I want with whomever I want as many times in as many kinky ways as I want, you’re shaking your finger at me? You’re telling me to be afraid of what name someone’s gonna call me just ’cause I had the audacity to have too much great sex, as if picking up a hot stranger in a bar for a dirty screw is a crime. What happened to you? Where did your power go? When did you become so afraid of life? I’m not ashamed. This is my life, my body, my story to sell or tell or… anyway, it’s all I’ve got now. Okay? So, go ahead and call me a whore. Everyone who writes a memoir is a whore. You can also call me an author, an artist, a businesswoman. You can call me smart, and pretty soon, you can call me successful.

Quinn: So, if a manuscript exists, she would have typed the whole thing. To keep it from being hacked.
Huck: That’s old school. Respect.

David: You are a justice of the United States Supreme Court. You are the Deputy Secretary of Defense. You… I have no idea who you are, but you shouldn’t be involved, either.

David: There’s no sympathy for the kinky, Huck, even for occasional dabblers like me.

Abby: I’m good at my job, Leo. I am a lion up there. I own that room. I work for it. I give a strong briefing. And they write about that, they cover the news, and there are articles about how well I do at my job, but they also write about me. If I wear lipstick, I’m dolled up. If I don’t, I’ve let myself go. They wonder if I’m trying to bring dresses back, and they don’t like it that I repeat outfits even though I’m on a government salary. They discuss my hair color. There are anonymous blogs that say I’m too skinny. They have a running joke that I’m on a hunger strike until I can be liberated by the democrats. They also write about you. Every article that comes out about me has your name somewhere in it, because apparently, there’s this rule… in order to mention my name, they also have to report to the world that there’s a man who wants me. My work, my accomplishments, my awards… I stand at the most powerful podium in the world, but a story about me ain’t a story unless they can report on the fact that I am “the girlfriend of D.C. fixer Leo Bergen.” Like it validates me, gives me an identity, a definition. They can’t fathom the concept that my life doesn’t revolve around you. My life doesn’t revolve anywhere near you. It’s horrifying. “Property of Leo Bergen.” Tell me, when they write articles about you, Leo, how often do they mention me? Do they talk about your clothes, write about your thighs? There is a difference. There is. So, what happens to you happens to me, which is why I am writing a letter of resignation. Are we done?

Cyrus: Ethan remains utterly useless. An idea would die of sheer loneliness in that head of his.

Must-Download Tunes
Sexual Healing by Marvin Gaye
Dr. Feelgood (Love Is Serious Business) by Aretha Franklin

Conclusion
A bold and powerful hour of Scandal. 

Nad Rating
A-