First order of business: Scandal seems intent on turning Jake into a straight-up villain. I can’t say I’m against the idea as that will certainly give Scott Foley some juicier material going forward. I often forget that Liv’s boytoy murdered Cyrus’ husband in cold blood, so the reveal of him murdering his way towards the top of the NSA was pretty well executed. Further complicating things is the fact that he and Liv are sleeping together again (in a scene that was almost too raunchy for network TV). Add on Papa Pope’s creepy paternal vibes towards Jake, and it’s all so creepily incestual and outlandish in true Scandal fashion.
Although Mellie received minimal screen-time this week, the pieces are finally in place for Olivia to lead her to the Oval Office. I so wish the show would just jump in time and put her in power already, but I won’t deny how awesome it is to see these two powerful ladies share a subplot together. It’s about time Scandal had a new president; five seasons with Fitz in power is enough for me!
Speaking of Fitz, I felt particularly bad for Abby and those endless 2.am calls, but the subplot undoubtedly gave Darby Stanchfield the chance to really have some fun with the role. Her final outburst at Fitz was perfectly played, and made me root for the character for the first time in a while.
Scandalous Bits
– Great little touch with Liv as a bonafide celebrity during dinner with Dad as she notices a group of ladies checking her out. Sadly, Papa Pope is still giving those head-seizing monologues.
– Seriously that sex scene with the almost-blowjob was probably the naughtiest thing Scandal’s EVER done.
– How great was it to see Abby and Liv having a drink together? Particularly loved Liv revealing that she’s not sure she even misses Fitz. What a toxic relationship.
– I wish the show would stick to the template of Sally opening and closing every episode. She’s downright hilarious. God bless Kate Burton!
Quipyness
Sally: Power, my dear lovers of Liberty, is the beating heart of our nation’s bosom. The high and mighty members of the political elite feed on it, breed on it, for power is the host, the enormous teat off which this entire town suckles.
Rowan: You stood on the mountaintop. The ring of fire was around you. You played him like a fiddle. You held power in your hands. You were power. You had the Oval. My baby had the Oval.
Sally: Ah, sweet Washington. The lines people will cross to get just a bit of power here. The scheming, the planning, the favors bought and sold and stolen… Why, it’s true modern warfare… A bloody, bloody battle. No one emerges unscathed. I couldn’t be prouder to be an American. How about you?
Fitz: Hey, Abby. You busy?
Abby: At 2:00 in the morning? No, sir. I’m free. What’s up?
Cyrus: Look, I need an opinion.
Olivia: Cyrus, I can’t.
Cyrus: Just quick, one of your Liv-pinions.
Mellie: I’m just gonna leave it here with you…
Olivia: Mellie.
Mellie: And whenever you get a chance… Preferably by Thursday… You’ll tell me what you think.
Abby: I am tired, Cyrus! I am exhausted because he won’t stop talking to me. And I don’t know what’s wrong with him. He’s broken or he needs his batteries replaced or the little wind-up thing in his back needs to be turned again, and I can’t figure out how to fix it!
Rowan: The world is a safer place, and you can either stand there like a 12-year-old and lecture me about morality or, even worse, rat us out in the name of justice or you can take your cue from us and get yourself some power… Real power… 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue power.
Cyrus: Red, I’m not interested anymore, say less words.
Mellie: Olivia?
Olivia: I read it.
Mellie: What did you think?
Olivia: It’s very smart.
Mellie: Thank you.
Olivia: And well-written.
Mellie: I wrote it myself.
Olivia And a total bore.
Mellie: There was a ghostwriter.
Sally: Power… like it, hate it, want it, have it. Feel however you want about it. Power is the fuel that runs this great, big industrial machine we all help move forward, and that fuel is made of only one thing… you. That is what the fat cats in Washington like to call the American way. See you next week. And remember, love your Liberty or lose it.
Conclusion
It had its moments, but this wasn’t the most explosive return from Scandal.
Nad Rating
B
All I ask is that they let Jake stay a villain and go through with it all the way. No changing it so he can be the somewhat good guy with the torch with Olivia. Speaking of Olivia, if she keeps having sex with Jake after learning what he did, I will have no respect for the woman. I have little respect for her already since she continues to see her Lionel Luthor wannabe father, a man she knows to be a ruthless control freak and Harrison's murderer but is surprised when his father is revealed to be involved in Jake's NSA scheme. Maybe it's the familiarity of her father that she is drawn to or the hope that there may be some good in him after all. But how she can expect any of the latter after everything her father has done. One could see her helping Mellie at the end as her way of trying to stop what Jake and Rowan are doing by making Mellie president. I would very much like that to be the case since it would be a sign of Olivia wising up and taking action against bad guys instead of making damning compromises with them.
I have a feeling that Olivia and Fitz are going to get back together at some point in the future. There may not be no chance of that happening now. But, since the showrunner clearly has her heart set in those two as an endgame couple though they are clearly bad for each other, it's just a matter of time. I would rather the show ends with Olivia standing on her own, free of Fitz, Jake, and Rowan, becoming the White Hat that she used to be but lost sight of over the years.
I PRAY that Olitz doesnt happen again, but yes knowing Shonda, it's definitely in the cards. Ugh. 🙁 Thanks for your comment Justin!
BTW I reached my limit with Lucifer by episode three. I thought it may take a few more episodes for me to reach that point. But, for the most part, I find myself not liking the show and not very interested in what comes next.
I quit about 10 minutes into episode three! Too much wasted potential (premise-wise) and I can't seem to like the female lead anymore! Really hope it flunks 🙂
I haven't even watched episode three yet! I guess I wont 😀