This week’s Scandal opens with Mellie sitting in front of the Senate, lying to the judiciary committee about her knowledge of the Liv-Fitz affair. Because of dirty political games, she gets blindsided when she is confronted by an an affidavit signed by Jeannine Locke, the former White House staffer, who lied about having an affair with Fitz after Mellie paid her handsomely. In all honesty, it was easy to see that Mellie was going to be crossed, and it’s a shame that being STILL married to Fitz, she didn’t decline to give her testimony, that would have saved everyone the headache.
With Jeannine Locke’s testimony being public, there are two courses of action that can be taken: either the POTUS invokes Executive Privilege or he prevents Olivia from testifying by marrying her right after he divorces Mellie. Liv is appalled by the suggestion, and in reacting that way, she bruises Fitz’s ego a little. However, her feelings are more than understandable. Now, Olivia is left with three horrible options: to get married as soon as the ink from Fitz and Mellie’s divorce dries, to testify and lie (and probably going to jail), or to tell the truth and having the POTUS impeached.
Fitz, for some reason, attempts to handle the situation by orchestrating a Bachelor-like marriage proposal that goes as terribly wrong as it should have. Olivia is right: they are not ready, and promising eternity to one another as a get out of jail free card cheapens their relationship. The president, however, continues to be hurt by her rejection.
In the meantime, Elise visits Rowan in jail and gives him the details pertaining to his alleged upcoming prison break. However, later on, Daddy Dearest is brutally attacked by a prison guard. Obviously, Jake’s wife had planned to wipe the man off the map, and even Jake, who is eventually privy of her plan, gives her carte blanche.
Knowing his fate is questionable, a vulnerable Rowan calls Liv and asks for help, but she hangs up on him. Then the man reaches out to Quinn, who actually visits the big bad and basically tells him he is on his own. However, Papa Pope’s hope is restored after Abby convinces Liv to see him, and he gives Olivia her get out of jail card, only it’s not entirely free. He wants his daughter to pull some strings and get him out in exchange for killing the judiciary committee’s efforts by threatening everyone with the skeletons in their closets. Once again, Rowan is brilliant.
Meanwhile, the Gladiators get ready to testify, attempting to avoid perjuring themselves. When questioned about the Locke video that OPA leaked to the press, Abby, Quinn and Huck unanimously blame it on the late Harrison. It was very refreshing to see them pull that strategy off. I missed those three working together.
Since the clock is ticking and Liv is still in danger of having to testify, she meets with Mellie and asks her to free Rowan, whom Mellie only knows as Damascus Bainbridge. The FLOTUS is revolted by Liv’s proposal, even more so when she finds out that Daddy Dearest is the man behind Jerry’s murder. The scene between the women is delicious; if it was up to me, I would have Mellie and Olivia together in every episode of Scandal.
In a smaller arc, Susan meets with David and asks for his advice. The veep wants to resign her job as she does not support Fitz’s shenanigans while she is absolutely unprepared to be the POTUS if he gets impeached. Wine cooler in hand, David convinces the one honest politician in the show not to bail. I gotta say, there was a sweetness between those two characters that was adorable to witness. If there is an unlikely Scandal pairing to ship, this is it for me.
After Mellie’s refusal to free Rowan, Liv needs to make a choice, and thus she accepts, in probably the least romantic of ways, to marry the POTUS. She also informs Jake of her upcoming nuptials, prompting the man to agree to leave with Elise. Once again, the plan is to meet a the train station, where sadly, Elise’s body is cold. Poor Jake seems doomed.
The episode closes with everything coming down to the wire. It’s almost time for Liv to face the committee, and she is about to marry Fitz, but a phone call derails the proceedings. In a flash, the wedding is off. Abby is the one who returns the ring to Fitz, who seriously can’t catch a break, though I am not convinced he deserves one.
Finally, Olivia meets Mellie again. The former First Lady has had her “uh-huh” moment and lets Liv knows about it. She calls her ex husband’s mistress “her freedom” and tells her that she will lead her to the Oval Office. Soon enough, the Senate calls off their pursuit for impeachment after receiving envelopes containing their dirty laundry (no one thought those envelopes looked VERY suspect?). Are there no cameras in the room with a straight angle to the people? I shook my head at how public the blackmail was, but I’ll go with it.
Obviously, Mellie has let Rowan, the man who had her son murdered, get out of jail. The episode closes with a very creepy “Hello, Olivia,” coming from the scariest dad on TV.
This week’s Scandal was fluid and engaging, a true gift after last week’s weak installment. Every character had a chance to shine and every bit of dialogue made sense. Though it’s sad to see Mia Maestro leave, I am hopeful that means Jake will be back on board with the “Spy Games,” which is where he performs best. That said, it is wonderful that Mellie and Fitz are finally divorced, and that scene where they discuss their agreement was priceless.
Looking forward to more Scandal episodes that match the caliber of this one.
[Photo credit: Nicole Wilder/ABC]
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