%2B%5Bwww.imagesplitter.net%5D.jpeg)
Last night's episode of Scandal was much better than last week's effort. Finally, we saw a shift in states of living from Mellie Grant, and there were plenty of powerful moments involving Jake.Zahir McGhee wrote the episode which was directed by Jeannot Szwarc. "An Innocent Man" opened its hour with a dream sequence in which Olivia was being cared for by her two main men. This was a really nicely constructed scene, and set the stage for things to come.
Former President Edward Cooper had carked it, and the nation was in mourning. Fitz didn't even get a look in, with a properly dressed, clean shaven, and odour-free Mellie taking it upon herself to prepare a state funeral. Former First Lady Betsy Cooper was hilarious throughout, and gave Mellie plenty of things to think about, especially considering her husband, had a sex drive not too dissimilar to her own wife. Betsy later revealed that all the good things that her husband had been credited for actually originated from her, and were pushed through by her, while her husband was preoccupied with more pleasurable activities. While this made for a good laugh last night, its repercussions via Mellie talking to the media in the closing moments will have an impact further down the track, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how that plays out.
While all this was happening, Fitz, Olivia and Jake were all preoccupied with the latter. Olivia was pressing hard for answers last week, and this week she had her wish to see Jake granted. Jake revealed the number and password to an offshore bank account, but didn't proclaim his innocence to Olivia like I thought he would. This took me by surprise. Effectively, Olivia left the cell leaning more prominently towards Jake's guilt, rather than his innocence.
Olivia's night was kept busier still when she opted to fight for President Cooper's convicted assassin, Leonard Francis Carnahan. This was a beautifully worked, yet brief arc which saw Carnahan use Cooper's death as an opportunity to have his guilt proven, though Olivia was led to believe the opposite. It's rare to see Olivia beaten, but she was hit out of the park with Carnahan's play, but not before she had the White House and Abby scrambling under media pressure to have Cooper's body autopsied and the bullet recovered. In the end, Carnahan beat Olivia and the White House.
Fitz and Jake had some good moments too, but finally, Rowan was put in his place by Fitz when he demanded Jake receive a fair trial and execution. This played out beautifully, with one of the final scenes of the episode showing Fitz telling Jake he had had him moved to a supermax prison, his decision making aided earlier with Olivia putting her relationship with Fitz on the line. Things can only proceed in three ways from here, with the first option being he is moved to the supermax prison and isn't seen again for a period. The second direction would be for Rowan to eliminate him, and the third would be for Jake to escape captivity, kill Rowan, and free Maya. Which option would you rather see?
In other smaller storyline segments, Abby finally stood up to Fitz over an issue when she demanded he reconsider Jake's predicament, and allow Olivia to see him. Abby also stuck it to Cyrus when she revealed to him that she knew of his purchase of a second cellphone, alluding to his relationship, though she did get the gender wrong. Elizabeth and Michael changed things up too - a power struggle is surely brewing. And finally, Huck playing with his son online was really cool. This was typical Huck, and it's great to see him happy.
And finally, Quinn discovers Olivia is being hunted. What's going to happen with that? And Olivia crossing Rowan. Was that satisfying to see or what!
Thanks for reading! It's hard to believe there's only 2 episodes to go in the season, Check out next week's episode promo here and press release here. You can view all of Scandal's ratings on my TV ratings website, www.seriesmonitor.com/scandal. Don't forget to share your thoughts and theories, and answers to those questions, in the comments below!
Jimmy.
Jimmy, I like your recaps. I know you probably have your own bias like all of us, but I like that you really keep them to yourself and just really give the facts as they are presented. None of the characters on the show are Angels and I like how you never single anyone out as being more horrible than the next.
ReplyDeleteThis episode was good and yes a lot better than last week. The opening sequence in my opinion was kind of a shade to those who thought Liv had chosen Jake. It was always implied even through Shonda Rhimes interviewed that Liv thought she was ruined and went away with Jake through necessity not love. And the fact that Liv had her Island natural hair in the "dream" while flip flopping back to Fitz, proved to me that the writers are saying that even while Liv was on "vacation" with Jake, she wanted him to be Fitz. They could have easily had that scene with Kerry's natural hair like she wears it on the show, but no...they took it back to the island with the natural look when she was alone with Jake, proving that even when she's with someone else, Fitz will always be her first choice. I also see an Olitz love scene coming. It always happens during November sweeps...208, 308...right in the middle of sweeps...The show is kind of predictable in that regard.
Also, the last scene with Liv and Fitz I loved because Fitz was the one who yelled that him and Liv were over and they didn't have a chance given her parents killed his son. But, Liv was the one who told him that there's hope. He wanted her to repeat that their love still had a chance and she did. The final scene where she said she saved the both of them, Fitz and Jake...with Fitz she saved the love of her life from killing an innocent man and having to carry that burden the rest of his life because she knows Fitz will and she saved Jake's life in general.
Rowan and Fitz, I've always loved their scene and I loved how Fitz turned against him in the end. I predict Tom will die next week because now Tom really is the only guy that can truly take down Command. He knows Jake didn't do it, so Rowan will kill Tom IMO.
Many other interesting things happened, but this is getting to long. Fitz calling Abby a bitch was forced and stupid because he's not that kind of guy to insult women like that. I hate when they throw Faux feminist bull in the writing. Shonda needs to stop that. Not all guys are like that and she makes sure to lower men to lowest scum and upgrade her women on the show.
I loved this episode. Rowan has to be stopped. Poor Cyrus will get his heart broken for sure. I believe Andrew is the person working with Lizzie. He wants to be the next President so he'll try to sabotage Fitz.
ReplyDeleteThe person taking pictures of Liv. Now, that is a mystery. Why is someone following Liv and I don't think its Rowan or Fitz this time?
Abby one up Cyrus was heaven and Mellie back to being Mellie. Oh well...
Olivia and Fitz always rock! And I agree that the dream was about Liv being on the island with Jake but thinking he was Fitz. The natural hair proved that...BURN to Olake fans! lol.
Mellie and Bitsy were my favorites tonight and I loved that Abby schooled Fitz and Cyrus this week. I have a feeling Mama Pope is going to come back in the fall finale and get revenge on Rowan!! Overall, I was very satisfied with this episode and great review as usual, Jimmy!
ReplyDeleteHmmm, given the pace that this storyline moves at, a Mama Pope return wouldn't surprise me! Glad you liked the review :-)
ReplyDeleteThis was one of the best episodes this season. This show is hitting it's stride again. Rowan is still by far my favorite character on the show, and I love his interactions with Olivia. He is a true mastermind!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words! I could be harsh if I wanted to but the truth is writing something that is constantly critical is quite a bit harder. I'll be critical if I have to but it really isn't any fun. And in all honesty, if I was that critical of something, why the hell would I waste a good hour or so writing about it when I could save myself 2 hours and watch something else. Focusing on the facts and events instead of getting sucked into one thing that pisses you off also helps a lot :-)
ReplyDeleteAs for the rest of your comment, I agree. I think Joe Morton is incredible, and though his days are numbered, he's sure making the most of them on set. I've enjoyed the three main men going at it, though it would be nice to see Cyrus in the loop on the odd occasion
I think it just needed some time to shake off season 3 and set everything back on track.
ReplyDeletei don't know why people are saying that fitz is trying to get into olivia's panties but i don't know why but i really think that fitz really loves olivia and olivia is using fitz to get her work done. i don't think that she really feels that she and fitz (they) can be together. Anyway i know that fitz loves olivia and they will be together *hoping* #teamolitz and i really hate jake. and really happy that jake is in that condition *wink*. #killjake
ReplyDeleteIs Joe Morton leaving the show too?
ReplyDeleteLiv will use Fitz in his capacity as President to get what she wants. But, telling him there is hope and knowing how much he truly loves, I just don't see her lying to him about that. Liv wants her Vermont happy with Fitz. But their relationship is so complicated in that he's married and President. I mean how many more seasons can Mellie & Fitz remain in a loveless marriage? The divorce has to come eventually and I think it will happen while Fitz is still POTUS. Presidential divorce story is something Shonda said she wanted to write in the first season before Scandal became such a big hit.
ReplyDeleteNo way does Fitz just want Liv for sex. Those people are wrong. Fitz loves Olivia Pope...that's just the way it is.
Excellent point. I see nothing wrong with criticism or being harsh to make a point. Especially when the characters does something really bad. And on Scandal every week a character will do something outrageous and then be redeemed the following episode. For example, Fitz beating up Jake last week and this week, he ended up saving his life and not handing him over to Command. So, what I'm saying, I like that you don't harp on the bad stuff and call it out for what it is. Murder, cheating, torture, choking, and blackmailing is like breathing on Scandal. All the characters are corrupt. You can't take this show too seriously.
ReplyDeleteThere are episodes left - 11/6 (Baby Made A Mess); 11/13 (The Last Supper); and 11/20 (Winter Finale)
ReplyDeleteInteresting that the Winter finale title is "Where the Sun don't Shine" ..,I believe Shonda is writing the winter finale and Tony is directing it.
ReplyDeletethe only thing that would have made the episode better would have been a scene with the first ladies getting stoned, I'm disappointed we didn't get that.
ReplyDeleteNo, but from what I'm seeing in terms of the storyline, his character's days are numbered
ReplyDeleteYeah, every show makes cockups every week, but calling them out all the time helps no one in the end
ReplyDeleteImagine a scene where Olivia would be in one room with Fitz, Jake and Rowan... That would be a one hell of a scene. Everybody fighting over/for her. Just. Her. While I do not justify Rowan's actions, he was protecting her. Jake too. Even Fitz. All want to be with her. She's truly the most powerful woman in the world. Giving Fitz this tiny sliver of hope made Fitz change his mind.
ReplyDeleteYes, this is when Scandal is at its best. I also loved the fact that Liv really do know Fitz better than Jake. Fitz was right because she told Rowan she was saving them both. People asked, why did she say saving Fitz also? Because if Fitz had murdered the wrong man for killing his son, that would have been something he had to carry on his conscious for the rest of his life. She loves him too much to have him suffer through that. I don't know about the world, but Olivia Pope really is the most powerful woman in DC. Sorry Mellie, it ain't you. :)
ReplyDelete