Mastodon Mastodon Mastodon Mastodon Mastodon Scandal - Gladiators Don’t Run - Review: "I Wanna Be President"


    Enable Dark Mode!

  • What's HOT
  • Premiere Calendar
  • Ratings News
  • Movies
  • YouTube Channel
  • Submit Scoop
  • Contact Us
  • Search
  • Privacy Policy
Support SpoilerTV
SpoilerTV.com is now available ad-free to for all premium subscribers. Thank you for considering becoming a SpoilerTV premium member!

SpoilerTV - TV Spoilers

Scandal - Gladiators Don’t Run - Review: "I Wanna Be President"

Feb 13, 2015

Share on Reddit

ABC's Scandal hasn't missed a beat yet in 2015, and last night's episode kept the quality, intensity, and storytelling at a very high level. It didn't eclipse last week's effort, but it had its own game-changing moments.

Titled "Gladiators Don’t Run", the episode was written by Paul Williams Davies and directed by Randy Zisk. It's Davies' first time with the pen in hand for an episode of Scandal, but he didn't disappoint, It's Zisk's sixth episode in charge - and third this season. He also directed last week's installment.

The hour, rather surprisingly, began with Abbey. We saw her waiting outside for Olivia to enter White House property, but unsurprisingly she was a no-show. A visit to her apartment where she noticed the felled wine glass puts her on course for the OPA office, where Quinn speaks the first words of the episode, just over a minute after it began. I'd venture that this episode holds the record for the quietest opening minute in Scandal's history.

Records aside, it was the beginning of a top notch performance by Darby Stanchfield. Katie Lowes and Guillermo Diaz also brought their A-game, as their characters bounced Abby right back out the door, having decided against revealing any of their intelligence to people associated with the White House.

They were right to hold their cards close to their chest. The next scene was in the very building the pair were trying to keep their distance from, as Fitz signed some documents ordering the dismissal of the Secret Service and the removal of his second in command, Andrew, from the vice presidency. It was there Fitz also decided to enter the darknet auction to #SaveOlivia.

Fitz wasted no time in bringing in one of his most trusted allies - Jake Ballard. He won the title for the worst dressed person in the White House as he told Fitz of his belief that Olivia was the instigator of her own auction.

However the duo had no idea what was really happening in Olivia's world. A disgruntled second in command, Gus, blew head honcho Ian's brains out and took over proceedings, and Olivia later tried to turn the tables once more, as she had a few quiet words with the nerds hired by Ian to run the auction.

The two teams of good guys, the White House and the members of OPA, quickly merged into one with Jake serving as the go-between. In order to get into the darkest of the darknet, they needed a well known player serve as their proxy. Cue the reintroduction of Maya Pope, whose screen time was thankfully lean, which ensured she'd stay out of trouble. David Rosen ensured that would be the case, granting basic cable access in her cell but no elevation of privileges. This enabled Huck to throw down some B613 billions in an attempt to win the auction for Olivia.

While this was going down, some of my favorite moments from the hour came from Jeff Perry as Cyrus. As the character continues to climb out of the rut in which he got well and truly wedged in late 2014. He kept nudging Elizabeth North down that very slippery slope with lots of sharp things at the bottom as he leveraged her misgivings with Andrew. There is something very satisfying about watching Elizabeth lose her grip - the faster the better in my book, but there's nothing wrong with dragging it out for entertainment value.

While I found Huck's return to a very dark place quite interesting, my favorite character in this episode was, without a doubt, Mellie. Last week's episode left me secretly wondering whether her remarkably open and upbeat approach to Olivia's return was a temporary measure of sorts, in this episode things were much more deeply explored. Case in point was my favorite scene of the hour, where Fitz and Mellie looked as close a couple as they've ever looked, cuddling together on the White House balcony. "We sleep better when she's lying between us" was a daring quip, and Fitz was as confused as I was upon hearing it.

That was good, but this scene got better. Mellie went on to share her thoughts on how she believed the country can forgive a man a hundred infidelities but would not forgive a woman even one, in reference to her brief fling with Andrew, who had earlier blackmailed her on the subject. I'm not from the land of the free so I'll leave that for those who are to debate, but it was her next question to Fitz that made this scene one of the series' best to date, and one that will no doubt change the course of the series once more.

"What do you want - really want - more than anything in the world?" she asked her husband. "Jerry. Alive again" was his answer. This answer caught Mellie by surprise, so she rephrased the question, this time limiting the options to those with an actual possibility of happening. This time she got the answer she was expecting when Fitz responded "Liv". Mellie was, amazingly, contempt with not being second on Fitz's list of wants, but she wasn't deterred, and asked her husband to ask her that exact same question.

Her answer was truly surprising:
"I wanna be the President of the United States. I wanna run the world."
This is a huge moment, because, for a start, Fitz was approving. For one thing, that's a massive change in attitude to his wife, if the last three and a half seasons are a worthy guide. But you could see in Fitz's eyes that he knew it was definitely possible, and he said "OK". Let's think about all the other ramifications later - there's too many buzzing around to put on paper now.

There was one other scene that was an absolute gem in this hour, and it came inside the final 5 minutes. Fitz and Cyrus were in the Oval Office, and Fitz revealed that there were 43 fallen soldiers due in Dover that day. He went further to reveal that Mellie meets every plane. His following words were among the finest lines you'll ever see on television:
"We have to get Olivia back, not just because I love her, not just because having her out there is a threat to national security.

There are soldiers who are never coming home because I tried to get her back. Someone's father, someone's husband. I have killed so many mother's sons trying to get her back.

The flags placed on the coffins where they lay are there because they had the courage to give their lives and I did not have the courage to give Liv's.

So she has to come back because their sacrifice (didn't want us to mean something (illegible)). They cannot have gone to their deaths for no other reason than I asked them to."
This was a beautiful piece of script and showed that Fitz is fully aware of the value of the lives of those under his command, and that he must draw the line somewhere. It could be Fitz's best quote in Scandal's history. Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young were outstanding in this scene and in the previous one I mentioned. This episode could be a defining one for this couple, so where the creative team go from here should be great to watch.

Thanks for reading! Stand by for next Thursday night as the winner of Olivia's auction is revealed. Check out the promo here and press release here. As always I'd love to hear what you thought of the episode in the comments below - if someone knows what the illegible words Fitz said in the quote above, please let me know! Don't forget to check out Scandal's ratings on my TV ratings website, www.seriesmonitor.com/scandal.

About the Author - Jimmy Ryan
Jimmy Ryan lives in New Zealand, and works in the IT industry. He is an avid follower of drama television and has a keen interest for television ratings and statistics. Some of his favorite shows right now are Person of Interest, Scandal, House of Cards, Orphan Black, The Blacklist, The 100, How To Get Away With Murder, Elementary and Castle. You can visit his television ratings website, www.seriesmonitor.com or follow him on Twitter, @SeriesMonitor.
Recent Articles by Jimmy (All Articles by Jimmy)

25 comments:

  1. ""I wanna be the President of the United States. I wanna run the world."This is a huge moment, because, for a start, Fitz was approving. For one thing, that's a massive change in attitude to his wife, if the last three and a half seasons are a worthy guide"

    This is not exactly true.
    While Mellie has never pointed out as boldly that she wanted to be POTUS, she has been throwing several hints at it. For instance, in the 2x13 episode (Nobody Likes Babies), Mellie speaks on how she'll ruin Fitz's political career, leaving him bankrupt with the whisper of the affair, and then use all of that political influence on herself (as well as feminist and some other groups) to run for office (and she'd likely win too since what Mellie wants, she eventually gets).

    Also, on 2x20 (I think A Woman Scorned), Cyrus approaches Mellie with a plan to have her ultimately run for POTUS if she didn't go forward with the reveal that Fitz was having an extra-marrital affair. Fitz was the one that put Cyrus up to it (showing her bright, bright political figure, I think, were his words) so he must've known this as well.

    So it's not a massive change of attitude. She has shown discontent for her position as First Lady (claiming, in 3x01, that for someone as intelligent and as educated as she is, it was a profoundly boring 'profession' that allowed her a lot of time to think) and said that the minute a man got to be in that position, it'd have a salary and all.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You're looking at from Mellie's perspective - not Fitz's perspective, which is what I pointed out in the paragraph you quoted. In previous seasons you'd have put your money on Fitz scoffing at the possibility, but not this time. That's why it's a big change.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Another good episode and I agree Tony, Bellamy, Darby, and Jeff Perry all brought their A Game.
    I mean even the haters have give props to Fitz saying he wanted his son back. Those of us who like Fitz wasn't surprised by the answer and I don't think it changes anything. Of course he loves his child more than a woman. Fitz humanity is something that is shown more than any other characters and for some reason he gets crucified for showing his emotions. Children first and Olivia second. The way it should be.

    Fitz will help Mellie politically and hopefully this will lead to an divorce. Mellie has accepted that he'll never love her and that's a good thing for this show.

    I believe Rowan is the one who purchased Olivia. Olivia and her crazy parents need total separation.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yeah good points. I do hope it isn't Rowan. Things are better without him around - we've seen enough of him this season. It'll be interesting to see what happens

    ReplyDelete
  5. "Also, on 2x20 (I think A Woman Scorned), Cyrus approaches Mellie with a plan to have her ultimately run for POTUS if she didn't go forward with the reveal that Fitz was having an extra-marrital affair. Fitz was the one that put Cyrus up to it (showing her bright, bright political figure, I think, were his words) so he must've known this as well."
    That's why I added this.
    Fitz scoffing at the possibility was more likely to anger her than any actual doubt that she'd like the position.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I agree with Andrew43. Fitz supporting Mellie politically is not new. 220 is an example of him setting up her future in politics in which she turned the offer down and in the season 2 finale, Olivia came up with a brilliant plan for Fitz to help Mellie politically and to start their divorce proceedings in a way that wouldn't hurt their careers.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Exactly. Fitz was never upfront about it but the underlying notion that he'd agree with Mellie running has been there for quite some time now.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Am I the only one thinking it might be the season 1 character some cast members ditched about?


    My money is on Stephen.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Bellamy and Tony are killing it this season. I'm so intrigued by Mellie and Fitz's complicated partnership. I do hope they can make it work once Olivia returns. I can't take their angst anymore.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Yeah their partnership is the best its ever been - even including the rape incident. It's great to watch

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm sure we would have heard if Henry Ian Cusick was returning to the series. He left Scandal because he didn't think it was a good fit for him so I'd be amazed if he ever returns

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've been wrapping my brain at a first season character that could've returned and Stephen is the only one I remember that makes sense that could've vouched for Olivia.


    Every other character in S1 - Gideon and Amanda - are dead and I really, REALLY hope that it isn't Billy Chambers.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yep. Plus it's the only viable way to extend the WH component and drag put Olitz for several more seasons. I never understood why the series started in year 2 of presidency and then moved fast. They should've slowed it down. They could've at least dragged out first term so that it linked up with 2016 elections. It's not like other shows haven't employed a slower timeline. Anyway, glad that Mellie is being shown in this manner as opposed to the fried chicken eating mess - that was way OTT.

    ReplyDelete
  14. There seems to be some sort of confusion in Scandal's timeline.


    We know from S1 that Quinn Perkins only began to exist in 2008, with no one being able to find information pertaining to her existence before.
    Scandal began on 2011. If the show is following the same years as from when it debuted, then, Fitz's presidency should've began in 2009/2010.
    But the Cytron explosion had already happened when Fitz took office (or was about it, as evidenced by Blown Away). So, the Cytron explosion/Quinn Perkis happened in 2008. Fitz should've taken office by 2009/2010 because Fitz's reelection campaign happened in 2013/2014 (in RL, I have no idea when in the show's timeline.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Randy Zisk didn't direct last week's episode, Debbie Allen did.

    ReplyDelete
  16. But would Stephen, who loves Olivia, put her through being treated so poorly? I heard about the spoiler from the cast. The only one I can think of from Season 1 is former Governor Reston who has always hated Fitz and he knows about the rigged election Liv helped win or Billy Chambers who suppose to be in prison.

    Now that I think about it, could it be that dictator that Olivia represented from Season 1 who wife and kids ran away from him, General Benicio Flores. If not Rowan, the list is short of suspects.

    ReplyDelete
  17. yes that's what I said. but the author of this post wrote that Randy Zisk directed both last night and last week, which is untrue.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Mellie showed her true colors and she is delusional. Fitz wanted his son back and Olivia home safe
    and Mellie only cared about being President. She did not even mention her kids or doing something
    altruistic.



    For Mellie, it is has Always been about power (I want to rule the world), not about doing good things for the country. She only clings to Fitz to be close to power and there has never been any love involved for her.



    Mellie has no political, business or social activism experience but expects to be President by magic. I can't believe fans are taking her seriously when she has done nothing to further her political career but only talks about her Ivy League education and has yet to show us her brilliance.

    Mellie is the poster child for white privilege.
    This storyline needs to end and the show needs to go back to OPA handling cases. The premise of the show is crisis management not a spy thriller so no more B613 or Alias type nonsense. Season 1 and 2 were the best because the show focused on its strengths not its weaknesses.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I didn't say it was romantic. I just like seeing them as a team, working together etc. Based on the last few episodes, Mellie is obviously aware of Fitz's love for Liv. I believe Fitz loves does Mellie, but he's _in love_ with Olivia.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Mellie sure is a woman you love to hate alot of the time... just when you want to like her.. she says or does something that drags you screaming back to the other side..

    and I really wish they had more scenes with Maya Pope

    and they know what the deal is with Huck.. they know that Liv is just about the only one that can bring him back from the dark side or even at the brink of the dark side... he's on the edge and is teetering fast...

    ReplyDelete
  21. I saw tweets last night about Mellie for President. But I was thinking, even by Scandal standards, that would be a long shot. How can she move from FLOTUS to POTUS? If Fitz dies, the VP would take over. If the VP dies, the Majority Leader. FLOTUS not in the equation. Mellie would have to be elected President by the Electoral College and American votes and she has no political career. She was only a lawyer. Mellie can't be President. Not even Shonda Rhimes can wave her finger and make her POTUS without the Scandal writers looking like hacks.

    ReplyDelete
  22. This balcony scenes are becoming my favorite scenes after liv and fitz's scenes. Tony and Bellamy were amazing as usual.And actually had great laugh,when mellie said "We sleep better when she's lying between us"one of the best line from last night episode .

    And another surprising answer was ("What do you want - really want - more than anything in the world?") - "Jerry. Alive again" i wasn't hoping for that ans. And felt bad for abby funny she was the only one person to not know that liv was kidnapped.

    looking at huck and fitz i think i really need friend like huck and bf like fitz who could go war for me lol... #teamOlitz

    ReplyDelete
  23. It is a woman, you guys could not tell?!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Yes. Or the ukranian's terrorists

    ReplyDelete
  25. Easy.
    She has sat by Fitz's side through eight years of presidency which means that she's well-liked by the public and instantly recognizable. Then, during Fitz's last years as president, she takes on public matters of her own, political projects she does to launch her career. Then, she runs for Governor somewhere (but California is a better springboard for the White House according to Cyrus). And from there, she runs for POTUS.


    Cyrus explained it in 2x20.

    ReplyDelete

NOTE: Name-calling, personal attacks, spamming, excessive self-promotion, condescending pomposity, general assiness, racism, sexism, any-other-ism, homophobia, acrophobia, and destructive (versus constructive) criticism will get you BANNED from the party.