tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299647152024-03-19T05:01:15.401+00:00SpoilerTVDarkUFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08464721245509617190noreply@blogger.comBlogger2030125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29964715.post-27228564662145873632023-08-08T12:00:00.004+01:002023-08-08T12:00:00.386+01:00USD POLL : Which of these TV character's wardrobe would you most like to steal for yourself?<a name='more'></a><img class='headerimage' width='726px' src='https://files.spoilertv.com/headers/usdp.jpg' />
<br>
<br>
Today's User Submitted Daily (<a href="http://www.spoilertv.com/search/label/USDP">USD</a>) Poll was submitted by <b>Demi</b> who was picked randomly from our Poll Submissions (see below). Want to see your Poll posted on the site? Click <a href="https://goo.gl/forms/F8LekLTkDZY3OCIg2">here to submit</a> your poll.
<br>
<br>
Let us know in the comments what you voted for and why?
<br>
<br>
You can vote for 1 Option.
<br>
<br>
<div class="mrf-polldaddy"><script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="https://secure.polldaddy.com/p/12603817.js"></script><noscript><a href="https://poll.fm/12603817">USD POLL : Which of these TV character's wardrobe would you most like to steal for yourself?</a></noscript></div>
<br>
<br>
<div class="RecentUSDP2container">
<div class="RecentUSDP2 authorreviews">
Recent USD Polls
</div>
<div id="RecentUSDP2">
</div>
</div>
<script type='text/javascript'> //<![CDATA[
$('#RecentUSDP2').feedget({
feed: 'https://www.spoilertv.com/feeds/posts/default/-/USDP',
entries: 8, images: false, buttons: false, twitter: false, facebook: false, showHeader: false
});
//]]></script>Rainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05181748888795028975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29964715.post-83394885354047339672023-02-17T11:00:00.012+00:002023-02-17T11:00:02.602+00:00USD POLL : Who is the most badass male TV show character?<a name='more'></a><img class='headerimage' width='726px' src='https://files.spoilertv.com/headers/usdp.jpg' />
<br>
<br>
Today's User Submitted Daily (<a href="http://www.spoilertv.com/search/label/USDP">USD</a>) Poll was submitted by <b>jenny</b> who was picked randomly from our Poll Submissions (see below). Want to see your Poll posted on the site? Click <a href="https://goo.gl/forms/F8LekLTkDZY3OCIg2">here to submit</a> your poll.
<br>
<br>
Let us know in the comments what you voted for and why?
<br>
<br>
You can vote for 2 Options.
<br>
<br>
<script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="https://secure.polldaddy.com/p/11675269.js"></script>
<noscript><a href="https://poll.fm/11675269">USD POLL : Who is the most badass male TV show character?</a></noscript>
<br>
<br>
<div class="RecentUSDP2container">
<div class="RecentUSDP2 authorreviews">
Recent USD Polls
</div>
<div id="RecentUSDP2">
</div>
</div>
<script type='text/javascript'> //<![CDATA[
$('#RecentUSDP2').feedget({
feed: 'https://www.spoilertv.com/feeds/posts/default/-/USDP',
entries: 8, images: false, buttons: false, twitter: false, facebook: false, showHeader: false
});
//]]></script>Rainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05181748888795028975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29964715.post-71671958385721499642022-03-19T11:00:00.012+00:002022-03-19T13:47:52.533+00:00USD POLL : What are your favorite TV shows starting with S?<a name='more'></a><img class='headerimage' width='726px' src='https://files.spoilertv.com/headers/usdp.jpg' />
<br>
<br>
Today's User Submitted Daily (<a href="http://www.spoilertv.com/search/label/USDP">USD</a>) Poll was submitted by <b>TVJunkie927</b> who was picked randomly from our Poll Submissions (see below). Want to see your Poll posted on the site? Click <a href="https://goo.gl/forms/F8LekLTkDZY3OCIg2">here to submit</a> your poll.
<br>
<br>
Let us know in the comments what you voted for and why?
<br>
<br>
You can vote for 5 Options.
<br>
<br>
<div class="mrf-polldaddy">
<script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="https://secure.polldaddy.com/p/11068775.js"></script>
<noscript><a href="https://poll.fm/11068775">USD POLL : What are your favorite TV shows starting with S?</a></noscript>
</div>
<br>
<br>
<div class="RecentUSDP2container">
<div class="RecentUSDP2 authorreviews">
Recent USD Polls
</div>
<div id="RecentUSDP2">
</div>
</div>
<script type='text/javascript'> //<![CDATA[
$('#RecentUSDP2').feedget({
feed: 'https://www.spoilertv.com/feeds/posts/default/-/USDP',
entries: 8, images: false, buttons: false, twitter: false, facebook: false, showHeader: false
});
//]]></script>Rainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05181748888795028975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29964715.post-48089022038570018782022-03-05T11:00:00.018+00:002022-03-05T11:00:03.221+00:00USD POLL : Do you enjoy political TV shows?<a name='more'></a><img class='headerimage' width='726px' src='https://files.spoilertv.com/headers/usdp.jpg' />
<br>
<br>
Today's User Submitted Daily (<a href="http://www.spoilertv.com/search/label/USDP">USD</a>) Poll was submitted by <b>Marchie</b> who was picked randomly from our Poll Submissions (see below). Want to see your Poll posted on the site? Click <a href="https://goo.gl/forms/F8LekLTkDZY3OCIg2">here to submit</a> your poll.
<br>
<br>
Let us know in the comments what you voted for and why?
<br>
<br>
You can vote for 2 Options.
<br>
<br>
<div class="mrf-polldaddy">
<script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8" src="https://secure.polldaddy.com/p/11059980.js"></script>
<noscript><a href="https://poll.fm/11059980">USD POLL : Do you enjoy political based TV shows?</a></noscript>
</div>
<br>
<br>
<div class="RecentUSDP2container">
<div class="RecentUSDP2 authorreviews">
Recent USD Polls
</div>
<div id="RecentUSDP2">
</div>
</div>
<script type='text/javascript'> //<![CDATA[
$('#RecentUSDP2').feedget({
feed: 'https://www.spoilertv.com/feeds/posts/default/-/USDP',
entries: 8, images: false, buttons: false, twitter: false, facebook: false, showHeader: false
});
//]]></script>Rainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05181748888795028975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29964715.post-67355855159283208522021-03-30T12:00:00.009+01:002021-03-30T12:00:04.864+01:00USD POLL : What is your favorite Shondaland show?<a name='more'></a><img class='headerimage' width='726px' src='https://files.spoilertv.com/headers/usdp.jpg' />
<br>
<br>
Today's User Submitted Daily (<a href="http://www.spoilertv.com/search/label/USDP">USD</a>) Poll was submitted by <b>annieoakley31</b> who was picked randomly from our Poll Submissions (see below). Want to see your Poll posted on the site? Click <a href="https://goo.gl/forms/F8LekLTkDZY3OCIg2">here to submit</a> your poll.
<br>
<br>
Let us know in the comments what you voted for and why?
<br>
<br>
You can vote for 3 Options.
<br>
<br>
<script type="text/javascript">
(function(d,s,id,u){
if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
var js, sjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],
t = Math.floor(new Date().getTime() / 1000000);
js=d.createElement(s); js.id=id; js.async=1; js.src=u+'?'+t;
sjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, sjs);
}(document, 'script', 'os-widget-jssdk', 'https://www.opinionstage.com/assets/loader.js'));
</script><div id="os-widget-828931" class="os_poll pollwrapper" data-path="/polls/2736377" data-of="spoilertvpolls"></div>
<br>
<br>
<div class="RecentUSDP2container">
<div class="RecentUSDP2 authorreviews">
Recent USD Polls
</div>
<div id="RecentUSDP2">
</div>
</div>
<script type='text/javascript'> //<![CDATA[
$('#RecentUSDP2').feedget({
feed: 'https://www.spoilertv.com/feeds/posts/default/-/USDP',
entries: 8, images: false, buttons: false, twitter: false, facebook: false, showHeader: false
});
//]]></script>Rainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05181748888795028975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29964715.post-374161632817330322020-07-01T12:05:00.000+01:002020-07-01T12:05:49.066+01:00SpoilerTV Staff's Unpopular TV Opinions<a name='more'></a><img class="headerimage" width="726px" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/cdn.spoilertv.com/images/headers/unpopular-opinions.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<i>The SpoilerTV team have been asked to compile their opinions about television which they perceive to be unpopular amongst fans. Below are the thoughts of the team. Editor's note: the opinions reflect the views of the attributed writer and not that of SpoilerTV.</i><br />
<br />
<i><b>VARIOUS SHOWS</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Angela - "Laugh tracks":</b> <br />
I think a lot of people still tend to confuse laugh tracks and live audiences and think they're one and the same. Yes, sometimes live audiences may be "sweetened" a little, but the laughter is still real and that doesn't make it a laugh track. I've also never understood the idea that the audience laughter is "telling people when to laugh". I see it as more people just sharing a laugh, the way people would at a theater production. If a show is awful and the audience is excessive, that's a problem, yes, but it's a problem with the show, one that that even a lack of an audience wouldn't be able to save or fix.<br />
<br />
<b>Angela - Multi-cam versus single-cam:</b> <br />
I really couldn't care less about the difference between multi-cam or single-cam shows. I don't think one is superior to the other, there's good and bad in both types of shows. <br />
<br />
<b>Dahne - Cancelled shows don't "deserve" another season:</b> <br />
I want my favorite shows to continue just like the next fan, but howling at networks for cancelling a show that doesn't make them money is ridiculous. TV is a business and sometimes favorite shows just don't make the cut. It sucks but it's life.<br />
<br />
<b>Dahne - Neither the word "reboot" nor "procedural" are bad words when it comes to TV:</b> <br />
There are so many people who won't even try a show if it is a procedural or a reboot. I love both. Procedurals do follow a similar format each episode but that makes them comfort food TV and it means they are far less likely to disappoint, go off the deep end, or leave gaping plotholes than serials. They also give you more time with the characters and tend to be renewed easier. Reboots can be a lot of fun, especially if they are from older shows like Hawaii 5-0 or MacGyver. (I do understand that some shows are sacred and some shows get rebooted too soon.) If there's a lot of distance between the reboot and the original, most of the audience wouldn't know it was a reboot anyway. I much prefer reboots to the umpteenth superhero show. At this point, it feels like we'll be getting a superhero show or movie about Spider-Man's cousin's barber next. <br />
<br />
<img class="headerimage" width="726px" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ktzVb0gAxf4/XvkVGplObxI/AAAAAAAABZo/_sHNSJiKk84LoAxCHoLFdfVS_iXCycwtwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/H50.jpg" data-original-width="985" data-original-height="657" /><br />
<br />
<b>Dahne - When they hook up the leads in a show, it's usually the female characters that get screwed:</b> <br />
I hate when they take great female characters and then make them less awesome after they hook them up with their co-leads. Paige gained nothing but another child when they hooked her up with Walter on Scorpion. Felicity nosedived on Arrow. Beckett declined on Castle. Pairing characters up should lead to both of them being better, not the lopsided mess so many shows become.<br />
<br />
<b>Eve - I basically hate every show on the CW network (apart from maybe The 100 that I enjoyed for a bit):</b> <br />
Storylines are dull, focused on young pretty model-like people. No reference to reality. Teenager fluff stuff.<br />
<br />
<b>Luana Arturi - Superhero shows are procedurals with superpowers and crossovers are just a money grab:</b> <br />
Same as procedurals, most superhero shows can have a couple of interesting arcs but, in the end, they're always dealing with a different villain/criminal after some period of time, and most of them get boring and repetitive. Also, most crossovers only make it worse since you get two minutes with every character and, unless you watch every single show, you're forced to pay attention to stories you have no interest in and watch different shows in order to see what happens with your characters. They might work as a marketing tool but they can also backfire since, when you drop one show, you might be tempted to drop them all at once.<br />
<br />
<b>Prpleight - It is possible for men and women to work together without hooking up:</b> <br />
I understand that there are shows that are created with the intention to build a romance between two characters. I don't have a problem with that. When that relationship is part of the show's design it usually works. But every time the writers create a male/female friendship that really clicks, fans start screaming for them to become a couple. Every single time I've watched the showrunners "bow to the will of the people," a character is destroyed and, sadly, it's usually the female character. <br />
<br />
<b>Prpleight - None of NBC's biggest sitcoms (Friends/Seinfeld/Scrubs/The Office) were funny.</b><br />
<br />
<i><b>AGENTS OF SHIELD</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>klutzy_girl - AoS went downhill after season one:</b> <br />
Season one was the best season, and still my favorite to this day. It went off the rails during 2B and never recovered, although the Framework arc in season four is one of my favorite storylines. The show's progressively gotten worse and should have ended several seasons ago.<br />
<br />
<img class="headerimage" width="726px" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IDDCkv9R2y0/XvkVHeUFsgI/AAAAAAAABZ4/OI-94qlHOy4AjFuV_66g6uV6_WzRhpQSQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SHIELD.jpg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1121" /><br />
<br />
<i><b>ANGEL/BUFFY</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Folie-lex - Angel is the superior show of the Buffyverse:</b> <br />
Buffy is the classic. The pioneer. No denying that. But in terms of overall cohesiveness and consistency (yes, even S4 and S5. In the grand scheme of the show it <b>all fits</b>), Angel simply hit the mark better. It was more mature not only because of its setting, characters and the noir premise, but also because the people involved were by that time a lot more experienced. And it showed.<br />
<br />
<b>klutzy_girl - Cordelia/Angel is better than Buffy/Angel:</b> <br />
Cordelia/Angel is a far better pairing than Buffy/Angel (a ship I've never liked) and they deserved to have a real chance together. Cordy was the love of his life, and I'll forever be bitter about her ending.<br />
<br />
<i><b>BUFFY</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Dahne - "Once More with Feeling" is highly overrated:</b> <br />
I get that it was an original idea before every other show started doing it, but this wasn't the best episode and in some places, the singing is downright cringe-worthy.<br />
<br />
<b>Ali D - Riley was as vanilla as they come, but he was Buffy’s only suitable love interest:</b> <br />
I know why people are irate over Buffy and Spike, but did not have issues with the 200+-year-old Angel having sex with 16-year-old Buffy? Not to mention the whole sex leads to murder and mayhem message? Why, friends?<br />
<br />
<i><b>CRIMINAL MINDS</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Angela - Spread the character love:</b> <br />
I love Reid, but other characters exist on the show, too. And it'd be really nice if people would stop calling female characters, be they team members or the guys' girlfriends/wives, "bitches" who just don't understand them or are being "mean" to them or whatever other accusation people sometimes like to throw at the women on the show.<br />
<br />
<img class="headerimage" width="726px" border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uYNt5Ez0RqQ/XvkVGI90-4I/AAAAAAAABZk/FJ1MmzcI404O6XeJzL-B25iyTde-Uu8OgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Criminal%2BMinds.jpg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="900" /><br />
<br />
<i><b>DOCTOR WHO</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Milo - Doctor Who's Kill the Moon is an under-appreciated episode:</b> <br />
Series 8 of Doctor Who as a whole is incredibly underappreciated and I will defend it until the end, but Kill the Moon feels like it gets a lot of unnecessary flak. Yes, the moon birthing a new moon isn't the best concept ever, but I love the arc-based storyline in this episode, The Doctor abandoning Clara to make a crucial decision of her own and then Clara basically calling him out on it and even threatening to leave the TARDIS because of it is brilliant character development - the whole series builds up to the question of whether or not The Doctor is a good man and his cruelty to Clara shows his darker side coming out. It's important to take the ending into context especially as a culmination of everything that The Doctor has put Clara through in the past few weeks, shattering a relationship and friendship in the process. Both Jenna Coleman and Peter Capaldi completely sell this episode to make it work as well it does. <br />
<br />
<i><b>FIREFLY</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Dahne - Firefly is overhyped:</b> <br />
Maybe you had to be there when it was airing, I binged it several years later and found it to be decent but nothing special and definitely not up to the overwhelming praise it still gets. I'd also add that Nathan Fillion's best role is Captain Hammer (Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog), not Captain Reynolds... or Castle.<br />
<br />
<i><b>FRIENDS</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Jamie Coudeville - Rachel should not have ended up with Ross:</b> <br />
There have been articles and Tumblr posts that have explained the many reasons much better than I will attempt to do, but here I go anyway. And, FYI, this is not about wanting Rachel to end up with someone else. Yes, I liked her with Joey but I would've been perfectly happy if the show had ended with Rachel single. The relationship between Rachel and Ross just wasn't healthy. He was extremely jealous when she worked with another man, to the point where he started harassing her at work. He lied to her about them still being married (seriously, who does that?). I hated how he reacted to Joey having feelings for Rachel when he hadn't been with her in years and Joey even said he wouldn't act on it for Ross' sake (he was being too nice here). I still can't believe Rachel walked away from her dream job for Ross. Honey, no guy is worth that. <br />
<br />
<b>Julia Krassnik - Monica and Chandler were the real main couple of the show:</b> <br />
Monica and Chandler had so much better chemistry than Ross and Rachel. To me they are the main couple of Friends and <b>nothing</b> you say can change my mind.<br />
<br />
<img class="headerimage" width="726px" border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BSUI-aBk74U/XvkVGVnR1GI/AAAAAAAABZs/aUbLiOxEbKkySirEV0FmEV3BGwvsdqfrQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/FRIENDS.png" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="900" /><br />
<br />
<i><b>GAME OF THRONES</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Bradley Adams - Of all the battle episodes, "The Battle of the Bastards" is only better than "The Long Night":</b><br />
"The Long Night" is an abysmal hour, devoid of plot and shot so that it's impossible to see anything anyway. It's the worst battle in Game of Thrones. That's a fairly universal opinion. But the second-worst is season six's climax between Jon Snow and Ramsay Bolton, which succeeds in looking good and not a whole lot else. Ramsay is cartoonish in his villainy by this point, having far outlived his usefulness to the series and existing solely to be sadistic - he is the shining example of criticisms over the show's fetish for unnecessary violence. He needed to go, but the battle was wholly unsatisfying in the series' larger context. Future episodes paint Jon as the great leader of men - yet here, he's reckless at the first sign of emotional involvement, gets half his army killed and only topples Ramsay's army because Sansa went against his wishes and involved Littlefinger. The battle itself is boring - albeit well constructed by Miguel Sapochnik - and a slog until the inevitable victory. Sansa killing Ramsay is satisfying, sure, but I had pretty much stopped caring by that point.<br />
<br />
<b>Ali D - They should have waited for George R. R. Martin to finish the series before attempting a show:</b> <br />
It never seemed to know where it was going, so what the audience got was nothing more than sex and violence solely intended to serve the male gaze. There was nothing nuanced there.<br />
<br />
<b>Darthlocke/LauraB - Why Dany needed to die in Game of Thrones' final season:</b> <br />
Despite that books are unfinished and that the TV series would probably always to struggle to fully realize their intentions, the subtext relating to the debate of predeterminism and fate or the concept of a cosmology cycle still shines through as many wonder about who was the possible reincarnate of Azor Ahai? The show told us with the choice of Jon being put into a position where he had to kill someone he truly loved for the sake of the greater good and thus Dany had to fulfil the role of Nisa Nisa to make this point about repeated manifestations of history and fate in the SOIAF universe. It's also why the Starks' endings are what they are from Bran the Broken (or the latest incarnate of the three-eyed raven) ruling the Iron Throne, to The North becoming its own separate entity, to Arya adventuring, to Jon going to live in the melting North with the Freefolk, and Drogon mysteriously returning east with Dany's body, as this all reflects the Westeros just prior to the first The Long Night, which may be when The Night King (TV series version) was created. The cycle was broken in bittersweet fashion. The story was never about owning your identity, quite the opposite.<br />
<br />
<b>Giulia Del Buono - I never really understood why Game Of Thrones was so popular:</b> <br />
I respect its fanbase, the actors and the people who worked on it. I just never quite understood why it was so popular. I tried to watch it, believe me. It just never caught my attention.<br />
<br />
<img class="headerimage" width="726px" order="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aUtN4cuFr4M/XvkVGtkvqgI/AAAAAAAABZw/hBx6wCzvZUARGH-sTYUSEfOgSJl5zXUEACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/GoT.jpg" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /><br />
<br />
<i><b>GOSSIP GIRL</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Alejandra M. - Blair should have ended up with Dan in Gossip Girl:</b> <br />
The relationship between Dan and Blair felt more real and healthy than Chuck and Blair. There were several things that Chuck did to Blair that just made it impossible for me to like or support, he treated Blair awfully and tried to make up for it with expensive gifts, and Dan was always there to support Blair through thick and thin, when she needed him the most. Dan's love for Blair was stronger than his love for Serena ever was, because it grew from common interests, whereas with Serena it was just because Dan was obsessed with her. <br />
<br />
<i><b>LEGEND OF KORRA</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Ali D - Not only was this show no Avatar: The Last Airbender, it was actually awful:</b> <br />
It had a promising start with the villain, Amon, and the looming question of equity in a world where some can bend and others cannot, but the conclusion to his storyline was a huge letdown. It felt like every season was written by a new team. A team that hadn’t bothered watching the previous season. Even the writing within seasons was a mess. The lone exception being Season 3.<br />
<br />
<i><b>LOST</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Folie-lex - Lost is overrated:</b> <br />
Not saying that Lost is a bad show... It is not. But it's hardly the be-all and end-all where quality TV is concerned. It's just that when it came on it was the brand new shiny thing and I think too many people (audience and critics and the show itself) drank the kool-aid way too fast and easily, which ended up with the show mostly coasting on that. Because in the end it had too many plot holes, and way too many questions specifically asked throughout the run which it left obtusely unanswered, and too many "twists" for the sake of the twist and the drama. What it is, is fine. Highly imperfect and just... fine. Nothing more.<br />
<br />
<b>Prpleight - The Lost finale made sense to me. I liked it:</b> <br />
I'm not really sure how to explain this one except to say that most of the people I have spoken to directly, not online, about this episode immediately complain about the episode breaking the promise made in the pilot. I heard dialogue stating the opposite. Ah well. I liked it. I'm good with being in the minority. <br />
<br />
<img class="headerimage" width="726px" border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m-264hYv90E/XvkVHDdjNLI/AAAAAAAABZ0/LT6RiWVJwJ0k_EMhd7ukWzxmRxeoKW3qgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/LOST.jpg" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="800" /><br />
<br />
<i><b>NCIS</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Dahne - Jethro Gibbs is an abusive boss:</b> <br />
I have come to terms with the Gibbs character, but the fact remains that hitting any co-worker, especially those underneath you, is abusive, no matter where or how you hit them. The Navy version of HR must find him a nightmare.<br />
<br />
<i><b>PARKS AND RECREATION</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Bradley Adams - "The Johnny Karate Super Awesome Musical Explosion Show" is the best episode of Parks and Recreation season 7, and definitely better than "Leslie and Ron":</b> <br />
The episode everyone tends to fixate on from Parks and Rec's final season is "Leslie and Ron", which is a marvellously entertaining, sublimely heartwarming half-hour. But I've always felt that, as an episode, "Johnny Karate" is superior. It's a complete departure from anything you'd expect Parks and Rec to do, setting the entire episode on the set of Andy's children's show, with much of the time spent as if we're watching his show. It's joyful throughout; seeing Andy do this thing which he loves so much is wonderful, and Parks manages to shoehorn in all of its main characters in unusual ways - Ben as Professor Smartbrain, for instance. Throw in some Rick and Morty 'Interdimensional Cable' style commercials and you have hilarity in every way. But I really adore the emotional side of April and Andy's relationship - they remain the purest couple on the show, and to see the typically stonefaced April struggle with having effectively forced Andy to leave this thing he loves works so well. It's a complete curveball episode, but it's also brilliant.<br />
<br />
<i><b>RIVERDALE</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Jamie Coudeville - Riverdale should've stuck with the 13 episode format they had in season 1:</b> <br />
I have not made it a secret that lately I prefer shows to have a smaller episode order. But I feel like Riverdale is the perfect example of why. To this day, season 1 is my favorite of this show. 13 episodes were just enough to solve the mystery while keeping the filler episodes to a minimum. The lower episode count also meant that the writers didn't have enough time to make things too crazy, which is what I feel like they did with every season after that. When you have to fill 22 episodes, often writers will start to create drama just to fill the season. Imagine if season 4 had only been 13 episodes. No dragging out the storyline of "did they really kill Jughead". No ridiculous episode of how they would kill their principal and then cover it up (and then turn on each other). Also, no time for a musical episode. See, it's just win-win.<br />
<br />
<img class="headerimage" width="726px" border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DQxv0itPfIE/XvkWzdEZl6I/AAAAAAAABac/kdSh8eDXgrYPk4WKXXl3SmzCzGBY1iTygCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Riverdale.jpg" data-original-width="1014" data-original-height="570" /><br />
<br />
<i><b>SHONDA RHIMES</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Julia Krassnik - Shonda Rhimes shows are so overly dramatic they get extremely unrealistic and annoying over time:</b> <br />
How many times can someone almost die? If one character constantly experiences bad luck I might buy it but if every single person on the show is continuously followed by extreme misfortune it just gets old over time. Several shows have a similar issue but Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder are the only shows I ever stopped watching because I felt there was too much (exaggerated) drama going on.<br />
<br />
<i><b>SCREAM</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Shirleena - Scream without Sidney? No!:</b> <br />
The "Scream" movies are a pop culture icon and when MTV tried to make it into a series without the three main characters it just fell flat. <br />
<br />
<i><b>SMALLVILLE</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Ali D - Clark and Lois never lived up to Clark and Lana:</b> <br />
A relationship between Lois and Clark is an obligatory one, but the chemistry just wasn't there. Clark and Lana had chemistry and a more interesting storyline since his arrival killed her parents and changed the entire course of her life.<br />
<br />
<i><b>SUPERGIRL</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Abby - Season four is not very good:</b> <br />
A few entertaining episodes at the end masked a bad season. The Red Daughter storyline had awful pacing and left too many dangling threads, the Elite's potential was wasted, Manchester Black's death was abrupt and had no closure, the dismantling of Jimmy Olsen's character continued and the ridiculous grass scene made me embarrassed for the actresses involved. But worst of all was the ham-fisted, amateurish, tone-deaf and frankly offensive efforts to humanize Nazi stand-ins and use similarities to real-life historical events but not understanding those events and ending up with half baked ideas that failed.<br />
<br />
<img class="headerimage" width="726px" border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3VwwZhyi1qU/XvkVHxqfk4I/AAAAAAAABZ8/RNr3vedvmNkUBQFYK5ixLvm7gwiYAGa9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Supergirl.jpg" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="800" /><br />
<br />
<i><b>SUPERNATURAL</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Dahne - Bringing in angels ruined Supernatural:</b> <br />
Bringing in angels made the show too "epic" for the brothers to handle alone. It changed the "brothers against the world" vibe of the show to its detriment. Supernatural needed to stop thinking that it had to go bigger and bigger (God - really?) and instead focus on what made it special in the early years.<br />
<br />
<i><b>TEEN WOLF</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Alejandra M. - Teen Wolf should have ended with season 6 episode 10:</b> <br />
The finale of season 6A felt more like a finale to the series overall than the actual finale did. Season 6B was quite boring, aside from the interesting dynamic between Theo and Liam, the plot was quite boring and season 6A felt like a better ending point.<br />
<br />
<b>Dahne - Liam is the Cousin Oliver/Dawn of Teen Wolf:</b> <br />
Liam and the whole JV Squad of season 4 and later were totally superfluous and often annoying. Why bring on a whole set of characters that are generally just lesser replacements of the originals? Liam is an annoying, even more superpowered Scott. Mason is an unfunny Stiles. Hayden is the poor man's Allison. <br />
<br />
<b>Dahne - Redeeming psychopaths is not romantic or good storytelling:</b> <br />
What is up with TV's need to redeem psychopaths? I'm not talking about "bad boys" and "bad girls," but genuine, stone-cold killers. Did they really need to redeem Peter, Theo, or Deucalion? Sometimes killers can stay killers. They're often more interesting that way. The only time redeeming a psychopath worked for me was King Richard in Galavant.<br />
<br />
<i><b>THE BIG BANG THEORY</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Julia Krassnik - Amy and Sheldon as a couple were not all that interesting:</b> <br />
Don't get me wrong, they are cute together. However, I would have found it a lot more interesting if Sheldon had fallen for someone who is not a scientist and who sees the world differently than him. Could it have worked out between him and that person? Not sure, but I would have liked to see it.<br />
<br />
<i><b>THE FLASH</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Ali D - Every season since Season 1 has gotten incrementally worse:</b> <br />
The problem is simple: no villain has ever lived up to Dr. Wells/Reverse Flash. The plotting and pacing of that first season was incredible. Now it just feels like your less than average superhero show.<br />
<br />
<img class="headerimage" width="726px" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3mqHRnUu4cw/XvkVF5EnuFI/AAAAAAAABZg/Frf5sghiMwwz5vmgZJMQIbpwWJ0ddIbcgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Flash.jpg" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="573" /><br />
<br />
<i><b>THE GOOD DOCTOR</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Ali D - Claire is totally unappealing as a character:</b> <br />
The writers only give her the struggle story or the victim story or the tragic story. Claire has to be exhausted. I’m tired on her behalf. <br />
<br />
<i><b>THE NIGHT SHIFT</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Shirleena - ER rip off:</b> <br />
It had some great stories but every time they said "welcome to the night shift" it annoyed me. <br />
<br />
<i><b>THE OC</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>klutzy_girl - Season four is the best season:</b> <br />
Season four's my absolute favorite and I love that it's a lighter season. This season has some of my favorite storylines - Kirsten's pregnancy, Ryan's biological father, Ryan/Taylor (which I prefer over Ryan/Marissa), etc.<br />
<br />
<i><b>THE VAMPIRE DIARIES/THE ORIGINALS</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Beth - Caroline and Klaus on The Vampire Diaries were not hot together, and she never should have been in The Originals' final season:</b> <br />
Their whole dynamic brought out the worst in both characters and I despised that they brought Caroline onto the final season of The Originals and make it seem like he needed her to 'straighten him out'. Klaus had grown plenty without her influence, she wasn't needed. <br />
<br />
<i><b>THIS IS US</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Beth - This is Us is an emotionally manipulative show:</b> <br />
I am all for emotional moments in shows, but when a show's entire 'thing' is making the viewers cry, there is something wrong and bland about the writing. The show is full of talent, don't get me wrong, but they deserve more than just being conduits to make an audience's kleenex budget go up. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29964715.post-33032084279322730872019-09-15T11:00:00.000+01:002019-09-15T11:00:03.607+01:00USD POLL : Who are your favorite TV villains of all time?<a name='more'></a><img class="headerimage" width="726px" border="0" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/cdn.spoilertv.com/images/headers/usdp.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Today's User Submitted Daily (<a href="http://www.spoilertv.com/search/label/USDP">USD</a>) Poll was submitted by <b>CrazyMan</b> who was picked randomly from our Poll Submissions (see below). Want to see your Poll posted on the site? Click <a href="https://goo.gl/forms/F8LekLTkDZY3OCIg2">here to submit</a> your poll.<br />
<br />
Let us know in the comments what you voted for and why?<br />
<br />
You can vote for 5 Options.<br />
<br />
<script type="text/javascript">
(function(d,s,id,u){
if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
var js, sjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],
t = Math.floor(new Date().getTime() / 1000000);
js=d.createElement(s); js.id=id; js.async=1; js.src=u+'?'+t;
sjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, sjs);
}(document, 'script', 'os-widget-jssdk', 'https://www.opinionstage.com/assets/loader.js'));
</script><div class="os_poll" data-fif="false" data-path="/polls/2567497" id="os-widget-565999"></div><br />
<div class="RecentUSDP2container"><div class="RecentUSDP2 authorreviews">Recent USD Polls<br />
</div><div id="RecentUSDP2"></div></div><script type='text/javascript'> //<![CDATA[
$('#RecentUSDP2').feedget({
feed: 'https://www.spoilertv.com/feeds/posts/default/-/USDP',
entries: 8, images: false, buttons: false, twitter: false, facebook: false, showHeader: false
});
//]]></script>Rainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05181748888795028975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29964715.post-22675056881969506302019-05-05T11:00:00.000+01:002019-05-05T11:00:09.375+01:00USD POLL : Which TV shows deserved better final seasons, and how would you have written them?<a name='more'></a><img class="headerimage" width="726px" border="0" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/cdn.spoilertv.com/images/headers/usdp.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Today's User Submitted Daily (<a href="http://www.spoilertv.com/search/label/USDP">USD</a>) Poll was submitted by <b>Andall</b> who was picked randomly from our Poll Submissions (see below). Want to see your Poll posted on the site? Click <a href="https://goo.gl/forms/F8LekLTkDZY3OCIg2">here to submit</a> your poll.<br />
<br />
Let us know in the comments what you voted for and why?<br />
<br />
You can vote for 4 Options.<br />
<br />
<script type="text/javascript">
(function(d, s, id){
var js,
fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],
r = Math.floor(new Date().getTime() / 1000000);
if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.async=1;
js.src = "https://www.opinionstage.com/assets/loader.js?" + r;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, 'script', 'os-widget-jssdk'));
</script><div class="os_poll" data-fif="false" data-path="/polls/2548812" id="os-widget-2548812"></div><br />
<div class="RecentUSDP2container"><div class="RecentUSDP2 authorreviews">Recent USD Polls<br />
</div><div id="RecentUSDP2"></div></div><script type='text/javascript'> //<![CDATA[
$('#RecentUSDP2').feedget({
feed: 'https://www.spoilertv.com/feeds/posts/default/-/USDP',
entries: 8, images: false, buttons: false, twitter: false, facebook: false, showHeader: false
});
//]]></script>Rainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05181748888795028975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29964715.post-82350119425204526092019-03-13T11:00:00.000+00:002019-03-13T11:00:15.291+00:00USD POLL : Which TGIT show is your favorite?<a name='more'></a><img class="headerimage" width="726px" border="0" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/cdn.spoilertv.com/images/headers/usdp.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Today's User Submitted Daily (<a href="http://www.spoilertv.com/search/label/USDP">USD</a>) Poll was submitted by <b>CBSviewer</b> who was picked randomly from our Poll Submissions (see below). Want to see your Poll posted on the site? Click <a href="https://goo.gl/forms/F8LekLTkDZY3OCIg2">here to submit</a> your poll.<br />
<br />
Let us know in the comments what you voted for and why?<br />
<br />
You can vote for 1 Option.<br />
<br />
<script type="text/javascript">
(function(d, s, id){
var js,
fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],
r = Math.floor(new Date().getTime() / 1000000);
if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.async=1;
js.src = "https://www.opinionstage.com/assets/loader.js?" + r;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, 'script', 'os-widget-jssdk'));
</script><div class="os_poll" data-fif="false" data-path="/polls/2540979" id="os-widget-2540979"></div><br />
<div class="RecentUSDP2container"><div class="RecentUSDP2 authorreviews">Recent USD Polls<br />
</div><div id="RecentUSDP2"></div></div><script type='text/javascript'> //<![CDATA[
$('#RecentUSDP2').feedget({
feed: 'https://www.spoilertv.com/feeds/posts/default/-/USDP',
entries: 8, images: false, buttons: false, twitter: false, facebook: false, showHeader: false
});
//]]></script>Rainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05181748888795028975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29964715.post-15171203990843981092019-03-12T11:00:00.000+00:002019-03-12T11:00:06.276+00:00USD POLL : What is your favorite political drama?<a name='more'></a><img class="headerimage" width="726px" border="0" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/cdn.spoilertv.com/images/headers/usdp.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Today's User Submitted Daily (<a href="http://www.spoilertv.com/search/label/USDP">USD</a>) Poll was submitted by <b>Folie-lex</b> who was picked randomly from our Poll Submissions (see below). Want to see your Poll posted on the site? Click <a href="https://goo.gl/forms/F8LekLTkDZY3OCIg2">here to submit</a> your poll.<br />
<br />
Let us know in the comments what you voted for and why?<br />
<br />
You can vote for 1 Option.<br />
<br />
<script type="text/javascript">
(function(d, s, id){
var js,
fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],
r = Math.floor(new Date().getTime() / 1000000);
if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.async=1;
js.src = "https://www.opinionstage.com/assets/loader.js?" + r;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, 'script', 'os-widget-jssdk'));
</script><div class="os_poll" data-fif="false" data-path="/polls/2540977" id="os-widget-2540977"></div><br />
<div class="RecentUSDP2container"><div class="RecentUSDP2 authorreviews">Recent USD Polls<br />
</div><div id="RecentUSDP2"></div></div><script type='text/javascript'> //<![CDATA[
$('#RecentUSDP2').feedget({
feed: 'https://www.spoilertv.com/feeds/posts/default/-/USDP',
entries: 8, images: false, buttons: false, twitter: false, facebook: false, showHeader: false
});
//]]></script>Rainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05181748888795028975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29964715.post-1938959215937727342019-02-25T11:00:00.000+00:002019-02-25T11:00:13.145+00:00USD POLL : Should there be a police TGIT show?<a name='more'></a><img class="headerimage" width="726px" border="0" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/cdn.spoilertv.com/images/headers/usdp.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Today's User Submitted Daily (<a href="http://www.spoilertv.com/search/label/USDP">USD</a>) Poll was submitted by <b>Abi</b> who was picked randomly from our Poll Submissions (see below). Want to see your Poll posted on the site? Click <a href="https://goo.gl/forms/F8LekLTkDZY3OCIg2">here to submit</a> your poll.<br />
<br />
Let us know in the comments what you voted for and why?<br />
<br />
You can vote for 1 Option.<br />
<br />
<script type="text/javascript">
(function(d, s, id){
var js,
fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],
r = Math.floor(new Date().getTime() / 1000000);
if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.async=1;
js.src = "https://www.opinionstage.com/assets/loader.js?" + r;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, 'script', 'os-widget-jssdk'));
</script><div class="os_poll" data-fif="false" data-path="/polls/2539299" id="os-widget-2539299"></div><br />
<div class="RecentUSDP2container"><div class="RecentUSDP2 authorreviews">Recent USD Polls<br />
</div><div id="RecentUSDP2"></div></div><script type='text/javascript'> //<![CDATA[
$('#RecentUSDP2').feedget({
feed: 'https://www.spoilertv.com/feeds/posts/default/-/USDP',
entries: 8, images: false, buttons: false, twitter: false, facebook: false, showHeader: false
});
//]]></script>Rainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05181748888795028975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29964715.post-52523129036930057422018-08-15T11:00:00.000+01:002018-08-15T11:00:10.072+01:00USD POLL : Who is your favorite TV antagonist?<a name='more'></a><img class="headerimage" width="726px" border="0" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/cdn.spoilertv.com/images/headers/usdp.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Today's User Submitted Daily (<a href="http://www.spoilertv.com/search/label/USDP">USD</a>) Poll was submitted by <b>Toni</b> who was picked randomly from our Poll Submissions (see below). Want to see your Poll posted on the site? Click <a href="https://goo.gl/forms/F8LekLTkDZY3OCIg2">here to submit</a> your poll.<br />
<br />
Let us know in the comments what you voted for and why?<br />
<br />
You can vote for 3 Options.<br />
<br />
<script type="text/javascript">
(function(d, s, id){
var js,
fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],
r = Math.floor(new Date().getTime() / 1000000);
if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.async=1;
js.src = "https://www.opinionstage.com/assets/loader.js?" + r;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, 'script', 'os-widget-jssdk'));
</script><div class="os_poll" data-fif="false" data-path="/polls/2514456" id="os-widget-2514456"></div><br />
<div class="RecentUSDP2container"><div class="RecentUSDP2 authorreviews">Recent USD Polls<br />
</div><div id="RecentUSDP2"></div></div><script type='text/javascript'> //<![CDATA[
$('#RecentUSDP2').feedget({
feed: 'https://www.spoilertv.com/feeds/posts/default/-/USDP',
entries: 8, images: false, buttons: false, twitter: false, facebook: false, showHeader: false
});
//]]></script>Rainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05181748888795028975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29964715.post-3274388992146556742018-05-28T11:30:00.000+01:002018-05-28T11:30:10.199+01:00Full 2017/2018 Network Ratings Table aka The Lucky/Unlucky Table<a name='more'></a><img class="headerimage" width="726px" border="0" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/cdn.spoilertv.com/images/headers/header-fullratingstables.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Thought it would be fun now that the most of the shows are over to see how each show did relative to each other in terms of the key 18-49 demo.<br />
<br />
The table below is sorted by Network, and then by the average 18-49 demo over the whole season.<br />
<br />
Green = Renewed<br />
Red = Cancelled<br />
Purple = Ended/Final Season<br />
<br />
The table shows how "unlucky" some shows were (eg Kevin Can Wait) to be cancelled, and how "lucky" some shows were (eg For The People, Shield, Dynasty, Blindspot etc) to be renewed in terms of ratings and their network Renewing/Cancelling shows with better/worse ratings.<br />
<br />
<div id="wrapper" style="width: 100%; height: 100%; overflow: auto; -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;"><iframe frameBorder="0" class="adsbygoogle" src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xiNM0RxykaGLyONtcTrdwn5OiEs4OKjSy0xt5O-sle8/pubhtml/sheet?headers=false&gid=950056823&range=A1:O109" width="100%" height="2800"></iframe></div>DarkUFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08464721245509617190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29964715.post-45516759598606000592018-05-14T12:07:00.000+01:002018-05-14T12:07:31.054+01:00On This Week - 14th May 2018<a name='more'></a><img class="headerimage" width="726px" border="0" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/cdn.spoilertv.com/images/headers/on-this-week.jpg" /><br />
<br />
See <a href="http://www.spoilertv.com/2018/04/on-this-week-23rd-april-2018.html">here</a> for an introduction about this new regular feature.<br />
<br />
<div id="wrapper" style="width: 100%; height: 100%; overflow: auto; -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;"><center><iframe frameBorder="0" class="adsbygoogle" src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10aDR2JR2NGNKXBDiHZXpsy-2Yar0U3c2CLl9yGKGx0U/pubhtml/sheet?headers=false&gid=407983119&range=A1:C124" width="100%" height="3400"></iframe></center></div><br />
<div class="RecentUSDP2container"><div class="RecentUSDP2 authorreviews">Previous Weeks<br />
</div><div id="RecentUSDP2"></div></div><script type='text/javascript'> //<![CDATA[
$('#RecentUSDP2').feedget({
feed: 'https://www.spoilertv.com/feeds/posts/default/-/On%20This%20Week',
entries: 8, images: false, buttons: false, twitter: false, facebook: false, showHeader: false
});
//]]></script>DarkUFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08464721245509617190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29964715.post-74408718212037882942018-05-07T13:51:00.000+01:002018-05-07T13:51:18.209+01:00On This Week - 7th May 2018<a name='more'></a><img class="headerimage" width="726px" border="0" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/cdn.spoilertv.com/images/headers/on-this-week.jpg" /><br />
<br />
See <a href="http://www.spoilertv.com/2018/04/on-this-week-23rd-april-2018.html">here</a> for an introduction about this new regular feature.<br />
<br />
<div id="wrapper" style="width: 100%; height: 100%; overflow: auto; -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;"><center><iframe frameBorder="0" class="adsbygoogle" src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10aDR2JR2NGNKXBDiHZXpsy-2Yar0U3c2CLl9yGKGx0U/pubhtml/sheet?headers=false&gid=1912705901&range=A1:C131" width="100%" height="3400"></iframe></center></div><br />
<div class="RecentUSDP2container"><div class="RecentUSDP2 authorreviews">Previous Weeks<br />
</div><div id="RecentUSDP2"></div></div><script type='text/javascript'> //<![CDATA[
$('#RecentUSDP2').feedget({
feed: 'https://www.spoilertv.com/feeds/posts/default/-/On%20This%20Week',
entries: 8, images: false, buttons: false, twitter: false, facebook: false, showHeader: false
});
//]]></script>DarkUFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08464721245509617190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29964715.post-80672384587756577762018-05-05T11:00:00.001+01:002018-05-05T11:00:02.236+01:00USD POLL : Who is your favorite TV character named David?<a name='more'></a><img class="headerimage" width="726px" border="0" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/cdn.spoilertv.com/images/headers/usdp.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Today's User Submitted Daily (<a href="http://www.spoilertv.com/search/label/USDP">USD</a>) Poll was submitted by <b>Matty</b> who was picked randomly from our Poll Submissions (see below). Want to see your Poll posted on the site? Click <a href="https://goo.gl/forms/F8LekLTkDZY3OCIg2">here to submit</a> your poll.<br />
<br />
Let us know in the comments what you voted for and why?<br />
<br />
You can vote for 3 Options.<br />
<br />
<script type="text/javascript">
(function(d, s, id){
var js,
fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],
r = Math.floor(new Date().getTime() / 1000000);
if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.async=1;
js.src = "https://www.opinionstage.com/assets/loader.js?" + r;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, 'script', 'os-widget-jssdk'));
</script><div class="os_poll" data-fif="false" data-path="/polls/2499740" id="os-widget-2499740"></div><br />
<div class="RecentUSDP2container"><div class="RecentUSDP2 authorreviews">Recent USD Polls<br />
</div><div id="RecentUSDP2"></div></div><script type='text/javascript'> //<![CDATA[
$('#RecentUSDP2').feedget({
feed: 'https://www.spoilertv.com/feeds/posts/default/-/USDP',
entries: 8, images: false, buttons: false, twitter: false, facebook: false, showHeader: false
});
//]]></script>Rainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05181748888795028975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29964715.post-85234215715863698632018-04-26T08:45:00.000+01:002018-04-26T08:45:19.633+01:00Scandal - Over A Cliff - Review: "Finally Free"<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zk1Kw2HAEVI/WuGDBss0uyI/AAAAAAAAiEE/F_lFM1_-zXMTfCDGQ0eObsgqIGXzl2dtgCLcBGAs/s1600/718header.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="725" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zk1Kw2HAEVI/WuGDBss0uyI/AAAAAAAAiEE/F_lFM1_-zXMTfCDGQ0eObsgqIGXzl2dtgCLcBGAs/s1600/718header.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">Although we’ve come to the end of the road, still I can’t let go…</span><span id="docs-internal-guid-fcfcbf4d-00a7-874f-7285-cf5a764f99f0"></span><br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-fcfcbf4d-00a7-874f-7285-cf5a764f99f0">
</span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-fcfcbf4d-00a7-874f-7285-cf5a764f99f0"><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve got too many emotions, y’all. Hold on.</span></span><br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-fcfcbf4d-00a7-874f-7285-cf5a764f99f0"><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-fcfcbf4d-00a7-874f-7285-cf5a764f99f0"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ss69_oiO7FE/WuFy-Gg3VPI/AAAAAAAAiCM/bHQXPK9BRU0LmoGBLQCeJS9ZUdpzZ1adACLcBGAs/s1600/cry_undertable.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="244" data-original-width="435" height="179" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ss69_oiO7FE/WuFy-Gg3VPI/AAAAAAAAiCM/bHQXPK9BRU0LmoGBLQCeJS9ZUdpzZ1adACLcBGAs/s320/cry_undertable.gif" width="320" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-fcfcbf4d-00a7-874f-7285-cf5a764f99f0">
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-fcfcbf4d-00a7-874f-7285-cf5a764f99f0"><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How does one bid farewell to something that you’d dedicated a significant portion of the last six years of your life to without jacking it up? It’s a question that Shonda Rhimes and her team of writers likely asked themselves, and is one that I’ve pondered while trying to work out how to approach this final Scandal review. The only answer I could come up with is that you do the best that you can and hope that it resonates with your audience. In Shonda’s case, she delivered a series finale that was a mixed bag of the good, the bad, and the perplexing. In other words, the show ended in typical Scandal fashion.</span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-fcfcbf4d-00a7-874f-7285-cf5a764f99f0">
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks to the live table read that the cast performed in front of an audience at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, we know that much of the finale was left on the cutting room floor likely due to time constraints. ABC frankly should have given the show an extra episode so that this finale would have been two hours, but whatever. It’s done. All we can hope for at this point is that the powers that be release this (and last) season on DVD and include an extended finale.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anyway, let’s get into this bad boy.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stepping Into the Light</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The episode opens up with Olivia showing up at a warehouse upon being summoned there by Lonnie Mencken. She steps out of the freight elevator and approaches the special prosecutor, who is standing off in the far distance. Olivia makes it halfway and then stops. Assessing Lonnie, she verbalizes her read of his body language, stating that he will not be investigating B613. Lonnie says that he’s been too compromised and that he would be a liability. Olivia asks why it is that he had her come all the way out there in the middle of the night just to share this with her, and then tells him not to bother giving her an answer since he has wasted enough of her time.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As she starts back towards the elevator, Lonnie calls out to her and says that he can get her a Senate hearing, but only if she guarantees him that gun control will be made a priority should Mellie remain President. Though perplexed by the request, Olivia replies that should Cyrus and Jake go to jail, and B613 is eliminated, then she will guarantee that gun control will move to the top of the Grant Administration’s agenda.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Satisfied with her answer, Lonnie thanks her and then pulls out a gun! Olivia backs away from him as she asks what it is that he is doing, and Lonnie replies that he is getting her her Senate hearing. Lonnie then proceeds to put the gun in his mouth and pull the trigger!</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shaaaaaat!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FzZu3zf6_N0/Vspl66R-AKI/AAAAAAAAWe4/kdhOFjCsQ-gxoC59tfmpbbZh2e3G8GLwwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/boythatescalatedquickly.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="186" data-original-width="355" height="167" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FzZu3zf6_N0/Vspl66R-AKI/AAAAAAAAWe4/kdhOFjCsQ-gxoC59tfmpbbZh2e3G8GLwwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/boythatescalatedquickly.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Poor Lonnie. The loss of his child to gun violence is what placed him on this path and a gun is what ends up taking him off of it. What a sad end to a once honorable man.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And Olivia...Geez Louise. Surely, she’s going to need some therapy at some point in her future, right? I mean, how much trauma can one’s psyche take?</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The following day, Sally Langston is reporting on the formation of a Select Committee by the Senate to investigate B613. She states that this development has come about due to the suicide of Lonnie Mencken. She says that his death sent shock waves through Washington and that it confirms that “we’ve got rats in our nation’s basement”. As she speaks, we see Cyrus walking down a hall in the White House and then disappearing into Jake’s office.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Flash over to the Capitol and we see former Governor, now Senator Samuel Reston speaking with reporters. He says to those gathered that the questions raised by Sally regarding Lonnie’s death are serious ones that he as head of the Select Committee intends to get answers to on behalf of the American people. He continues by saying that if getting those answers means he has to question old political rivals, then so be it. (Reston sure would get a kick out of putting Olivia and the Grants in the hot seat.)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reston’s statement is what Jake is watching on the television when Cyrus comes into his office to tell him that he needs to create kill folders on every single member of the Committee. Jake doesn’t understand what Cyrus is so worked up about, given that Lonnie is dead. He says that the man’s “conscience won’t be a problem anymore” and that the Committee will amount to nothing without the backing of the Justice Department. Cyrus asks Jake who it is who runs Justice, and Jake thinks about it a moment before saying that said person had to recuse himself from the case. Cyrus tells him that that applied when they were dealing with the plane hijacking, but now, the focus is on B613. This shift means that David is now back in charge.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Over at QPA, David is informing Olivia and the gladiators that the Committee has scheduled a closed-door session where they and other subpoenaed persons will testify in front of the Committee’s 15 members. Once everyone has been questioned, the Committee will make their recommendations to David as to which charges ought to be filed. Olivia says to the group then that they all are to keep their answers short and straightforward, that a tenth of what they know should be enough to force action on B613.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Abby asks David then what would happen to Jake and Cyrus, and David replies that exposing B613 in turn would expose Jake and Cyrus, so they will essentially be up shite’s creek. Huck asks what is to happen to them, considering that they will all be confessing to some pretty bad things. He wants to know if they, too, will be floating up the river, but David is unable to answer. The only logical answer he could have given them was: possibly. They all agreed on their own to join up with Olivia without knowing where her quest would lead, but this was also when Lonnie was independently leading the investigation. Now things have changed and the query is now in the hands of the Senate. They may not have considered the very real consequences that would come from them serving as witnesses, but they sure are thinking about them now.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next we see Rowan showing up to meet with Olivia where she sat waiting on a park bench along the Potomac. When Rowan asks why it is that he has been summoned, Olivia tells him that she is the one responsible for exposing B613. Rowan states that now Olivia is going to testify about the spy agency, and she says that she is. He asks if she wants his blessing, and she replies that she doesn’t, which prompts Rowan to chuckle to himself in relief. Olivia tells him that she wants his help instead, saying that he can join them and help hand the country back over to the people.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rowan stops laughing then and hands an envelope over to Olivia. He explains that it contains the deed to his house, keys to a safety deposit box in Alexandria (Virginia), and the account number for a trust that he had set up for her when she was a child. Olivia asks him why he is giving those items to her and he says that it is because he is leaving. He tells her that if she wants to fix the current saga, she is going to have to do it herself. He then gets up and starts away.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before he can get far, Olivia asks him what it is that he wants from her. She is genuinely at a loss as to what it is that she could do that would ever receive this man’s approval. She explains that this is her opportunity to start over, live in the light, stand in her truth, and become the person that he raised. Rowan laughs at this and says that the person that he raised “doesn’t hold out her hands and smile while she is being shackled. That’s what a slave does”. (Here we go.) He remarks on how he has watched his child “enslave herself in order to fix massa’s problem” and how she has this “unyielding desire...to fix everybody else’s problem”, and he wonders what it is that he did wrong in raising her. (Should we really count the ways?)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia is now a slave to massa, huh? Sounds an awful lot like what Maya had said back in S3 (315) when she classified Olivia as the help and not seen as real family to the people that she works so hard to protect. (Maya was referring to the Grants.) Olivia had gotten all in her feelings about that then, but that isn’t the case here. She tells her father that what he did with B613 to the protect of the Republic is no different from what she is doing now. He did “their” dirty work for “their” government, and that, she says, was him leading by example.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She asks him then to explain what the difference is between his work with B613 and what she is attempting to do now, and Rowan states that it wasn’t “their” government that he was protecting, that it was </span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">his</span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. (Okay…) He says that it was he who was in charge and the one who made the rules, but he stayed in the shadows because at the end of the day, “they” don’t care what happens to them. Now worked up, Rowan asks Olivia if she thinks that because they tell her that she is smart and pretty that she matters to “them”. As Olivia defiantly stares at him, Rowan continues by saying that her placing herself in the light allows “them” to stay in the dark. (Y’all should know who the folks in the quotes are. I’ma just leave it at that.)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia replies to him then, stating that the conclusion of the investigation will get everyone out of the shadows. There will be no more tricks, no dirty little secrets, no more B613. Everyone, she says, will be equal and that the country will be better for it. When Rowan asks her if she is sure about this theory of hers, Olivia shows her first sign of uncertainty and Rowan leaves her with that question to contemplate. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This scene is like watching an argument between Hotep Twitter and Equal-Rights-For-All Black Twitter. One is arguing that you leave massas house to burn, while the other is pointing out that they are all standing in said house. Keep this scene in mind for later. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Outside of the Capitol, there is a small crowd gathered and it is being reported live that today is the day that the Senate’s closed-door hearings are to begin. No one knows who is testifying, but the reporter says that if the rumors are true, some of Washington’s “highest and mightest have some explaining to do about...B613”.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Flash over to the White House and Mellie is in the East Wing admiring a portrait of herself when Marcus comes into the room. He stops short when he sees the portrait, reacting with a giant “wow”, and Mellie explains that the National Portrait Gallery decided to postpone its unveiling because of everything that is currently going on, so she told them to send the painting to her. Marcus tells her that it is beautiful, and Mellie replies that the person depicted is not her, that it is the First Lady. She says that years from now, it is the only depiction of Mellie Grant that people will see.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Marcus tells her that she is the President and that people will know who she is and what she has done, and Mellie counters by saying that they will know that she was impeached. Following her testimony, she predicts that the House will move to impeach her and that the Democratic majority in the Senate will throw her out.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When Marcus attempts to say something here, Mellie waves him off and says that she didn’t invite him there for a “pity party”. She starts off by saying that for so long she has been afraid of making a mistake and afraid of just existing in the present with him. Marcus steps forward then, and the two of them kiss like one would kiss their nanna, but a kiss is a kiss.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Over at QPA, Olivia, the gladiators and David sit in the conference room in tense silence. Olivia is in an intricately designed jacket that is white with black and tan interwoven. Underneath, she is wearing all black. Huck is fiddling nervously with the collar of his shirt when Quinn, in frustration, reaches over and straightens his tie in order to keep him still. Olivia recognizes that she’s cracking and calls out to her, and this prompts Quinn to share what’s on her mind. She says that she’s voluntarily marching herself into prison and her baby hasn’t even taken her first steps yet nor said her first word. She’s troubled by the fact that she’s going to miss all of these milestones and that Robin is about to grow up with two convicts as parents.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia says to her then that she’s doing all of this for Robin, and before she can say more, Quinn tells her to shut up! (Oooo….) Olivia is taken aback by the outburst, but she doesn’t say anything further. Quinn apologizes for being rude, but she maintains that she still needs Olivia to be quiet. She tells her that she doesn’t need to be talked into what they are doing, that she is already in. She explains that she’s scared and needs Charlie, adding that her fiance doesn’t even know that she is doing this.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Abby pipes up then to say that at least Quinn doesn’t have to worry about Charlie ever leaving her or moving on to someone who isn’t in jail. David looks at her with a quizzical look and asks her what she’s talking about, and Abby tells him that she’s sure that David will be nice initially, but then she asks him what will happen a few months into it when she’s covered in “prison tats” and he’s tired of talking to her through bulletproof glass. (Abby with tats? LMAOOOO!) She predicts that he’ll visit her once a week, then only on her birthday, and then not at all. She envisions herself waking up one day and finding out that he married “a nice Jewish girl” that his grandmother loves. (Aww…)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Huck expresses his own concern then, which is that he has to talk in front of 15 people!! (LOL!) Everyone is on edge. In comparison, Olivia is relatively calm. Her phone dings, and she looks down at it before informing the group that their transportation has arrived. There are some worried glances about the table before everyone starts to move. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The inquiry into the existence and activity of “B-6-1-3” by the Select Committee, which is comprised entirely of white men, begins with each witness being asked to introduce themselves for the record. The first witness, of course, is Olivia Pope. Then there is Tom Larsen, Diego Munoz (Huck), Abigail Whelan, Quinn Perkins (aka Lindsay Dwyer), Fitzgerald Grant, Melody Grant, and well…. Hollis Doyle. When he is asked his name, he replies that there isn’t anybody within “20 klicks of the Potomac [who] don’t know Hollis Doyle by sight or sound”. (LMAO!) </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The questioning begins with Reston asking Olivia how she knows that Jake killed Rashad, phrasing it as it being a case of her bearing witness to him doing it, and Olivia says that she knows that he did it because she ordered him to do it. This answer causes a few gasps to go up in the room from shocked committee members. (Clutch your pearls, gentlemen.)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reston then asks how many people his witness was ordered to carry out on behalf of B613, and we see Quinn answer that she carried out only one. Huck is next seen thinking hard, trying to calculate how many he actually carried out. He’s nervous as he reaches for the glass of water in front of him for a drink before simply saying, “A lot”. (Haha!)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mellie is next seen reluctantly admitting that she was aware of B613. Fitz then admits the same. Reston then states to his next witness that Cyrus personally ordered him to kill President-elect Frankie Vargas, and Tom Larson states that Cyrus is too crafty and too evil to leave a trail behind. (Is Tom here as payback?)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next we get Hollis who is stunned to learn that the hijacking was fake. His response? “Damn. That’s good. Compared to that, all I did was tilt a few pinball machines at the arcade.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r1wF5ZSX-Y4/WhPZzLOXFUI/AAAAAAAAga8/uIAsHzyclDkMLSngHgDwSjyiFtcggMX8wCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/laugh_phaedra.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="500" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r1wF5ZSX-Y4/WhPZzLOXFUI/AAAAAAAAga8/uIAsHzyclDkMLSngHgDwSjyiFtcggMX8wCPcBGAYYCw/s320/laugh_phaedra.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can’t with this man. I literally cannot.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mellie testifies that Cyrus staged the hijacking for his own political benefit, and Olivia continues by saying that he and Jake proceeded to frame Mellie for it. Abby adds that there isn’t any evidence linking Cyrus to the hijacking, but that there is evidence of a coverup. Soon, the voices of the various witnesses start to overlap where it is hard to make out what each person is saying. Then it’s back to Hollis who says that he pleads, “the Fifth. The First. The Second. Hell, every damn amendment. Any further questions, talk to my lawyer, or y’all can come find me at the Gettysburger down on D and 8th.” (LOL!)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ah, that was brilliant.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Price of Doing the Right Thing</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With their testimonies complete, the gladiators, Fitz, and David Rosen congregate at Olivia’s apartment. Everyone looks even more tense than they had prior to testifying. Fitz asks what’s to happen now, and David replies that now they wait. He tells them that once the committee completes their deliberation, they will reach out to him with their recommendations. He says that since those recommendations could mean jail time for some of them, he advises that they use the next 24 hours to get their affairs in order and say their goodbyes. Quinn is looking particularly sadat this point.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">David asks the group if they have any questions, and Olivia looks from Quinn who is staring out into middle space, to Abby and then to Huck who gives her a subtle nod. Olivia tells David that there aren’t any questions, but that they have a favor to ask of him.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Flash over to a prison and Charlie is seen being escorted to a visitors area. There waiting for him are Quinn, Olivia, Huck, and Abby. Once his cuffs are removed and he steps into the room, he orders Quinn to get her butt over to him, and she runs over and hops into his arms. The two latch onto each other for dear life and get to kissing like two people who have been drowning without the other. Abby, who has a bouquet of flowers in her arms, chuckles to herself over the reunion, and Olivia steps up to tell the lovebirds that they only have 10 minutes for this visit.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When the two finally pull apart, Charlie asks about their daughter, and Quinn gives him a quick update as she pulls out her phone to show him the latest pictures of little Robin. Charlie then assumes that they have come to see him because he’s about to be executed. Quinn tells him that that isn’t why they are there, and she proceeds to tell him that she testified about B613 that morning. Huck adds that they all did, and Abby says that everything is now all out in the open. To this, Charlie revises his statement to say that it is they who are being executed. (LOL!!)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia speaks up to say that no one is being executed, at least not today, and Quinn tells Charlie to just shut up and let her marry him. Charlie is confused as Quinn goes on to say that this may be their last chance to make their union official. At this point, she takes off the coat she is wearing to reveal a white dress! Abby heads her the bouquet as Quinn asks Charlie if he’s down with marrying her. As Stevie Wonder’s “For Once in My Life” starts to play, Charlie says that he will marry her! Yay!</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Quinn pulls him along so that they can get the party started. Huck steps forward then to start the ceremony! (Hahaha!) He doesn’t get beyond “dearly beloved” before Charlie stops him to ask if this marriage will actually be official, and Huck replies that he registered online to be able to do this. (Oh boy...LOL!) He continues on with the ceremony with Olivia and Abby standing by as witnesses. He asks Charlie what his legal name is, and Charlie replies that his alias is fine. Huck gives him a sideways look, which leads Charlie to reluctantly reveal that his name is Bernard Gusky.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bernard who?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_pOuWPchJVY/ViMyXawVujI/AAAAAAAAVUg/cxpPuGqbmcQXbAL2Wfpz2r93IQ6AuP1fwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/laugh.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="500" height="192" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_pOuWPchJVY/ViMyXawVujI/AAAAAAAAVUg/cxpPuGqbmcQXbAL2Wfpz2r93IQ6AuP1fwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/laugh.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Y’all should see Abby’s face! LMAOOOOO! She’s struggling like a mickey flick to keep this tight smile on her face so as to not totally lose it over Charlie’s real name. Quinn is like WTF! Charlie explains that it’s a family name, and Quinn shakes out of stunned state to say that Bernard is a good name.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The ceremony carries on at this point, and as Charlie is placing a ring on Quinn’s finger, he says to her that she isn’t Robin, but Batman. (Awww!) Huck is emotional, his voice shaky as he asks Quinn if she takes Charlie to be her lawfully wedded husband. As Quinn says her own “I do” and slides Charlie’s ring on, she promises to “never hack [him] without cause, to help [him] hide the bodies...and to always have [his] six til the day [she dies] for real”. (Haha!)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Huck pronounces them husband and wife, and Charlie and Quinn kiss to seal the deal. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sigh. So odd and yet so sweet. Completely fitting for Charlie and Quinn. Was this a call back to the pilot episode (101) where Olivia helped Stephen in picking out a ring for Georgia? Here, she is the one who provides the rings as she had with Stephen, but this time, she is rejoicing with the couple. In the pilot, she broke down in a coat closet upon witnessing the proposal because what Stephen was doing was something that she desired to have with Fitzgerald. This could be a reach on my part, but what have I got to lose here? It’s the last ever Scandal!</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next we see David walking through a parking garage. He is on the phone with Abby who is filling him in on what happened at the wedding and learning Charlie’s real name. He says that he is sad that he missed the moment, and when he turns a corner and lifts his head, his face shifts into one of concern and he tells Abby that he’ll call her back. Standing in front of him is Jake Ballard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9pK-nbZj_0/WuFz0dgTEwI/AAAAAAAAiCU/jBOiNN_KYVYIdSWpb38KxR7Nw-I5reyPQCLcBGAs/s1600/annoyed_ryanreynolds.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="500" height="170" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9pK-nbZj_0/WuFz0dgTEwI/AAAAAAAAiCU/jBOiNN_KYVYIdSWpb38KxR7Nw-I5reyPQCLcBGAs/s400/annoyed_ryanreynolds.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jake remarks on David looking happy when the sky is “literally” falling. David points out that the sky isn’t literally doing anything and then he states that he is merely doing his job. Jake then says to David something that he said to him back in “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” (314) after he shot James Novak. His words are almost verbatim as he says that he had always liked David and that he seems smart. David replies that flattering him isn’t going to lead to Jake being spared, and Jake tells him that he wasn’t being literal, that he’s actually threatening him. (Of course.)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jake goes on to say that David should imagine that the gun that’s in his waistband is no longer there, but was instead pointing at David’s head. He asks if that description jogs any memories for him and he again repeats what he said about always liking David and how he seems smart. As realization comes to David, Jake remarks that the expression on his face is the one that he remembers David having after he “shot [David’s] pal James”. (ARGH!)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jake again poses the question to David about whether he is smart and reaches for his gun. In response, David drops his bag onto the floor and spreads his arms out to the side. Jake asks him what it is that he is doing, and David says that he isn’t giving in, backing down, nor running. He tells Jake that he isn’t going to shoot him in the back like he did James. Jake pulls out his gun and directs it at David, asking him if he is ready to die, and David exclaims that he isn’t and asks “what kind of crazy person is ready to die?” He tells Jake that he is simply sick of all of this and asks if he is supposed to cry and run because he is seen as Jake’s bitch.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ohhh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SSgx2ou0SYw/Wp5ENuSu96I/AAAAAAAAhkk/n6WOE9z84J0KyBSqI3nQiqrOVw18c4h_wCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/ohhkenan.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="498" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SSgx2ou0SYw/Wp5ENuSu96I/AAAAAAAAhkk/n6WOE9z84J0KyBSqI3nQiqrOVw18c4h_wCPcBGAYYCw/s320/ohhkenan.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">David exclaims that he isn’t Jake’s bitch, that as Attorney General, he is the bitch of the United States of America, and that him refusing to stand down is him acting like it. (YESSS, David! No more being pushed around!) Jake tells him that he sounds ridiculous, and David in turn asks why would Jake understand what he means. He then asks what it is that Jake stands for, what he cares about. He asks who cares about him and if anybody would miss Jake, and Jake tells Rosen to shut up. (Stuck too close, did he?)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But David doesn’t shut up. He instead goes on to say that there are people who will miss him, people who care about him. He states that there are people out there that he loves. He asks Jake what and who does he love, and Jake again tells David to shut up while threatening him with his gun. David continues by saying that it’s Jake who’s the bitch, that he has always been someone’s bitch. This time around, Jake is Cyrus’s bitch. (Welp. How many people have pointed this out to him now?)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">David tells him then to go ahead and do what “Daddy” told him to do. He spreads his arms out wider and closes his eyes in wait for the moment a bullet is to pierce his body. Jake cocks the gun and points it at David for a long moment. David adds then that Jake has the option of trying on the white hat and see how it feels for the first time in his life. He says that Jake could decide to care about something “for no other reason than because it is the right thing to do”. Jake continues to hesitate, and when nothing seems forthcoming, David announces that he is grabbing his things. He carefully lowers himself enough to pick up the things that he dropped and then tells Jake that he’s leaving. He says that Jake can go ahead and shoot him in the back if he so desires, that “it’s kind of [his] thing”. (Eek!)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">David then starts away from him and after a couple of steps, he turns around only to find that Jake has disappeared.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Good on you, Rosen!!</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Later back at the White House, Jake is sitting in contemplation in his office when Cyrus comes to get an update on their David Rosen situation. Jake says that he went to see David, but then he offers nothing else. He instead says that he is going home. Cyrus switches positions so that he is directly in front of Jake, and he asks if Jake had handled their Rosen problem. Jake stands up to leave, and Cyrus grabs him by the arm, demanding an answer. Jake orders him to get his hand off of him, and Cyrus obliges before he asks why it is that Jake couldn’t handle David. He reminds Jake that the committee makes their recommendation the following day, and if David is still the Attorney General when that happens, they are both finished. He asks Jake if this is what he wants, and Jake steps up to him then to say that he is a killer and that he would be able to kill David and not lose a wink of sleep. He tells Cyrus that he couldn’t do what it is that he has done, that Cyrus thinks himself a killer, but he has never actually gotten his hands dirty. (Truth.) He states that without him, Cyrus is nothing but a “whiny seal barking orders behind a desk”. (Ouch.)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jake then tells him that until he has put a bullet in someone’s head or snapped someone’s neck “while they breathe their last breath through your fingers”, Cyrus isn’t ever to question him. He then reiterates that he is going home and finally departs from his office. (Okay then.)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Flash over to David and Abby lying in bed, and David is relaying to her what happened between he and Jake. He says that he never stands up to anyone because as a lawyer, he is always thinking about the legal ramifications of doing so would mean. He states that this time, standing up to Jake and being able to walk away from it felt good. Abby isn’t giving him much attention, her thoughts on what is due to happen to her when the Committee issues their recommendation the next day. She asks David what time he thinks their answer will come, and he replies that he could have the recommendation by lunchtime. Abby tries to make light of the situation by asking by what time should she expect to be in prison after that.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Recalling her earlier fear, David tells her that he will never leave her nor marry a “nice Jewish girl named Jennifer”. He says that he will wait for her for as long as it takes. (Awww…) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JMv-vCHGgnQ/VuUY0doeQfI/AAAAAAAAWq4/t4jKiDRWrYwC4kYtkNXkbrJak0I1CYOTQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/crybaby.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="319" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JMv-vCHGgnQ/VuUY0doeQfI/AAAAAAAAWq4/t4jKiDRWrYwC4kYtkNXkbrJak0I1CYOTQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/crybaby.gif" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just then, David’s phone starts to vibrate and he reaches over to the nightstand to pick it up. He reads the message on it, and when Abby asks him what it’s about, he replies that it is Cyrus and he wants to cut a deal. David hops right out of bed to go meet up with Cyrus. (Hmm.)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jumping forward a bit, David is now in Cyrus’s home. He is saying to Cyrus that he will enter the confession that he has prepared into the official record in the morning. David reads from the document, asking if Cyrus is prepared to admit to the hijacking and framed Mellie for the crime, and Cyrus says that he is...among other things. He then segues into asking David if he wants a drink. He invites him to have one with him, and David says that he’d rather not. Cyrus coaxes him into accepting one by saying that this is the end of the road for him, and that David is going to have him arrested once their meeting is over.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is at this point that I was yelling at my television for David NOT TO DRINK WHATEVER CYRUS IS OFFERING!!! WHO GOES INTO THE PIT OF A SNAKE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITHOUT THE EXPECTATION OF GETTING BIT?!</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">David Rosen, that’s who. His acceptance of the drink was dismissive and he was admittedly focused on the task at hand, but come on Attorney General of the United States! Have you learned NOTHING hanging around Olivia and company?!</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As Cyrus pours out the drinks, he says to David that he isn’t a bad person, and David replies that he wouldn’t exactly call him a good person either. Cyrus then states that he never really understood the value of good people, finding them to just be people “without goals, drive, will”. He hands David his drink and they clink glasses together before David takes a sip and Cyrus reclaims his seat.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The dark lord continues by saying that he may not be a good person, but that there is a reason to everything that he does. He states that some may find it to be sick and twisted, but his ploys are always thought out and never executed out of spite or malice. He is never hasty. He watches David closely as he adds that he himself is consistent and does what needs to be done.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At this point, David is starting to sweat and he lets out a cough as Cyrus drones on about how he will do what other people are unwilling to do. He says that he is relentless in pursuit of the things that he wants and that he will not anyone stand in his way. With him being inches away for the Oval and being able to taste his dream, Cyrus informs David that he is standing in his way. David looks down into his cup then and realizes that he has been poisoned!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-taNtWDyp_mY/WQXx8I7jmBI/AAAAAAAAehw/S8j25tZrDhw4idhmt_ehIMotdnuZF_bowCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/motherfuck2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="199" data-original-width="288" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-taNtWDyp_mY/WQXx8I7jmBI/AAAAAAAAehw/S8j25tZrDhw4idhmt_ehIMotdnuZF_bowCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/motherfuck2.gif" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Right as the glass drops out of David’s hand, Cyrus tells him that there are no hard feelings. David collapses onto the floor then and his grabbing at his throat as he struggles for breath! Cyrus watches the man struggle and looks to be distressed by what he is witnessing, and he momentarily turns away from a suffocating David. He then suddenly grabs one of the pillows on the sofa and presses it over David’s face!! David struggles for a bit, but it is all for naught. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">David “I am the law, the law is me” Rosen is dead.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14e-CL8BYGk/ViyAxHFx1RI/AAAAAAAAVXg/LS0ITT5mWrsiKStxHVfCuh2iHlugTbQHQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/feels_whitney.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="169" data-original-width="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14e-CL8BYGk/ViyAxHFx1RI/AAAAAAAAVXg/LS0ITT5mWrsiKStxHVfCuh2iHlugTbQHQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/feels_whitney.gif" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS, SHONDA?! WHYYYYYYYYYY? Of all the people you would kill off on this show, you choose to go with David Rosen?! How is he dead while Jake Ballard still walks among the living?!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nZIzqz8VJGE/WuF1BRPRzvI/AAAAAAAAiCg/l-1Vurur49kDnqhGrUTquG1Sbsmizo8QgCLcBGAs/s1600/arguemad.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="220" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nZIzqz8VJGE/WuF1BRPRzvI/AAAAAAAAiCg/l-1Vurur49kDnqhGrUTquG1Sbsmizo8QgCLcBGAs/s1600/arguemad.gif" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And Cyrus Rutherford Beene. Jaysus… He finally did what he never could before and killed a person with his own two hands. I don’t think that even he can believe what he had done. He pulls that pillow away from David’s face with some trepidation, and then he just stares at his prone body before he starts yelling for help. And he did this all because he wanted the power that came with being President of the United States? Wow. I’m...wow.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My eyes are hardcore struggling with the sweat right now, mayne.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Dark Cloud of Despair</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next we see Abby, Quinn, Huck, and Olivia in the morgue. Abby is in a daze as she stands next to David’s body. Olivia looks shaken as she tells the others that it was concluded that David died of a heart attack. Huck says that this was the handiwork of Cyrus and Jake, and Olivia watches him close because his tone does not bode well for their attempt to remain squarely on the moral side of the fence.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Quinn steps up to Olivia to rhetorically ask what David was doing at the Naval Observatory in the first place, stating that you don’t just go meet up with the person that you are threatening to take down. (Hello!) Abby chimes in then to say that Cyrus told David that he wanted to cooperate, and that this was a trap. Everyone is stunned silent for a moment as that bit of information sinks in.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Quinn then wonders aloud if this is it then, if this means that the monsters win. She asks what else is there for them to do, stating that Charlie is still imprisoned and the one good guy that was left is now dead. In grief, Quinn quotes a few of David’s favorite lines and Abby cuts her off to say that now is not the time to be saying such things. Olivia attempts to comfort her friend, but Abby warns her and the others to not look at or touch her. They all look down or away from her then as she tells them to not cry or she will start and won’t be able to stop. She says that right then was the time for them to do something. They are to act now and cry later.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After a beat, Huck says in a low voice that he will take care of it. Olivia quickly rejects this, telling him that no more blood is to be spilled. She says that with David gone, they are now the good guys, that they are the only white hats left. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What a mess.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Following the visit to the morgue, Quinn is seen at Rowan’s house. She is asking him to help her, Robin and Charlie disappear to parts unknown. She says that it doesn’t matter where it is as long as it is far away from D.C. As she is talking, Rowan is busy packing up his own things. He then stops and turns to her to ask if she thinks him to be a travel agency, and she shushes him to keep his voice or he’d risk waking the baby.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Setting the child right outside of the living room, Quinn pleads once more with Rowan and he asks her if she’s looking to have him risk his own freedom on her behalf. He tells her that she and Charlie would be the most wanted fugitives in the country. He says that if they find her and they following the trail, it will lead back to him. (Come on, Rowan. You know how to cover your tracks.) Quinn stresses that she is going to prison forever and asks if he really wants Robin to grow up without parents. Rowan tells her that she blindly and stupidly followed Olivia “out of the trenches and into the firing line” and that what happens to Quinn and her family because of it is not his responsibility. Rowan says that he is retired and is therefore responsible only to himself.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I mean, he does have a point. Did none of them think through their decision to serve as witnesses in this B613 inquiry? Olivia throwing B613 into the light was done with the best of intentions, but the price of doing so is proving to be too high. What else is about to be lost?</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rowan returns to packing up his belonging and Quinn makes one more attempt at trying to get through to him. She says that all she has and all that she is now is a parent. She tells him that she can’t retire. Rowan stares at her for a long moment and then wishes her the best of luck. (That’s cold. Wasn’t she your surrogate daughter for about 5 minutes?)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Seeing that there was no help to be gotten from him, Quinn turns away and departs with her daughter.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elsewhere in D.C., Olivia is in her apartment pouring herself and Fitz some of the heavy stuff out into glasses. Fitz is casual as heck in jeans, a white tee and a gray sweater. He looks like he’s been chilling on her sofa for some time. Olivia is in all black loungewear. She toasts to them losing, and Fitz rejects that, saying that Cyrus doesn’t just get to walk away from all of this. Olivia says then that if David were still alive, he would have made sure that Cyrus didn’t. She states that Cyrus has the Deputy Attorney General in his pocket, so that means that Mellie is going to be impeached, and that they are all going to jail. She adds that it also means that Cyrus will get the Oval.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fitz starts to say that they need to make sure that that conclusion doesn’t happen, but Olivia is good and worked up now as she asks why it is that she even thought that she could fix any of this or fix anything at all. She says that her father was right, and that while Fitz believes her to always be right, she isn’t. (Duh.)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unable to remain seated, Olivia gets up from the sofa with her drink. Fitz calmly calls out to her and points out that she’s presently grieving and is therefore not thinking clearly, but Olivia tells him that her thoughts have never been more clear. She says that she didn’t fix anything here, that all she did was make it worse. Fitz pushes back on this, stating that she has to know that she did the right thing in pursuing this strategy. At this point, he is now also standing.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When he asks her to tell him that she knows that she did the right thing, Olivia tells him to stop saying that and then she asks of who even knows what is right. She says that she managed to take down everyone that she cares about and asks Fitz if he thinks that that was the right thing to do. Fitz starts to say that that isn’t what happened, but Olivia cuts him off to say that she dragged everyone down with her, and again asks if this was the right thing to do. Fitz is finally able to get a whole sentence in as he exclaims that everyone did what they did on their own. Olivia then says that she destroyed a legacy that he spent a lifetime forging, and Fitz replies that that isn’t on her, that he willingly joined up with her on this.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m going to pause here for a minute to say that I think the two of them are talking about different things here. Olivia seems to be talking about the negative impact that she has had on all of these people’s lives while Fitz is speaking only of the present situation. The woman is adamant about what she is saying, even as Fitz attempts to dissuade her from placing the blame for all that is happening on herself.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With Fitz saying that he went over the cliff with her of his own volition, Olivia states that he didn’t exactly have a choice (there is always a choice, Liv) and that he made a mistake for following her over into the abyss. Fitz asks how she could think this, and Olivia says that it is because </span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">she</span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> was the problem.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QnUVWyWbrZc/VwBld5ibDdI/AAAAAAAAWzk/zjtt9Q-viWo0TjUq4KnLdfQ8SuRoC8dBgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/yesbitch_mariah.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="500" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QnUVWyWbrZc/VwBld5ibDdI/AAAAAAAAWzk/zjtt9Q-viWo0TjUq4KnLdfQ8SuRoC8dBgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/yesbitch_mariah.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And at this point, “The Light” starts to play and I lose what’s left of my shit.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fitzgerald pulls back a bit from her then as what she has been saying this whole time dawns on him. Olivia grabs her drink and crosses to the other side of the living room to put some distance between them. She says that Fitz followed, relied on, and trusted her when she was the problem the whole time.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It was me. That’s how it’s always been. It’s been me. I realize that now.”</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If this isn’t the end of the AU (610), I don’t know what is!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qNkfCrlhAdc/WuF1nszYw0I/AAAAAAAAiCo/NYuYRpcxotYBuuj0h1ok5PyC5-Sb9xThgCLcBGAs/s1600/feels_fantasia.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qNkfCrlhAdc/WuF1nszYw0I/AAAAAAAAiCo/NYuYRpcxotYBuuj0h1ok5PyC5-Sb9xThgCLcBGAs/s1600/feels_fantasia.gif" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia Carolyn Pope has finally accepted that she has been her own problem all along and is openly admitting that. I think I heard a choir of angels singing somewhere in the background. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sOfYiI4GkYs/WPQTu-UnQ5I/AAAAAAAAeaY/Sww9hY3a8foLOdincv6chkaJKbmMj0rjwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/praisegod_bernie.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="190" data-original-width="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sOfYiI4GkYs/WPQTu-UnQ5I/AAAAAAAAeaY/Sww9hY3a8foLOdincv6chkaJKbmMj0rjwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/praisegod_bernie.gif" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This woman has been a master at deflecting blame for her own issues and choices during the course of this series, she often justifying her bad behavior by claiming that she did what she did in order to protect another or to give them that which they desired. Just think of what she has literally done to every single person that she cares about.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And don’t even get me started on how quickly she’ll blame someone else when shit hits the fan, especially relationship wise. Fitzgerald done be through it, y’all! It is truly a marvel that this mofo is still around with his nose wide open. That man’s a special breed.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Speaking of which, back to the present.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fitz attempts one last time to argue against what she is saying, but Olivia stops him and tells him that before he goes further, she wants him to realize she is going to jail tomorrow and that this moment most likely will be the last time that they will ever be in the same room alone together. Because of this, she says that they have a choice to make: they can keep talking and having feelings or they can do….something else.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Something else”, you say?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XLmxLcox-i0/Vy7biRUvOuI/AAAAAAAAXOE/P7Uq6s71v1UIigFY_XxxmcxLKJVYJ9YtwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/shaqshake.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="700" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XLmxLcox-i0/Vy7biRUvOuI/AAAAAAAAXOE/P7Uq6s71v1UIigFY_XxxmcxLKJVYJ9YtwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/shaqshake.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tXG7PoL0d-Q/ViyCKdHs7JI/AAAAAAAAVXs/7TvRWzAK5LoeWxerMlQRrCveOI-8F1xnwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/evilgirl.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="275" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tXG7PoL0d-Q/ViyCKdHs7JI/AAAAAAAAVXs/7TvRWzAK5LoeWxerMlQRrCveOI-8F1xnwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/evilgirl.gif" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now both of them are emotional AF because this really could be the last night that they get to spend together. (This also happens to be Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn’s last filmed scene together, so that fact probably bled into this moment as well.) Olivia offers “feelings” as option A and “something else” as option B, and asks Fitz which it is going to be. When he calls out for her, she again asks him which option he is going with. She then impatiently asks him over and over if he’s opting for A or B, and when Fitz calls her name again, she yells for him to pick one. She is desperate for an answer at this point and starting to fall apart.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This moment reminds me of the end of the AU after Fitz owns up to being the problem in their relationship and says that he still wants to be with her if she’ll still have him. Olivia had A and B choices then, too: she could divorce Fitz or she could commit fully to their marriage and get that house in Georgetown. Olivia had chosen option B.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back to the present, Olivia watches Fitz watch her as he takes his sweet time in deciding which he is going to go with. (Everyone knows which Fitzgerald is going to go with. Come on!) Finally, in response to her question, Fitz tells her to “take off your clothes”. Chile….</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wdkaa_WBjiE/VtNnSOqX7DI/AAAAAAAAWjA/SG21eqQzvMwD-cEMGgrpsQGOlnppE4OKQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/hot_maxine.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="245" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wdkaa_WBjiE/VtNnSOqX7DI/AAAAAAAAWjA/SG21eqQzvMwD-cEMGgrpsQGOlnppE4OKQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/hot_maxine.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FsAC9E-5qis/VtNnO514c8I/AAAAAAAAWjA/XKGp37oyeq8M9slZuGYCzsTzVZMX77gVwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/fanningself.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="184" data-original-width="245" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FsAC9E-5qis/VtNnO514c8I/AAAAAAAAWjA/XKGp37oyeq8M9slZuGYCzsTzVZMX77gVwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/fanningself.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1fdTcbncq80/VuUaKbRQ5kI/AAAAAAAAWrU/I3_F8aCBt-YBSnoM-ZkTXqKzRC4VrSoywCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/feels_intherain.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="255" data-original-width="500" height="163" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1fdTcbncq80/VuUaKbRQ5kI/AAAAAAAAWrU/I3_F8aCBt-YBSnoM-ZkTXqKzRC4VrSoywCPcBGAYYCw/s320/feels_intherain.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Come through, call back to “The Trail” (106)! How apropos that this memorable line, which he said to her the first time they make love, is what he says here during what they believe will be their last time together. Quite the bookend. (Random other factoid is that that episode also happens to be the first one that Tom Verica ever directed of Scandal, and he’s the director of this finale.)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia doesn’t miss the significance of the line or the option he has chosen. She hurries over to him and kisses him. Hot, desperate, hungry kissing. “This is the last time that we’ll ever get to do this” kissing. “I love you so much I could die from these emotions” type kissing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i38rSC5YGdA/WuF2dEZhOJI/AAAAAAAAiC0/u1RQeOLHl0oUv4lJkRbVihV-BOkgvsz5QCLcBGAs/s1600/a-fire.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="500" height="175" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i38rSC5YGdA/WuF2dEZhOJI/AAAAAAAAiC0/u1RQeOLHl0oUv4lJkRbVihV-BOkgvsz5QCLcBGAs/s320/a-fire.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia pulls away for a brief moment to look at him as if trying to seal this moment forever in her memory, and then they’re back at it. Clothes start getting pulled off...and then the scene ends. ENDS! WHAT THE FUG?!</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We haven’t had an Olitz sexy ALL GATDAMN SEASON and in the finale, in the ONE episode where you could have given it to me, you choose to cut it?! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BuGOaWolFYI/VyWnW8JJuOI/AAAAAAAAXKg/ckiKd4eaKGcW900y3kG3e5qlx92HcX8wACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/confused_missj.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="232" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BuGOaWolFYI/VyWnW8JJuOI/AAAAAAAAXKg/ckiKd4eaKGcW900y3kG3e5qlx92HcX8wACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/confused_missj.gif" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And THEN we learn (thanks to the live table read and a Twitter Q&A session with Verica) that the scene was actually longer and was everything that my Olitzer heart could have hoped and dreamed?!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LNEEwVRuDBs/VjV0ZJQLvsI/AAAAAAAAVZU/fJzdMzXLOr0ojxqXtzVTYqOyUEDE0FJkACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/sideeye_clairhuxtable2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="271" data-original-width="236" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LNEEwVRuDBs/VjV0ZJQLvsI/AAAAAAAAVZU/fJzdMzXLOr0ojxqXtzVTYqOyUEDE0FJkACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/sideeye_clairhuxtable2.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Y’all ain’t right for this. And y’all </span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">bet</span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> not hold out on us. Do yourselves a favor, Shonda and ABC, and release the bloody DVD with this finale extended. Yes, please, and thank you. I’ll have 5 copies if you don’t mind.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Sun Comes Out of Hiding</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The following morning, Rowan is packing up the last of his things at his workspace when a news report comes on announcing the death of David Rosen, who is said to have suffered a “massive coronary at the home of Vice President Cyrus Beene”. Rowan may have been facing the television, but he looked lost in his own thoughts over this latest development.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next we see Olivia coming awake in her bed. She takes a glance over her shoulder and sees that Fitz isn’t next to her. Flashing ahead a bit, Olivia is now in dressed in a robe as she pads her way from her bedroom to the living room. There Fitz is speaking with someone on the phone. He is confused as to what he has just been told by the other person.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When he ends the call, Fitz turns around to find Olivia standing a short distance away. She asks him if the Committee has made their recommendations, and Fitz replies that they hadn’t, that they’ve postponed their decision. Now it was Olivia’s turn to be taken aback, and she asks why the postponement, and Fitz says that the Committee apparently has a new witness!</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We soon see that the new witness is actually Rowan!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GMRdvFru7Io/Ws1oFE_qzPI/AAAAAAAAh1A/DPt_erTQdj4BS4ZR4encLpKPo_Swl0xdACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Titus-shocked-face.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="166" data-original-width="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GMRdvFru7Io/Ws1oFE_qzPI/AAAAAAAAh1A/DPt_erTQdj4BS4ZR4encLpKPo_Swl0xdACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Titus-shocked-face.gif" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is one of my favorite scenes from this episode simply because Rowan is doing what Rowan does best. Also, he is finally stepping up and doing right by his child by following through on what she had asked of him earlier.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reston starts off by addressing him as “Mr. Pope” and Rowan interrupts to say that Eli Pope is a civilian and that he does not come to them as such. He states that the man before them now is “Rowan”, Command of B613. Reston offers a facetious apology before asking if his alias is his “spy name”. Some of the men on the committee openly chuckle as if Rowan is a bad joke someone told at a frat party. When Rowan replies to say that the alias is his “kill name”, the smile gets wiped off of those men’s smug faces.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t9qmvC5ZSC4/Vj8faRdgmCI/AAAAAAAAVcQ/JT491uqe840cnBZYNVQBAi5jqbOxGG8PwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/scaredstraight.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="360" height="179" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t9qmvC5ZSC4/Vj8faRdgmCI/AAAAAAAAVcQ/JT491uqe840cnBZYNVQBAi5jqbOxGG8PwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/scaredstraight.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reston proceeds to ask by way of statement if Rowan was saying that he alone was responsible for B613, and Rowan says that what he said was that he built the organization from the ground up all on his own. He adds that he did this in response to a need, stating that he did so because of “you”. Reston mistakes this as Rowan referring to him specifically, but Rowan clarifies that he means all of them. He gestures to the all-male, all-white committee and says that B613 was created in response to the white men who are in charge, whose complacency and privilege left the nation in a state of neglect. He compares them to children who didn’t appreciate their toys and left them out in the rain to decay. He tells them that he was not born with their privilege, so he was taught to respect the things that he had, to care for and nurture them, which he says he has done for the past 30 years.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ray Charles’ rendition of “America the Beautiful” begins to play as Reston asks Rowan if his version of nurturing includes engaging in terrorist activity, rigging elections, and assassinating of foreign leaders. Rowan simply answers, “Yes”. He then says that Reston had asked him if he alone was responsible for B613, and Rowan replies that he was not. He places the blame for the existence of B613 on them, stating that they bear that responsibility with their privilege.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He tells them that what he is responsible for is “every decision to go to war, every President sitting in office, every soldier brought home in a casket, every citizen who sleeps free and easy in their beds”. He also claims the credit for keeping the stock market afloat and the countries shores at peace. He says that he is “responsible for the fact that this nation still stands” and that he wakes up every morning and makes “America great”. (Tell ‘em, Rowan….even though I can’t stand you most of the time!)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m lowkey mad (as in floored) by how Shonda turned B613’s existence into possible commentary on the role that Black people have played in keeping the United States stable and moving in a forward direction. This could be another one of my reaches, but y’all are just going to have to let me live.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reston says to Rowan that it sounds as if he wishes to have a parade in his honor, but Rowan says that he wants his face be on Mount Rushmore, a statue that would dwarf the Washington Monument, his name uttered by every American “from sea to shining sea”. He states that he wants to see the face of “every white, complacent, privileged man who believes that he is in a position of power when he hears the news that a Black man has been running this country for the past 30 years, that he only wields his power because [Rowan’s] Black power allows him to”.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sheeeeeeeeeit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K4stEaqjuMc/WuF4IXvv8lI/AAAAAAAAiDA/lLCcLZN-LDkBlK36toIcMnqqTEtYdoolACLcBGAs/s1600/blackityblack.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="250" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K4stEaqjuMc/WuF4IXvv8lI/AAAAAAAAiDA/lLCcLZN-LDkBlK36toIcMnqqTEtYdoolACLcBGAs/s1600/blackityblack.gif" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The committee members get to conferring with one another then, and seeing this, Rowan calls their attention back to him. He tells them that they need to give America someone on who to blame B613 on. He says that they need to give them Command, but that this doesn’t mean that they need to give the people he himself. (Oh ho!)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With them all staring at him in stunned silence, Rowan nods to himself in satisfaction. Game, set, match. These fools weren’t about to admit to the nation that a Black man has been running the country under all of their noses this whole time, and Rowan knew that as well as he knew that they’d take whatever alternative he offered them instead.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Flash over to Mike of the BNC reporting that the Select Committee has stunningly confirmed the existence of B613 and revealed the identity of its commanding officer. As Olivia watches the breaking news report, a handcuffed Jake is seen being taken into custody by FBI agents. Mike reports that Jake is due in court to face allegations that he alone is responsible for the assassination of President Rashad and the attempted assassination of Cyrus Beene.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Daaaaang. Rowan really came through on this one. This is how Jake goes out? He should have known better than to had threatened Olivia’s life the way he had in the last episode. Rowan probably played the detached, unconcerned old guy as some way to teach everybody a lesson, but he thankfully relented and committed one final (maybe?) act as Command.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Given all that he said to the Committee and what we have seen of him in the past, we know that Rowan is dedicated to protecting the Republic no matter the cost, and since he cannot put the genie back in the bottle with regards to B613, he opted instead to stem the bleeding. Recall also that Rowan considers Olivia to be his personal republic (613), so he was going to protect her as well. She, after all, is his legacy.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What he did here by having the Rashad assassination pinned on Jake and Jake alone is give the public what they want without completely sending the country into chaos. It took Olivia out of the equation altogether, ensuring that her future is not marred by the dark turn that she took and later tried to rectify. There likely won’t even be a record that she ever served as Command, let alone knew about B613. Rowan’s name will probably be struck from the record as well.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Having Jake be blamed for a hijacking that he had no hand in was another stabilizing tactic by Rowan. It absolved Mellie of any responsibility and left the public’s perception of Cyrus in tact. No one need know that the Vice President plotted his own hijacking and then set up the President to take the blame for it so that he can slide into her seat. Who would have faith in their government after learning of such a thing?? By making this a B613 issue, the treasonous acts are neatly contained and the public made to believe that this is something that can be cut out like a cancerous tumor. Give the body some radiation and recovery will proceed.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rowan’s gambit also freed Charlie and gave the gladiators a second chance. He used his power this time to give his daughter what she wanted (and needed) in order to move forward, and in the process may have earned himself a second chance as well. With B613 exposed, Rowan was able to finally unlock the cage in which he has resided for 30+ years and step out into the light. In so doing, he granted himself and the country their freedom.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">America is now back in the hands of her people! I hope. Rowan did express a desire to retire…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Dl_2efsh2o/WuF4RdWsnYI/AAAAAAAAiDE/IAamyBoDaUY9iXw62keFVcdriRGfWDbdwCLcBGAs/s1600/unsure.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="498" height="177" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Dl_2efsh2o/WuF4RdWsnYI/AAAAAAAAiDE/IAamyBoDaUY9iXw62keFVcdriRGfWDbdwCLcBGAs/s320/unsure.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Over at QPA, the gladiators are watching the breaking news report featuring Jake’s arrest, and a relieved Quinn directs a “suck it, Jake!” at the television. (Ha!) She then turns to Abby to announce that their nightmare is over. Charlie is about to be free and they aren’t going to jail! She says that their entire testimony at the hearing is going to be redacted. Huck exclaims then that they are free!</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When Quinn states that finally the good guys win, Abby shakes her head at that and tearfully says that the good guy is dead. Abby breaks down into body wracking sobs then. (Aw, man…) </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next we hear a loud buzzer and the clanking over the closing of a cell door as the camera comes to focus on Jake Ballard. He is sitting on the cot in his cell and staring out at nothing in particular. The sound of approaching heeled footsteps draws his attention to the present and he looks out towards the bars holding him in right as Olivia appears. (Girl, why is you here?!)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The two of them stare at each other a moment before Olivia remarks that the guard told her that Jake will be transferred in about an hour to the place he’ll call home for the rest of his life. Jake nods and says that he’s going to the “Supermax Federal Penitentiary in Illinois of all places”. He states that he has spent his whole life trying to get out of the “corn belt” only to be sent right back there.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When Olivia doesn’t say anything to this, Jake asks her why she is there and tells her that she didn’t have to come. (That’s what I’m saying!) Olivia steps forward then and says that she wanted to show up for him one last time. She has tears in her eyes as she expresses regret with how things have turned out, stating that if she had let him stay on the island and hadn’t made him return with her to D.C., if she had been able to let him go altogether, that maybe things would have been different for him. She adds that she made Jake “step out of the sun”, and then offers him an apology. (Wow.)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cue their dopey ass music.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hArmzmhzsYw/WOEOEL3LwxI/AAAAAAAAeOE/yr75Y17XodoQbXs3qlWgPC3hJ1BjZHCaACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/no_shakehead.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="480" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hArmzmhzsYw/WOEOEL3LwxI/AAAAAAAAeOE/yr75Y17XodoQbXs3qlWgPC3hJ1BjZHCaACPcBGAYYCw/s320/no_shakehead.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia really has done some reflecting because even I can admit that this woman has treated this man like a garbage disposal. She should have done us all a favor and left him on that island. We wouldn’t have had to been subjected to four seasons of the character being shoehorned into places that make no sense.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This apology was necessary more so for Olivia than it was for Jake. In order for Liv to move forward, she has to come to terms with everything, including her ambiguous (and sometimes bizarre) relationship with Jake and the role she played in it. I do understand why Olivia feels terrible over what has become of him since much like she was for the gladiators, she was his leader (if you will) and she did have an obligation to do right by those who followed her. The fish rots from the head, right?</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That said, Olivia isn’t why Jake is in prison now. No, that is squarely on Jake and the choices that he made. Please don’t infantilize him and rob him of his own agency. He’s a grown ass man, and while Olivia may have led him to the stream, she didn’t force him to drink.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jake tells Olivia that she need not be sorry. He says that he loved her, so she ought not to ever be sorry for that. (Girl, you really ought to be </span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">very </span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sorry for that.) He continues by saying that he got something out of their relationship, that for a short time, he was someone good. Olivia says then that he isn’t the only one who did things wrong, but that he is the only one losing his freedom. For this, she again apologizes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eysWlcjNjK4/WtgTCgIm7PI/AAAAAAAAh4Q/ebYsgek7cNMTX_9WrKRIyu1D7ltg_pxFgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/sorryforthatbitch.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="350" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eysWlcjNjK4/WtgTCgIm7PI/AAAAAAAAh4Q/ebYsgek7cNMTX_9WrKRIyu1D7ltg_pxFgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/sorryforthatbitch.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So Livvie, you ain’t going to try to fight to have him freed? No throwing of tantrums? I mean, him being behind bars while the rest of you go on with your lives isn’t fair, is it? But here you are not tossing yourself into the fire in order to save him. This really is a new day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WRyG4NiCpV8/WuF4zCNBsCI/AAAAAAAAiDY/iN2tnp_FJWMpw268VGydVJ37fsU-9VasgCLcBGAs/s1600/growth_insecure.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="400" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WRyG4NiCpV8/WuF4zCNBsCI/AAAAAAAAiDY/iN2tnp_FJWMpw268VGydVJ37fsU-9VasgCLcBGAs/s320/growth_insecure.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jake says to Olivia then that prison is nothing, and then he goes on to paraphrase something that Rowan said to him in “Dog Whistle Politics” (504), in which Rowan states that power and freedom are never lost, he is always free and that nobody can cage him. Eyes shimmering with unshed tears, Olivia affirms that no one can cage Jake. She then briefly sets her hand on top of his before taking it away. Jake thanks her for showing up for him and Olivia bids him goodbye.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aww...some closure for fans of the ship with a Titanic sized hole in its side. It was a moment that brought with it some measure of peace for and resolution to both Olivia and Jake. They could have sacrificed a good half of this scene and given me all of the Olitz one, but whatevs.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In a sense, Jake is going down as something of a hero, but not by his own choice. By him being the sacrificial lamb in this B613 fiasco, everyone else is allowed to live. Jake had long been that guy who desired to be a hero, so in a roundabout way, he finally got that. And the girl that he claims to have loved gets a chance to live her best life, as do the others. So thanks, Jake? I still wish you were dead.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Flash over to Sally and she is reporting that the shadow government has been put to bed as has any talk of impeaching Mellie. In her typical Sally way, she prays that Mellie leads the country forward to a new day and that her enemies “face the judgement of their maker in heaven….or in hell”. (LOL!)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Over at the White House, Cyrus steps into the Oval Office to find Olivia there alone. He is with a glass of alcohol. Olivia is dressed in this banging ass pristine white jacket that is paired up with a black top and slacks. (This white over black motif seems to be a theme the entire episode. A representation of Olivia striving for and doing good, though darkness still lingers on the inside?) He is one of the few remaining hurdles that she has to deal with. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When Cyrus asks of Mellie, Olivia tells him that she is back to focusing on being the President, and then she motions for Cyrus to shut the door. He does as directed and comes further into the room. Olivia presents him with his resignation letter, which is to be effective immediately. Cyrus takes a moment before he says to her that he wasn’t charged with anything, and Olivia agrees that this is true, but that his options here are to continue to fight and tarnish his reputation or he can sign the letter and enjoy whatever peace he can find.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Girl, what?! After the stunt that he pulled AND the killing of David Rosen? Nah, bruh. You’d have to give this man a one way ticket to eternal damnation. It is in no way sufficient that Cyrus is given the option to walk away from this and only lose his job. David is dead, Jake’s in jail, and this dude is free?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rNONrUYHTog/Wp5BdEiRGlI/AAAAAAAAhkU/Hdg90fLzUzMgpcNYU1q88PXsh3ojw0dBACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/headshake.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="400" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rNONrUYHTog/Wp5BdEiRGlI/AAAAAAAAhkU/Hdg90fLzUzMgpcNYU1q88PXsh3ojw0dBACPcBGAYYCw/s320/headshake.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KvVGKqo6Ae0/WnfyCYjk28I/AAAAAAAAhPQ/AGQy6p2EqvoCTztJmUWWk06-SjLp6in3ACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/thinking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="500" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KvVGKqo6Ae0/WnfyCYjk28I/AAAAAAAAhPQ/AGQy6p2EqvoCTztJmUWWk06-SjLp6in3ACPcBGAYYCw/s320/thinking.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cyrus takes a seat on one of the sofas then and lets out a shaky breath before he asks Olivia if she can still enjoy a drink. Olivia is quick to say that she isn’t having a drink with him (LMAO!), and Cyrus states that he isn’t asking her to have drink with him, that he knows that she wouldn’t after everything that has happened. (Ya think?) He goes on to say that a strong drink had always been the only way that he could calm his mind, stop the gears from turning, hold the darkness at bay. But now, he says, the drink has no effect. The things he successfully numbed with it are now immune from its effect. He relays that nothing can quiet these things now, guessing that even the presidency would fail to do the trick.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia stares at him with some an expression that looks like a cross between pity and horror. Is she seeing the display in front of her as what she could have ended up being if she hadn’t pumped the brakes? Cyrus’s stuttering speech is having an effect on her if those tears in her eyes are any indication. (Lots of emotion from this woman all episode.)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cyrus asks her if she can still enjoy a drink, and when Olivia doesn’t answer, he concludes that she can. To this, he says that he is glad for her. He proceeds to set his glass down on the table in front of him and approaches her. Olivia gives him the letter and a pen, and he signs off on the letter. Cyrus is in a daze as he momentarily sets a hand on Olivia’s wrist in a silent goodbye and then turns away to leave. His eyes fall on the seal on the carpet and he stands there for a while just staring at it. He then gives Olivia one last glance before leaving the Oval Office and the White House for good.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cyrus is but a shell of the man he used to be. He has taken a beating for years now, but he has finally done enough to destroy himself. He really thought he could killed and be unaffected by it, huh? Not everyone can kill and feel no remorse after it. Tried his hand at playing Jake Ballard, and his conscience won’t stop screaming at him over it. Too bad, so sad. He shouldn’t be roaming the streets, but given how he’s meandering about, he just might do himself in.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Later up on the Truman balcony, Olivia is sitting with Mellie, who says that they need to talk about what happens next. She asks how it is that they are to restore the public’s trust in America’s institutions, and Olivia tells her that she is sure that Mellie will figure it out. She then gives Mellie a knowing look to which Mellie states that she was hoping that they’d work together on it. Olivia thanks her for the offer, but tells her no. (YESSSSS!!)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mellie is stunned as Olivia adds that she feels that she has spent more than enough time helping people clean up their messes. (Speak that, gurl!) Mellie says that this may be true, but that she needs her. Olivia counters by telling Mellie that she doesn’t actually need her. She states that Mellie has always wanted to stand on her own and run the country in the way that she knows that it ought to be run, and she says that she won’t be getting in the way of that.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Good for you, Livvie!! Let go and let God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g9KkoHp-xic/Wp5rE5O95ZI/AAAAAAAAhlE/US4br7fQ_7IYgC5JX6qXfVSumZjNmm0qACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/clapping.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="500" height="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g9KkoHp-xic/Wp5rE5O95ZI/AAAAAAAAhlE/US4br7fQ_7IYgC5JX6qXfVSumZjNmm0qACPcBGAYYCw/s320/clapping.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z1WH_4sIwS4/WoJx6CfBFwI/AAAAAAAAhdU/KDVO-sXSJEElUmmYBBPKf8lp0pfiqdzuQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/cheering.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="500" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z1WH_4sIwS4/WoJx6CfBFwI/AAAAAAAAhdU/KDVO-sXSJEElUmmYBBPKf8lp0pfiqdzuQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/cheering.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia tells Mellie that she will be great and that she can’t wait to watch Mellie do it. (Aww...that’s sweet.) Still perplexed by Olivia’s decision, Mellie asks her former Chief of Staff what it is that she will do instead, and my juvenile mind says: Fitzgerald.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-amDrih7tm3k/WSdYp25mIAI/AAAAAAAAe2M/RRtxlBF7VBwfm_DJZZxtWxZGomcU8W7bgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/laugh_shaq.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="400" height="202" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-amDrih7tm3k/WSdYp25mIAI/AAAAAAAAe2M/RRtxlBF7VBwfm_DJZZxtWxZGomcU8W7bgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/laugh_shaq.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AK8QsSiClzI/WtgRYDQkTAI/AAAAAAAAh3s/NFpcW0o7GFgzCZyDCBY4GmrdLuG9sXGJQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/reginahall.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="500" height="165" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AK8QsSiClzI/WtgRYDQkTAI/AAAAAAAAh3s/NFpcW0o7GFgzCZyDCBY4GmrdLuG9sXGJQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/reginahall.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia doesn’t appear to have thought that far ahead, giving a little shrug of uncertainty before saying with a liberating giddiness that she will do whatever she wants.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scandal and it’s parallels. Olivia’s response here harkens back to one that she gave when she surprised Fitz on this very balcony at the end of the S4 finale (422). He had asked her “what happens now?” and she had replied with “whatever we want”.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes, please. Do whatever you want, Livvie! And far away from that White House.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GdbncRcfoLo/WuF7YGBGnFI/AAAAAAAAiDw/KBea3GtI_hYOzEsgG80pq8WFxODoNgy7QCLcBGAs/s1600/confetti_dragrace.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="480" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GdbncRcfoLo/WuF7YGBGnFI/AAAAAAAAiDw/KBea3GtI_hYOzEsgG80pq8WFxODoNgy7QCLcBGAs/s320/confetti_dragrace.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stevie Wonder’s “Future Sunny Days” starts to play as we see Olivia strutting down Pennsylvania Avenue with a content look on her face. She’s in a white trench coat that is reminiscent of the one that she work in the pilot episode. Her Prada Saffiano is black. She pauses briefly to take one last look at the White House and then she continues on, not a regret in sight as she leaves the halls of (one form of) power behind.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At this point in the episode, there are some flash forwards mixed in with present day. We see two girls walking through the National Portrait Gallery, and one of the areas that they go through features the portrait of George Washington, but they don’t stop to admire it. They press forward. Next we see Charlie getting released from prison, and Quinn and Baby Robin are there to greet him.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We then get a flash of Fitz having his portrait unveiled and the woman artist (yay, Fitz for going with a woman) has depicted the former President staring out of his favorite window. The bars of the window pane make him look as if he is in a prison, apropos for a man who had many a times considered the White House to be the “crown-jewel of the American prison system” (202).</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next we see Mellie signing into law “The American Assault Weapons Control Act of 2021” to much fanfare. (Olivia did succeed in fulfilling the promise that she made to Lonnie Mencken!) Standing behind Mellie are members of Congress and Marcus is one of them! Holy smokes, the brother done gotten an upgrade. Since he’s from D.C., who is he representing, Maryland or Virginia?</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In any case, Mellie stands to take a photo with the group, and she shakes hands with Marcus while posing for the cameras. Their body language suggests that they are quite possibly still a thing.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We next get flashed to Olivia lounging on the beach (401) before it is revealed that it’s merely Jake returning to his happy place as he relaxes on his cot in his prison cell. It’s rather sad that his time on the island is the only bright spot in all of his life. Dream away, Jake. And goodbye.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia is seen having (presumably) Sunday dinner with her father. They appear to be on far better terms than they have been on it a long time. I’d have rather Olivia had cut ties with the man, but he did come through for her and her family, so I guess he can get a chance to start over with his kid. She has longed for a better relationship with him, so have at it. It’s 30 years overdue, but… It would have been nice if Olivia had been able to mend things with her mother, but I guess Maya decided that Paris was a better option for her.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Abby is seen visiting David’s grave and his headstone reads simply, “David Rosen, Attorney General of the United States”. (Hahaha! They ran with this AG thing all the way to the end, didn’t they?) The camera pans out and we see that Abby is not alone, that she is visiting the grave with Huck. Huck fiddles with something in his hand a moment before he steps forward and sets it atop of the tombstone. It’s a small rock. Abby soon follows suit and does the same thing. (The placing of a rock on the tombstone of a loved one is a Jewish custom. I love that they included this detail in the moment.)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We get flashed back to the two girls at the National Portrait Gallery, and they have finally arrived at their destination. The oldest of the two (who is played by Shonda’s daughter Harper!) looks the portrait over with a critical eye and the younger girl stares as if mesmerized.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back we go to Olivia in present day and she’s making her way across the street just as these lyrics to Stevie’s Scandal-exclusive jam (WHAT?!) are sung:</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">'Cause I've opened up my eyes</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Looked in the sun </span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And felt the joy of being free </span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh, yes, I threw away my fears</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cried happy tears </span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And told myself a new has just begun</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia makes it to the other side of the street right as two black SUVs pull up to along the curb. Out of one of them pops Fitzgerald (!!!) and Olivia comes to a stop directly in front of him. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And a voice inside me said </span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was time to get out my own way</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fitz greets her with a “Hi” and Olivia returns it with an enthusiastic “Hi” of her own, and now I’m mush because (1) this moment is happening out on the street and in full view of everybody, (2) the mutual “Hi” means that thangs are popping with Olitz (let me have this, people!), and (3) this one word said by these two particular characters is the last thing said ever on Scandal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z1bkJjFgB8A/VhBC5i7Fu9I/AAAAAAAAVIE/snYzM-CwWZcWssR-_uJHrtEswROuasIIgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/fightingair.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="231" data-original-width="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z1bkJjFgB8A/VhBC5i7Fu9I/AAAAAAAAVIE/snYzM-CwWZcWssR-_uJHrtEswROuasIIgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/fightingair.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-odd_ZpJWlEw/VyWmcx2iqnI/AAAAAAAAXKY/qSyKr2IydW8Ey3m-wioi09-mLKyoTpqFACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/feels_Octavia.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="245" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-odd_ZpJWlEw/VyWmcx2iqnI/AAAAAAAAXKY/qSyKr2IydW8Ey3m-wioi09-mLKyoTpqFACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/feels_Octavia.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eRS3jZbF0Mk/WPQWje-2zGI/AAAAAAAAea8/uzg47Gd9BFAZTPZS6EozUW14xkAGeCXLgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/feels_kevinhart.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="245" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eRS3jZbF0Mk/WPQWje-2zGI/AAAAAAAAea8/uzg47Gd9BFAZTPZS6EozUW14xkAGeCXLgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/feels_kevinhart.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oPnv6DXd9nQ/WPQWrkfOjII/AAAAAAAAea8/gJMLdvOnnpwoz16GDIwJ-0cFjojMUqXMQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/crying_martin.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="229" data-original-width="245" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oPnv6DXd9nQ/WPQWrkfOjII/AAAAAAAAea8/gJMLdvOnnpwoz16GDIwJ-0cFjojMUqXMQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/crying_martin.gif" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kgyqYoErNEg/VkioRhB9Z7I/AAAAAAAAVg4/YKbxbTqLvrgmLJWYZzBuwiKIKGhYLcI9gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/cry_oprah.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="440" height="244" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kgyqYoErNEg/VkioRhB9Z7I/AAAAAAAAVg4/YKbxbTqLvrgmLJWYZzBuwiKIKGhYLcI9gCPcBGAYYCw/s320/cry_oprah.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So I've made my own decision </span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My assignment here is done </span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And I won't let your karma rain on my future sunny days</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With as often as his music has been featured on this show, I assume that Stevie Wonder is a fan of the show. I mean, who goes out of their way to write a song specifically and with this exact context for the series finale if they aren’t a gladiator?!</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While Olivia and Fitz standing out in the open is not the final scene of the episode, it is the last one to feature any of the cast. The final scene belongs to those two girls in the gallery, and we finally see the portrait that they are looking at. It’s of Olivia Pope! WHAAAAAAT??</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BCESAncUtLA/WuGC0vxhfzI/AAAAAAAAiEA/htO_tU6kmG8ntWTrSfDsTCKE4HWDYv7lgCLcBGAs/s1600/image718.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="725" height="370" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BCESAncUtLA/WuGC0vxhfzI/AAAAAAAAiEA/htO_tU6kmG8ntWTrSfDsTCKE4HWDYv7lgCLcBGAs/s640/image718.png" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is this a case of art mimicking life or life mimicking art? Per a <b><a href="https://twitter.com/shondarhimes/status/987493655509319680" target="_blank">tweet from Shonda</a></b>, she had already made a note to have this scene happen only to have an identical moment happen in real life when a little girl was captured staring at the <b><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/03/politics/michelle-obama-portrait-girl-parker-curry/index.html" target="_blank">portrait of Michelle Obama</a> </b>the very next day. If that isn't some crazy type of coinkadink.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As for Olivia's portrait, it is absolutely stunning. It’s Olivia as we have never seen her before. She is featured without her trademark tailored armor and straightened hair. Instead, she stands as regal as a queen with her hair in its natural curly state and she dressed in this billowing gorgeous blue skirt and simple white blouse. Her belt is red and she has on a bangle that looks like it is Africa-inspired. She is feminine, fierce, fearless.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her image is overlaid with the Constitution, which is a rather ironic inclusion, given that the founders hadn’t considered those who looked like Olivia to be full human when this was written. To top it off, this document only applied to men. If you were black? Forget it. If you were black </span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and</span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> a woman? Just ghost yourself, sis.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Taking into account Olivia’s attire, one can say that she is representative of America herself. It is within the wombs of and upon the backs of enslaved black women that this nation came to be, so Olivia making it into the highest echelons of a country that has yet to value her as a person is monumental. It is as significant as her rejecting the power structure that had been crafted by and for white man specifically.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is a free contentment and easy confidence that Olivia exudes in this portrait that had not been seen with her at any point in the entire course of the series. Some have speculated that her presence in the Gallery signifies that she becomes President in the future, but I don’t get that vibe at all. Sure, her portrait hangs alongside those of past presidents, but the Gallery features persons who have made significant contributions to the nation, and in this regard, Olivia more than qualifies. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ll just leave it at that. Shonda clearly intended for us to draw our own conclusions, and here you have mine. I’m content with how this wrapped up, even though I wish that there was more time to address a number of loose ends, but more time still wouldn’t have been sufficient. </span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s never easy saying goodbye, but this is me signing off. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1-BoLlDLLhw/VlKSYSmPXKI/AAAAAAAAVoE/0bdXd_zd3fIW7M9bEoY7wKqOwRIjd3DYACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/bravo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="231" data-original-width="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1-BoLlDLLhw/VlKSYSmPXKI/AAAAAAAAVoE/0bdXd_zd3fIW7M9bEoY7wKqOwRIjd3DYACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/bravo.gif" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">It has been an immense honor and privilege to have served as your Scandal recap-reviewer over these past three seasons. I am thankful that a significant number of you joined me on this ride and shared in the ups and downs of this unforgettable show together. You have enriched me in immeasurable ways. I will miss all of your insightful comments and lively conversation.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mucho thanks to SpoilerTV for giving me the opportunity to ramble on to my heart’s content about a show that I fell in love with 6 years ago. You accorded me a small piece of real estate in your world, and I hope that I did my time here justice. You have my eternal gratitude.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You know the drill, folks. This is the conclusion of the recap-review of Scandal episode 718! Whoo hoo!! (Mama, I made it!) Share your likes and dislikes about the finale in the comments section below. Indicate what you wish you had gotten closure on or what you (or someone you know) will do to flesh out certain plot points via fanfiction! (Don’t front. I know y’all read ‘em.) You also can hit me up on Twitter with your thoughts.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is sayonara, friends. Much love to you all as we respectively go about in search for a new show to make our next bestie. Respect. XO</span></div>
</span><script type="text/javascript">var authorcode='II';</script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29964715.post-11766772848934960142018-04-25T11:00:00.000+01:002018-04-25T11:01:04.695+01:00USD POLL : Who is your favorite couple on a current ABC TV show? <a name='more'></a><img class="headerimage" width="726px" border="0" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/cdn.spoilertv.com/images/headers/usdp.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Today's User Submitted Daily (<a href="http://www.spoilertv.com/search/label/USDP">USD</a>) Poll was submitted by <b>Marsha</b> who was picked randomly from our Poll Submissions (see below). Want to see your Poll posted on the site? Click <a href="https://goo.gl/forms/F8LekLTkDZY3OCIg2">here to submit</a> your poll.<br />
<br />
Let us know in the comments what you voted for and why?<br />
<br />
You can vote for 5 Options.<br />
<br />
<script type="text/javascript">
(function(d, s, id){
var js,
fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],
r = Math.floor(new Date().getTime() / 1000000);
if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.async=1;
js.src = "https://www.opinionstage.com/assets/loader.js?" + r;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, 'script', 'os-widget-jssdk'));
</script><div class="os_poll" data-fif="false" data-path="/polls/2498163" id="os-widget-2498163"></div><br />
<div class="RecentUSDP2container"><div class="RecentUSDP2 authorreviews">Recent USD Polls<br />
</div><div id="RecentUSDP2"></div></div><script type='text/javascript'> //<![CDATA[
$('#RecentUSDP2').feedget({
feed: 'https://www.spoilertv.com/feeds/posts/default/-/USDP',
entries: 8, images: false, buttons: false, twitter: false, facebook: false, showHeader: false
});
//]]></script>Rainahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05181748888795028975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29964715.post-68800778520315905902018-04-20T21:08:00.001+01:002018-04-20T21:08:58.148+01:00Final Adjusted TV Ratings for Thursday 19th April 2018<a name='more'></a><img class="headerimage" width="726px" border="0" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/cdn.spoilertv.com/images/headers/finalratings.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Remember you can view ALL Ratings and Charts for all shows/seasons in our <a class="sourcelink linkpop" href="http://www.stvplus.com/">Interactive TV Ratings Database</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>NOTE: The Interactive table below allows you to sort the various columns. The table will be updated live as the ratings come in. Refresh for updates.</b><br />
<br />
<div id="wrapper" style="width: 100%; height: 100%; overflow: auto; -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;"><iframe frameborder="0" src="https://stvplus.com/show/embed/?daily=2018-04-19" height="582px" width="100%" ></iframe> <br />
</div><div class="ratingsannounce"><center>If you are new to ratings or still confused, we recommend you read this excellent <a href="http://www.spoilertv.com/2013/10/renewals-and-cancellations-decisions.html">Ratings FAQ</a>.<br />
<br />
Don't forget to follow our <a href="https://twitter.com/STV_Ratings">Ratings Only Twitter Account</a> for the latest Ratings News<br />
<br />
</center></div><br />
SpoilerTVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383371041855468000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29964715.post-91161110120795361742018-04-20T14:00:00.000+01:002018-04-20T14:00:23.981+01:00Ratings News - 20th April 2018<a name='more'></a><img class="headerimage" width="726px" border="0" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/cdn.spoilertv.com/images/headers/header-dailyratings-white.jpg" /><br />
<img style="float:left;width:130px;" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/cdn.spoilertv.com/images/icons/warning-512.png"></img><br />
<b>Remember: ALL SPOILERS must be put inside the spoiler tags. If you post spoilers without tags your comments will be deleted. Repeat offenses will result in you being banned. Please stay on Topic. If you want to chat about anything at all please use the <a href="https://www.spoilertv.com/search/label/Daily%20Discussion">Open Discussion Threads</a>.</b><br />
<br />
<div id="wrapper" style="width: 100%; height: 100%; overflow: auto; -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;"><center><iframe class="dailyratings" frameBorder="0" class="adsbygoogle blockedcontent" src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vL0s-djlZ7Ibq570lG0mFpDI0zH44rBGQ3Jcd2tl7eQ/pubhtml?gid=525893868" width="100%" height="920"></iframe><br />
<br />
HH Numbers provided by <a href="http://programminginsider.com/">programminginsider</a><br />
</center></div><br />
<hr><br />
<div class="newindent"><div class="indentheader">Last Week's Final Adjusted Ratings </div></div><div id="wrapper" style="width: 100%; height: 100%; overflow: auto; -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;"><iframe frameborder="0" src="https://stvplus.com/show/embed/?daily=2018-04-12" height="582px" width="100%" ></iframe> <br />
</div><hr><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script><br />
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style="display:block; text-align:center;"
data-ad-layout="in-article"
data-ad-format="fluid"
data-ad-client="ca-pub-9058040792152164"
data-ad-slot="4264384234"></ins><br />
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script><br />
<hr><br />
<div class="newindent"><div class="indentheader">About the Daily Ratings</div><br />
Each day (except Sunday) during the main TV Season we post the TV Ratings for the previous nights primetime shows for the major broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, CW, FOX, NBC). Cable Network ratings will be added to the <a href="https://www.stvplus.com">Ratings Database</a>.<br />
<br />
The first item that gets posted (normally around 2pm GMT) is the early overnight analysis based on the early household numbers (these are not the same as the Total Viewers and 18-49 Demo numbers that are posted later).<br />
<br />
Next, if available, we will post the Top 25 Market 18-49 Ratings to give you a rough idea of the ratings to following.<br />
<br />
Later on (normally between 4pm-5pm GMT) we post the official early overnight Total Viewers and 18-49 Demo numbers in the table above (We also where possible now post the 18-34 and 25-54 Demo Numbers).<br />
<br />
Finally, later in the evening (9pm-10pm GMT) or the following day, the final adjusted ratings numbers are released, these are then posted in the <a href="https://stvplus.com/ratings">Ratings Database</a>. The Final Adjusted numbers are what we use for all our Renew/Cancellation Tables, Full Season Tables, Ratings Scorecards etc . Friday's Final Adjusted Ratings are normally available on the following Monday (9pm GMT), whilst Sunday's will be available on Tuesdays (3pm GMT).<br />
<br />
</div>DarkUFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08464721245509617190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29964715.post-75004004660334701292018-04-20T09:15:00.000+01:002018-04-20T09:16:21.779+01:00Most Popular Shows on SpoilerTV - w/e 20th April 2018<a name='more'></a><img class="headerimage" width="726px" border="0" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/cdn.spoilertv.com/images/headers/header-popularshows.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Here are this weeks most popular shows on SpoilerTV. <br />
<br />
The Popularity score is based on a calculation of Page Views, Video Plays, Poll Votes, Comments, Google+1's, Facebook Likes and Tweets.<br />
<br />
<b>TIP:</b> Remember if you want to see your show do better, make sure you share your shows content on Social Media (Facebook/Twitter/G+/Tumblr etc) and comment on articles/posts about your show.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Note: </span> Shows in Green have moved up the table since last week. Shows with a "-" are new entries that were not in last weeks Top 20.<br />
<br />
<div id="wrapper" style="width: 100%; height: 100%; overflow: auto; -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;"><iframe class="adsbygoogle" frameborder="0" height="600" src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18NAWeHSVaKayBZgpHU5-auGnYpsPUMuoPj6l9NzQloM/pubhtml/sheet?headers=false&gid=0&range=A1:E22" style="display: block; margin: 0 auto;" width="100%"></iframe></div>DarkUFOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08464721245509617190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29964715.post-58356435952484046102018-04-20T03:59:00.000+01:002018-04-20T03:59:32.017+01:00POLL : What did you think of Scandal - Series Finale?<a name='more'></a><img class="headerimage" width="726px" border="0" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/cdn.spoilertv.com/images/headers/scandal.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<script type="text/javascript">
(function(d, s, id){
var js,
fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],
r = Math.floor(new Date().getTime() / 1000000);
if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.async=1;
js.src = "https://www.opinionstage.com/assets/loader.js?" + r;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, 'script', 'os-widget-jssdk'));
</script><div class="os_poll" data-fif="false" data-path="/polls/2498417" id="os-widget-2498417"></div>Bradley Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14777272591275082826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29964715.post-72629091984954612832018-04-19T18:52:00.000+01:002018-04-19T18:52:47.182+01:00Scandal - Episode 7.18 - Over a Cliff (Series Finale) - Promo, Sneak Peeks, Promotional Photos, Featurettes + Press Release<a name='more'></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mqZamkFJCWY/WtUHCWmB7lI/AAAAAAAANoQ/ClDwlC6nym44EIoDKND-3X0_JC5MZMBwgCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-04-17%2Bat%2B8.24.20%2BAM%2B%255Bwww.imagesplitter.net%255D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img class="headerimage" border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mqZamkFJCWY/WtUHCWmB7lI/AAAAAAAANoQ/ClDwlC6nym44EIoDKND-3X0_JC5MZMBwgCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-04-17%2Bat%2B8.24.20%2BAM%2B%255Bwww.imagesplitter.net%255D.jpeg" data-original-width="726" data-original-height="408" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="newindent"><div class="indentheader">Sneak Peek 2</div></div><br />
<iframe id="sotv0" width="726" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mRtGNC0Hr_k" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
<hr><br />
<div class="newindent"><div class="indentheader">Sneak Peek</div></div><br />
<iframe id="sotv0" width="726" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IWMO3UzTCaA" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
<hr><br />
<div class="newindent"><div class="indentheader">Promotional Photos</div></div><br />
<div class="stvthumb"><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148871_3589.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148871_3589.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148871_3650.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148871_3650.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148871_3664.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148871_3664.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148871_3702.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148871_3702.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148871_3859.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148871_3859.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148899_0463.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148899_0463.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148899_5846.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148899_5846.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148899_5852.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148899_5852.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148899_5858.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148899_5858.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148899_5870.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148899_5870.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148899_5888.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148899_5888.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148899_5952.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148899_5952.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148899_5982.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148899_5982.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148899_5990.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148899_5990.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_1898.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_1898.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_1921.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_1921.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_2121.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_2121.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_2139.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_2139.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_2163.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_2163.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_2226.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_2226.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_2263.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_2263.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_2268.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_2268.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_2281.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_2281.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_2299.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_2299.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_2324.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_2324.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_5713.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_5713.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_5727.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_5727.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_5802.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_5802.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_5813.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_5813.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_5835.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_5835.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_5846.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_5846.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_5883.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_5883.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_5894.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_5894.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_5937.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_5937.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_5955.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_5955.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_5957.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_5957.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_5970.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_5970.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_5974.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_5974.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_6007.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_6007.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_6012.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_6012.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_6049.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_6049.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a><a TARGET="_blank" href="https://images.spoilertv.com/scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29/148926_6091.jpg.php"><img src="https://images.spoilertv.com/zp-core/i.php?a=scandal/Season%207/Promotional%20Episode%20Photos/Episode%207.18%20-%20Over%20a%20Cliff%20%28Series%20Finale%29&i=148926_6091.jpg&s=180&c=1&cw=180&ch=180&q=100&t=1&wmk=!"></a></div><br />
<hr><br />
<div class="newindent"><div class="indentheader">Press Release</div><br />
ABC GIVES ‘SCANDAL’ A MEMORABLE SEND-OFF THURSDAY, APRIL 19, WITH …<br />
<br />
An Exclusive Sneak Peek on ‘Good Morning America’<br />
<br />
The Powerful ‘Scandal’ Series Finale, Written by Creator Shonda Rhimes, Airs 10:00 p.m. EDT<br />
<br />
‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Celebrates Shonda Rhimes and the Entire Cast With a Special After-Show at 11:36 p.m. EDT<br />
<br />
The highly anticipated series finale of the groundbreaking series, “Scandal,” receives a momentous send-off, beginning with an exclusive sneak peek at the final episode on “Good Morning America,” THURSDAY, APRIL 19 (7:00–9:00 a.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network, streaming and on demand.<br />
<br />
The series finale, “Over A Cliff,” will air that evening (10:00–11:01 p.m. EDT). The episode marks the culmination of Olivia, Mellie, Fitz and the Gladiators’ journey as we know it. With the existence of B613 exposed to the world, the Gladiators make the ultimate sacrifice in order to take down Cyrus and Jake – but how far will they go to get justice?<br />
<br />
Following the finale episode, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” will celebrate the beloved series with an epic “Scandal” after-show. Host Jimmy Kimmel will be joined by Shonda Rhimes, Kerry Washington, Guillermo Diaz, Darby Stanchfield, Katie Lowes, Tony Goldwyn, Jeff Perry, Joshua Malina, Bellamy Young, Scott Foley, Joe Morton, Cornelius Smith Jr. and George Newbern, with a special musical performance by Chaka Kahn.<br />
<br />
“Scandal” stars Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope, Guillermo Diaz as Huck, Darby Stanchfield as Abby Whelan, Katie Lowes as Quinn Perkins, Tony Goldwyn as Fitzgerald Grant, Jeff Perry as Cyrus Beene, Joshua Malina as David Rosen, Bellamy Young as President Mellie Grant, Scott Foley as Jake Ballard, Joe Morton as Rowan Pope, Cornelius Smith Jr. as Marcus Walker and George Newbern as Charlie.<br />
<br />
“Over A Cliff” was written by Shonda Rhimes and directed by Tom Verica.<br />
<br />
<div class="sourcewrapper"><div class="newsource">Source: </div><div class="newlink"><a href="http://www.abc.com">ABC</a> </div></div></div><br />
<hr><br />
<div class="newindent"><div class="indentheader">Promo</div></div><br />
<iframe id="sotv0" width="726" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HD6DSMNy3k8" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
<hr><br />
<div class="newindent"><div class="indentheader">New Featurette</div></div><br />
<iframe id="sotv0" width="726" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bOS91BBJU5E" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
<hr><br />
<div class="newindent"><div class="indentheader">Production Wraps</div></div><br />
<i>Thanks to John for the heads up.</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eYje2S_Flic/Wq0d7DjPmzI/AAAAAAACQd4/zLWRAKcyQHUTO6Na_y31JASDHjmsleKxQCLcBGAs/s1600/chrome_2018-03-17_13-52-40.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eYje2S_Flic/Wq0d7DjPmzI/AAAAAAACQd4/zLWRAKcyQHUTO6Na_y31JASDHjmsleKxQCLcBGAs/s320/chrome_2018-03-17_13-52-40.png" width="320" height="265" data-original-width="551" data-original-height="456" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_wJOhXWbD7s/Wq0d7cfALHI/AAAAAAACQeA/xKrN_Hi1YpgGa6m3uJ7WEhV_qjtVVLLfQCLcBGAs/s1600/chrome_2018-03-17_13-53-19.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_wJOhXWbD7s/Wq0d7cfALHI/AAAAAAACQeA/xKrN_Hi1YpgGa6m3uJ7WEhV_qjtVVLLfQCLcBGAs/s320/chrome_2018-03-17_13-53-19.png" width="239" height="320" data-original-width="523" data-original-height="701" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-upU8Wybj8Bc/Wq0d7HETsSI/AAAAAAACQd8/SPt6R89IBOsKkxXRLdn1KzD76Jn3cvW2wCLcBGAs/s1600/chrome_2018-03-17_13-53-29.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-upU8Wybj8Bc/Wq0d7HETsSI/AAAAAAACQd8/SPt6R89IBOsKkxXRLdn1KzD76Jn3cvW2wCLcBGAs/s320/chrome_2018-03-17_13-53-29.png" width="320" height="263" data-original-width="531" data-original-height="437" /></a><br />
more <a href="http://ew.com/tv/2018/03/17/scandal-wraps-series-finale/?utm_campaign=entertainmentweekly&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com">here</a><br />
<br />
<hr><br />
<div class="newindent"><div class="indentheader">Final Episodes Featurette</div></div><br />
<iframe id="sotv0" width="726" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4c_DP4j0BzQ" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
<hr><br />
<div class="newindent"><div class="indentheader">Title Revealed</div></div><br />
The series finale is titled, <i>"Over a Cliff"</i>. <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf1ZD8lhDQf/" data-instgrm-version="8" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"><div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:28.10185185185185% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"><div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf1ZD8lhDQf/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">@scandalabc final season. Final table read. And we say Whatupdoe! 🌟🙏🏾</a></p><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/corneliussmithjr/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Cornelius Smith Jr</a> (@corneliussmithjr) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2018-03-02T20:29:36+00:00">Mar 2, 2018 at 12:29pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote><script async defer src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>SpoilerTVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383371041855468000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29964715.post-58105445429352779452018-04-19T10:00:00.000+01:002018-04-19T10:00:30.490+01:00POLL : What are you watching Tonight? - 19th April 2018<a name='more'></a><img class="headerimage" width="726px" border="0" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/cdn.spoilertv.com/images/headers/header-waywt-white-sharp.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<script type="text/javascript">
(function(d, s, id){
var js,
fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],
r = Math.floor(new Date().getTime() / 1000000);
if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.async=1;
js.src = "https://www.opinionstage.com/assets/loader.js?" + r;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, 'script', 'os-widget-jssdk'));
</script><div class="os_poll" data-fif="false" data-path="/polls/2498070" id="os-widget-2498070"></div>Bradley Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14777272591275082826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29964715.post-25026094248813628762018-04-19T05:25:00.000+01:002018-04-19T05:25:00.425+01:00Scandal - Standing in the Sun - Review: "A Change is Coming"<a name='more'></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OzHj3FgB1H4/WtgXaK-f8yI/AAAAAAAAh4s/6pwRHesi_KoXhyS9IkHdaJ-B8UUXXsjMACEwYBhgL/s1600/717header.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="725" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OzHj3FgB1H4/WtgXaK-f8yI/AAAAAAAAh4s/6pwRHesi_KoXhyS9IkHdaJ-B8UUXXsjMACEwYBhgL/s1600/717header.png" /></a>
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leave me with some of my edges, Scandal! Sheesh. If this is what we get in the penultimate episode of this series, I am anxious to see what the heck we are in for in the finale!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I won’t even lie to y’all. This was probably THE best episode of the season, and this has been a solid season. Taking the series in its entirety, “Standing in the Sun” was appropriately named and appropriately placed as a setup for the bookend that the final episode is likely to be. The only thing that I’m sad about pacing-wise is that it all feels like it’s rushing towards a conclusion when there are still so many questions left to be answered.</span><br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-847be4bb-dbff-a966-c2b8-8d0b5e5d433b">
</span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-847be4bb-dbff-a966-c2b8-8d0b5e5d433b"><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As any longstanding Scandal fan will know, the phrase “standing in the sun” has come to be synonymous with Olivia and Jake. It is during a scene between the two in “No Sun on the Horizon” (313) that the phrase was first uttered, the context of which had to do with stepping away from the dark deeds that they constantly found themselves committing and them opting instead to do better. This was at a time when Olivia was running Fitzgerald’s reelection campaign and Jake was doing his first stint as Command.</span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-847be4bb-dbff-a966-c2b8-8d0b5e5d433b">
</span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-847be4bb-dbff-a966-c2b8-8d0b5e5d433b"><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia had vowed going into this campaign that she would approach things differently, there would be no shady dealings, and that she would be honest with Fitz about everything. But then Sally Langston kills her husband, and when Olivia approaches Cyrus about it, he asks her to keep this information from Fitz. Olivia refuses by saying, “I want to walk into the light and feel the sun on my face, Cyrus. You’re on your own.”</span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-847be4bb-dbff-a966-c2b8-8d0b5e5d433b">
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-847be4bb-dbff-a966-c2b8-8d0b5e5d433b"><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Later in this same episode, Jake (who had been playing “beard”) comes to Olivia’s apartment with dinner and notices that something is off with her. He asks her to share whatever her secrets are with him, but she won’t. To this, Jake says: “I’ve done terrible things, too. … But I want to stop doing them. I’d like for us to stop being these people. I’d like for us to--” And Olivia says, “Stand in the sun.”</span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-847be4bb-dbff-a966-c2b8-8d0b5e5d433b">
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I share the above because some folks tend to forget the original meaning of the phrase and instead cling to the co-opted Jake version, which in a nutshell is about he and Olivia running off to be together. This remix appeared in the season 3 finale (318) and again in the season 4 premiere (401), etc etc. Olivia went along with it whenever it suits her, but her intended meaning did occasionally rear its head, such as in “The Last Supper” (408), where she is working to convince Jake to go along with a plan that she and Fitz had concocted in order to take down B613. She says to him: “I know you want blood. So do I, but that’s not who we are. That’s for people who live their lives in the darkness. But you and me, we stand in the sun. We stand in the sun, Jake. That’s what we do.”</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Did y’all barf a little, too? I’m sorry. I had to go back for reference purposes. You understand.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So now that you’ve been reminded as to why that phrase exists and also why your stomach recoils whenever you hear it said by a particular character, let’s get into this here episode.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Truth Armor Gets Dinged</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The episode opens up with Olivia and Fitz some time after their impromptu rendezvous. The 10pm time slot is apparently being used for PG-13 Olitz scenes, so all the fun parts are skipped and we see Olivia as she is buttoning her clothes back up. Fitz is laid out on the bed and giving us Adonis bod as he and Liv banter over concerns that he has with how his presidential portrait will turn out. Though she assures him that the final product will be just fine, it is clear that Olivia is enjoying the anxiety that he is having over it. The woman is all smiles and giggles, and one can venture a guess as to why this may be.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XttiAZEG3SQ/Wduvv7vG0pI/AAAAAAAAgA4/cjn0WeGe2fAk3Def9N0W2xTcN1aScOgRQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/mmmhmm.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="498" height="174" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XttiAZEG3SQ/Wduvv7vG0pI/AAAAAAAAgA4/cjn0WeGe2fAk3Def9N0W2xTcN1aScOgRQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/mmmhmm.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AK8QsSiClzI/WtgRYDQkTAI/AAAAAAAAh3k/BfT7ES859n8czNI3cJYbHWOrhYQMJQTkwCLcBGAs/s1600/reginahall.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="500" height="165" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AK8QsSiClzI/WtgRYDQkTAI/AAAAAAAAh3k/BfT7ES859n8czNI3cJYbHWOrhYQMJQTkwCLcBGAs/s320/reginahall.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia has to go that very night because she must prepare against the next day, which is when Mellie will be questioned by the special prosecutor. And just like that, the room is sapped of its jauntiness like a bucket of iced water onto a pile of burning embers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qep3HkF44qA/WtgRfp-NWLI/AAAAAAAAh3o/uRiU4DRnDDcQAeMGvJqJqewqFZPIEz98ACLcBGAs/s1600/moodkiller.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="297" data-original-width="498" height="190" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qep3HkF44qA/WtgRfp-NWLI/AAAAAAAAh3o/uRiU4DRnDDcQAeMGvJqJqewqFZPIEz98ACLcBGAs/s320/moodkiller.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With reality now sitting like a fat cat in the middle of the room, Fitz remarks that he supposes that his presidential portrait should be the least of his worries given that his ex-wife’s presidency is on the line. Olivia notes the shift in his mood and she steps back into the room to say that she knows that whatever happens with Mellie will also affect him, recognizing that it is also his legacy on the line. Fitz agrees with this and then asks Olivia if she has any ideas as to how this story will end. A loaded question to be sure and one that Olivia is unable to answer.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elsewhere that same evening, The Liberty Report and Sally Langston return! She is reporting (with some fervor) that President Melody Grant will be questioned about whether she was involved in attempting to kill Cyrus by paying an assassin (Charlie) to crash Air Force Two. She states that Mellie has denied the charges, but then she wonders if Mellie will risk perjury and deny the accusations again under oath.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The following day, Mellie is being prepped by her attorney and Olivia as to what to say when questioned. The lawyer is advising her on invoking the Fifth Amendment, but Olivia is against it. She says that doing so would make it appear as if Mellie has something to hide. She instead advises that Mellie answer all questions that are asked of her and for her to stick to the truth.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Off Mellie and her crew of bad bitches go to meet up with Lonnie Mencken. Their journey towards the interview room is complete with a slow motion shot of all of them walking down the hall with Mellie out front. If this was meant to convey strength and confidence, it failed because Mellie looks like she was experiencing incontinence. Maybe that’s what they were going for? (If so, why Sway?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uDTdNt8ye4w/VlKRdlwGaFI/AAAAAAAAVns/YnrIYMTdtWEODIkDHiNYhRVxoqMBXHrOwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/usher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="600" height="250" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uDTdNt8ye4w/VlKRdlwGaFI/AAAAAAAAVns/YnrIYMTdtWEODIkDHiNYhRVxoqMBXHrOwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/usher.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As they are rounding a corner, they pass by Cyrus who taunts Mellie by commenting on her hair and saying that he believes that it’ll look good on camera. Mellie gives him a glare and then rolls her eyes as she continues past him and says nothing. Olivia turns around to give him a look of her own, one that we don’t see, but my guess is that it promised near future pain.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now sitting in front of Lonnie and his team, Mellie swears to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A few miles away, Marcus is walking past the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) when he is spotted by a former colleague. (This is the first of a number of scenes that the cast filmed in actual Washington, DC.) Marcus asks her what she is doing on that side of town, and she replies that her meeting at the Justice Department let out a little early so she is going to play hooky and visit the new Smithsonian (the NMAAHC). She invites Marcus to join her, but he tells her that he has a meeting to get to.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As he starts to walk away, he asks her if she is still at the Department of Agriculture, and she informs him that she is now on the Hill. She mentions the Senator who she is now working for, and Marcus asks if they’re the one who is on the Intel Committee. When the woman confirms that they are one and the same, Marcus quickly puts two and two together and asks what her meeting at Justice was about. The woman tells him simply that he should be glad that he no longer works at the White House. That bit of information is enough to set Marcus to running! </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back over to the White House, Lonnie states that Mellie does not deny knowing the suspect who is in custody for the hijacking, and Mellie confirms this to be correct. Lonnie then asks if she was aware that Charlie, a man of many aliases, was also in the employ of Olivia Pope & Associates. When Mellie states that she was aware, Lonnie scribbles something down on his notepad. After a moment, he looks up to ask Mellie why she had fired Olivia!</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yeah. That question caught them all off guard.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Meanwhile, Marcus seems to have run all the way to work and right into Fitz’s office to share that he believes that Mellie is about to get sideswiped by Lonnie.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back at the White House in the B613 lair, Jake is watching the proceedings via a camera installed in the interview room. He stands up from his perch in interest of the answer that Mellie is going to give to the question posed. Mellie’s lawyer leans in to advise her on what to say, but Mellie holds her off as she stares Lonnie right in the eyes and says that she didn’t fire Olivia, that Olivia resigned. (Um, but you leaked to the press that she was indeed fired and then Olivia publicly admitted that she was fired, sooooo….what’s the truth?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-llNAc8ympm0/VjV0CRK7tUI/AAAAAAAAVZM/Ih0gUEL5GJksA_4tEUf4FTJXbtynZXxBgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/wtf_obama.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="245" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-llNAc8ympm0/VjV0CRK7tUI/AAAAAAAAVZM/Ih0gUEL5GJksA_4tEUf4FTJXbtynZXxBgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/wtf_obama.gif" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As Mellie explains why Olivia is there now in an advisory role, Olivia’s phone starts to vibrate. She checks on it and sees that it is Fitz calling, but instead of answering, she turns the phone off. Mellie tells Lonnie that she and Olivia worked together very closely for an extended period beginning with her campaign and then in the White House, and that after a while tensions rose. She adds that such things happen. Lonnie asks if these supposed tensions had anything to do with Olivia’s plot to assassinate President Rashad of Bashran!</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whoo chile! This one was a dropkick to the GUT!</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Right as Mellie says that she has no idea what they are talking about, one of Lonnie’s associates pulls up video of Mellie and Olivia speaking about the the nuclear treaty situation (705). The lawyer remarks then that she doesn’t understand what this video has to do with anything, and Lonnie says that it is being used to establish motive for the hijacking. He goes on to address Mellie directly, sharing his theory that Cyrus found out about the assassination attempt on Rashad and disapproved with it, and so Mellie figured that she had to kill Cyrus to keep him silent.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mellie has no idea how to respond. She is wringing her hands something fierce and she turns to Olivia all wide-eyed before looking over at her lawyer, who whispers something to her. After a long, tense moment, Mellie finally invokes her Fifth Amendment privilege. (Welp.) Just as Mellie’s lawyer declares them done with the inquiry, Lonnie says that since Mellie won’t be of any assistance, that maybe Olivia will be. And he presents her with a subpoena of her own right on the spot!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YCFaDq3bnC0/WtgSH61yJII/AAAAAAAAh30/YT-kAO-e_OUUsRtqVoLAS2DcyfXW9UktwCLcBGAs/s1600/nervoussweat.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YCFaDq3bnC0/WtgSH61yJII/AAAAAAAAh30/YT-kAO-e_OUUsRtqVoLAS2DcyfXW9UktwCLcBGAs/s320/nervoussweat.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Later in the Oval, Olivia looks a little dazed as Fitz remarks on how the video shown during the questioning couldn’t possibly be admissible in court. Marcus wonders how the hell they got their hands on it in the first place, and Mellie replies that it likely came from B613, that there are cameras everywhere. Fitz turns to David then to have him confirm that the video wouldn’t hold up in court, but David said that thanks to the PATRIOT Act, privacy goes out the window once you are believed to be working against the State. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mellie says then that she suspects that Jake was watching the whole thing unfold from his “dumb, stupid pool” and sitting in front of some monitor “with that dumb, stupid face of his”. She then looks directly up at the camera in the ceiling and asks if Jake liked what he saw and if he is proud of himself. (Jake shade via Mellie is the best thing, writers.)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Marcus asks then what would happen if Olivia doesn’t testify, and David supplies that Olivia would be held in contempt. Fitz adds that the alternative is worse, which is that she will be assumed to be guilty. He goes on to say that they need to go work the Hill before Congress votes to impeach Mellie. A back and forth ensures between he and Mellie about why that strategy will or won’t work, and Olivia, who has been silent this entire time, speaks up here. She explains that going to Congress won’t work because Jake made sure that they already knew about the video before they themselves did. The narrative, she says, has already been set and they are backed into a corner.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the White House kitchen, Cyrus meets up with Lonnie to ensure that they are on the same page as to what should happen next. Lonnie explains that he has turned the inquiry in the direction of Olivia just as Jake had suggested. Cyrus detects a note in Lonnie’s voice and asks him about it. Lonnie states that he knows what he signed up for when he joined in on this endeavor with Cyrus, but he is at a loss as to why Jake is in it. He refers to Jake as a “ghost”, stating that Jacob Ballard did not exist prior to joining the Navy. (Be careful there, Lonnie.)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cyrus is surprised that Lonnie has been looking into Jake, and Lonnie wonders aloud how it is that a man with no past has managed to “climb so far, so fast”. (QOTD, Lonnie. QOTD.) He states that Jake may be pretty, but he isn’t </span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that </span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">pretty. He is sure that there is something more here than meets the eye. Indeed.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s evening time now and we are flashed over to QPA where Huck is pouring himself some cereal. Quinn comes over to say that she will be working from home, and when she sees the cereal, she asks if it’s his dinner. Huck replies that it is also his breakfast and lunch, adding that they have been going so hard with this Cyrus business that he hadn’t eaten since the day before. Quinn states then that they wouldn’t be going through all of this had Olivia killed Cyrus when she had the chance, and Huck says to her that they are happy that Olivia didn’t follow through on that. (Ha!) Quinn is like yeah, but…. Huck cuts in to repeat himself, this time with some emphasis, and Quinn says that she won’t be happy about anything as long as Charlie remains jailed.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As Quinn walks away from him and towards the office’s exit, she comes face to face with an expected visitor. Sally Langston! (Say what??) Who would have ever thought that we’d see Sally step foot into OPA/QPA?? This is another one of those “they’ve never before shared a scene” moments that we’ve seen happening throughout this season.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Quinn isn’t all that enthused to see Sally, who quips as she strolls deeper into the suite that she didn’t know that people still worked there. Sally has come because she heard a rumor that Olivia has been subpoenaed to testify against Mellie and she wondered if QPA would like to comment on that. Huck asks her why they would comment against Olivia, and Sally points out that it wasn’t all that long ago that QPA leaked the news that Olivia had been fired from the White House, so she figured that they and Olivia weren’t on good terms. She asks if they can help her, and Quinn says that they sure can help her find the door! (Heh.)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sally, however, won’t be easily dismissed. She says that if retribution isn’t incentive enough for them to speak out against Olivia, that she is prepared to pay them or at least buy them a proper meal. On this last bit, she is looking at Huck and his cereal bowl with some concern. Huck tells her that he actually likes cereal and says that it is full of nutrients. (LOL!)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Turning back to Quinn, Sally states that lawyers are expensive and that Quinn is going to need a lot of money to liberate her “baby daddy” from prison. (Did she did just say baby daddy?) She adds that from what she remembers of her time at the White House, it is that “ugly things happen to people in the bowels of the Pentagon”.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Seeing that this didn’t compel either Quinn or Huck to agree to her proposal, she presents them with her card and says that they can call her at her studio should they change their minds. Neither make a move to take the card, so she leaves it on a nearby desk and bids them a “blessed evening”. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next we see Olivia arriving at her apartment. She steps in and shuts the door, but then immediately freezes. She senses that she isn’t alone. After a moment, she calls out Jake’s name, and sure enough, it’s him. Olivia clicks on the lights then and turns around to face him. As she starts further into the apartment, she asks if his presence is supposed to be scary, and he replies that no, he actually brought her something. He says it’s a gift.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He rises from the chair and approaches Olivia while reaching into his coat pocket and pulling out a vile that looks to contain some kind of coarse powder. When Olivia just stares at it, he encourages her to take it, but she makes no move to do so. She asks him what it is and he tells her that it is sand from the island. He calls it his “little piece of the sun, [their] sun”. (Oh, for the love of God…) He says that he wants her to have it, but Olivia tells him that she doesn’t want it.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ywZvn-6WQNc/VvgugeMYyKI/AAAAAAAAWw8/A_wz43BzaLQmTsxApjxGPthuaokaN88qgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/sipping_beyonce.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="245" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ywZvn-6WQNc/VvgugeMYyKI/AAAAAAAAWw8/A_wz43BzaLQmTsxApjxGPthuaokaN88qgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/sipping_beyonce.gif" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jake proceeds to say that given the trash ass people that he comes from, that he would never call himself a happy person, but that being on the island made him happy. He shares that he was happy “standing in the sun” with Olivia. (Yawn.) He concludes by saying that lessons have been learned on that front.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia looks at him as one would a man with an unfortunate case of the clap, and then she steps past him and says that the two of them never had a real chance. She starts to say something about her father, but Jake interjects to correct her determiner to </span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">their </span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">father (Ooo...how romantic!). He argues that they did indeed have a chance, but that Olivia decided that there were things that she wanted to accomplish and presidents that she wanted to make. He says that now, he is the one who has things that he wishes to accomplish.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia pleads with him not to follow through on his plans, but he says that he is taking what is his his now and that she will not stand in his way. He tells her that when she is questioned tomorrow, she is to admit to killing President Rashad at Mellie’s request and that he in return will ensure that she is pardoned once Cyrus becomes President. (I’d not take that gamble if I were Olivia.)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In response to his proposal, Olivia says to him that he doesn’t have to be this person, that what he’s doing now isn’t him. (Um, girl, it </span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is</span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> him. Leave it alone.) When she states that she knows him, Jake cuts her off and speaks some truth about their relationship, a truth that he damn sure should have realized years ago. He says that Olivia only dealt with him and treated him like a human being as long as he “carried [her] bags, fetched [her] toys, kept [her] warm and defended, like a good watchdog”. (I mean…)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QJHxcdJ16Sk/Wf_QHCn13wI/AAAAAAAAgMc/qDS9sNuVCywCcEpKPeGHi-jjI0DT5fM8QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/tamarshrug.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QJHxcdJ16Sk/Wf_QHCn13wI/AAAAAAAAgMc/qDS9sNuVCywCcEpKPeGHi-jjI0DT5fM8QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/tamarshrug.gif" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia is now looking at him with the expression she wears whenever she knows she is guilty as charged. She has not one comeback to anything that he says, and Jake follows it up by adding that the thing about dogs is that if you starve it long enough, “it will tear you to pieces”. He then takes her hand and presses the vial of sand into it before he takes his leave. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Soooo….this mofo’s been holding on to sand all of these years from a time when he and Olivia were both pretending to be people other people? To make matters worse, he seems to have convinced himself at some point that he and Olivia would’ve been a thing if it weren’t for her looking to accomplish more careerwise. Because, you know, nothing screams meant for each other quite like blackmail, threats, and B&E. How unfortunate.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Come to think of it, was Jake’s co-opted version of “standing in the sun” supposed to be like his and Olivia’s bootlegged Great Value imitation of Olivia and Fitz’s Vermont?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2H-uMd6gSnk/WtgS7rikpiI/AAAAAAAAh4A/ZDnnAIWlyt4Rkc2UdFP7hzav3l-3E2FsQCLcBGAs/s1600/confused_tamar.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="400" height="160" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2H-uMd6gSnk/WtgS7rikpiI/AAAAAAAAh4A/ZDnnAIWlyt4Rkc2UdFP7hzav3l-3E2FsQCLcBGAs/s320/confused_tamar.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eysWlcjNjK4/WtgTCgIm7PI/AAAAAAAAh4E/Jy28zs7-EVMtH9zkNMdOKKQiAS33RCUUQCLcBGAs/s1600/sorryforthatbitch.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="350" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eysWlcjNjK4/WtgTCgIm7PI/AAAAAAAAh4E/Jy28zs7-EVMtH9zkNMdOKKQiAS33RCUUQCLcBGAs/s320/sorryforthatbitch.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Playing the Only Card Left in Her Arsenal</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The following day, Olivia is at QPA with the gladiators and they are still trying to figure out a way to take down Cyrus. Abby shares that tracking the hacker responsible for the hijacking was a literal dead end, and when Olivia asks if there was anything left behind that could connect the hacker to Cyrus, Huck replies that there wasn’t anything left that could connect the hacker to hacking. The team goes quiet for a bit, their faces long with the realization that they have no card to play on this front.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Abby speaks up after a moment to say that since they can’t nail Cyrus on this hijacking thing, they could get him on something else from his past, stating that Cyrus isn’t exactly lacking in sins. Quinn enthusiastically chimes in then to offer Defiance (S2) as one of those sins, and Huck reminds them that Defiance would blow back on Olivia, and Olivia adds that it would also ensnare Mellie. That option bites the dust.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Abby then offers up that Cyrus ordered a drone strike against Olivia. Olivia is shocked to learn of this, having not known of it before, and Quinn looks horrified. Abby explains that it happened when Olivia was kidnapped (413) and that she witnessed Cyrus directing the CIA to take her out. Given that Olivia is an American citizen, Abby figures that that should be some kind of crime, but Olivia counters by saying that using this would mean telling the world that Fitzgerald went to war for his girlfriend. Option #3 gets shut down.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Huck offers that Cyrus killed Amanda Tanner (105), but Quinn corrects him to say that it was actually Charlie who murdered her and adds that the Amanda situation isn’t something that Charlie needs to be brought up. Olivia further states that last thing Mellie needs is to be reminded of Fitz’s philandering. (LMAO! But wouldn’t Olivia herself be a constant reminder? I mean, she’s still riding the pony...) Option #4 is dead on arrival.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Quinn wonders about them instead using Jake and Huck gets excited about this as a possibility, stating that removing Jake from the equation would leave Cyrus vulnerable. Olivia doesn’t see how that would work either since everything that Jake did was with her blessing as Command or done in Mellie’s name. Abby says that this is true about his recent activity, but wonders if maybe they can use something from his past. She points out that he did act alone when he murdered James Novak (314) and that David was there as a witness. Olivia, however, maintains that this a non-option, stating that Jake committed the murder in his role as Command and did what he did to keep James from spilling that “Sally Langston murdered her husband, a murder that Charlie and Quinn covered up for B613”.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_pOuWPchJVY/ViMyXawVujI/AAAAAAAAVUg/cxpPuGqbmcQXbAL2Wfpz2r93IQ6AuP1fwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/laugh.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="500" height="192" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_pOuWPchJVY/ViMyXawVujI/AAAAAAAAVUg/cxpPuGqbmcQXbAL2Wfpz2r93IQ6AuP1fwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/laugh.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Five different options and there isn’t a one that they can use without hurting themselves in the process. Anything that they accuse Cyrus and Jake of will lead right back to themselves or to B613. Their little exercise may have proven to be worthless to their current strategy, but it does later influence Olivia’s eventual plan of attack.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next we see a news report on where it is being shared that Olivia will be testifying in front of the special prosecutor in a matter of hours. Reporter Mike states that no one knows what Olivia has to say to Lonnie Mencken, but that insiders expect a “smoking gun”. Rowan is seen catching that bit of news from his dinosaur workspace as the reporter goes on to state that soon after Olivia was served her subpoena, the House Judiciary Committee began drafting articles of impeachment. (Well, damn.)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The following scene is of Olivia arriving at the NMAAHC and stepping into the Contemplative Court. The space features an indoor waterfall and several notable quotes. As Stevie Wonder’s “Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday” plays, Olivia takes a seat on a bench. Behind her on the wall is a large Sam Cooke quote of “A Change is Gonna Come”, a direct reference to his song of the same name that was made popular during the Civil Rights Movement.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia considers the quotes on two other walls:</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I cherish my own freedom dearly, but I care even more for your freedom.” -- Nelson Mandela, 1991</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We are determined...to work and fight until justice runs down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.” -- Martin Luther King, Jr., 1955</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Within the context of Scandal, these quotes have specific (Olivia) and wider (everyone else, the country at large) implications. The decision to film Olivia’s “bench moment” in this space and in this museum and with this particular Stevie song was brilliant. Add in the memories that come back to Olivia while she is in this moment, and you have an absolute masterpiece.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The flashbacks start with Rowan asking Olivia how many times it is that he has told her that she has to be twice as good to get half of what their white counterparts have (301), and then it moves to Abby telling Olivia that she is the gladiator who she would gladly follow over a cliff (104). It returns back to Rowan taunting her into an answer and Olivia starting to give him one. It then flashes over to Olivia and Fitz marveling over the real Constitution (208) before it is back to Rowan reminding her of that hard lesson Black people teach their kids. Then it’s back to Abby telling Olivia that she has to show up and be a warrior, that she doesn’t get to pick and choose when the real Olivia Pope shows up.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As the memories flood in, Olivia gets emotionally overwhelmed. The recollections shift to a moment with her father on a bench in front of the Marine Corps War Memorial, where she had said that she didn’t know what the point was of “democracy and freedom and patriotism if there are no white hats, if everyone is evil, if the deck is always stacked, if everyone [she] loves is a monster” (314). When she wonders why anything matters if no one is worth saving, Rowan replies that it is these very things that do, in fact, make everyone worth saving. This gets interspersed with Abby saying that Olivia is the gladiator and then Rowan looking for her to answer the “twice as hard” question.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is a flash of Olivia standing with her original gladiators (101), her having just “handled” Amanda Tanner; her toasting with Mellie; her trying to escape her kidnappers (410); a return to her and Fitz in front of the Constitution; her walking away from the White House (107); her with Cyrus on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial (616); her abortion (509); her approaching Brandon Parker’s father (414); her putting on the white hat; and finally back to her and Fitz at the Constitution and her stating in awe that “it’s a new world”.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The images that she conjures up are of the various prices that she has paid, wrongs she has committed, things she has lost. It is interesting that the one moment that features Fitzgerald is specifically this Constitution scene, a scene where they stare at the document with absolute reverence, acknowledge its significance, and in which Olivia first declares her love for Fitz. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These moments go off like flashing camera bulbs, and over them are Rowan’s and Abby’s voices, which echo like warring factions, though they are colliding into one message: Olivia as the gladiator is to gladiate for everyone. Throw in the scene of her and Fitz looking over the Constitution as well as the “twice as good” recollection, and the message becomes one that says that she is to fight on behalf of the nation and that she must do so by beating the other side at their own game. (Neither Cyrus nor Jake are part of these flashes.)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This entire segment was hands down one of my favorites of the episode. Well done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qy8tePRXL9Q/WtgTc-TqHcI/AAAAAAAAh4M/m6LIWWdCD0YLOld_SrulUkmnaQKBuaEAACKgBGAs/s1600/clapping.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="500" height="179" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qy8tePRXL9Q/WtgTc-TqHcI/AAAAAAAAh4M/m6LIWWdCD0YLOld_SrulUkmnaQKBuaEAACKgBGAs/s320/clapping.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Following her time at the NMAAHC, Olivia arrives for her testimony with the special prosecutor. She is alone and without an attorney. She is sworn in, and as the questioning begins, Jake is watching the proceedings from his lair. Lonnie goes right to the recording of Olivia and Mellie on the balcony, and he asks Olivia if Mellie had given her the order to assassinate President Rashad. There is a long pause as Olivia considers Lonnie, and when she finally speaks, she says that “there are many presumptions included in that question”. Lonnie tells her that the question is a simple one that requires her to answer yes or no. Olivia replies that the question presumes that President Rashad was assassinated.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wait…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CyxumPufjr4/Wdux5XbjNpI/AAAAAAAAgBo/EAokEK9ny-4v-kHIwykvOqgy4QfphBM5ACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/confused_Wendyguest.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="500" height="177" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CyxumPufjr4/Wdux5XbjNpI/AAAAAAAAgBo/EAokEK9ny-4v-kHIwykvOqgy4QfphBM5ACPcBGAYYCw/s320/confused_Wendyguest.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lonnie patiently states that there is evidence submitted to the record that supports his statement, and Olivia argues that “evidence is evidence. It’s not fact”. (Girl, what are you saying?! Is Rashad alive somewhere??) A frustrated Lonnie reminds Olivia that she is compelled to answer his questions by the authority vested in him by the Justice Department and by the Constitution. He tells her that she can either answer or plead the Fifth.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Having said this, Lonnie again poses his original question to Olivia, and Jake watches with bated breath to see if she will do as he instructed her to and implicate Mellie. Olivia instead answers that Mellie didn’t instruct her to kill Rashad, that she made that call herself!! Lonnie had to blink twice at that, not sure if he had heard her correctly, but Olivia repeats her answer, saying that it was she who gave the order by the authority vested in her by her post as Command of B613!!! (WHAT?!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HI7caVXcdB0/WPzMdzY_T1I/AAAAAAAAeeM/CRkqH5oU8MwYtKEYp8C4Ao7zzRgV2UA3QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/shocked_rihanna.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="500" height="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HI7caVXcdB0/WPzMdzY_T1I/AAAAAAAAeeM/CRkqH5oU8MwYtKEYp8C4Ao7zzRgV2UA3QCPcBGAYYCw/s320/shocked_rihanna.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jake hops out of his seat in dismay, shocked AF that Olivia was spilling the beans about the existence of the secret spy unit. She tells Lonnie that the organization has existed for decades and that it is currently being run by Jake Ballard “out of the old pool under the White House briefing room”. When she adds that the organization is funded by a loophole in the defense budget, Lonnie pumps the brakes on the information overload. He wants to clarify that Olivia is admitting to assassinating Rashad on Mellie’s behalf, and Olivia says that Rashad was assassinated on behalf of the Republic, which she says B613 has protected or PRETENDED to protect for the last 30 years.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chile, listen. Y’all got me out here laid out, man.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ca0Q4r9GEU0/WtgUhUfnzoI/AAAAAAAAh4c/Z7AOnSpgX6oxZuHkMdxolJ1tDOGKdeZ_wCLcBGAs/s1600/laidout.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="256" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ca0Q4r9GEU0/WtgUhUfnzoI/AAAAAAAAh4c/Z7AOnSpgX6oxZuHkMdxolJ1tDOGKdeZ_wCLcBGAs/s1600/laidout.gif" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lonnie is having one hell of a hard time wrapping his head around what Olivia has just dropped on him. He tries to understand what it is that she is saying exactly and asks if she means that there is a secret CIA being controlled from the White House, and she states that B613 isn’t controlled from the White House, that it </span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">controls</span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the White House!</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All kinds of tea is just a spilling. Lord have mercy…</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To verify what Olivia has just told him, Lonnie calls for a break in the proceedings and he hurries out of the room. Meanwhile, Olivia takes a moment to collect herself after having unleashed the mother of all bombs out into the open. Lonnie is next seen arriving at the location Olivia indicated and Jake is standing outside of it in wait. He asks Lonnie if he is already done with his questioning, but Lonnie is not interested in conversation. He orders the Admiral to step aside, and when he does, Lonnie proceeds into the old pool area. Inside, he sees evidence of of the B613 operation in all of its glory, and he is stunned.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hurrying around the corner and towards the old pool room is Olivia, and when she gets close enough to the entrance, Jake asks her what the hell it is that she believes that she is doing, and she tells him that she is….standing in the sun.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cXX2lTvR66w/WQX0Frl-xsI/AAAAAAAAeiE/smOfhCySao0Sr74dpVch97_yQVtlsPpqwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/yes_merylstreep.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="400" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cXX2lTvR66w/WQX0Frl-xsI/AAAAAAAAeiE/smOfhCySao0Sr74dpVch97_yQVtlsPpqwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/yes_merylstreep.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reclaim your phrase, sis! While he wants to cry over not being able to stand in some literal sun, you go right on ahead and cleanse that conscience of yours. His sun has set, but yours is still rising.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aGle3SzRW5A/WJbwc1TzjJI/AAAAAAAAdZ0/umGIsyKmHksYvKJLb8VRPkQ-YH1F43xOwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/praise_patti.gif" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="166" data-original-width="220" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aGle3SzRW5A/WJbwc1TzjJI/AAAAAAAAdZ0/umGIsyKmHksYvKJLb8VRPkQ-YH1F43xOwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/praise_patti.gif" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Steady in the Storm</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In a brief scene, David informs Mellie that Olivia testified to the existence of B613 and outed herself as Command. Mellie is stunned.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back over to Lonnie, he is now alone in the interview room with Jake. He confronts the younger man about the truth to Olivia’s testimony, and before Jake answers, he asks if the camera that is directed at him is on. He says that he doesn’t see the little red light which would indicate that it is recording. And then as if just recalling this fact, he states that it must be because Lonnie hasn’t yet served him with a subpoena, and so this means that he doesn’t have to answer any of his questions. Lonnie confirms this to be true, but then says that Jake will have to answer his questions eventually. He relays that he isn’t a computer guy, but that he has a number of young people in his office who will have the time of their lives going through all of the things that are in that pool room. After that, Jake will be served with a subpoena, the camera will definitely be on, and every question will be answered.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Right at that moment, Lonnie gets a phone call. It’s from an FBI agent who is informing him that they are at the location that he specified, but that there isn’t anything there. Lonnie mistakes her for meaning that there isn’t anything on the servers, but she states that there is nothing in the room. The camera pans out then to show that the pool room has indeed been cleared of everything. Lonnie ends the call when he realizes what has happened.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jake is smug as he stands and advises Lonnie to not pursue anything having to do with B613. He tells him to forget Olivia’s testimony and to make it disappear. He then offers to handle that business for him and he proceeds to take the card containing Olivia’s testimony from the camera. He adds that he will also need the transcripts, and before he departs, he tells Lonnie that he is in over his head and that he should walk away from this business now. (When will Jake die?)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Over in the Oval, Olivia is stunned to learn from David that Jake succeeded in burying her testimony. The others in the room are Mellie, Marcus, and Fitzgerald. Fitz guesses that Jake probably covered everything up, and Mellie expresses relief at that. Fitz adds that Jake just helped them out “big time”. Olivia looks at them all as if they were speaking gibberish.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mellie asks Olivia if she is out of her mind, and Olivia says that she isn’t crazy and that her testimony was not a mistake. She states that the truth is the answer and that all of it must come out. Mellie says to her that B613’s existence implicates all of them and makes them complicit in the agency’s unknown number of crimes. David chimes in to say that treason is one of those crimes, which is punishable by death, so all the hundreds of others committed by the organization doesn’t exactly matter. (LOL!)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia points out to Mellie that she didn’t know about Rashad and that Mellie could always deny that she knew anything about B613 -- or she can opt to tell the truth. Mellie comes to her feet then, outraged that Olivia would suggest such a thing. (Mellie is kind of allergic to the truth when it involves her catching hell for it. See the bunker scene between her, Olivia, and Fitz in 301.)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia stands firm on the truth being the only way forward and the only weapon that they have to stop Cyrus and Jake. She says that ending all of this will require them to “open the doors to this secret underground world and fill it with light”. When she adds that they have to speak up, an irate Mellie demands to know what it is that Olivia believes that they should say and Olivia says that she doesn’t know. Fitz then asks her what her plan is, and Olivia again says that she doesn’t know.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wow. Olivia Pope has no answer, no plan, no nothing?! Both Fitz and Mellie look at her like she has lost her mind. This was undoubtedly new territory for all of them.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Undaunted by their looks and anger at her for suggesting this, Olivia addresses them all, Mellie directly. She says that what she knows is that this moment is bigger than all of them, that it is about the country. She states this is about them being patriotic. It is a moment where politics ends and leadership begins. She says that everything must come down and that they have to admit their sins and clear the air for the sake of the nation’s future.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She goes on to say that if the country knew what has been happening right under their noses for the past three decades -- but she doesn’t get to finish her thought for Mellie cuts in to say that people would pick up their pitchforks and their semi-automatic rifles and storm the gate! She says that the people will lock them away forever, and David says that Mellie’s prediction is the “nice version” of what could happen.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From the corner, Marcus remarks that maybe Mellie’s version could happen or the people would wake up and take their country back. It’s now Marcus’s turn to be looked at as if he has lost his mind, and Mellie tells him that people are unpredictable, and that if word of B613 gets out, they themselves would have no way to control what happens to them. Olivia acknowledges that the truth is scary, but adds that it is also powerful and happens to be the only thing that they have at their disposal to keep Jake and Cyrus out of power and save the country. (See how that scene at the NMAAHC plays comes into play here?)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fitz, who has been quiet for a while, speaks up then to say that Olivia made he and Mellie Presidents and that what she is suggesting would strip them of all of their power, credibility, legacy, and ability to make positive change in the world. He states that her “ludicrous confession” would defined everything that he and Mellie have done in their roles as President and kill all his efforts for his foundation to help the country. (Whew. He is mad!)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With tears swimming in her eyes, Olivia asks him if he believes that she would have done this if there had been any other way and then asks if he thinks that she wants to go down for the things that she has done on their behalf and on behalf of the country. She gives them a reality check as she tells them that none of them are the heroes of this story, that they are all actually the villains! (YESSSSSS!!!) She says that this is their chance to be a hero; that it is this that is actual positive change.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia vows to find a way to pop the lid off of this biatch, and she says to Mellie that when it happens, she will not be able to protect her. She admits that she won’t even be able to protect herself, so Mellie and the rest of them are going to have to decide on whether they want to “dodge and weave and protect [their] legacies” or stand before all and cop to their wrongdoings and hope that the next generation of leaders decide to be better than they were.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On that note, Olivia grabs her purse and exits from the Oval. She is going to do this whether they are with her or not. And all I can do is give my girl a standing ovation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1-BoLlDLLhw/VlKSYSmPXKI/AAAAAAAAVoE/0bdXd_zd3fIW7M9bEoY7wKqOwRIjd3DYACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/bravo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="231" data-original-width="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1-BoLlDLLhw/VlKSYSmPXKI/AAAAAAAAVoE/0bdXd_zd3fIW7M9bEoY7wKqOwRIjd3DYACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/bravo.gif" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have been looking for this Olivia since she laid damn near comatosed in the bed over wanting to come clean over Defiance (212), and here we have come full circle. The white hat may be dingy right now, but it’s about to be dunked into a bucket of bleach. Bring it!</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Later, Olivia is seen at QPA and she has shared with them that she admitted to the existence of B613 to Lonnie Mencken. Quinn is astounded and Abby says that Olivia essentially just committed suicide. Olivia tells them that she has had enough lectures about her decision and that what she needs right now from them is some help. She says that she needs a way to convince Lonnie to act on what he now knows. Huck offers to get his toolbox (LMAO) and Olivia says that that isn’t the pressure she’s going for. Quinn offers that they can let America change Lonnie’s mind for them.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cue Sally Langston! (You knew her showing up at QPA would come back around.) Quinn goes to tell her about B613, but Sally is openly skeptical. She tells Quinn that this isn’t a scoop that she brought her, but is instead some poor attempt to trick her into spreading “fake news”. (If I never hear that term again, it will be too soon.) Quinn says that she is is there because Cyrus is the devil, which Sally already knows, but that what Sally doesn’t know is that Cyrus has corrupted the special prosecutor. She states that Lonnie is a good man who can still be convinced to do the right thing if pressure is put on him via Sally’s viewers.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sally says that she will need proof before she puts any of this on the air, and Quinn quips that B613 is a secret spy agency and as such, they don’t give receipts. (LOL!) Basically, there is no evidence that B613 exists, which is the point. Sally replies that she won’t be risking her “spotless reputation” without proof, but adds that if Quinn brings her something, she will broadcast it.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Later that evening at the Residence, Mellie is out on the Truman balcony nursing a drink with Marcus and contemplating the events from earlier. Marcus asks her what it is that she is going to do, and Mellie says that she doesn’t know. Marcus states that he knows that this can’t be easy for her, and Mellie seems to take offense to his remark. She goes on to say that what isn’t easy is watching her father leave and never come back, seeing her husband shot in the head, and burying her first-born child. She adds that while those were all trying, each of them was a “God-given challenge” that allowed her to become the first woman President and make all her pain and suffering worth it. (Zzzz….) She then wonders what the lesson now is supposed to be.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Marcus replies that maybe the lesson this time around is her being judged by the company that she keeps. Confused, she asks him what he means, and before he proceeds to answer, he asks Mellie if she wants him to keep it all the way one hunnid and she says yes. Marcus tells her then that they (her, Olivia, Fitz, Cyrus) are all sharks. He says that during his time hanging around them he has heard things having to do with election rigging, blackmail, murder. Mellie argues that she never killed anybody, but Marcus points out that she surrounds herself by people who have.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh, so now Mellie is claiming to never have killed anybody, huh? Wasn’t she the same person who was telling Olivia that she kills people every day in her capacity as President?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VYzd37czGxo/VzkFO8lU1JI/AAAAAAAAXRw/EZ29EuW4cv01zD890QZyuUy3V5efjoE0QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/sideeyeloni.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="231" data-original-width="500" height="147" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VYzd37czGxo/VzkFO8lU1JI/AAAAAAAAXRw/EZ29EuW4cv01zD890QZyuUy3V5efjoE0QCPcBGAYYCw/s320/sideeyeloni.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Marcus goes on to say that Mellie associates with criminals and sharks, people who work for her and helped her get to where she is now, and here she is now acting surprised by the fact that one of her sharks attacked her just as a shark would. (Tell her, Brother Walker!) Mellie says then that Cyrus is a traitor to not only herself, but to the country. Marcus is doubtful that any of this for Mellie has anything to do with the country, and when she states that it has always been about the country, Marcus counters this by saying that it is actually always about her. (Whew, chile. Bring me some fresh lemons for this fresh pot of tea, please.)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Marcus tells her that she cares about doing whatever is necessary to keep her job and protect her legacy, which he says is fine, but that Mellie shouldn’t then try to have a “pity party” over a situation that she is responsible for creating. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w9oSZMNq0Eg/WQX3Omf7E5I/AAAAAAAAeik/aHPUgEz1vAclQJpckZ_bh6gBnXMp478VgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/boom.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="500" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w9oSZMNq0Eg/WQX3Omf7E5I/AAAAAAAAeik/aHPUgEz1vAclQJpckZ_bh6gBnXMp478VgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/boom.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s always funny watching how these characters react after Marcus slaps them with his brand of straight talk. It’s like they’ve been tossed into a tub full of water along with a plugged in microwave. Straight electrocution.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next scene is of Jake showing up at Rowan’s workspace. (Oh goodie…) Rowan is putting away some tools when Jake casually strolls in and asks if what he does ever gets boring. Rowan chuckles and says that it doesn’t, and then he asks why it is that Jake has come. Jake tells him that he wanted to see him, and he follows this up by remarking on the current situation involving Olivia. He says that he knows that everything that has been happening hasn’t been easy and that he wanted Rowan to know that the things he is doing are all for the right reasons.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When Rowan just stares at him, Jake adds that Olivia happens to be an “unfortunate casualty” because she is “standing in the way of what needs to be done” and is endangering the Republic that he is working to save. Rowan watches him a bit longer and then simply says, “Okay”. Jake is perplexed by this nonchalant response as Rowan returns to gathering up his tools. He poses the answer back as a question and Rowan confirms what he had initially said by repeating himself.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Turning fully to Jake then, Rowan asks him if he knows why it is that he loves his dinosaur so much. He explains that the dino is a “sum of her DNA, a portrait of survival, a monument to lessons learned”. He says that her “superiority is owned in her history”, and this fact does not change with a shift in conditions such as evolution and extinction. None of that matters. Her species can forever stand proud, he adds.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As Rowan is set to say more, Jake rudely interrupts to tell the “old man” that he didn’t come there for a lecture, but Rowan reclaims his time by instructing Jake to shut his trap and listen. He then says that Jake has taken the title of Command and now thinks that he has finally made it to the promised land. He states that Jake should be feeling all warm inside over his accomplishment, but that Jake instead senses that something is missing. Rowan says that Jake has thus come to him, not for a lecture, but for applause. If Jake had come for a lecture, that would mean that he understands that he still has something to learn.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He goes on to state that what brought Jake there is his need to get validation from “daddy” because Jake thinks that that is what is missing. He says that Jake thinks Rowan expressing pride in him will somehow fill up the empty crevices that he feels still remains and that this will then somehow actually make him the king. Rowan then says that they should try that theory out and see how it works, so he steps up to Jake, grabs his hand and pumps it up and down as he mockingly praises him for a job well done. He pulls him into a hug as he says that he is “so proud” of him. He then backs away and applauds his surrogate son with a “bravo”.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jake is not at all appreciative of this display. In a show that was meant to make the other shake in his boots, Jake gets up in Rowan’s face and announces that the reason why he came there is to let Rowan know that he is Command now and that he can be either kind or cruel to him. (Yawn.) He’s going on about having the power now, and Rowan interjects to tell Jake that he has absolutely nothing and that this is the point that he has been trying to make.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sighing, Rowan wonders at how it is that he managed to fail both Jake and Olivia in conveying what true power is. He asks how it is that they have learned so little being as close to him as they were and absorbing nothing at all. He tells Jake that if he has to tell him how powerful he is, then he ain’t shit. He’s got absolutely nothing. Rowan goes on to say that real power is silent, that it is hidden. He says that it is something that is within, that it cannot be gained, and that it also cannot be lost. He states that this power is a part of who you are.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This conversation is like deja vu in that Rowan has said something similar to Jake in “Dog Whistle Politics” (504). Like this current conversation, the earlier one included Rowan stating that “power--true power--is never lost” and him lamenting how he had failed Jake as a teacher of this lesson.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Upon Rowan turning away to take a seat on a nearby bench, Jake draws his gun from its holster and holds it down by his side. Rowan notes this move and then chuckles in disappointment. He tells Jake then that he himself is “absolute, total, unyielding power” and always will be. He says that he keeps waiting for he or Olivia to join him on his level because “it is so lonely at the top”.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wait a doggone minute. Is Rowan saying what I think he’s saying??</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TOJAXfdNVS8/Wf_SPDtvN8I/AAAAAAAAgM4/wMAodxaqWe4g1Pz-Afzj3SyNLB_z8Jl_gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/ohreally1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="871" data-original-width="728" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TOJAXfdNVS8/Wf_SPDtvN8I/AAAAAAAAgM4/wMAodxaqWe4g1Pz-Afzj3SyNLB_z8Jl_gCPcBGAYYCw/s320/ohreally1.gif" width="267" /></a></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He continues by saying that running the world and seeing all of its moving parts is exhausting. He then states that Command may be a title, but that it isn’t a job. He says that both Jake and Olivia may have called themselves Command, and he asks Jake if he really believes that they actually ever took Command from him. He says that he wishes that they had!</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So he </span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is</span><span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> saying what I think he’s saying!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UTcBN50z8PY/VhBDe164yEI/AAAAAAAAVIM/_2dx-p8lJzgOM5W4jLSwnNpkaZZChz8KgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/shocked_missj.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UTcBN50z8PY/VhBDe164yEI/AAAAAAAAVIM/_2dx-p8lJzgOM5W4jLSwnNpkaZZChz8KgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/shocked_missj.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He says that he wishes that one of this children had evolved so that he could have been able to consider himself extinct. Following a weary sigh, Rowan tells Jake, “You cannot take Command, son”, that Command is trapped in his bones. (Back to the dinosaur metaphor.)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Having said all of that, Rowan encourages Jake to “run along” and leave him in peace with the other dinosaurs, but Jake instead opts to cock his gun and direct it at Rowan’s head. Rowan just sits and stares Jake directly in the eyes as Jake says that he could kill him right then, but Rowan confidently says that he won’t. Jake stands with the gun pointed at Rowan for a long moment before he finally decides to lower it. Rowan says to him then that he will be there for him when he falls. (Foreshadow?) Jake tells him to just stay out of his way, and then he turns to leave.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What a lame ass. Rowan sure was on the money as to why Jake was there, and not liking this truth, Jake decides to flex some muscle. I’d laugh if the whole display wasn’t rather pathetic. And then he had the nerve to come with the head’s up about what he is likely to do to Olivia, who we all know isn’t going to stand down. You walk up into her father’s spot and essentially threaten her life? Rowan’s “okay” response was him acknowledging that Jake had just signed his own death certificate. Do you, Ballard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-48Qu_wwrxGE/Vj8fRV7iy_I/AAAAAAAAVcI/wpCMvp-t1swWdkg3xvQ1rokKtrtgHExYgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/die-die-die-gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="279" data-original-width="500" height="178" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-48Qu_wwrxGE/Vj8fRV7iy_I/AAAAAAAAVcI/wpCMvp-t1swWdkg3xvQ1rokKtrtgHExYgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/die-die-die-gif.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since Rowan has been Command all of this time, what in the world has he been doing while Olivia has been running about having planes carrying innocent people blown up? What’s he up to?</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They’re in this Together</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fitz is seen at the National Portrait Gallery wandering through the section that features all of the Presidents who have come before him. He stops in front of Washington, Truman, and Lincoln, and then glances over at Nixon before turning to face an empty wall where his own portrait is slated to hang. What is to be his legacy?</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next we see Olivia opening the door to her apartment and she is surprised to find Fitz. Skipping forward a little, the two of them are now in the apartment and Olivia is offering Fitz a glass of whisky as he tells her that he would like to help. She thanks him as he takes the glass and claims a seat on the sofa. He says that he doesn’t think there is anything for him to actually do in this situation, calling himself completely useless, and Olivia tells him that the only thing that either of them can do at this point is wait and see what happens with Sally.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia comes over and settles down into the space adjacent to Fitz on the sofa, and neither of them say anything for a beat. Fitz then remarks that at least they have figured something out. Olivia asks him what that is and he says that they’ve figured out how the story ends. When Olivia gives him a questioning look, he says that it ends with them, that it ends with them doing what’s right for the country. Olivia gives him a barely perceptible nod before she shifts over to be closer to him, and she leans into his body and rests her head on his shoulder.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1fdTcbncq80/VuUaKbRQ5kI/AAAAAAAAWrU/I3_F8aCBt-YBSnoM-ZkTXqKzRC4VrSoywCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/feels_intherain.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="255" data-original-width="500" height="163" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1fdTcbncq80/VuUaKbRQ5kI/AAAAAAAAWrU/I3_F8aCBt-YBSnoM-ZkTXqKzRC4VrSoywCPcBGAYYCw/s320/feels_intherain.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They get on my nerves sometimes. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Judging from the sigh that Olivia releases as she settles into Fitz, I’d guess that she was relieved to not have to walk into the unknown alone and without him. They tend to be stronger together, so it makes perfect sense that Fitz would be the first to agree to stand beside her despite the real possibility that this could be their last days of physical freedom. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Over at QPA, the gladiators are having no luck finding physical evidence that would help prove that B613 exists, so they have nothing to give Sally. After a moment, Quinn wonders if maybe them not finding anything is a good thing. She asks how much good would actually come out of Olivia going to prison, and Abby says that a lot would come out of it if it means that Cyrus wouldn’t become president. Quinn counters by saying that the presidency is just a job and that they are actually talking about Olivia’s life and their own. She states that turning over evidence of B613 would implicate them all. Huck says that Olivia will protect them, and Quinn asks what if she can’t. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Abby interjects then to say that the point is being missed here and that this isn’t actually about Mellie’s job. She tells them that this is about the “rot in the core of American democracy” and doing whatever it takes to flush that rot out. She says it’s about restoring transparency, trust and common stewardship for the Republic. She bangs on the table with her fists for emphasis, and Quinn remarks that what Abby’s words sounds so much better when Olivia says them. (Ha!) Abby agrees and then makes another pitch. She says that this is about Olivia handling this and wanting to go down in order to make things right. This, she tells them, is how they know that she is their old Olivia again. Quinn says that Abby is right, but adds that without proof, Olivia can’t do what it is that she is hoping to. Huck then says that there is “something”. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next morning, the gladiators are seen standing by the Reflecting Pool (another scene the cast filmed in D.C.) and telling Olivia that they couldn’t find any evidence. They say that they instead found witnesses who are willing to testify about B613. Olivia is like, cool, who are these witnesses? When all of them just stare at her, Olivia realizes that they mean themselves and she refuses their offer. Quinn and Huck argue that they know enough about B613 to paint a detailed picture and Abby says that as a witness, she can corroborate all that the other two say.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia reminds them that she had told them that this was her decision and that she will protect them from the consequences, and Quinn says that they know this and that it is exactly why they are all by her side. Olivia is incredulous as she asks them if they even know where she is heading, and Huck says “over a cliff”. Olivia looks over at him with a swiftness that conveys how unexpected it was for her to hear him use that phrase. Quinn and Abby concur with Huck, saying that they will be by her side. Over a damn cliff!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9HkZlxx5Mls/WduxnXhkhfI/AAAAAAAAgBo/yWmUNlB2spIigSHc0esMSSimYzhQmXPbgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/crying_wendy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="247" data-original-width="220" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9HkZlxx5Mls/WduxnXhkhfI/AAAAAAAAgBo/yWmUNlB2spIigSHc0esMSSimYzhQmXPbgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/crying_wendy.gif" /></a></div>
</div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next, Olivia is seen meeting with Mellie on the Spanish Steps (another DC-shot scene) and she again reminds Mellie of her options: she can keep Mellie’s name out of it or she can tell the truth about everything. Mellie says that everything in her is telling her that letting the world know about B613 is the biggest mistake that she will ever make, but then she says that she has already made the biggest mistake that she will ever make and that is not listening to her.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia says then that if they go through with this, that this may be the last thing that they ever do together and Mellie nods in acknowledgement of her meaning. The two of them then agree on moving forward with the truth.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">E’erybody’s standing in the sun now! Hurrah!</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Flash over to Sally Langston and she is finally sharing with her audience information about B613! She tells her “lovers of liberty” that she comes to them not as the usual critic of the Mellie Grant, but as a defender. She says that thanks to the courage of some brave individuals (Quinn, Huck, Abby), it has come to her attention that for the last 30-plus years, the country has been led not by the President, but by the secret spy organization known as B613!!</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olivia, Fitz, Mellie and Marcus are watching this broadcast from the East Wing, and the gladiators are catching it from QPA. David is at Justice. Cyrus is in his office barely paying attention when Sally announces B613 to the world. He leaps out of his seat and is in denial of what he is seeing. He rushes over to Jake’s office to find him watching the broadcast as well. Jake looks pissed. (Teehee.)</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sally shares with her audience that it is B613 who are responsible for hijacking Air Force Two and then attempting to frame Mellie for the crime. She goes on to say that it is these “traitors” who Lonnie should be dragging “out of the darkness and into the light” so that they can be held accountable. (Lonnie is also watching the program.) Sally says that taking down the secret organization won’t be easy, but that it is necessary. She asks her followers to take action and demand justice. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once the segment is complete, Olivia puts the television on mute and says, “Here we go”. Some seconds later, all of their phones start to simultaneously ring.</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And the episode is over!!!!</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So what did you guys think?! What the heck is about to happen?? Is everyone about to go down for conspiracy against the Republic? Who fitna die? (I’ve got a candidate!) Will Mama Pope be back? What’s Rowan about to do now that we know that he’s been Command all of this time? Are we ever going to get that heart-to-heart between Olivia and Fitz? Will Mellie tow the line and stick with the truth?</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Share your thoughts in the Comments section below or send them my way on Twitter!</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is the conclusion of the recap-review of Scandal episode 717! One more to go! Thank you for reading, and see you next week for the final review of the series!!</span></div>
</span><script type="text/javascript">var authorcode='II';</script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0