In it fourth episode of the new year, and one of the season's most heavily promoted, Olivia Pope finally returned from her kidnapping ordeal.
Titled "No More Blood", last night's episode of Scandal was written by Heather Mitchell and directed by Randy Zisk. It was a pretty good hour on the whole, with a ending that took me by surprise.
Picking up immediately where last week's episode ended, it was revealed that the winner of the auction turned out to be the Iranians, however they didn't walk away with the prize as Olivia manipulated both the buyers and kidnappers into disbanding. Fortunately, a second auction had a much more friendlier winner, with Henry Ian Cusick reprising his first season series regular role as Stephen Finch.
This was a nice surprise, although the rumor mill had been working overtime leading up to the episode. I enjoyed Finch a lot in Scandal's first season, and the hole he left has never quite been filled. He was the only character based at OPA who was in a stable relationship, and his style resonated with me well.
The events that led to Olivia's return played out nicely, and were full of quality drama and raw emotion. One of my favorite scenes in the hour was Cyrus daydreaming his anger-fueled resignation. Jeff Perry has had an exceptional couple of weeks as the character has come out of the shadow of the storyline concerning Olivia's kidnapping.
It was great to see Joe Morton return as Rowan Pope also. I can't say I missed the guy after a very intense 2014. Morton hasn't lost his touch though, with the famously long lines of dialog again a feature of his performance. Like Maya Pope who returned last week and again last night, I'm pleased nothing more than words were spoken by the pair.
Though Mellie didn't concern herself with Olivia's whereabouts anywhere near as heavily as she did last week, she had plenty of things to keep herself occupied. After being blackmailed by Andrew, Mellie turned to his weak link, Elizabeth, to act on her behalf and seek revenge. A visibly concerned Elizabeth made the trip down to OPA HQ where she asked Huck to sort it out. After Andrew was suitably secured, Huck administered a drug that caused Andrew to have a stroke. Though not dead, one would have to wonder whether Andrew would rather be killed than live with the embarrassment of being a newly disabled man.
Portia de Rossi had another terrific episode, as did Guillermo Diaz. How Huck manages to get back on track now that Olivia has returned will be interesting to watch. Also of interest was seeing Jake try to talk some sense into Huck regarding his B613 ordeal. It's a sign the pair may grow closer together in future episodes, which is something I'd be up for seeing.
After authorizing the rescue mission for Olivia despite advice to the contrary, when Fitz visited Olivia's apartment in the last scene. Olivia's reaction really has to be seen to be believed, but there was an element of satisfaction in watching Olivia take Fitz to the cleaners as she laid out the sacrifices she has made for him. Everyone has their own opinion on who was right and wrong, and it's a heavily debated topic among fans, so I'll leave that to you in the comments below.
While Olivia is now back, I'm betting good money that PTSD is inbound, as we saw glimpses of that as she was being debriefed. How Kerry Washington steps and delivers this new set of emotions will no doubt make for great television as we get deeper into the back half of the season.
Scandal takes a week off as How To Get Away With Murder occupies 2 hours of primetime from 9|8c to 11|10c next Thursday for its 2 hour season finale. The promo for Scandal's next episode looks fantastic though, with ABC touting it as the most powerful episode of the season.
Thanks for reading! Please do share your thoughts and theories in the comments below, and follow Scandal's ratings on my TV ratings website, www.seriesmonitor.com/scandal.
I said it would be Stephen the one to rescue her.
ReplyDeleteShame that the cast had to say there would be a 'S1 nod'... It'd have been a real twister if they had kept their mouth shut.
Yeah agreed. It would have made a sweet moment sweeter for the fans who were there from day one.
ReplyDeleteNobody was really shocked it was Stephen who saved Olivia. The cast kind of gave it away. Scandal has new fans now because "Who is Stephen" was trending. I thought that was funny. Some people really don't know this show from the beginning.
ReplyDeleteYes I agree Jimmy. Liv is in the beginning stage of PTSD". She had flashback to drinking the water and she thought she had to give out another sign. The conversation with Fitz, who is really surprised? This is typical the way Shonda Breaks apart Olitz after an traumatic event. We OG fans get it. I think both Olivia and Fitz said some truthful things, but right now Olivia needs some time to heal. I don't believe for one second this will break them for good. To me this is more like Defiance Part 2 but this time Olivia will lose it. Olivia will push everybody away, become reckless, throw herself into work, and probably sleep with random guys (Mer from GA). All of this before she finally crashes.
Great performances all around for the most part except for one note Foley. That Rowan scene was tough to watch. Joe is level 10...Scott is level 1. So bland.
Yeah as I said in another comment, Stephen's return is a nice moment for day one fans - I wasn't at all surprised to see it trending. Looks like Netflix will see some traffic as those not in the know play catchup
ReplyDeletePTSD as a lead-in to the season finale cliffhanger could come off really well. The gradual downward spiral - if written well - could be a really useful vehicle for character development. It'll be interesting to see what happens
The day you don't attack either Mellie or Jake will be a day for the heavens.
ReplyDeleteI actually like Mellie this episode. But Jake is useless to me and I will continue to say so. Its my opinion, so deal.
ReplyDeleteYes, this could be good stuff if the writers handle it right. Olivia just can't be OKAY all of sudden. I believe the kidnapping will have lasting effects on Olivia personally. Maybe the woman will finally seek therapy. She needs it.
ReplyDeleteOlivia sounds more and more like Rowan everyday. I wasn't impressed by her speech. I'll chalk it up as her dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic ordeal. Lois, her next door neighbor was killed because of her also. Will she blame Fitz for that one also? Olivia has always been self absorbed, but this is ridiculous. The only one she thanked was Stephen. Fitz, Quinn, Huck, Mellie, Jake, and Lizzie all tried to save her.
ReplyDeletei really hope we get learn more about the ring!! it felt like an engagement/promise ring when she threw it at Fitz!
ReplyDeleteYeah I'm sure it'll have an interesting origin story
ReplyDeleteScott Foley is just a bad actor. His speeches to Huck and Rowan were so monotone. Throughout this entire kidnapping storyline, Jake came across as bland and irrelevant.
ReplyDeleteShonda should bring Stephen back and get rid of Jake who adds nothing to the show. There was way more emotion in the Stephen and Olivia scene than seen from Foley in his time on the show because Cusick is a much better actor.
mmhm. hope we find out soon :) maybe when she puts it back on and if fitz sees, might flashback to when he gave it too her.. :)
ReplyDeleteStephen replacing Jake would be a blessing from the TV Gods. HIC is definitely a better and sexier actor. Foley is bland and boring. Jake suppose to love Olivia, but you wouldn't know it from his lack of emotions.
ReplyDeleteTony Goldwyn and Kerry Washington tweeted that Fitz gave it her. I believe the ring will come back into play again. Huck said she wears it for him and she never takes it off. Scandal writers love their flashbacks. I see it happening.
ReplyDeleteJoe Morton and Guillermo Diaz are the worst actors on this show, though. Morton is a ham whose Shondalogues are tedious episode filler, with his cadences and bluster not helping their cause, while Diaz is a cartoon at this point. If you're going to come for anyone's performance on this show, come for them.
ReplyDeleteOlivia sacrificed everything for Fitz to be the best president he could be. Why would she be thrilled that he started a war and lost innocent lives for her when that's against the entire ethos of the American presidency (the needs of many trump the needs of one)? What was the point of everything since Defiance if Fitz doesn't make the right decisions while in office and lets his extramarital affair cloud his judgment?
ReplyDeleteAlso, this idea from Scandal fans that Olivia should fall at Fitz's feet because of his incompetent political skills is laughable and contributes to the toxicity of this relationship.
ReplyDeleteShe sacrificed nothing. It also needs to be pointed out that Fitz did not start a war. He had 24 hours to dispatch troops or she's dead. So I guess you would rather for Olivia to be dead. Okay...
ReplyDeleteOlivia, Mellie, and Cyrus want him to remain President more than life itself, so he can't be that bad of leader.
ReplyDeleteToxic relationship? Is it anymore toxic than two people who hate each staying married or Olivia dating a guy who choked her and threatened to kill her. Compared to the other relationships on Scandal, Olitz is borderline normal.
I like huck.
ReplyDeleteWorst actor with an emmy though.
ReplyDeleteOlivia is pissed that Fitz went to war for her, yet during her interrogation by the CIA director she flashes back to when she told her captors that the President will do whatever it takes to rescue her. She believes in the concept of 'the needs of many trump the needs of one', yet when she feared for her life she goes against that; she gets mad at Fitz for also going against that idealistic philosophy - talk about hypocrisy! The last time Jake talked about Rowan, Jake was on a mission to kill him; now Jake just listens to another monologue. It's just more hypocrisy, and Jake was pathetic in that scene. Why do we see this recurring theme of the Vice President undermining Fitz? And the VP was able to control the secret service? Give me a break. Except for Abby getting Stephen to save Olivia, the whole kidnapping arc was poorly done,
ReplyDeleteStephen :)
ReplyDeleteo come on both liv and fitz both have done many mistakes and all those mistake were done for the sake of other ones happiness. They both deserve eachother i good way and in bad way.
ReplyDeletei actually didn't got why the hell she is mad at him. ok fine she is mad that he went on war for his mistress for HER. BUT she didn't need to throw that ring on his face. That broke his and mine heart too .
Now i am going be mad at her till she and fitz come together (smile) lol
#TeamOLitz
LOL, I thought the same thing when Fitz was shot . He couldn't just be okay after a few episodes, but then he was, and it was back to business as usual. I wish the writers would use this as an opportunity for character development.
ReplyDelete