Something you have to say about Scandal is that when it is good it is good, and when it is average to mediocre, it does its best. As for this episode, it is far from mediocre, but it does have one subplot that is frustrating. But, perhaps the best thing to begin with is the Josie Marcus campaign. Josie's little sister/ daughter seemingly, either to reassert herself or sabotage the campaign, plants her laptop at democratic rival Restin's campaign headquarters. Now, with that said by itself it would seem like something not all that complicated, but then you have to add the issue of Harrison sleeping with Candace. Now, we know nothing of Olivia's policy with sleeping with the client, but it does make you wonder if Harrison and Candace were a fling, or perhaps Harrison had a one-time selfish moment in which he went against Liv. It is really hard to tell, and maybe I'm not giving Candace enough credit to come up with the plan on her own but, either way, due to people discovering Candace trying to sabotage Restin's campaign, and Josie being who she is, she decides to come out as the one who planted the laptop and withdraws her name from the nomination process. Possibly ending Kudrow's role on Scandal, at least for now.
The next thing we have to talk about are the many dysfunctional marriages on the show, all of which have one person who seems to use their spouse as a puppet, if not a toy. Let's start off with Cyrus. As we know, Cyrus is trying to take down Sally before her campaign to run as an independent really picks up speed and the only Achilles heel she has is her husband Daniel, who we though was a womanizer, but ended up the opposite, as in he likes to solicits guys for sex. In comes Cyrus' husband James, recently fired, and miserable as a house husband, who gets a job through Cyrus to interview Daniel as a fluff piece. James, at first, is quite happy for work, but ends up learning Cyrus is using him. So, while Cyrus' plan succeeds, it backfires in his face, creating a bit of drama in their relationship, which forces Cyrus to realize that he doesn't own, nor control James, as he thinks he does. And perhaps this was his comeuppance after everything he put James through, much less saying to Mellie "My husband is not like yours."
Speaking of Mellie, Fitz has gone back to being cold toward her as his next Olivia fix is needed. Thus confirming that he can be the only one who can treat Mellie poorly, while no one else better even dare. And be it what was revealed last episode, or just the fact Mellie has been less diabolical lately, I feel a bit sorry for her. At this point it is like Fitz is playing mind games with her, and we have seen how crazy that has made her, and yet she stays. Be it love, masochism, or perhaps political ambition, she stays by his side through it all and Olivia is always the other woman, though sometimes it seems Mellie is the real other woman.
And yes folks, to my great surprise and dismay, there remains a chance of Olitz happening. For, despite him taking down the plane Olivia thought her mom was on, all is forgiven by passing the blame to Eli, as well as Fitz showing Olivia the house he had built for when he was ready to give it all up. Somehow, this convinces Olivia to give Fitz some sex, and string him along on the idea that maybe one day they'll be together, but not while there are still many questions about project Remington. Which, by the way, leads Fitz to say that he plans on taking B6-13 down, and perhaps her father with them, and Olivia replies with "Do what you have to do" and not in a way in which it is a challenge, but almost an approval.
Meanwhile, Quinn finds herself on the potential of getting caught, with Charlie on her back to get information. This is due to Eli wanting tabs on how far Olivia is getting, and though Quinn threatens Charlie's life, she is reminded that there are far worse people than him who could be her handler, leading her to lower her gun. But, amongst this dark cloud is the tiniest bit of sunshine. After being ignored and treated like an intern, both Jake, and surprisingly, Huck give her praise. But, with this praise comes recognition that something is different about her, and Huck realizes that she is in trouble, and that is where we are left off with them.
Last thing to note is Maya. Though we are still unsure why she is in prison, she begins to show signs of her being more than just Eli's wife and Olivia's mother. She chews her wrist to the artery and takes out a Dr. with a syringe, meanwhile she also reminisces over pictures of Olivia with Eli, and even criticizes his parenting. This mystery woman definitely has a story, and since she hasn't seen Olivia since she was 12, it makes the ending of the episode when they see each other quite exciting. Making for an overall fantastic episode, despite the Olitz nod situated in the middle.
The next thing we have to talk about are the many dysfunctional marriages on the show, all of which have one person who seems to use their spouse as a puppet, if not a toy. Let's start off with Cyrus. As we know, Cyrus is trying to take down Sally before her campaign to run as an independent really picks up speed and the only Achilles heel she has is her husband Daniel, who we though was a womanizer, but ended up the opposite, as in he likes to solicits guys for sex. In comes Cyrus' husband James, recently fired, and miserable as a house husband, who gets a job through Cyrus to interview Daniel as a fluff piece. James, at first, is quite happy for work, but ends up learning Cyrus is using him. So, while Cyrus' plan succeeds, it backfires in his face, creating a bit of drama in their relationship, which forces Cyrus to realize that he doesn't own, nor control James, as he thinks he does. And perhaps this was his comeuppance after everything he put James through, much less saying to Mellie "My husband is not like yours."
Speaking of Mellie, Fitz has gone back to being cold toward her as his next Olivia fix is needed. Thus confirming that he can be the only one who can treat Mellie poorly, while no one else better even dare. And be it what was revealed last episode, or just the fact Mellie has been less diabolical lately, I feel a bit sorry for her. At this point it is like Fitz is playing mind games with her, and we have seen how crazy that has made her, and yet she stays. Be it love, masochism, or perhaps political ambition, she stays by his side through it all and Olivia is always the other woman, though sometimes it seems Mellie is the real other woman.
And yes folks, to my great surprise and dismay, there remains a chance of Olitz happening. For, despite him taking down the plane Olivia thought her mom was on, all is forgiven by passing the blame to Eli, as well as Fitz showing Olivia the house he had built for when he was ready to give it all up. Somehow, this convinces Olivia to give Fitz some sex, and string him along on the idea that maybe one day they'll be together, but not while there are still many questions about project Remington. Which, by the way, leads Fitz to say that he plans on taking B6-13 down, and perhaps her father with them, and Olivia replies with "Do what you have to do" and not in a way in which it is a challenge, but almost an approval.
Meanwhile, Quinn finds herself on the potential of getting caught, with Charlie on her back to get information. This is due to Eli wanting tabs on how far Olivia is getting, and though Quinn threatens Charlie's life, she is reminded that there are far worse people than him who could be her handler, leading her to lower her gun. But, amongst this dark cloud is the tiniest bit of sunshine. After being ignored and treated like an intern, both Jake, and surprisingly, Huck give her praise. But, with this praise comes recognition that something is different about her, and Huck realizes that she is in trouble, and that is where we are left off with them.
Last thing to note is Maya. Though we are still unsure why she is in prison, she begins to show signs of her being more than just Eli's wife and Olivia's mother. She chews her wrist to the artery and takes out a Dr. with a syringe, meanwhile she also reminisces over pictures of Olivia with Eli, and even criticizes his parenting. This mystery woman definitely has a story, and since she hasn't seen Olivia since she was 12, it makes the ending of the episode when they see each other quite exciting. Making for an overall fantastic episode, despite the Olitz nod situated in the middle.
