Trigger Warning(s): Display of Murder
As I had hoped, with the presidential race will come a revitalized Scandal. One in which drama would fill the air, and tough decisions could lead to lives on the line. For with Scandal being a sensationalized version of possible real events, what else would you expect, much less ask for? But, while there are many stories left out this episode, like Harrison's, Mya's, and a handful of others, they hone in on the Sally Langston story and give us a view of Jake which possibly shows that being command is much more difficult than keeping secrets.
Topic 1: Blood on Angel Wings (Fitz & Olivia)
Something Fitz has been trying to do since deciding to run for a 2nd campaign is to do so cleanly. His first election was thanks to cheating and with his father words still haunting him, this was supposed to be his chance to prove himself. Yet all around him are people making sacrifices, all in the name of making it seem Fitz remains clean. This is despite Project Remington and killing a Supreme Court justice. But, don't tell Fitz this because the boy still lives in some type of naïve world where what Liv and Cyrus do is a surprise.
However, with each meeting between Liv and Fitz it seems she tries to swipe away his rose colored glasses and if it isn't her asserting herself in their relationship, it is her coming to a realization that perhaps her white hat has long since been tainted, and maybe at best she is trying to prove herself just as much as Fitz. But while the only thing her father disapproves of is her adultery, it seems with a monster who used to cook her breakfast, and a heart which yearns for normalcy, Liv is at a crossroads. One in which she sees Jake and Fitz standing almost side by side. One is a man who has what her heart and loins want, and then there is Jake. A figure who presents a bit of her dad, a bit of her mom, and yet seems to more so have their best qualities than their worse. The thing is, what does he actually have to incite her? Fitz is a challenge, even if in the worse way, and Jake is almost just plain. And as we have seen from Liv going back to Fitz countless times Oliva loves drama. Hence why she has the job she has, and why she goes back to Fitz. So could even being with the commander of B613 excite her enough to be solely loyal to him?
Topic 2: The Devil's Due (Cyrus & Quinn)
Well, such a question is hard to answer, but one thing is for sure: If Cyrus is to be the devil, then Quinn is a follower disenchanted with her would-be god. You see, both have very interesting relationships with Olivia. Cyrus goes to Olivia almost like she can be his redeemer, the only one who can present salvation, almost as if that White Hat still applies. And seemingly, her denial seems like a lifelong sentence. However, as Cyrus presents Olivia as am almost holy figure, Quinn paints a different picture.
In Quinn's mind, Olivia is very much a false idol. She believes Liv is the type who will find you at your weakest, make you feel what you need to feel, but largely is indifferent otherwise. And between these two, you can see that something dark is growing inside them, and while Cyrus fears this darkness which is consuming him, you see Quinn almost in love with it, wanting it to grow and gain strength from it. If only so Huck, and anyone else, could never take advantage of her.
Topic 3: Cross to Bear (Jake & Sally)
Something I've come to realize this episode is that we don't know much about Jake. Yes, we know him well enough to say he is like a conflicted boy scout, but in terms of his past, all we know is he was in the military with Fitz, but like with Huck, before we saw his family, his actual personal life is shrouded. However, in the opening scene we get to know Jake is a man created without proper foundation and realize why, despite how Liv treats him, he keeps going back. You see, Jake is like a puppy trying to find a home. He'll go to anyone who pets him and gives some semblance of kindness. Hence his loyalty to the president, a would-be friend, and his love for Olivia, a would-be girlfriend who may just go through the motions with him, but something is better than nothing.
Then there is Sally. Be it the actress or writing, I feel like her scenes speaking on her relationship with God allows you to understand the faithful. How thinking that at least one undeniable being is in your corner can get you through the hell of life, and how this warmth allows some type of flame to guide you. But, with guilt on her conscious, her pathway to speak to her lord and savior feels closed, and with knowledge that God's own son was forsaken to a painful death, questions arise of what awaits her? A bullet to the head, jail time? Almost so, but thanks to Liv pushing Fitz to give her a faux sign from god, he inadvertently saves her from either option.
But, while she is saved from an end to her mortal life, two people die in connection to knowing her secret, and as if like the hand of God, or the claw of the devil, one man we know seals two women's fate and leaves solely two men: David & James. One in love with a weeping Satan, and the other a would-be reformer who has consistently fails to bring justice. With a gunshot, the episode ends.
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