Scandal 7x01
Is this thing on? Hey, everyone. It's good to be back on here for our last season of scandal. I'm not going to discuss the finale season in its entirety because I simply haven't processed it ending.
I'm not really feeling the new scandal header the character’s position on the layout is interesting but I certainly was feeling this episode! We immediately flash forward from Luna's sudden 'heart attack' to Mellie's State of Union address where she discusses unifying the parties and healthcare but the question on everyone’s mind is how will she get this all done?
That's how she will get this all done. There she is. Bad and boujee is back and bad as ever and my lady bits are quivering in joy because she looks so hot. Mellie is once again the puppet as Olivia plays puppet master. Rocking the black and white pantsuit, with her white heels Olivia is a force. Her head is held high, shoulder lifted, chest puffed out everyone is watching her and she knows it. Olivia is basking in the pool of power but I love the attention to detail on her outfit.
The focus on her white shoes, is symbolic of the goodness still in Olivia and with her white blouse and white Prada purse displayed, Olivia is reaping both the black and white. A clear representation of her service to the white house and b613.
Okay. I've said it many times on twitter that I think Olivia will try to do the right thing in regards to the republic but what exactly does that mean? Better yet how low will Olivia go to achieve it. I think that will be the assessment to take from all of this. People do bad things for the positive outcome, a sacrifice that isn't warranted. Nevertheless, I do commend Olivia for being a powerful black woman who is unapologetic for ruling and leading, nothing wrong with a sistah moving on up in the world, but how she's doing it is rather problematic.
Olivia when the senator refused to endorse her free education bill. PS notice how Pryce and the senator used both Mellie and Olivia's name as the leaders, since when have you ever heard of the Chief of Staff being this publicly recognized and her name sitting alongside the president?
Olivia has even exiled Cyrus from broadcasting deciding instead to handle that as well...now like I said the Chief of Staff is a behind the doors leader but Olivia is blatantly and brazenly showcasing her power. If I'm not mistaken I believe sally has referenced the power of the media and how she is more powerful now being publicly seen versus anything connected to the White House. I see you Ms. Pope or should I say Command.
Fight the power! Fight the power…alright we dishing out some 80’s tune and how touching to use ‘fight the power’ as a way of fighting the system, a system that Olivia now owns. Or as Olivia told the senator “My world. My envelope filled world.” Now, Olivia better stop handing out them envelops like she’s pasing out candy before someone hands her own envelope.
QPA
*yeah for Kerry becoming a producer on scandal!*
At QPA, desperate for some real clients they seek David who tells them that the problem is that they have disassociated themselves from OPA who’s reputation and name is legendary in d.c Now I do like that Quinn did change the name because she too is trying to make a name for herself that is separate from Olivia all together and rightfully so, but like in all places of employment, it’s not what you know but who you know.
Time changes and we are now at the restaurant that Rowan and Olivia frequent only this time it’s under Olivia’s terms. Rowan runs to table slightly out of breath, as Olivia acknowledges that he’s late. Rowan claims he “lost track of time” since when has Rowan lost anything?
Mmmhmmm I got my good eye on you Rowan. In the middle of Rowan’s apology on being late, the waiter pours Olivia a glass of red that causes Rowan’s nose to turn up in disdain but defiantly because she can Olivia emphasizes in so many words that they are drinking this now. My, my, my have the tables turn. Olivia is forcing weekly dinner’s, demanding that they drink the wine of her choice and making sure that Rowan heeds to her advice and warnings that she issued to him during last season’s finale and not disobey her.
You know what that smells like? Satisfying retribution. I’m completely okay with Olivia getting her own sense of vengeance against her father. This man is a complete and utter monster so it’s satisfying to watch him now be a prisoner of his own creation. Olivia claims she doesn’t have cameras on Rowan and she might not but I’m sure she has someone tagging his ass because I certainly would. Shoooot.
Rowan ask how the president is doing and Olivia says “Mellie is good.” Rowan see’s that Mellie is in ‘Formation.’
Olivia can’t even call Mellie ‘The President’. Everyone called Fitz a puppet and idealistic but this right here is laughable. Fitz was aware of people trying to undermine him but Mellie. Child…Mellie thinks she’s the HBIC. And Olivia for her part claims to be a ‘team player’ but Rowan reminds Olivia that she never played team sports and when she did not well.
Damn. That’s good one Rowan. Now that he mentions it, Olivia was an equestrian and the swim captain…so yeah. Rowan’s correct on that assessment.
Having been a constant nightmare in Olivia’s life Rowan is now looking at himself in the mirror and it is frightening sight to see. Reading a new chapter from ‘The Book of Rowan’ Rowan foreshadows Olivia’s impending doom.
“There is a reckoning coming for you, Olivia. You think you have it under control. You think you have all the power buttoned up inside you, behind your eyes, lighting you up. But one day you’ll glance into a mirror, and you will discover that some of that power is missing. The lights are going out. Then? You’ll have some difficult decisions to make. Do I want that power back? Who am I willing to hurt to get it? Now I can say this because I know—You cannot have it all, Olivia.”
Olivia listening to Rowan’s monologue
Midway through that speech, Olivia checked out. Anyone that opposes or objects to her rulings in Olivia’s mind is in clear opposition of her and therefore must be neutralized or controlled.
Welcoming to the center stage Mr. Pryce who is the star of his own political analyst show called ‘The Pryce of Power’
Pun intended. Nice word play Shonda.
Olivia and Mr. Pryce argue about free education and Olivia in classic Olivia fashion rips Pryce a new asshole for bringing up the that tired speech about being the first in his family to go to college. Now. I know I’m in the minority but he’s not exactly my cup of tea and I don’t necessarily find him attractive, he’s too greasy. Having his ass chewed out by Olivia, Pryce cuts her off before she can make a bigger ass of him on television which Olivia notes. That’s not the last we have seen of Mr. Pryce
SIDENOTE:
Okay, it’s really cute seeing Quinn and QPA staying true to form and working on this case and Charlie being a doting dad. So, They find some information about the missing man and Quinn presents it to Olivia who opens the door with slightly disheveled hair laminating on how late it is.
Quinn is discussing the case with Olivia asking for her help and to use her bathroom both of which Olivia closes her door on. I really loved that scene with Quinn walking to the elevator holding her belly as she talks about Olivia’s lack of empathy for her and her godchild.
Quinn has made Olivia the godmother? Does Olivia know this? And better yet why? Olivia hasn’t seen Ella in about twenty-two and half years. Quinn. Sweetie. I don’t know about Olivia being a godmother. But boy is that going to be some damn good television and character development when Olivia must acknowledge the life that Quinn is living. Quinn is such a wonderful juxtaposition to Olivia. Both are women clearly learning and struggling but one is seeking help and support while the other is choosing to mask and ignore her problems. Quinn is my girl.
The reason Olivia didn’t let Quinn in is because Jake’s in her bedroom. I wasn’t surprised by seeing Jake in Olivia’s bedroom. I don’t believe anyone actually was because this rings true to character about Olivia and her dissatisfaction with her personal life. Jake drops his pants so he could get back servicing his master.
I’m so tired of this mofo. You know last season when it came out that Olivia and Fitz were sleeping together again and he was in his drake feelz Jake highlighted to Olivia that doing the same thing repeatedly knowing the outcome is the definition of insanity. Then HOE why are you still doing it?
Olivia has told you countless times that this is a strictly dickly relationship and you still think it’s a relationship. I can’t stand him. Nobody chaps my ass the way Jake does. Fitz’s ass wasn’t five minute on the plane before his thirsty ass went to Olivia in her moment of vulnerability and need. *fixes jacket* back to the episode Olivia tells Jake that she gave him an order and that they are finished, Jake get’s in his feelings and Olivia coddles him and tells him that he’s ‘convenient, safe, secure and easy.’ If that aint the definition of a sidepiece then I don’t know what is. Olivia inflated his bruised ego a little and Jake goes back to bed.
Olivia.
You know Olivia’s feeling invincible when she’s sleeping with a married man and Jake nonetheless whose wife could easily tell the world about them. The stigmatism of being Fitz’s mistress weighed so heavily on Olivia for all these years and now sleeping with Jake symbolizes the work Olivia must do internally. But Jake is unavailable and that’s how Olivia likes her men.
Olivia isn’t looking for love or any form of a true personal relationship. These transactional relationships are here to help assuage the lack of true intimacy in her life, it’s why she orders Jake to service her and why she forces weekly dinners with Rowan. Professionally she has it all, but personally she is still the same. Regardless of her attempts at alleviating this sense of ‘weakness’ there is a holiness to the heart’s affliction that even she cannot ignore or expunge.
Fitz
After degrading Jake for the service dog that he is, the scene immediately flashes to the next day where Olivia is alone in her office going over the votes. Clearly focused on this bill, Olivia is playing with the number of votes they have until the news reporter mentions former President Grant. Immediately Olivia’s head turns to listen in and within seconds her body turns completely away from the white board to focus on Fitz and in that moment everything else fades into the background. For the first and only time this episode we see, Olivia. With her breathing becoming quicker and her doe eyes becoming wetter you can feel this tangible moment that spoke to their last time, and in this moment, it becomes evidently clear that Olivia does not in fact have it all.
To make matters worse, not only does Fitz look like the most delectable snack but if you listen to the statement he made in regards to the Vargas Bill that would make any girl weak in the knees.
“There can only be one President at a time, and right now. That’s Mellie Grant.”
Can you imagine what Olivia was feeling at their very moment. We all know Olivia has abandonment issues and Fitz’s departure might be the worse one. Fitz is in Vermont, in the home he built for her and she can’t reach him. Yeah. Cyrus’s words still ring true. No matter how successful and powerful you are, a piece of you will still be with him...I see us expanding on this notion as the season progresses.
Fitz isn’t even in this episode and his goodness and his aura still linger in this White House. If Olivia didn’t miss him enough that statement alone made that icy heart of hers beat momentarily. Fitz didn’t shame Mellie or offer his opinion but is choosing to do the honorable and respectful thing which is to let her be the President. Fitz is giving Mellie and Olivia their space and freedom to make their own choices and find their own happiness. If this is screaming the au then I don’t know what to tell y’all. Though Fitz is absent in body his presence is most certainly felt.
The ‘We don’t need Fitz gang’ assembled in the oval early on in this episode. Everyone sat in their respective spot but still Fitz’s seat remained empty. Fitz’s departure though not spoken about is most certainly still felt. I know. I miss Fitz too. And we aren’t going to discuss the continuous use of the word ‘light’ especially as olitz’s song played during this scene.
I adore the parallels of this scene. Despite being separated these two individuals will always look for the other regardless of everything they have said and done to one another. When the Heart speaks, it speaks.
There’s a knock on the door and Jake swiftly enters and Olivia mutes her tv as she turns back into command though Jake made sure to catch a glimpse of what, sorry rather who Olivia was watching.
I can’t go scene by scene that’s exhausting but the theme of this episode is good versus evil; light versus dark. There are dark forces surrounding Olivia the main one being Jake. throughout this episode Jake was continuously and being unrelentingly in having Olivia neutralize the CIA agent and do the dirty work that comes with being command.
Huck goes to Olivia and tells Olivia to bring the body home because she’s not one of them anymore, she’s with the other guys now and interestingly enough Huck walks into the apartment door next too Olivia’s…uh Huck knows about Olivia’s late night itch.
If Jake doesn’t take his impotent white bread ass and sit down. Jake clearly wants to be command and he certainly wants Olivia to be sequestered in the darkness with him where all she will ever want and need is his services that only he will accept. Jake is a clear representation of the devil on one side and the angel on the other side representing her gladiator and Olivia opts to wear her white hat with her black purse.
But Fuck boy decides that because Olivia is confused and torn between killing an innocent person, he will go ahead and make the call and clearly undermined Olivia and speak to Mellie directly.
If looks could kill, Olivia would have killed Jake and used his rescinded balls as decorations in her office. Did Jake think; Olivia would accept this clear defiance when she gave an order? But to make matters worse, Mellie has approved the killing of a patriot …yup…I know Olivia…this isn’t Fitz’s White House anymore.
Do you remember earlier in this episode how nobody sat in Fitz’s chair well look who decided to sit there now. It’s Mr. Fuck boy himself, making himself quite comfy in a chair that’s been Fitz’s. Oh, Shonda. Oh, undertone, oh foreshadowing. It’s appalling with how quickly Mellie agreed to kill this man whereas if Fitz had done this he would be called every name in the book. Now with time clearly out Olivia must move and move fast to save this man’s life but again at what stakes are we willing to go to do the right thing when our own moral values are questionable. Preparing to murder a child, that’s not pushing the boundaries but completely dismantling them. I see this struggle to be honorable and do the right thing even when it’s damaging to your foundation but this fire, this light can only burn for so long. Olivia is still in their wrestling with her demons and this time she won but who’s to say she’ll be this lucky next time. Tread carefully, Olivia.
In the end Olivia saves the day and accomplished doing both jobs but it was costly.
Jake
Way too much Jake in this episode. Every time I look up, he’s on my screen. Less is more.
Jake is at Olivia’s door and he says ‘hey’ but Olivia doesn’t respond and the icy look on her face tells the story. She’s pissed. Jake immediately begins to apologize for going behind her back, but Olivia’s done and closed off from the entire conversation.
“There’s no need for you to apologize. This was my fault. That is very clear now. You overstepped. You went around me to Mellie. That’s not about being wrong. That’s about being too comfortable. I made a mistake with you. We are very, very good together. We have a skill. And …I was weak. But no matter what, I never should’ve let you back in my bed. You’re sleeping with the boss. You got comfortable. You got familiar. You forgot who I am. You forgot to be afraid, and you overstepped. Don’t worry. It won’t happen ever again. This is over. Go home to your wife admiral ballard.”
In what planet, did Jake think him and Olivia were a team? Is he residing on planet bonnie and Clyde? Not once has this relationship been close to partnership or even mutualism. Jake thought he and Olivia were in an actual relationship and that this was just a fight. I don’t know how many times Olivia can say it but she don’t want you Jake, all you are is a poor man Fitzgerald Grant and that’s why you are being dismissed.
Hold on one second.
Had to get rid of Jake’s lingering odor. Ah, now that smells much better. Olivia broke up with Joke and with her head held high she seems quite relieved and at peace with his departure. Let’s continue our prayer circle and hope this is permanent. We know Olivia doesn’t sleep with the help so sorry joke looks like you might have to do some more backstabbing to get off that leash.
Cyrus didn’t take the bait the Olivia left out for him, he’s team Mellie and because Mellie is easy to manipulate Cyrus will have Mellie in his back pocket. Olivia’s going to have her hands full.
And Olivia managed to manipulate Mellie once again by using team vagina as a sort of sisterhood. I’m so tired of these Taylor swift feminism monologues. Mellie wants to become a monument, interesting word considering Fitz’s disdain with being referred to as one and being turned into such while in the White House, being a monument isn’t exactly screaming patriotism but I believe Mellie will soon receive her wish and see that being a ‘monument’ isn’t all what it’s cracked out to be. I love that Olivia’s on her ‘Formation’ anthem and ruling the world and being the boss but at the end of the day we all have a boss to report to, it’s going to be an interesting ride to watch Olivia enjoy the highs and lows of being the top dog…ask Abby, chief of Staff is replaceable but Olivia has certainly set herself in the limelight to be irreplaceable.
One thing I do want to note is how comical it is that Mellie would preach about Fitz being idealistic with his head in the clouds and Mellie is already there if not worse. The ‘ex lady gang’ will implode and Mellie will reclaim her power it’s just a matter of when.
Olivia found a new and improved sidepiece by the name of Pryce and boy will there be a price to pay for this entanglement. Had Olivia forgot about Lilian? Did Olivia forget that he’s a journalist? I know Olivia’s using him for free publicity but he’s using you too girl…baby this ain’t going to end well.
There’s going to be a Price for Power.
But I’m fired up and ready to go. Scandal you are show.
Until Next Time, Muse.