Scandal Review: Yes (Season 5 Episode 2)

It’s a big week for ladies in power. There’s no question that the women of Scandal are brilliant, capable, manipulative, and very, very powerful, and this week they run the show (even more than they usually do.)

We return exactly where we left off last week with Sally showing the leaked photos of Olivia and Fitz shacked up in the residence. Fitz tries to act like he has a handle on the situation, telling Liv that everything will be alright, but as soon as he’s in the Oval with Abby, and Elizabeth he tells them, he’s not doing anything without Olivia. So which is it, Fitz? Olivia doesn’t stick around to find out — moments later she’s out of the White House and taking refuge in her work.

Abby: The president’s about to get Pope’d.

Olivia goes into hiding, avoiding the spotlight for as long as she still can. She seeks out her usual vices: work, wine, popcorn, and even Jake. Olivia may not be in love with Jake anymore, but he certainly understands her better than Fitz does. Actually, almost everyone knows Olivia better than Fitz does.

After all hell breaks loose, Mellie comes to the White House with another well planned offer to help Fitz (and also herself, of course) by covering up his affair. She assumes that he leaked the photos, while he assumes the same of her. Mellie’s proven before that she’s not interested in outing Olivia as Fitz’s mistress; she was given ample opportunity in Season 2.

And Fitz? Well he’s been dying to throw everything out the window and walk off into the sunset with Olivia for ages.

At the top of the list of people who understand Olivia better than Fitzgerald Grant is Abby Whelan. After a few helpful pointers from Cyrus, Abby pulls out her gladiator skills and handles the President. Cyrus tells Abby if she wants to be a leader, to have actual power and be respected in the White House, she has to “be the adult.”

After being shut down and shut out of the President’s circle time after time, and Abby takes things into her own hands and makes a statement for him. She tells everyone that Mellie and Fitz are still a team and that the First Lady is still in the White House, not because it’s true, but because she knows that it’s what Olivia would want.

Cyrus: Nobody knows Olivia Pope better than you do.

Abby tells Fitz as much when she finds him later on the Truman Balcony, and after approximately six years and being told many times by not only Olivia, but also Mellie and now Abby, he finally appears to understand. He leaves Olivia a voicemail, telling her he gets it, that he loves her and he’ll do as he’s told.

Then Olivia changes everything.

Press: Are you the President’s mistress?
Olivia: Yes.

This season looks like it’s going to make or break Olitz once and for all. Olivia’s choice to turn around and reveal their affair, honestly, feels out of character. She’s worked so hard in both her personal and professional life, and she’s been diligent about keeping the two separate, so I’ve got to wonder if she truly wants to make such a drastic move. If next weeks promo is any indication, Olivia may be asking herself the same question.

Other thoughts:

• The VP is even further out of the loop than everyone else, being one of the last people in the White House to find out about Fitz and Olivia, but her point of view is beautifully honest and poignant.
  

  Susan: Mr. President, you don’t get to be just like anyone else, that’s not the job you signed up for.

• I’m glad that Quinn isn’t holding anything back when it comes to Huck. Who knows if her methods will have any effect on him, but it’s sure nice to hear someone say everything I’m thinking.
• The White House has a new power couple. Abby’s decided to use her newly acquired leverage (proof Elizabeth leaked the photos and tried to frame Mellie) to team up with her, as equals. These two could certainly be a dangerous combination. I can’t wait to see how they work together!
• Speaking of Abby’s leverage, exactly what kind of dirt did David Rosen find in Mellie’s emails?!?

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Scandal airs Thursdays at 9/8c on ABC.