Scandal Review: It’s Hard out Here for a General (Season 5 Episode 10)
Scandal is back it’s ratcheted up the twists and turns on the Shondaland roller coaster to eleven. With Olivia out of the White House, old relationships are shaken up and new ones have begun and we can’t wait to see what happens next.
Olivia is back at OPA full time and her relationship with Fitz, or the lack thereof, has seemingly hindered her power in some ways. Throughout Scandal history Olivia has been able to reach anywhere in Washington DC and work her magic through her many connections. With Fitz no longer doing her bidding, or even speaking to her, there are some things she just can’t influence anymore.
It’s interesting to see Olivia lose a case simply because she doesn’t have the right connections anymore. Hopefully, she’ll be back to finding loopholes and playing one step ahead of everyone else soon. Meanwhile, she’s having spectacular hate sex with Jake. They have an incredible chemistry, but Olivia is clearly only in it for the work out and the orgasms. And I can’t even blame her–romance hasn’t exactly been something Olivia’s ever relished in and it’s no wonder she wouldn’t want to anytime soon after ending things with Fitz.
Jake however, seems to still crave that emotional connection with her, but that won’t stop him from going behind her back, sinking her case, and working his way into the White House himself. Jake uses Olivia’s case of the week to essentially hack the White House and get himself appointed Director of the NSA. I’m not sure we should trust him with that much power, but at least this plot is already more interesting than whatever he was doing with Elise last year.
Meanwhile, Fitz is truly alone for the first time in his life and unfortunately he’s taking it out on Abby. After the umpteenth 2 a.m. phone call to talk about nothing, she finally walks into the Oval to tell him she’s not his companion. The women of Scandal are all masterful at their jobs and I love that not a single one of them will allow themselves to be taken advantage of, you go Abby.
A new political power couple is on the rise. Mellie brought her book by OPA for Olivia to read and while she insists that she won’t be helping Mellie with her campaign at the beginning of the episode, she seems to be on board by the final scene.They’re going to write a juicy, complicated tell all that will get Mellie into the Oval. I always said these two would make an unstoppable team; Season 5 looks to have these two matched up in a very exciting way.
Other thoughts:
- Papa Pope is on #TeamJake but he’s still missing that terrifying fervor of the days of old.
- Huck doesn’t want he or Quinn to befriend Marcus because he’s normal and must be protected from their dangerous twisty lifestyle. Calm down Huck, he’s already in this and you could use some friends pal.
- Quinn and Charlie are still a thing and I honestly like it.
- Olivia’s wardrobe has so much color in it now. I love how this costuming decision is showing rather than telling us that we’re seeing a whole new side of Olivia Pope this year. Plus Kerry Washington looks incredible in all these bright colors. Then again, when isn’t she absolutely stunning?
What did you think of this episode of Scandal? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Scandal airs Thursday at 9/8c on ABC.
Samantha Coley
Samantha (she/her) is a social media specialist by day and a sci-fi junkie by night. As a freelance writer and podcaster, she also enjoys live-tweeting, blogging, good music, and better television. Her current favorite television shows include Star Trek (yes, all of them), Riverdale, and Stranger Things and there will always be a place in her heart for Battlestar Galactica, Leverage, and The West Wing.