Scandal Review: I See You (Season 5 Episode 14)
Well I did ask for Abby and Jake to have more to do, I’m just not sure this is what I meant. Jake’s story, while gaining traction this week, still makes very little sense. Abby on the other hand has turned to the dark side.
Scandal draws a few very twisty parallels to Season 2 in “I See You,” when we first met Jake, only now it’s Olivia with a live feed of his home. Olivia is right to be suspicious of him, but it’s still incredibly unclear what he’s up to. Whatever it is, he’s become extremely manipulative and increasingly creepy. So manipulative in fact, that he nearly convinces Liv quit spying on him and resume their friendship. Until she realizes Jake met his fiance in the exact, deliberate way he met her.
Now, all of these parallels are being made, and puzzle pieces are beginning to take shape, but what does any of this plot actually mean? Am I being completely blind here, guys? Everything about this plot is shrouded in mystery, and not the sexy, intriguing kind. It’s off putting and it’s been drawn out so long that the modicum of interest I had in it to begin with is long gone. Scandal better start explaining.
Abby on the other hand becomes a major player again when she uses the knowledge of Cyrus’ betrayal to essentially steal his job. Cyrus is one of the worst of the worst, so he certainly had this knife in the back coming. Abby’s always been a fighter and she does whatever it takes to get what she wants, but it’s a little concerning to see her doing it on this scale. I’m very excited to see her have more power and agency within the White House, I just hope it doesn’t corrupt her good heart. Abby is one of the few people on Scandal without blood on her hands. Abby kicks Cyrus to the curb and takes his place as Chief of Staff with hardly any hesitation.
Abby: A true monster would never wait. A monster cuts in line, a monster takes. And you and I both know this town is run by monsters.
Speaking of true monsters, Hollis Doyle has returned to shake up this fictional election by stealing Mellie’s platform out from underneath her and twisting it into something ugly in his own bid for the presidency. He’s essentially the Scandal universe’s Donald Trump and I can no longer say that I thoroughly like everyone in this fictional political race. Mellie isn’t the only one outraged by his announcement. Susan is equally angry and she blames Fitz for his foolish pride sending him packing during her meeting.
Susan: Where do I yell at you? I want to go there. Take me to the place where I yell at you because I am not done.
I am so delighted by Susan asserting her own power. She is so much more than people assume of her and I can’t wait to see where she goes from here.
Olivia and Quinn finally address the tension between them. OPA has been up and running all this time and Olivia has been back, but honestly she’s been a little checked out. Quinn has a right to be angry with her, but Olivia’s reasons for her actions make just as much sense. Seeing them clear the air is especially refreshing and I’m glad to see them working as a team again. Maybe the two of them can give Jake’s storyline the surge of life it so desperately needs.
Olivia: I’m selfish because for a week of my life I lost that right and I never ever ever wanna feel that way again. I don’t owe anyone anything, it’s my turn.
Other Thoughts:
- After a close call where he nearly kills his ex-wife’s perfectly normal boyfriend, Huck makes the healthy decision to let his family go. GOOD FOR YOU HUCK.
- David tells Abby he’s sleeping with two women, but she doesn’t give his slimy confession the time of day. Get over yourself man, do the right thing.
- Olivia tells Quinn to tell Marcus anything he asks. For their team to work they need to be on the same page. I think Marcus is one of, if not the most underrated character on the show. He brings an incredible honesty and genuine goodness to an otherwise mostly dark landscape of people. More of him, please.
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.