Scandal Review: Trump Card (Season 5 Episode 20)
The votes are in! In “Trump Card” America finally chooses their Democrat and Republican candidates for Scandal’s third Presidential election.
Thankfully, the voters in this universe have a little more sense than our reality. Scandal gets frighteningly close to reality with its Hollis Doyle/Donald Trump parallels, and after several failed attempts to get people to notice that he’s a terrible person, Olivia finally takes him down.
When you insult everyone, including your own base of support, you’re bound to meet your downfall eventually.
KATE BURTON, GREGG HENRY
With Hollis out of the way, it’s down to Susan and Mellie, and both campaigns have been gathering lethal information on each other.
Abby is given information about Olivia’s abortion that would end Mellie’s campaign and destroy Fitz emotionally. She chooses not to play her “Trump Card,” out of her love for Olivia.
Quinn: Deep down Abby is one of us, it can still be good.
I love that Olivia sees no shame in her abortion and I feel like that’s a really important mindset to show on television right now. But with the information in the hands of her father, I certainly doubt this is the last we’ll hear on the matter.
I do believe this is the last we’ll see of David and Susan together, though. He has broken her heart not once but twice now and manipulated her for far too long. I’m not sure if I’ve ever been more proud of a television character that I am watching her tell David why they’re over.
Susan: I know I’m amazing! I’m witty, and cute, and funny, and smarter than you! I’m incredible, David. I’m gonna change the damn world! Which is why this is over.
She summons a strength within herself to turn him away, and it’s beautiful to watch, even though it breaks her heart to do it.
I hope Susan is on to bigger and better things from here, and that she keeps her honest, optimistic heart. David isn’t worth the salt in her tears and she certainly doesn’t need him holding her back.
Last week, I noticed a shift in the relationship between Mellie and Marcus and the easy way they bounce off of each other, and it looks like they’ve caught onto it too. Marcus has come to truly believe in Mellie, even when she feels like giving up on herself.
When she wins the Republican nomination, the pair of them nearly share a kiss. Will they choose to explore their blossoming romance or set it aside for the sake of the campaign?
Edison escapes Rowan’s grasp with Olivia’s assistance, but I’m not sure he’s safe from the former B6-13 leader. I have been thoroughly enjoying having Edison around again and hopefully he can stick around long enough to help Jake escape as well.
Other thoughts:
- Frankie Vargas takes the Democratic nomination. Can we have the Scandal election? I’d be happy to vote for him or Mellie to be honest.
- I hope this ends the conflict between Abby and Olivia. It’s so good to see them working on the same side again.
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.