Scandal Review: Trojan Horse (Season 6 Episode 11)

Let me put it simply, Scandal Season 6 Episode 11, “Trojan Horse,” may as well in a primer in the very meaning of “trust issues,” especially where politics are concerned.

Give me a moment to find my conveniently stashed jar of moonshine, and try to unpack my numerous thoughts on this episode.

I am not the biggest fan of “The Decision,” it’s a nice milestone episode that provides an escape from the reality that Olivia and company are living in, but I didn’t think it did much to advance the plot.

In fact, after seeing “The Decision,” I am done with Fitz and Oliva drama, because the one thing I learned from the 100^th episode, is that Olivia is in love with the power of the Oval and the power it gives her in return.

The appeal that Fitz has could just go away if he ends up living a quiet life in Vermont like he’s been talking about. At this point in the series though, I can’t imagine Olivia going off to live a quiet jam-making life in Vermont.

Why? Because Olivia is too independent. She’s strong-willed, and she knows how to play the game? Who is she without that?

Fitz also holds this ego-centric idea that he is Liv’s world, and their entire conversation where she’s trying to put a spin on how her pending arrest could be a good thing is just evidence of that. It devolves into an “I’ll lose you” conversation.

While Fitz is ultimately able to create a rouse that takes Eli into his custody, this just further serves as evidence that Liv’s only attracted to him because of the power he wields as Commander in Chief.

If this whole thing had unfolded with Fitz as a civilian, she wouldn’t have given it a second thought. She’d have made the decision and executed her plan. Fitz wouldn’t have had the power to stop her, and he definitely wouldn’t have been able to save her.

So, after a fair amount of face-palming at their conversation this week, let’s talk about Mellie Grant!

Bellamy Young deserves an award for the range of emotions Mellie goes through in this episode. Mellie starts off the episode headstrong, taking in the news of the plot to assassinate Frankie, and calmly asks what the options are.

When Olivia talks about fair elections, Mellie calls her on the carpet about her part in stealing Fitz’s election. It’s a brilliant moment because while we want Olivia and her band of fixers to be the good guys, it just points out they are just as morally corrupt as Peus.

So, when Olivia uses the term “white hat” I love how Mellie responds with, “Get off your cross!” It’s so fitting to the moment and it feels so perfect for Mellie’s character.

What she doesn’t know is that it’s a nightmare presidency she’s walking into, and that’s only made clear when she meets her benefactors and they kill Liz North in front of her.

Mellie’s strong “I can do anything” attitude doesn’t cut it in the face of people who are willing to kill those close to her in cold blood and threaten her children if she doesn’t comply.

I am trying to think of moments that I have seen Mellie that shaken and horrified, and the only other moment that comes to mind is when her son died, but unlike her son’s death, Mellie isn’t going to have the option of sitting around eating fried chicken.

She’s the President of the United States, and she’s between a rock and a hard place.

Still, watching her break down in front of Liv and Jake is such a heavy and yet touching moment. I love Bellamy’s performance here. We’ve seen broken Mellie before but this takes it to a new level. She’s afraid, and it shows.

This also marks the first moment where I’ve appreciate Jake Ballard as her Vice President. In this moment, she needs someone to tell her what to do, but she’s also apologizing to him. Jake says he’s her Vice President and she doesn’t have to apologize to him, and seeing that softer side of Jake was a really good contrast. I’ve missed this side of him.

Knowing that this show has a bit of a problem holding onto vice presidents (read: the tend to betray POTUS), it’s nice to see Jake have Mellie’s back as this nightmare comes to fruition.

In the end, this episode is tense, but it feels like it’s setting up for some big things as Mellie takes the oval. The one thing I am really excited for is more Mellivia strategizing sessions. Because you know it’s going to be a stressful six weeks until Mellie takes the Oval.

Stray Thoughts:

• Can we agree that Huck in Olivia’s pink robe, saying that it “feels like money” is one of the cutest things ever?
• I have missed Cyrus calling Abbey “Red” but their final exchange as they watch the votes on TV is heartbreaking to see. The moment when Abby said “I’m sorry” and he asks what she’s sorry for, and her reply is “all of it” made my heart break.
• Cyrus wanting to see Ella was one of the most adorable things. I never thought of Cyrus as a paternal figure, but the sadness in his eyes when he asks to see his daughter was very touching.
• You’re probably all thinking it, so I’m going to say it: the Electoral College votes in December, so how is there no snow or any type of wintery-scene going on? The most we see of the cold is Liv and Mellie in coats, but not even winter coats.

What did you think of this episode of Scandal? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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Scandal airs Thursdays at 9/8c on ABC.

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