Scandal Series Finale: Top 10 Moments from “Over a Cliff” (Season 7 Episode 18)

Olivia Pope gets to handle one last crisis in the Scandal Series Finale Season 7 Episode 18 “Over a Cliff.”

The final episode of Scandal is sad, but it ends on a hopeful note, and I think that’s what we need. There is no question that this show has changed the landscape of television and it will definitely be missed.

Here are our top ten moments from the Scandal Series Finale Season 7 Episode 18 “Over a Cliff.”

1.OPA/QPA Testifies Before the Senate Select Committee

The promos built this section up so it looked like it would be the entire episode, but it wasn’t.

For a finale, the setup of characters relaying events doesn’t really work because we would just be going over the same information we had from previous episodes, and “Over a Cliff” had a lot to accomplish to give us a satisfying finale.

The best part of this sequence: Huck!

Guillermo Diaz does a great job giving us some sweet Huck moments during this sequence. His anxiety about having to speak in front of fifteen people is funny and not funny at the same time, as is the moment when he takes a long drink of water before telling the committee that he killed a lot of people.

2. Quinn and Charlie Get Married  

After being told to “get their affairs in order” Quinn and Charlie finally tie the knot. This scene is cute and happy, and it’s the wedding that Quinn and Charlie deserve.

The scene has a balance of light and dark humor with deadpan quips about being executed and a moment of “wait, what?” when Quinn finds out Charlie’s legal name. And those vows are the perfect vows for a pair of married assassins, although right now I am sure “hide all the bodies” is a metaphor.

It’s made even sweeter by the fact that at the very end of the episode, Charlie goes free and we see them with their daughter.

3. Jake Tries to Kill David

It’s not in question if Jake can kill someone, so when he corners David in the parking garage, it’s scary. Moreover, David’s speech just has the stench of a moment that isn’t going to end well for anyone. He’s goading Jake on, using James’ death against him, and calling him a puppet.

It’s charged and emotional and creates suspense really well. I fully expected a gunshot to ring out when David walked away.

4. Olivia Gives Fitz a Choice

You know, the thing about this whole, “I’m going to jail tomorrow!” storyline has one fatal flaw. If you expect all the characters to go to jail, they never go to jail, but in the process; a lot of feelings are going to come out.

That’s exactly what happens when Olivia gives Fitz a choice for them to either keep having feelings or do “something else.”

While I understand wanting the show to end on a note that gives Olivia a happy ending, I don’t think it needs to include her being paired off, and this is definitely a fan service moment.

5. Cyrus ACTUALLY Kills David

David Rosen’s death will be amongst those unjust deaths that we just can’t get over for years to come.

There is so much about this scenario that doesn’t ring true! Why would David go Cyrus and accept a drink from him? If the committee has been convened doesn’t that at least warrant him taking control of the meeting?  Away from liquids and weapons and anything that could potentially kill him?

6. The Committee Gets a New Witness 

Oh, Scandal! We are going to miss Papa Pope’s speeches! Joe Morton never disappoints as Eli Pope, and his appearance before the Senate Committee comes with a bitter pill for the fifteen senators to swallow.

When he sits down and clarifies the difference between Eli Pope and Rowan and fifteen men giggle at the term “spy name” like they haven’t seen James Bond until he calls it his “kill name” you know things aren’t going to end well.

And Rowan serves a dose of cold hard truth to the Senate committee in a beautifully performed speech, and it’s moments like this, that we are definitely going to miss.

7. Olivia Says Goodbye

After Rowan’s testimony, Jake is arrested and moved to a Supermax in Illinois. Olivia comes back one last time and says goodbye to her former flame and acknowledges the role that she played in what he’s become.

It’s touching to see her go and say goodbye, and for a moment I actually feel bad for Jake, especially when you consider how this all plays out for Cyrus.

8. Cyrus Resigns

After killing off David Rosen, it felt like there should have been some retribution, but I think the idea that he failed to take The Oval is going to sit with Cyrus and fester within him for the rest of his life.

Plus, the speech about how he can’t “enjoy a drink” is heartbreaking, so as much as the audience may have wanted Cyrus to die for his crimes, this is worse. Much worse.

9. Olivia and Mellie Part Ways

Olivia and Mellie’s final conversation on the White House balcony is the end of an era in more ways than one. The fact that Olivia is walking away from the White House and politics is a bold move, but it’s a move that’s necessary to have Scandal come to a satisfying conclusion.

Plus, I think giving Mellie the agency to stand on her own and make decisions on her own is a smart note to end on. It gives her the chance to drive her policy and to start making her own legacy.

I’m just sorry we didn’t get to see Mellie’s Presidental Portrait.

10. The Gallery

While we didn’t get to see Mellie’s Presidental Portrait, Olivia Pope gets her due at the very end of the finale.

The end montage of Scandal, includes two young girls walking through the gallery and ultimately arriving at a portrait of Olivia Pope. The portrait is fierce and fantastic, and it leaves us wondering: what did Olivia end up doing?

What did you think of the series finale of Scandal? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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