Dog-Whistle Politics: Scandal Episode 504 Recap
This week’s emoji on Twitter for the Scandal hashtag was a gladiator in a suit and that gave me a very giant tip. I definitely patted myself on the back for guessing a big part of the episode. Let’s talk about it.
Rebuilding Empire – Jake is visiting Papa Pope to find out what he is up to. It is not random that paintings in the Louvre caught fire. And this is all a plan of his Lazarus One plan. Eli says this is all Liv’s fault and she’s forgot everything he taught her. Besides, he ain’t gotta get his power back because real power can’t stop won’t stop. WELP. “Boy, I am always free. No one will ever cage me.” Jake says he gon find who he’s working with and kill them. Sir, ain’t nobody scared of you. Especially not Command.
We see that there is an exposé happening from a reporter digging into the background of Olivia Pope, the mistress of the President of the United States. She mentions that Liv’s father once told someone that he wanted to raise Olivia to be an “African American girl who felt fully entitled to own the world as much as any white man.” YESSSS!!!
Gladiator in a Suit – Quinn walks into a restaurant and sits across from Marcus Walker, the activist from the “Lawn Chair for Justice” episode. He wonders what the hell she’s doing there and she gives him a similar spiel like what Harrison gives her on the first episode of Scandal. Plus, he’s broke and he needs a job, plus he’s kinda cute and knows how to make trouble. She wants him to be OPA’s mouthpiece too.
The difference is that he is not impressed. He does not want to become a Gladiator in a suit because he doesn’t like how much they fuck shit up on their way to fixing things. “You might slay dragons but the way they do down… you cut corners. You break rules. You think the law is a suggestion. You’re shifty. You’re shady and you lie even when you don’t have to.” Fair. Also, your mama is a bird. That’s all he left out. He walks out leaving Quinn there.
Fixing Things – Fitz is pissed because the press is ripping Liv apart. He tells Liz North that it’s Abby’s fault, and that she’s fired. Abby walks in and he fires her and tells her to gather her shit and bounce. Liz tells her that she will fix this. Don’t go nowhere. Yeah, aight. OLIVIA will fix it. And she does because when President Ghost calls her to say he is firing Red, she tells him not to be ridiculous. Abby did her job and did what Liv herself would have done. He’s worried because she is being lambasted publicly, and right hten, she sees flashes in her apartment. Her curtains are open and a photographer parked across the street is taking pics. Olivia Pope should NEVER have her curtains open. She’s being sloppy with her safety.
Jake meets up with Charlie and says he has a job for him. They need to find who is working with Papa Pope to set fire to the Louvre because that is Lazarus One. They gotta go to Paris to find out because: B613. Since they took it down yet one of their main plans is being carried out, clearly something fishy is going down.
Long History – The exposé is exploring collegiate Liv, talking about how she started law school at Georgetown University at 23. Her aspirations have always been to work for the government and they find footage of a hoodie-wearing young Liv talking about dreaming of working at the White House. Let me tell you about Black that doesn’t crack. The fact that Kerry Washington can play 23-year old version of herself in 2015 without any makeup.
Black in the action of refusing to crack.
I love it!
Anywho, Huck walks in talmbout he’s rented the apartment the photographer was using. Quinn also tells her she tried to hire Marcus but he ain’t go for it. Olivia is all surprised because she surely ain’t tell her to. How are y’all gon get another Gladiator in the middle of this chaos? Well, maybe the middle of this chaos is exactly when they could all use extra hands.
Jake and Charlie get to Paris and a former B613-er that Charlie recruits meets them. Her name is Elise and when her and Jake see each other, their stare lingers so long I’m pretty sure they read each others’ minds. When they finally talk, it’s to marvel at the corniness of each others’ names. Oh so you’re Jake now? Oh so you’re Elise? Mmhmm.
Their history must be long and strong. That is confirmed when she says she ain’t gon be able to do whatever the assignment is and flees. Welp.
Impeachment Idea – Mellie rolls into her first meeting with the Senate Women’s Caucus, and they wanna school her on what’s going to go down. “The men have their own way of doing things. So we started having ours.” Afterwards, she goes to her office to give Cyrus the tea. The women of the Senate want to impeach President Grant, but only if they have Mellie’s permission. Cyrus chocks it up to their hormones and basically says boys will be boys. Senator Grant tells him: “What is more hormonal than a man who can’t keep it in his damb pants?”
Besides, boys need to start getting held accountable for their shit, and in the case of these presidential affairs, only the women involved receive real vitriol and punishment. Monica suffers, not Bill. TELL HIM, MEL.
I want them to impeach Fitz for being a weak ass president, not for the affair with Liv. He got so much time for shenanigans. Either way, she says she is not going to get him impeached. She gotta lay low in this start. “I do not want to impeach my husband.”
Changing Minds – The new coverage on Liv continues and the words used include: articulate, aggressive, arrogant, urban. They mention that her father is now in jail. Liv watches all of it, because sometimes you cannot look away even when you need to. When Quinn and Huck show up to OPA offices, they find Marcus there. Ummm… why do they not have better security? How do random people have so much access to them? Anywho, he says he’s ready to be a Gladiator in a suit.
Of course. I’m ready too and I’m in pajamas. He admits that he just needs the cash. Eh, I guess that will have to do, New Harrison.
Jake and Elise – Jake goes to Elise’s apartment and she is not happy to see him. WHAT DO YOU WANT? What’s their history? He waited for her after a mission at Grand Central Station and when she didn’t show up, he thought she was dead. She’s mad because she said she showed up late. He grieved for her and she felt abandoned. They were married, but probably as a spy thing. The two then make out. AW SHIT. Olivia is gon wanna unfriend zone Jake the moment she learns someone else had his heart.
Anywho, the mission for her is to track down some stolen art pieces from the Louvre. She’s now an art dealer so this is up her alley.
Hurt for Hurt – Liz North goes on a golf course to talk to a senator, to basically try to convince him not to go for any impeachment proceedings. He ain’t buying the shit. “His whole administration, he’s had these bitches lined up like planes on a jetway.” WATCH YOUR GAHTDAMB MOUTH, SENATOR.
Mellie walks into the bedroom she shared with Fitz, and sees him crawling on the ground. She realizes he’s playing hide and seek with Baby Teddy. Remember him??? Now if we can only find Ella. The hiding boy gives them a chance for a tender moment. Mellie doesn’t want to fight with him and says “If you don’t hurt me, I won’t hurt you.” He agrees and she leaves, saying she’ll get the rest of her things. I am a sucka because I do enjoy these sweet moments they share, because they are few and far between.
New Gladiator – Marcus turns off the TV in OPA offices because he is sick and tired of watching the bullshit being said about Olivia. The narrative is that she’s some angry Black woman who made it out the ghetto to seduce the President. He wants to help her out like she helped him when he was in need and he wants to call the press out for their messed up coverage. Huck ain’t here for that. He said “Gladiators don’t ask questions.” The hell they don’t!
Painting Elise – Jake and Charlie are surveilling Elise on an assignment to track down the paintings. They’re watching as Elise meets with a guy who they immediately identify as a Russian who is DEFINITELY not B613. As they’re listening to the feed, the video scrambles and all they have is audio. All of a sudden, they hear gunshots. They run out the van and get to the apartment to find the guy gone and Elise is on the ground with gunshot wounds. Will Jake lose her for a 2nd time?
Price of Mercy – Lizzie Bear tells Fitz he has to have a meeting with Senator Gibson otherwise he will be investigated by Congress. So he does, along with her and other Senators. Then Gibson asks for the room so him and Fitz can be alone. When they are, he tells President Ghost that the true cost of mercy is going to be high. He wants him to kill the Brandon Bill, because it has made them many enemies from the police force. That is the bill introduced in the Lawn Chair of Justice episode so hold police accountable for brutalizing unarmed people of color. That is the one Marcus fought for too.
Whatchu gon do, Fitz? Face impeachment or KILL BILL? Hey rock. Hey hard place. But really, keep the bill. Gibson leaves and tells him “Next time you go outside of your marriage, choose a girl who is more palatable to the base.” BITTTTCHHHHH you mean “Don’t choose a Black girl for your mistress” right? TRIED IT.
Price of Womanhood – The coverage of Olivia talks about how she “hustled” after law school and dated older, powerful men. They basically called her a gold-digger, as if she wasn’t powerful in her own right. Fitz calls Olivia and she is not doing well. She’s received thousands of threats online because of her newfound infamy. “How come whenever women do something people don’t like, the only way these men on the internet know how to express themselves is by threatening rape?”
Olivia is speaking the struggle of ANY WOMAN who is outspoken on the internet. These trolling ass sexist and racist men online spew so much hate. Their keyboard courage is bar none. Fitz told her to turn off the computer. So necessary. But being sent thousands of messages threatening your life will bog you down.
Jake goes to see Elise in the hospital and she’s doing ok. It was just a flesh wound. She admits that she didn’t show up at Grand Central Station because what was the point? Ain’t no heaven or forever for spies. He wants her to come back to America with him. Sir, you forever making these “run away with me” propositions to these women who treat you like a disposable razor. But ok.
On Children – Mellie doesn’t wanna hurt Fitz anymore and she tells Cyrus but he ain’t tryna hear that. Beene the Based Goon is not forgiving. Mellie asks why he’s so obsessed tih revenge and he basically shows that he has lost some of his mind.
“Mellie, I devoted my life to him, to you, to the Grant cause. The last 14 years. He kicked me in the teeth and didn’t even look back… The difference between you and me is that your heart was never broken because you never loved him. You needed him, used him, coexisted with him, but you did not love him! I would have died for that man.
I loved him as my son, as my child, as my soul. That does not end. That never ends. It just rips a hole that never closes inside you. Your child is dead. You can visit his grave, bring him flowers. You know exactly where he is and what he is. … My child is breathing and talking right down the block from me at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue… Your child is safe in the ground where everything bad has already happened.”
OUT OF ORDER, BEENE. OUT OF ORDER. She tells him to GTFOH her face because he crossed a line he should not have.
Dog-Whistle Politics – Marcus tells the Gladiators that he ain’t got time to stick with no damb script. They WILL handle this by defending Olivia in the media, and turning the conversation to the fuckshit reporting happening. They must talk about the dog-whistle politics happening, and it is when coded language is used, so only the intended target hears the offense and feels the insult. “This is war and there is no script.”
He trains Quinn and Huck with talking points and they go to work! I would not have let Huck be in front of any cameras but that’s just me. Either way, they successfully go on the press junket. “On this network alone, Olivia Pope has been described as lucky, sassy, ambitious, well-spoken, well-mannered, articulate, shrill, calculating, overconfident, secretive, urban, hot-blooded, known to use thug politics, arrogant, a siren… when women of color like Miss Pope hear that type of language, they know EXACTLY what you’re getting at.”
YESSSS!!! Come through and talk about media bias in dealing with Black women, telling our stories and painting us as villains.
What Would Olivia Do? – President Ghost goes to see Red and asks her if she makes all her decisions based on what Liv would do? She says yes, since that’s the playbook she learned from. He asks her what he should do: kill the Brandon Bill or go forward with impeachment. Abby says the smart move would be to give Gibson what he wants, even though that bill is his legacy. He turns to her and says “We don’t work for Liv. I am President of the United States. We work for the American People. The playbook is the Constitution. In my office, it’s not about doing the smart thing. It’s about doing the right thing.”
That is the smartest thing he’s ever said.
Dating Bae – Olivia is watching the TV from home when breaking news happens and it is a report that says the President’s motorcade is taking an unscheduled ride. The reporter is freaking out when she realizes that it’s headed towards the neighborhood known to be where Liv resides. Aw shit. Liv watches as Fitz strolls up to her building and she’s basically like WTF. She jumps up and walks out her apartment to the elevator and when the door opens, President Ghost says he’s taking his girlfriend out on a date. He pulls her into the elevator and he makes a display of kissing her. They walk out her building arm in arm and the press goes nuts.
Mellie watches all this and marches into the Senate Women’s Caucus. She’s ready to lead the charge on that impeachment. The one thing she asked him was not to hurt her. And to not rub that relationship in her face. IT IS ON.
Fitz taking the Presidential Motorcade to Olivia’s house as the press trails is ridiculous. I get what he is doing on a romance level, but you know what you ain’t doing? TELLING THE ENTIRE COUNTRY WHERE I LIVE, FITZ! He is putting her in jeopardy. EVERY DAMB BODY knows where she lives now for real. Yes, I’ve said her shit must be on Foursquare by now but everyone is now privy to her exact address. Even the newest trolls. The thousands of men who are threatening to kill and rape her. He took them to her doorstep. Press was previously in front of OPA offices, not her actual apartment building. And even if they were, her doorstep wasn’t breaking news.
The dude drove his motorcade to her house like he was Alfalfa picking up Darla. NAWL. At this point, Liv’s home should be added to tourist stops in DC. “Look to your left. The President’s bae lives there.” Olivia’s building should evict her. The condo association should be all “we can’t deal with all this drama.” Olivia’s neighbors shouldn’t feel safe. Ugh. Fitz, man.
I guess it was a little cute, doe.
They are finally out and can stop sneaking around. That’s freedom.
Ennehweighs, speaking of simping men. Jake’s repressed love for Elise came roaring back and there is something about her that doesn’t curl all the way over. Did she shoot herself to get back into his good graces? Is she working with Papa Pope? She is not what you see and for that, I am afraid for Jake because these women he continues to get close to will always burn him.
Ennehweighs, I’m SO here for our newest gladiator, Marcus Walker. I’m excited to see how he’s going to deal with Huckleberry Quinn and how he’ll work with Liv. I really appreciated this episode dealing with the way the media talks about Black women. Times like this, you cannot deny the amazingness of having a Black woman running this show. Shonda Rhimes makes sure we are not invisible and this is one of the reasons why she is ForeverBae.
Gladiators, ROAR in comments!
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45 Comments
YASSSSSSSSSSSSSS! I loved this episode for addressing DUH MEDIA in its’ total pile of triple BS in reporting. I wanna have Jakes’ baby so he can have someone in his corner (crib ) for life.
I wanna have Jakes’ baby so he can have someone in his corner (crib ) for life.
Lol. I guess a guy who chokes his so-called girlfriend , and throws her against a wall is a turn on. Each to their own. I prefer my men come without the potential for domestic abuse. Lol.
Well Fitz is emotionally abusive. And not just to Liv but Mellie and downright rude to Red et al….and he is consistent on his BS. Give me Jake over Ghost anytime…
When Marcus gave the press the business about coded language I was like YASSSS
Look, I have been a faithful member of the Church of Greater Shonda Mercy In His Name Rhimes for some time but a sermon like this I was not ready for.
This was no regular episode, this was an epic read of every major media outlet in the US. Passa Shondricka said “I see you Satan and I’m calling you out!” and I was here for it. Talk about the coded language! Talk about the one sided conviction of women who engage in scandals with powerful men! You better preach!
And I wholly appreciated Marcus standing in the line of fire for Olivia. Someone who wishes to assist her, not as some mindless goon, but as someone who understands what’s at stake and wants to fight alongside her (not just as her willing pawn).
In other news, did Cy say “Your dead son is better off.” Jigga wha-?! Gon back to your token baby and re-retire your ass, sir.
Cyrus has officially gone off the rails! I think he really believes what he said.
Amen!!! (Waving church fan) Sermons like that give you life!!
Hold up…Did you say Alfalfa going to pick up Darla??? I cackled like a hyena. Yes I did!
Okay…I so loved this episode. When Marcus stopped and turned to the news reporter and said, “You mean for a Black woman” I knew it was ON!!
Slow clap for Shonda for writing out about coded language and how it vilifies WOC color. I am here for the shakeup to OPA that Marcus will bring.
Everybody else can have several seats. I was momentarily happy that Jake found someone else so he wouldn’t have to sit around waiting for Liv’s left over love and attention, but Elise looking too shady.
Cy and his vengeful self need to stop worrying about the big baby in the White House and tend to the neglected baby (Ella) that he has to raise.
Mostly I need Fitz to stop being so selfish all the darn time. He really thinks he’s doing something. There were more ways to take a stand than that grand standing he did.
Milaxx wrote: “Mostly I need Fitz to stop being so selfish all the darn time. He really thinks he’s doing something. There were more ways to take a stand than that grand standing he did.”
Fitz is seeing the woman he loves attacked on a daily basis by the press while he sits on his hands, she tells him that she’s being threatened with rape by anonymous internet trolls.
A senator then tells him that either he gives up the Brandon Bill or they will impeach him (ugh even though the senate can’t impeach the president, but mere details) and then has the audacity to tell him that he should have stepped out of his marriage with “somebody more palatable to the base.”
What should he have done? What other way could he have taken a stand? His actions spoke louder than any words he could say, he told the racist ass senator to go and eff himself, and the world now realizes that Olivia isn’t just the scheming whore who took advantage of a president.
So, what would you have done differently? You’ve suggested that there were more/better ways to take a stand, so I’d like to hear these other ways. I’ll wait.
I’m not team Olitz at all, and have never been, but your explanation makes that whole spectacle make some sense. Thank you for that… he’s still trash tho.
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I’ll start with Elise. Don’t trust her! Don’t trust her! Don’t trust her!
Could the Louvre fire tie-in to Papa Pope’s embezzlement charge? I can see this as the way Command is getting out of jail. Plus, he said this is Liv’s fault, so there has to be some type of bigger tie-in.
Marcus sits pretty high on a horse considering how much ish he was in. But I do like his standards. Let’s see how long they last.
“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned”
This is Mellie’s mantra and she now has some “ride or die” chicks that have her back. Basically, Fitz is saying it’s ok for men to have the highest office, cheat on his wife, and parade his mistress as if it’s the way it’s supposed to be. No kank you! Fitz needs to re-think the right thing to do ’cause this ain’t it.
When is Liv going to move and why doesn’t she have a not-so-secret Secret Service detail?
Finally, can anyone see Liv becoming President sometime in the future of this show?
Luvvieeee! This is the first Scandal episode I have enjoyed in such a long time. As for Olitz, I don’t have their time. So I was thrilled to have a breather from their nonsense. Enjoyed the glimpse into Jake’s spy past. I was gasping and calling out “FADA LORD” at Uncle Cyrus’ unhinged rant. Most importantly, I used up my month’s supply of YAAAASSS when they started talking about Dog Whistle Politics. They were singing my life with their words and I loved it.
All I needed was the black female ensemble song “Freedom” (Panther soundtrack) to be played during the press junkets.
Marcus….(Eartha Kitt voice)
I did like this episode
Olitz FINALLY out in the open.
I like Jake but unfortunately his story arc was boring . I just didnt seem to care .
I find it difficult to be interested in any story line that is not directly connected to Olivia in some way.
Fitzs coming to rescue Olivia with flashing lights and in a motorcade was very romantic , but it was also as Papa Pope said Olivia is Fitzs door marked exit.
He has only 18 months left of his Presidency .
He is one foot out the door, a man of almost sixty, so he now claims this young vital dynamic exceptional woman in such a public way, that she is now permanently and irreversibly linked to him.
Even if she changed her mind what would she do and who would want her after ALL THIS !!
Although to be fair she claimed him too when she said yes!
Loved Marcus and his defence of Olivia and black women in general .
Cudos to Shonda for addressing the “coded” language by which black women are discussed in the media !!
This was a great episode. Well, everything but Jake’s story. I was bored & didn’t care, because it didn’t link to Olivia. I just want to point out that press was already camped outside Olivia’s building. That’s where she was when she admitted to the affair. A photographer was across the street from her house taking pics. And, let’s not forget this is where the press ambushed her at the end of season 2 when the affair was leaked. So, Fitz showing up did not put her in danger. She’s actually safer with him, because of Secret Service. At this point, he should put an agent on her.
Luvvie, your best line ever. “The dude drove his motorcade to her house like he was Alfalfa picking up Darla. NAWL. At this point, Liv’s home should be added to tourist stops in DC. “Look to your left.” I don’t think everyone understands how gifted of a writer and comedian you truly are, especially given how hard recaps are…
This was a great episode. Shonda and her writers, in the fifth season when most shows rehash story arcs and are unable to show character development, is pulling back the curtains on Olivia’s life. This started last season, but in this episode we understand more about her dating and schooling history and see her take a leap of faith that she would not have taken earlier in the show. It is one thing to say yes I am his mistress, but to follow that with accepting his invitation to be courted in the press? The woman is working through some issues. Wonder when she will realize that she doesn’t want a man or life like her father’s but one more like Marcus Walker?
This was a great episode. I even liked the thought of Jake having a wife. I can see a mile away that she is the French equivalent of Maya Pope-meaning that she is no damn good.
Cyrus is CRAZY.
Welcome Marcus to OPS. Huck cracked me up-in a suit and on script.
The press was in front of Olivia’s home already before Fitz arrived with his motorcade. The press has been to her home in a few episodes – when she said ‘Yes’, back at the end of season 2 when she was outed, etc. So that last paragraph about leading folks to Olivia’s doorstep made no sense.
Can we let Olivia live? Did you see how happy she was in the elevator with Fitz? How happy she was while staying in the White House with Fitz? Just because some folks don’t like Fitz does not mean Olivia should give up the man she loves and who makes her happy. Olivia can still be The Olivia Pope in her professional life and have a happy (even if turbulent) personal life.
I have to agree with the other commenters who said the Jake and Elise story line was boring but I’m glad they give Jake some one to save so he can stop begging Olivia to run away with him. I would have preferred to see more of the OPA team – Huck, Quinn and Marcus gladiating. Huck was actually funny in this episode not the usual crazy eyes.
FYI: That is Jake’s wife not ex-wife unless he got a divorce. So Jake was also married like Fitz. LOL
I loved how this episode of Scandal addressed the various topics – internet trolls attacking Olivia and threatening to rape and kill her, slut shaming, racism, sexism, coded language used to describe black women, dog whistles for TV ratings and clicks on the internet, dirty politics, etc.
When that Senator said Fitz should have cheated with a woman who was palatable to the base (code for a white woman), Fitz looked like he wanted to choke him.
Interesting comment: “I also want to add that did you notice the Senator was willing to keep the equal pay law which white women are major backers of (he did mention his wife) and insisted on getting rid of the Brandon Bill which helps black people, mostly black males. That really jumped out at me.”
BTW the president can only be impeached for breaking the law. If all the shady things of the Grant administration are revealed, it will hurt Mellie and her fledgling political career. As Fitz told her, he has already fulfilled his bucket list. A special prosecutor digging into White House shenanigans would likely uncover dirt to implicate Mellie, Cyrus and not just Fitz. So Mellie once again is making a stupid move not a strategic move.
Hey Carol, good commentary.
Yes Mellie is such a short term thinker, being instrumental in attempting to impeach Fitz will impact her job, and her run for the presidency, but she’s all hair and rage right now, so her brain isn’t doing her thinking for her.,
I think it’s ironic that people go in on Fitz for being over emotional and being selfish in what he wants, and totally give Mellie a pass when she’s the most self-serving person after Cyrus on the show. It just shows the internalised sexism that we as women hold onto, when it comes to how we perceive men and women’s roles. Fitz isn’t allowed to be led with his heart, yet every single decision that Mellie makes is based on how she’s feeling at that moment in time, but it’s ok because she’s a woman. We expect Fitz to be way more “masculine/manly” in his approach to decision making, well that’s some sexist bs and I’m going to call it out whenever I see it rear its ugly head.
Just saying, Jake said I really loved being married to you not that they may actually literally married. It could have been a cover for a mission and as usual Jake got a little too involved. Or it could be they were married. They did act like people who had been intimate for maybe a year. Even with that he believed her dead, he did not cheat on her in front of her face. That said I was so happy for Jake to have someone of his own but I suppose everyone is pointing out more than likely a Papa Pope plant. I hope one day they will cut him a break and give him someone to give that good heart to.
@Luvvie, the world press were already camped out outside her apartment, and realistically they would have been reporting from there since the scandal broke, so trying to say that Fitz let everybody know where she lived, when they already knew is just an excuse to hate on Fitz. But I know how you do soooo…
Also, the biggest elephant in the room that I see nobody on this board wants to tackle is that Jake is married. He was married all the time that he was schtupping Olivia, and he never mentioned it, even if he thought she was dead, dude had been married, and didn’t bother telling the woman he allegedly was in love with. So I’m fully expecting all those people who disapprove of infidelity to be just as vocal about his marital status as they are of Fitz’s, if Shonda tries renewing that stale triangle.
I love that Shonda took the one redeeming factor about Jake – (according to y’all) his single status, – and now it means that Liv was seeing two men who were married to other people. Welp.
I FAULT THE WRITERS . They HAVE SET JAKE UP TO BE THE HERO AND THE NICE guy opposed to Fitz…..that Noone sees beyond that. ADDITIONALLY IT SHOWS HOW CAPTIVATING HIS STORYLINE IS OUTSIDE OF OLIVIA. NO ONE CARES MUCH.
If Jake thought he wife was dead, he was a widower and no longer married.
I agree with what other people have said, though: It probably was a “professional marriage”. In other words, a front for some spy mission (that they also carnally enjoyed….).
This was the best episode in a while, and I should have known not to doubt Aunt Shonda and them.
I have missed Daddy Pope’s indignant monologues and apparently Jake did too since he had to go visit him in prison and poke the bear. Surely he did not expect a straight answer.
Sen. Gibson had me laid out with that line about the president having bytches lined up like planes on a jetway. I know I should be offended, but that was funny to me.
Welcome aboard Marcus. Make sure you fill out all the paperwork and study the employee manual so that you too can learn how to lie, manipulate, kill without blinking and gladiate like the rest of them. He is on his horse — and winning — right now but you know it’s just a matter of time before he’s converted.
Yes Miss Cyrus went too far and is still a low down dirty monkey with a wig on, but he I believe he did love Fitz. Although he said he loved him like a son, he is really acting like a scorned woman. I knew from when Fitz dismissed him last week without even looking up from his desk that there were going to be some repercussions and consequences. Remember, Cyrus knows where all the bodies are buried, so this is not over.
Fitz does love a grand gesture, and I am not mad at him. Look at all they’ve been through trying to keep their boot knocking under wraps. If he’s going to be impeached and rake over the coals then he may as well do what he wants.
I agree best episode since 7:52. They humanized Fitz a bit my disgust of him dropped 5-10%
Great recap, Luvvie! Just want to reiterate that this show is all make believe with snippets of truth. Shonda said so herself..It’s a shame she has to remind us of that. But she knew people would be coming for her on the storylines abd that’s okay. It’s a good thing to be able to use your brain, think critically and express yourself. In other words..Be nice! This is a great place to come and express our biases, differences, creative thinking, laugh, howl, etc, but some still insist on being disrespectful and rude. Ion get it.. “She make stuff up for a living.” #relax
Thank you, Annette! I’ve also noticed a certain “tone” among some commenters here recently. While it’s fine to express your opinions – and we’ve all got a ton of ’em – to me, insulting our hostess and getting bent over fictional characters as if they’re real makes the experience less enjoyable. It’s a TV show – there is no “right” answer. Let’s just have fun with it – it’s (supposed to be) entertainment, after all.
Whatchu mean y’all don’t work for Liv? She is the reason why you are in office. Damn man, you went to war for her but you gonna tell Red about doing the right thing? You are only doing the right thing because Olivia would kill you for revoking the bill. Fitz stay drinking Liv’s bathwater out a sippy cup.
FITZ IS MANY THINGS … BUT withTHIS SITUATION I am going to give him credit for doing the right thing without the influence 9d others.
“Boy, I am always free. No one will ever cage me.”
And yet, there he is, sitting on his behind in prison.
Yaaaas to new non plaid wearing new Harrison. Preach on those Dog Whistle Politics. I am so here for increasing the headcount at Pope and Associates.
“The dude drove his motorcade to her house like he was Alfalfa picking up Darla.” OMG! I’m still laughing.
Hey Luvvie,great writing as usual. But I must disagree with the whole praising Shonda for her great writing, why do I say this? Well for starters this writing was as usual inconsistent, over dramatic, not centered on the lead in the correct way, and once more again they keep trying to make us care about Jake, and the worst sin of all, they are making B613 a thing again. B613 is a story line that needs to be killed with fire, the same fire burning the Louvre.
I am tired of Olivia sitting at home, drinking wine and eating popcorn on her not so pristine white setee again, she needs to speak up, and tell these people which short cliff they can take a long walk from. Liv is always quick to deliver her self righteous monologues to other people, except herself, and the people that need to be told where to step off she remains, mute, such as with Mellie and Abbie. That is not good writing, Shonda has all the white people, and the men in this show saying what ever they feel like, but the black female lead stays being silent, while her character is being maligned, insulted and cast aside when it suits others, including Fitz.
Yes the message of the episode regarding how black women are portrayed by the media is very important, but who delivered that message? A black man, the same black man who in the last season had to have his butt saved from being accused of the murder of his white lover. And another thing, since when is it so fantasticly romantic for your lover the man who is married, to bring a whole motorcade and the entire world to your doorstep? Then again, this is the same man who basically started a war to get back a woman, who he ultimately was not responsible for saving. Shonda is clearly sending the message with all of her shows “its ok to be the side piece if the man is important enough”.
And finally I am T.I.R.E.D. OF FITZ CLAIMING HE IS THE POTUS every blasted episode, Sir, if you have to keep reminding people then clearly you aren’t that effective at your job, Fitz is Commander of few and Chief of none.
Best part, it was a black man who came to “help a sister out” in a way that her multi-culti associates could not. CHUCH!
First, let me say how much I LOVE your recaps Luvvie.. Funny and in depth. You are the Queen Of Zamunda, for real.
Second, I bow down to mother Shonda for her boss ass writing and covering real life shit. Come through muva, come all the way through!
Third, Cyrus has lost his shit! He is crazier than a rabid skunk! WTF?!
3b. Papa Pope always has a plan B and is obviously still running things, don’t sleep.
IV. Anyone else briefly think Marcus, the new recruit, is working for papa pope? Hopefully his stint at OPA lasts.
Five – my poor Jake from State Farm. Always the bridesmaid and never the bride. I’ve loved him since he first walked into the President’s office in that uniform looking like fine damn wine. This Elise chick is bad news and heoneennoit! Ugh! Get it together Jake!
LuvvNation constituent. 🙂
Did anyone else catch the, “false sense of entitlement,” comment from that 60minutes reporter about the confidence with which Liv was raised?????!!!! She tried it with the candlestick IN the library. As if Liv’s black ass had no right to feel authentic entitlement. Noooooo. Only white folk get that. I nearly shat myself when she said that.
Girl, I missed it on broadcast night. But when I re-watched it, I nearly started WW3 with that comment about ‘false sense of entitlement’. It set me on fire and I went ‘WTH!!!!’ and re-watched it several times. I finally reminded myself ‘this is a tv show, and the writers write for effect-calm down’. But I think the reason it kicks so hard is because white folk really think that-no matter what you’d done and experienced in life. They feel it’s their right to determine what’s ‘authentic’ and to ‘validate’ you. And the second half of the reporter’s comment ‘did she take it instead of waiting for it’? White men don’t wait for it. It was both racist and sexist. Although it is a tv show, Shonda often uses it a vehicle to speak about what black folk experience at the hands of white folk, and that part of it is REAL!
Marcus Walker should have been added to the team AGES ago. Love how he has no time for any bullshit – Quinn’s or “dogwhistle politics”.
Does anyone else feel depressed by as well as for Olivia now? I never even saw the chemistry between her and Fitz. All I’ve seen is tantrums on his side and lip quivering on hers and that damb music coming on trying to convince us that these are romantic moments. Apart from the grossly racist coverage, it’s refreshing to raise the question of her psychology in men. Tantrum-throwing, babysitter-needing Fitz doesn’t seem to fit the bill apart from being the Figurehead of American power. Or maybe needy eomtionally underdeveloped douche is her type as a “fixer”… Anyway… I felt more real chemistry between her and any number of men on the show – from Stephen Finch to oh well anybody.
It would thrill me to no end if Fitz resigned the presidency to say “Let’s go live in Vermont.” And she has this soul-flashing realization that she was never attracted to this manbaby apart from his title and she’s like, “Nah, I’m good. Imma go back to Poping now.” And Fitz ends up being revealed for the lonely old creep that he is. And Olivia sashays back into political life – brilliant and over her self-sabotaging period.
The more I watch this show, the more Fitz annoys me. When does he actually run the country? Saying he wants to “do the right thing”. Did you do the right thing by not cheating on your wife? Or just divorcing her if you didn’t want her? Or leaving Liv alone when she tried to? Or not running for a second term so yaly’all can be together? All of those are the right things, not going to your girlfriend’s house when you’re the married president! Ugh
I want my bae Jake to be happy, but we probably can’t trust this new lady. Why did they wait so long to get Marcus as the new Harrison? I love that he’s going to do things differently. The part when drunk Huck said he’ll tell Liv they hired Marcus because she wouldn’t yell at him because he’s “damaged” was hilarious!
Here’s what I Luvv most, Nation (<– see what I did there? lol).
Marcus is already my boo-thang. He came in the OPA door with me calling him "Marcus" and not "New Harrison." That is a tremendous accomplishment. I loved me some Harrison, The Gingham Goon, mainly because he was all about serving Olivia. He was down for her in a way Black Men are rarely portrayed on television. BUT MARCUS… this beautiful Black Brothah is down for Olivia in a way NO Black Man has been shown on television. He didn't do what Olivia said. He did what Olivia NEEDED even when she, and everyone else, thought he shouldn't.
We all deal with the Dog-Whistle Politics and it gets on our effing nerves. Every time they call that 20 year old MURDERER who went into a friggin CHURCH and killed nine people a "boy" because he's white, yet call a 12 year old baby like Tamir Rice a "man" after he was purposely murdered on a playground, you know ish ain't right. So to finally have someone address it even if on TV is a major blessing. And I'm glad Auntie Shonda n'em went there. That is not just good writing, it is GREAT Writing! Because it is entering the real knowledge of what we face into the lexicon of folks who are normally so privileged that they refuse to see it. No matter how much we complain about it, we are ignored. But those same people just might make the connection and "get it" because of the way Shonda presented it. Took guts and I am all the way here for her.
Kudos and other granola snacks to the entire writing staff for this one. And, Marcus, me, you and Papa Pope gonna have an arrangement. He was my hubby until you came in all protective and strong. Now I'm down for sharing myself with both of you. ijs :o)
I don’t even watch Scandal anymore, and I still come for Luvvie’s weekly recaps. That’s an ode to phenomenal writing, if ever I’ve offered one.
Same here. Haven’t watched Scandal in two seasons, but read Luvvie’s recaps because…what else do you really need?
Several rounds of applause for this recap and for Ms. Rhimes for using her influence to talk about some very real stuff.
#SheDidntHaveToDoItButSheDid
THANK Ya!