Season 3: Episode #8 "Vermont is for Lovers, Too"

                                                  INAPPROPRIATE SEX!!!!
It happened! And it happened all up and through episode 308! I had to take an Ambien, a Clozapine, a shot of Tylenol Severe Cold AND a medium iced mocha latte before I could even attempt to write this recap…Jeezus!! Second, this episode was directed by the beautiful and talented Ava DuVerney so I didn’t expect anything less than jaw dropping scenes. Chile, just….. let’s get into it.

Episode 308 opens with Mama Pope demanding to see Liv before Papa Pope disposes of her for good. We find out that she has served Nelson Mandela time-like 20 plus years!! For a SPLIIIIT second we see something that resembles, compassion… kinda…sorta in Eli’s eyes but he quickly says “siiiiiiike! Girl you know that ain’t gonna happen but that was a real cute try.” Oh and real quick, I just want to say that Mama Pope’s lace front was laid like satin sheets! Yuuuussss!!

At Pope & Associates the crew is toiling away at finding surveillance footage that will show them who killed the security guard who was the link to Omar Dresden. Quinn pulls up in the Grand Marquis with Charlie coaching her on how to be a good mole. I know her heart was doing the Harlem Shake because mine definitely was! She’s obviously feeling the weight of what she’s gotten herself into. Note to fathers- this is why you need to hug your daughters and tell them they are beautiful because when you don’t, they end up signing up for gangs and top secret government goon squads.
Inside the office we see Quinn, often with a face that looks like she has an acute case of diarrhea as the Gladiators get closer to revealing the killer. She panics and tells Charlie that they are on the scent but he basically slaps her on the butt and says “it’s ok Toots, you’ll figure it out”

Back in the bowels of hell, Mama Pope is not going out like a chump so she sits there on the floor and chews through both her wrists until she hits the artery. What in the entire fuck? PINEAPPLES SHONDA, PINEAPPLES!! None of us were ready for that! Later in the show we find Mama has survived her self-cannibalism and is strapped down to the bed. Eli wants to make sure to get her out of there without any further incident so the doctor assures him that she’ll be HEAVILY sedated for transport.

Quinn, who I can’t even refer to as “Baby Huck” anymore goes into disguise and tries to capture the surveillance footage from nearby businesses before the Gladiators can get to the tapes. Sucks for her but she runs smack into Jake who is on the very same mission. He makes her hand over the findings before she can do away with the evidence. Foiled again, Quinn. Clearly you are not about this life ma’am. Oh, I love that Jake is an official Gladiator now and you know that man isn’t on the Pope & Associates payroll. He’s doing it just off the memory of that golden Pope Poon! I ain’t mad at you, Sir!

Mama and her luxurious lacefront are recovering and Papa Pope goes to see her with some newspaper clippings to show her of their daughter, how heartwarming! He manages to push his lips into something resembling a smile as they sort through the articles. Using her maternal instinct she wants to know where are the actual photos of the two of them. There are none to be seen since we know that he shipped Liv away as soon her mother was “killed” but he quickly flips the script on Mama and says that all of this is her fault in the first place. I can’t WAIT to get the backstory on this!!!!

Senator Marcus is still holding on to presidential hopes but someone has broken into their headquarters and stole her laptop. After receiving explicit instructions to stand down and let the Gladiators handle the press, Candace breaks rank and goes on air and passively aggressively places the blame on the Reston Camp. The Governor of Gingham, Harrison quickly says he’ll handle Candace and a few scenes later we find out why he was so eager. He handled it all right…. Everyone’s initial thought is that the Reston camp is behind it but the math just doesn’t add up. Liv and crew were quickly able to determine that it was a poorly executed inside job. Cue up INAPPROPRIATE SEX SCENE #1 with David Rosen and Abbey. They are soooooo awkward to me, but whatevs. Awkward folk need love too. They hash out the details of the stolen laptop and all manicured fingers point to Candace, Josie’s sister/daughter. Abbey jumps on the horn to inform Harrison and gahdammit! This is where I audibly screamed “NOOOOOOOO!!!!” at the TV. I literally shrieked! The first shirtless scene we ever see with Harrison is when he’s getting out of bed with Candace. REALLY SHONDA? Don’t let this form of high treason ever happen again! I can’t deal! INAPPROPRIATE SEX SCENE #2

Liv tells Josie that she could weather this political shit storm but when it’s time to fess up to the press, she takes the fall for the laptop job and resigns from the race and says she’s going back to Pennsyltucky or wherever the hell she’s from. It’s better this way. Josie you are about as interesting as a stump so I for one, am OK with you falling into obscurity. NEXT!

At the Beene/Novak residence the coldhearted snake Cyrus informs James that he hooked his boo up with an exclusive interview with Daniel Douglas. James is so happy to have a gig, he doesn’t even see the trap that was set with himself as the bait. Poor guy. Cy and Mellie talked it through and figured that once James and Daniel were alone, Daniel would make a pass at James and the Fitz camp would have some dirt to stop Sally Langston from running on the Independent ticket. To make certain that Daniel makes a grab for Jame’s bootymeat Mellie puts the bug in Daniels ear, saying that Cy and James have an open marriage. Ooooooh Mellie, you tried it!

ATTENTION ALL SIDEPIECES! If your “man/woman” doesn’t send for you in a private helicopter, YOU’RE DOING IT WRONG! Fitz sends for Liv to meet him in the mountains of Vermont. She reluctantly agrees to meet with him for just one hour. They’re in a dazzling modern log cabin house and he tells her how heartbroken he is that she never told him about her father. Liv throws a few verbal gut punches before she finally asks where they are. He tells her that it’s the house he made for the two of them. All Liv hears is “made this house…..make jam….grow old together” and it was FUCK YOU, MAMA! She couldn’t get Fitz out of his crew neck Chaps cable knit sweater fast enough. Damn! I guess the part about him killing her mother is inconsequential now. Oh yeah and side pieces, don’t get excited cuz your boo bought you dinner at the Red Lobster. I know cheddar bay biscuits are EVERYTHING but if you’re man/woman ain’t buying you a log cabin in Vermont, YOU’RE DOING IT WRONG! Lawd hammercy, INAPPROPRIATE SEX SCENE #3, TO THE SOUNDS OF BILL WITHERS! I DIED! Poor Mellie is trying to track Fitz down because Teddy said “balloon” and she wanted him to know. After having Fitzy’s receptionist call every phone number in the directory with no answer, she has her call Liv’s phone. Why you play yourself like that, Mellie?? The receptionist looked like she wanted to say “Bish, you know damn well the two of them are in somebody’s broom closet having sex.” But she remains professional.

The next morning Liv has to get back to work and Fitz is left sitting there with the sheets clutched under his chin looking violated and used. Before she leaves, she tells him not to sell the house. THAT my friends, is how you win back your woman. BUY HER A FREAKIN CABIN IN VERMONT! It changes everything. Cuz last week Liv was all like “fuck you and your perfectly trimmed hair” and this week when Fitz says he’s going after Eli she’s all like “Bay I know you gotta do what you have to do, I support you in all your endeavors.”

Back in DC:
James gets back from his “interview” at Daniel’s man cave. Daniel did indeed make a pass at James and it finally slipped that Daniel was led to believe that James had an open marriage. Visibly hurt, James figures he’ll give Cy a little more than what he bargained for. He went on and slept with that big burly piece of redneck man-meat, all while the photog that Cy hired snapped pics of it. INAPPROPRIATE SEX SCENE #4. The photog forwarded the pics to Cyrus and all he could do was muster a single sad tear as he witnessed his husband giving it up to Daniel. THIS IS WHY YOU CAN’T HAVE NICE THINGS CYRUS!

Quinn arrives at her house, exhausted from all her double crossery. She steps into the foyer and finds an 8x10 photo on the floor of the night she killed the security guard. It’s an image of her reflection leaving out of building. SHe senses someone is in the room and calls out “Huck?” and baaaby, Huck was like “yep, we need to talk about who you’re working for” and when she flips on the light, we see he has neatly arranged his power drill, scalpel, pliers, wrench and a bottle of Purell. HUCK IS BACK YA’LL!!!

Finally the last scene shows Liv walking to her building and out of the shadows pops Mama Pope. Before the doctor could inject her with a sedative, she was able to turn the needle around on him and escaped out of her cell. You cannot keep a mother lion from her cub. You just can’t. She calls out “hi Livvy” and Liv turns around to stand face to face with her mom for the first time after over 20 years.

I am no more good. Ava and Shonda have snatched all the edges from my hairline. I am bald. And dead. Good show ladies, good show!!!

Season 3: Episode #7 "Everything's Coming Up Mellie"

I.CAN’T.  I am fresh out of “can”.  I went to the “can” store and they  were sold out.  “Can” don’t live here anymore!  I CAAAAAAN’T!  I didn’t  think it was possible for this show to get any better but, here we are  after another jaw dropping episode of Scandal trying to pick up the  pieces of our mangled bodies. This episode had everything- Liv in the  most sickening black and white contrast full length coat, inappropriate  sex (but not the kind we were hoping for), and a lot of back story on  Mellie and Remington.  Stay with me as I try to untangle the deets.

Episode 307 opens with this gorgeous coat, oh an Liv too, walking out  the door and trying to ignore the Fitz phone which was ringing on her  table.  She runs to grab it on the last ring because yeah, you put the  POTUS out of your house but there’s only so many times you’re going to
ignore him. He’s all like “boo, I love you so much” and Liv is like  “So!? You kind of killed my mother AND I am NOT having any inappropriate sex with you!” Fitz wants her to stop her investigation on account of  Papa Goon not knowing that Liv is his daughter and she already knows  that he is the Grand Wizard of Boogeymen. Even knowing all that she  knows, she still loves her Mush Man. I’oneeeeem wanna know what THAT  kind of love is like. Sheesh!

This week we get a peek into  Mellie’s history with Fitzy via a series of flashbacks.  Mellie
is the  personification of a ride or die chick ok? I mean, she sets the bar for riding and/or dying and quite frankly, I’m taking myself out of the  running for that title.  Any woman who gets raped by her husband’s  father then turns around and uses it as a bargaining chip, keeps all his secrets, and smiles next to her man long after he’s mentally checked  out of the marriage is some kind of bad girl.  WHO CAN COMPETE WITH  THAT?? Sheeeeeit, I would have stabbed everybody in that mother*$%#$  years ago!  Seeing her history with Fitzy made me feel sorry for  her…briefly.  Until they brought in a 15 years younger Cyrus wearing a  wig that looks like it came out of Rod Stewarts costume closet.  Lawd,  23 strokes sure will age a person! Anyhoos, In these flashbacks We are  able to see the grand hustle as it unfolds.  Mellie, Cy and Papa Creep  AKA Fitzgerald Grant II are all conspiring to get Fitz to run for  governor and then eventually POTUS.None of them really believe in him  but his dynamic team of charlatans and shysters ain’t worried.  They  have their puppet in Fitz, now it’s on with the show. It’s actually  quite tragic when you think about it. Fitz has at least three hands up  his ass at all times, controlling his every move.  But he thinks he runs the world with his little presidential balls. PSSSSH!

At Pope  and Associates, Liv introduces the gladiators to their newest client-  her mother…and we all collectively fainted.  She quickly gets the team  plus Jake up to speed on the mission and the key players involved and  she also gives them an opportunity to back down if the assignment is too much of a challenge. Everyone remains loyal and presses on. They also  find out that a passenger was taken off the plane by an Air Marshal  before Fitz shot it down. Quinn is obviously missing from many of the  gladiator meetings but nobody even takes notice. Note-This is why you  need a sign in sheet for meetings.

Over at the gun range, Baby  Huck is getting more tricks of the trade from Charlie who is
showing  some personality this season. I had to be careful because I almost found myself liking him for a hot second. I mean hell, it was miiiighty  amusing watching him hydrate Quinn’s thirsty ass with spontaneous kisses and high school make-out sessions. He had Quinn following him around  and signing up to kill folk and she ain’t even get the “D” yet!  Oh  helllllzz naw!  I mean, Charlie
led her into the trap like lemmings  running off a damn cliff.

Mellie is busy trying to reconstruct  her public image because right now she looks like a
schizophrenic, loose lipped, woman scorned instead of a composed regal First
Lady. You won't evahhh see Michelle Obama airing their dirty laundry or getting caught  talking shit about candidates with the mic on, take note Mellie! You've  come too far to be caught slipping.  She has cameras following her  around, showing the world a glimpse of the fascinating life of a First  Lady- planning charity events, making executive decisions on which fine  china to use etc. She
hopes to catch Fitz in the office so the cameras  can see them operate as a family but dammit when she burst into the Oval Office, it was empty. Damn Fitz. Do you have to carry her so hard??  He redeems himself in an interview where Mellie found herself in over her  head. She was flustered and wasn’t able to answer the interviewers  questions with ease. Fitz stepped in and took one for
the team, drawing  the attention away from her and back on him since he is the one who was  lickin’ and stickin’ our Liv and Savior all these years.  Gold star for  you, President Mush!

In another flashback, we learn why Fitz  is at the mercy of his father- basically papa Creep had to play cleanup  man after he shot down the passenger plane. So Fitz gotsta do whatever  "Big Jerry" wants him to do. But it's really Mellie with the colossal  balls. After Big Jerry raped her, she didn't tell a soul.  She just used it as a way to get Papa Creep to be decent to his son.  As a feminist,  this scene was hard for me to digest.  We learn just how strong Mellie  is but unfortunately her strength and power stem from her being  victimized by her husband’s father.  Ugh! UBER SIDE EYE
HERE!

Bringing us current, we see Cyrus and Mellie trying to find a dame to  seduce Sally Langston’s husband except he really isn’t checking for  “fish” in the traditional sense of the word.  At a White House event, an exasperated James tries to tell Cy that he had been fired but Cy didn’t waste a minute further peeling back his already bleeding scalp from  last weeks EPIC reading by
Senator Marcus.  Poor James walks off and  ends up finding friendship with Sally’s husband. Ah ha!  So last week he really wasn’t flirting with Mellie, he just wanted to know who did her hair and where she got her pearls from.  Haaaaaaaay!

So the  Gladiators find out who the Air Marshal was from the plane crash and  they send Jake out to talk to him.  Yes!  They are getting closer to the truth!  Exceeeeeept no.  Quinn has her nose wide open and her eyes wide shut because Charlie gave her a chance to tag along on one of his  “private
investigating” jobs.  He tongued her down real good in the car  and sent her into an office building to “sedate” the security guard at  the front desk. So she sashays into the building, lipstick smeared,  skirt all twisted thinking she is doing the damn thing but per usual,  it’s a set up.  She stabs the security guard and begins to rejoice that  she carried out her mission but the poor old
guy started foaming at the  mouth and died on the spot.  He WAS (at least this is what I think.  Ya’ll can correct me if you believe otherwise) the only witness left  from the crash. She goes back to the car looking like a blithering idiot and Charlie welcomes her to B-613. WHY YOU SO STUPID FOR, QUINN?!!

After however many years of boning Olivia Pope, Fitz finally  decides to look into her past.  You’re madly in love with this woman but you ain’t never ask her about her mother and father or nothing Jesus  until she stopped giving you the straw to her juice box.  You ain’t  shit, Fitz!  So naturally, POTUS nearly gags to death when his staffer  brings him a file on Liv’s dad and he
see’s that it’s Papa Hooligan.

Cut over to Papa Pope making his way into a highly secure facility,  supposedly to see Omar Dresden and after going through a series of check points he sits down at the prisoners cell to say that
their daughter  has been asking about her.  And I basically blacked out at this point  because when the “prisoner” rolled over we see that it’s Liv’s mom.  I  told ya’ll, I.CAN’T.  Goodnight! 

Written By- Bree Maria

Check out My Fashion and Media Commentary Blog!  

Season 3: Episode #6 "Icarus"

First of all, the devil is a LIAR. I was NOT going to let daylight savings time make me fall asleep before Pope & Associates.  NO ma’am, no sir. I propped my eyelids open and pressed my way.  I’m a gladiator afterall.  So anyway… on with the show!Did ya'll die? Cuz I D-I-E!!! Episode 306 was everything.

The episode opens with a flashback of Liv's mom saying goodbye. All of us had it wrong as far as who would play her mother. No shade to Khandi Alexander but she wasn’t on my radar at all.
I know we talked about this before and we all fantasized about Phylicia Rashad, Jane Hubert, Janet Lewis and others playing Mrs. Pope but those phenomenal women are old enough to be her mother in present day so that just wouldn’t work anyway. 

Liv is in a trance as she recalls her last interaction with her mother and decides she has to know the truth and there are only 2 people who can give it to her-Papa Pope (and you might as well roll that beautiful bean footage because he ain't talkin') and President Mush soooo, off to the White House we go.

Leo meets with Sally to discuss their dirty campaign strategies which paradoxically, they are planning to run from a religious angle.  Those damn Tea Partiers are the SHADE masters all while hiding behind the robe of Jesus.  Goodbye!

Mellie is running around announcing Liv's arrival and is as excited to see her as an Oompa-Loompa would be to see Willie Wonka. It was downright piteous to see her like that. President Mush is overjoyed as well and demands a private moment. Mellie and Cy scurry out of the room like peasants before royalty but it is no reunion. Liv is thinking about her mom and wants answers but Fitz decided to show us his presidential balls this week so it was a no-go. As much as we wanted INAPPROPRIATE SEX, Fitz shut Liv down. So she upped the ante and quit the Grant
campaign for once and for all.  Damn son! 

Mellie is pissed cuz Fitzy blew it. And can I just say that this new dynamic with Mellie being all
“yaaaaassss Liv, go head girl, you gotta cuff the balls!” is making me uncomfortable.  I’m used to her taking shit so I’m not really feeling all the groveling she’s doing.  Even if it is at the feet of our Liv and Savior. 

Fitz tells Cy that Liv knows about Remington and Cy acts too cool for school about it.  This kind of sets a red flag off in Fitzy’s mind. 

Cut to Quinn at shooting range. Awwww she’s purchased her first killing utensil. So cute!  She’s all tense and missing her targets but dammit she is determined to become a crack shot.

Liv, wanting to take her mind off everything, dives all the way into Josie's campaign and tries to turn her from a kitten to a cougar with the media.  Nobody thinks Josie has the chops to take on the
conservative machine and the way she was acting all “you betcha” in front of the cameras, we didn’t think she had what it takes either!  But she acquiesces to Liv’s plan for her campaign and starts rubbing elbows with all the repulsive fat cats from different industries to drum up some donations.

Cy goes for his secret meeting with Father Hooligan to tell him that Liv knows about Remington. Papa has no fucks to give and has a plan already in place. Cy gets stuck with the light work of getting rid of Josie and he'll handle Jake because he knows that Ballard is the only one who would have tipped Liv off.

Cut over to Jake meeting with his female connection.  He’s trying to get recordings from the plane crash when Livs mom was killed. The sexy brunette agrees but tries to get Jake to come along for a roll in the sheets.  *pssshhh* Oh she ain’t know?  Once you go black…well, you end up in a hole for months being tortured by your boo’s father. In this scene we also see some creepy ass
cracker listening in on the conversation. 

Josie doesn't want to do the mudslinging thing for her campaign.  She wants to fight fair and equitable.  Awwww, isn’t she precious?  Liv and Abbey have a plan to get her to bring out
her inner badass. 

Cy calls the Prince of Paisley, the High Priest of Houndstooth, the Don of all things Dapper, Harrison to make him use his persuasive power and get Liv off the Marcus campaign otherwise he’s going to
have to unleash some Swiss goon on his ass.  Cy, don’t make us come and whip
your pock-marked legs for messing with our Sultan of Shepherd’s check!

In the next scene we flashback to the plane crash in between more colossal glasses of red wine. The liquid courage gives Liv the audacity to call up Papa Hooligan and find out the last thing he ever said to her mom.  Being the boogeyman he is known to be, he tells her again to back down from her
investigation but that he will grant her an answer to ONE question. Liv asks the
wrong damn question. GAH! 

Over at the Beene/Novak residence, Cy tries
to convince James to slander Josie in his upcoming interview with the senator. 
He wants him to take her to task about her teenage pregnancy and James is like
“uhm, we’re gay, married, with our adopted black smushy baby and you want me to
do what? NO SIR!”
Josie is planning to have James handle her with kid gloves
when they have her interview and Liv was basically like “unless you want to be
the president of Candyland, you gonna have to say it witcha chest and go IN on
these fools!”

Harrison consults Huck for a favor. At ALL costs, he has to make sure that the Swiss goon does NOT get back into the states.  Huck being the adorable thug he is, is on it.

Lets go back over to the white house where dinner with the Grants, Sally and her man is taking place.  Who knew Sally had a boo! I always had her for a closet lezzzbian. And she’s got a young fellow too! Sally is making nice with Fitzy while Mellie and her fab strand of Chanel pearls and
perfectly coiffed bouffant is flirting with Daniel.  This scene cracked me all the way up because all four of them were gagging while trying to execute their personal plots. 

Cut to Quinn at range again and Charlie’s scary ass shows up. He gives her tips on how to shoot like a pro and she hits her target spot on. Back at Pope and Associates, she asks Huck about b-613. Cuz she wants to be down with the clique but she wants to know if she can just be a part time goon and still go out for pedicures and cosmopolitans with her girlfriends. No ma’am BLOOD IN, BLOOD OUT!

While Liv and Abbey are prepping Josie for her interview with James she sees sexist defamation ad about herself. Just the ammo she needed.  James ass needed a protective style after she got in front of those cameras because Josie snatched his edges CLEAN OFF HIS SCALP!  I LIVED!  And Cy nearly died as he watched in horror from the office. Cy has to clean up the work that his man wasn’t able to take care of.  He calls the big wig preacher who Cy had planted to make sure that he carries out his end of the deal.  He told him “you get to keep your righteous indignation AND I'll raise you some endorsements”.  Way to sweeten the pot, Cy!  If there’s anything the Evangelical Right LOVES more than fire and brimstone, it’s fire, brimstone AND sacks of money! 

Mellie reports to Fitzy that Daniel is a flirt and they should use it as a part of their campaign strategy.  I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE, MELLIE.  Yeah, this might be a part of your plot but don’t act like you’re not enjoying the attention too. I ain’t mad at you girl.

Cut to Jake who is going to meet his homegirl for the deets when he finds out it was a double cross. Ole girl was gonna kill him on the spot but the creepy dude from the coffee shop saved his ass and shot her in the head. Damn! These B-316 mofos have NO chill!

Josie's endorsements jump after the interview and the money is pouring in! Her sister/daughter is obviously jealous at the political prowess of Olivia and Co. Oh well child. Just sit back and let the
pros handle it!

Harrison meets Cy to let him know that he can’t betray his friend and Cy is like **Kanye Shrug** and immediately gets the ball rolling on bringing the Swiss goon into the States. 

Since there’s now a position open for a B-316 female, Charlie turns up the heat with recruitment. 
Quinn is ripe for the picking since she’s already got the taste in her mouth and her big brother Huck is still ignoring her. AWWW HELLL NO!! This is about to be some MESS. And I am here for all of it! 

Episode 306 ends with Mush showing up at Liv’s trying to get her on the campaign trail. This fool keeps thinking that he is gonna burst in her space and it’s gonna be like old times.  No SIR!  This scene also gave me life because it was all about nonverbals and facial expressions. Liv has been holding this big joker all episode and finally gets to slam it on the table.  She asks him repeatedly about Remington and his ass keeps tryin to be hard saying he doesn’t know anything….until she said her mom was on that plane.  I though Mush was gonna collapse on the carpet into a pile of… mush.  And he did, in a way. His right eye just completely wandered off the set.  He was devastated but still played coy.  Aaaand Liv put him out.  You gotsta be one bad girl to put the POTUS out.  REPEATEDLY! 
Woooooo!!!  I got my life! Did you get yours?

Written by Bree Maria
Check out my Fashion and Media commentary Blog!

Season 3: Episode #5 "More Cattle, Less Bull"

This evening's episode is brought to you once again by the Queen of Soul herself, the incomparable Aretha Franklin (yes I'm a big fan); however, there was no other song as Scandalite Paulette Blackburn indicated that more aptly described this episode.

WHO"S ZOOMIN' WHO?

You walked in on the sly
Scopin' for love
In the crowd I caught your eye
You can't hide your stuff

 Jake and Huck have formed an unthinkable alliance. They are determined to find out what happened with "Remington" and I don't mean Pierce Brosnan in the mediocre prime time NBC drama from the early 90's. They know Fitz didn't fly the plane but can't quite put their finger on the reason for the coverup. The are putting their collective B6-13 training into action tapping into skills used to track others to find any shred of evidence to answer the question, 'What the Huck is going on'. They are in high communication during Daddy Pope's weekly dinner with Liv as Jake is in Pop's home downloading files. Huck is about to have another son to whisper "752...752...752" to as Jake is still in the house as daddy Pope arrives back home. Jake gets out but the next morning he is ambushed by a gang of men in an unmarked SUV (ok I'm assuming it's unmarked to add to the intrigue). False alarm folks its for POTUS. Him and Jake have an interesting game of b-ball in a "we both had Livvie but won't speak about that big elephant that is on this basketball court with us" setting.

(You came to catch)
You thought I'd be naive and tame
(You met your match)
But I beat you at your own game, oh

Cyrus and Mellie interview potential Campaign Manager Leo Bergen, who was just too ecstatic to be in the Oval office - looking like a tourist who got a surprise upgrade. However, when it was time to conduct business, the giddiness disappeared as Leo bluntly gave his reasons for not being able to be part of TEAM Fitz's re-election campaign.  And I paraphrase - POTUS has problems, character problems, credibility problems, penis problems (he can't keep it in his pants), and marriage problems - his wife is a FRIGID SHREW. Your guy's heart isn't it. I don't do losers it smells like Nixon in '74 in here. He looks like he hasn't had (excuse my language FLOTUS) a good screw in a long time.We all know the only reason I am here is because you destroyed your relationship with Olivia Pope. All in the oval office - he has balls!  

Who's zoomin' who?)
Take another look and tell me, baby
(Who's zoomin who?)
Who's zoomin' who?
(Who's zoomin who?)
Now the fish jumped off the hook, didn't I, baby?

The new star Democratic Congresswoman Josie Marcus holds an interview with Liv and asks her to run her campaign on the spot, much to the chagrin of her sister who had lined up a slate of the virtual who's who of political pundits (including Leo Bergen) to vie for the coveted opportunity. When given a private moment, the Congresswoman reveals that she had a baby when she was 15 that she gave up for adoption and only 5 people know about it and she doesn't want it to get out. Livvie quickly dispatches Pope & Associates to Red Springs, Montana...YES Montana.  In the middle of their vetting Cyrus gives them an unsolicited nugget of information letting Livvie know that he has someone there investigating her kid. The Pope team crushes him like a grape about to be turned into wine. (He never stood a chance). They got "Poped".  Cyrus is pissed but respects her game since he trained her. Game recognize game!

(Sidenote: Of course as everyone traveled you know Abby was at David Rosen's doing God know what, God knows where...sigh).   I have had it up to my eyeballs with those two. They just Zoomin' each other any and everywhere in DC... sigh).

Before they leave Montana our little rebel Quinn goes to make a return to the General Store and is told she can only get a store credit. Knowing that Red Springs, MT is not on her usual tour of cities she looks around to see if there is ANYTHING she can use the credit for. Lord why is there a display case of guns.

(Who's zoomin who?)
Yeah

(Who's zoomin' who?)
Take another look and tell me, baby
(Who's zoomin who?)
Who's zoomin' who?
(Who's zoomin who?)
The fish jumped off the hook, baby
(Who's zoomin who?)
Yeah, yeah

Guess you believed the world
Played by your rules
Here stands an experienced girl
I ain't nobody's fool, bump you

(Don't speculate)
You thought you had me covered now, boy
(I've got your bait)
But you're bound to be my lover, oh

Team Pope springs into action and talks to the remainder of the people who know about the baby. Most people are either dead or quickly accepts the money to remain silent although some will do it without the money, EXCEPT for the baby daddy who has already sold his soul to the White House. Enter our favorite bed-hopping Gladiator, Abby, who demolishes the little White House Aide until he feels like a Congressional intern fetching coffee. Followed by our favorite smooth talking Gladiator, Harrison who gives the baby daddy the name of his weekly rendezvous hotel. Baby daddy does a 180 better than an X-games champion. They got POPED!

VP Sally is up to her usual "what about me" antics. Does she really think her right-wing moral conservative Christian coalition will mount a successful Independent campaign against the incumbent president that she was the VP for?   SALLY, Stevie Wonder just called me and said he doesn't see it. Sally you will need Jesus and all 12 disciples to help you and God is not interested solely in your political aspirations. WAKE UP! Also, the men's room is for men only. Didn't the Office of Protocol brief you on that?

(Who's zoomin' who?)
Take another look and tell me, baby
(Who's zoomin who?)
Who's zoomin' who?
(Who's zoomin who?)
Now the fish jumped off the hook, didn't I, baby?
(Who's zoomin who?)
Yeah, yeah, oh

(Who's zoomin' who?)
Take another look and tell me, baby
(Who's zoomin who?)
Who's zoomin' who?
(Who's zoomin who?)
Now the fish jumped off the hook, didn't I, baby?
(Who's zoomin who?)
Hoo

POTUS and Rowan/Eli have an intense exchange (I was waiting for the pants to fall down to see the measurement contest - you know Shonda will do it) but alas an interesting tidbit is released as POTUS states why are we concerned with something no one is looking for. (Note: the reference to someone accessing Pete's file - that green folder. I bet you all that was Quinn's nosey ass fucking things up. Huck would never leave a trace. You heard it here first).  

Olivia is red carpet fabulous in her black and white gown (see pic below).  Heads turned and she walked that hallway like she was fighting for the trophy at a Ball (Yes Gawd Livvie).  She is given the nod by Secret Service and escorted to the Presidential Suite to meet with (wait for it......) FLOTUS. Yes Mellie also looking wonderful (she was BEAT for the gods on Olympus) and makes a plea that sums up in one monologue what I have trying to tell you all about Mellie. She is 100% Fitz all the time. Mellie has admitted defeat and if she has to allow unrestricted access to her hubby's dick to get the White House back, not a problem.

You think you're smooth
And you can pick and choose when the time is right
But just look behind, you'll be surprised to find
I'm gonna make you mine tonight, oh yeah

If that is not enough it turns out that Josie's baby was not adopted. Josie's mother decided to change the birth certificate so that her daughter became her sister. Just like that. Poor Candy thought all along she had a big sister when all along (in my best Maury voice) "SHE WAS THE DAUGHTER!"

 It all hits the fan when Huck and Jake realize that Fitz flew a plane in Iceland during the time he was supposed to have flown the Remington mission. It appears that Fitz shot down a plane with 329 people and person #5 on the list is Maya Louis...who? Well she never took her husband's name - Eli Pope!  Call the paramedics!!

Oh oh

(Who's zoomin' who?)
You'll remember my name
(Who's zoomin' who?)
I'm the one who beat you at your own game

(Who's zoomin' who?)
Take another look and tell me, sweet thing
(Who's zoomin' who?)
Who's zoomin', who's foolin'
Who's zoomin', who's foolin'
(Who's zoomin' who?)
Ooh, ooh boy
(Who's zoomin' who?)

Well Gladiators it was a lot of Zoomin' happening in this episode. If you are headed back to Scandal Rehab as most of us are be sure to give the password "The Rain in Spain" to get into the VIP wing hosted by yours truly.

Humbly submitted,
Willie J. Broussard, Jr.
Gladiator in Suit
twitter: @ScandalitePoetL

Season 3: Episode #4 "Say Hello to My Little Friend"

Ok Gladiators, gather ‘round! 
I tried to tole’jhal that Pope & Associates was 1 week away from Gladiating from the back seats of their cars! Episode 4 opened with Harrison doing a cute little jig because they managed to drum up some business for the firm. The new client is a philandering senator (jeez, that’s a new one) who has been accused of murdering one of his mistresses.  Yay!  At least for this week, we’re back to the usual Capitol Hill foolishness. Chile, I needed a break from all the heavy conspiracy stuff. 

Sidebar- we are 4 weeks into the season and NO INAPPROPRIATE SEX YET! 
Somebody get Shonda Rhimes on the mainline so I can tell her what I
want!

Anyhoos,  the senator comes clean that he did sext with the woman but maintains that he did NOT kill her.  As what usually happens in these cases, his wife stands by his side, corroborating his story that he just slipped up just this once…. Untiiiiiiil David Rosen, the crafty bastard was able to prove
just the opposite when they got to court.  AND more woman start coming out of the woodwork (it never fails).  You imbecile! Now Liv has to flip the script because instead of running with the original “I only made one mistake” spiel, she now has to make it seem like the woman was just a whore.  Ahhhh, nothing like a little slut-shaming and victim blaming!  
The senators wife was ride or die up until she learned about the additional womanizing that has taken place. Olivia figured it out (a little too late) but the real tea was that Mrs. Thing was the one who actually killed the girl.  Gotta love a take charge woman…except she didn’t think that one all the way through. Like roaches, whores can’t be eliminated by stomping on one.  There’s a whole family multiplying behind the scenes SOMEWHERE.

This week President Mush happens to see a pic of the Navy pilot that Huck killed last week and it piques his interest.  The pilots sister (his only family) was shocked to see POTUS show up at Arlington cemetery when her brother was being buried. Fitz revealed that they were both in the Navy
at the same time and he was footing the bill for the funeral. He also said that he didn’t know the pilot but that he was an American hero. The sister still can’t understand why the freaking president is at her brothers funeral but she’s pleased and star struck so it’s all good.  Off in the distance Huck is
lurking, putting together the pieces of what he had done.  Huck, you gotta do better. You had to know that Papa Pope didn’t leave you some random person for you to have your way with! Eli/Rowan is the best strategist ever. I hate him dearly and he gives me life at the same damn time!

Huck decides to drop in on an AA meeting and purge a little bit of his guilt after his latest
killing.  I guess because they don’t have Sociopaths Anonymous, an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting would have to do in this pinch.  He confesses that he drank some “whiskey” and he liked it and life is all good again now that he’s back off the wagon.  Quinn who can hack into anyone’s email isn’t smart enough to turn her phone on silent when she’s stalking people so when it starts ringing, her cover is blown and Huck sees that she’s been listening in on him at AA.  She’s obviously intrigued and dying to kill her somebody and get a drink of that “whiskey”. She asks Huck questions under the guise of concern but really she just wants to get her life with a bone saw and pliers.

Jake runs up on Huck in the garage trying to get him to conspire together and stick it to
Rowan/Eli (an endeavor that I would not even want to be caught THINKING about). 

In a separate scene, Cyrus in his usual pre-stroke hysteria meets with Rowan because he has figured out that Fitz is kinda-sorta on the scent of figuring out the truth about Operation Remington.  Jake is trying to listen in on the conversation but a bunch of noisy ass kids on recess keep making it
difficult for him to hear all the tea.Can I just say that I am DYING for the big reveal about Remington!!  When this shit all shakes down, it’s going to be an AWESOME night of TV!  Can’t wait! 

Jake takes his incoherent recording to Liv to try to get her on board that treachery is afoot with her
father and Cy but Liv is not here for it.  She doesn’t want to have anything to do with his investigation et al!  #Shutdown

Cut over to Mellie who is doing a speaking engagement.  At the end she’s asked about Phoebe, I mean Lisa Kudrow (who is playing Senator Marcus, a woman democratic presidential candidate).
Wait, before we go on can someone get Lisa Kudrow a microdermabrasion POST
HASTE! She is looking rather… haggardly lately. YIKES!  So anyway, Mellie gives a very diplomatic answer in front of the cameras but .5 seconds after she steps off the screen she talks shit about her…while the mic was on.  *DOH*  she totally had a Joe Biden moment.  We see a tiny lil warm moment between Pres Mush and Mellie when he tries to comfort her now that she’s being dragged for filth by all the newspapers.  He holds her hand.  Very briefly.  Mellie, confused by the outpouring of affection storms away.  The White House, perpetually in damage control mode, Is trying to dig up dirt on Senator Marcus to take the attention off Mellie’s snafu so lo and behold, they find out that the Senator was a teen mom with a child she abandoned (um, I didn’t know THAT
kind of story was big news anymore but whatevs!)

Cut back to Pope and Associates where Quinn gets all up in Hucks business for the last time.  He
tells her to STOP BEING INTERESTED IN HIS KILLING. Just stop. Unless you want to be on the receiving end of some duct tape and a straight razor.

Jake who is still laid up at Liv’s apartment talmbout “Boo you want Chinese tonight?” , pulls Olivia in for an intimate moment where she’s able to let her guard down a little bit.  Finally, the moment I’ve been looking forward to more than Jake- INAPPROPRIATE SEX!  But no, President Mush calls on the phone just as they get to kissing **CURSES**  Fitzy wants to chop it up with LIv about his day but she’s talking in code and being all formal.  Jake, ready to get back to the kissing yells out loud enough to be heard on the Fitz Phone “Bae you want some more wiiiine?”  WELL PLAYED, BALLARD!  Fitz gets all tight in the chest and wants to hurry and end the conversation.  Sorry POTUS, no canoodling on your lipstick shaped phone tonight while you twirl the cord around your fingers and play the “you hang up”, “no YOU hang up” game with Liv.  He’s got an important
meeting to get to anyways… when he hops out of the Town Car and into an office,
he’s standing face to face with Papa Pope.  And. I. Was. Slain.

Written By- Bree Maria
 Check out My Fashion and Media Commentary Blog!

Season 3: Episode #3 "Mrs. Smith Goes to Washington"

What the Huck?!?

 Episode 3 only left me semi-slain.  Like, I was able to breathe and live during this episode.  Not what we're used to from Ms. Rhimes but good programming nonetheless.  Shall we review? 

Episode 3 opens with Jake still laid up in Liv's apartment while Huck has taken a personal day.  He has revenge on his mind and all he wants to do is kill Papa Pope dead.
Next we head on over to the White House where Mellie and President Mush are getting coached by Cy on how to make nice with each other in the public eye.  Both of them are gagging at the very sight of the other and Mellie can't figure out how to feed poor baby Teddy. I guess when you're busy being a wretched hag, parental skills are secondary.  

At Pope and Associates, the gladiators have a new client (thank ya black Jesus!) cuz the first of the month is upon us and they need to pay their rent to stay in that fly office space.  They take on Mary Nesbit, the mother of Chris Lawrence who was killed by the FBI, allegedly his apartment was the headquarters for some terrorist activity *shall i insert my side eye here or later?*  Baby Huck took it upon herself to hack into Mary's bank account, because she can, and the gladiators started putting pieces together.  Liv heads over to Capitol Hill as that is where Mary is about have a meeting. 

This is where it gets interesting... as Liv is going in to investigate this Mary Nesbit, there's a group of people on a white house tour and one of the tourists breaks away from the the group and hauls ass towards the presients office but he's tackled right before he bursts into the oval office.  He has information about operation Remington!   Uhmm sidebar, YOUR SECRET SERVICE SUCKS!!! How was he able to get that far? But they got secret service killing unarmed mothers in front of their babies for making the wrong turn at the Capitol?  yeaaaa ok.   
So Olivia bursts into the room where Mary is having her meeting and this is when every heart in America collectively dropped to its stomach because when she turned around, she revealed that she was strapped with explosives.  Liv is a good one because BREE??  Oh Bree would have been through that office wall like the Kool Aid man.  Turns out that Mary is demanding to know the truth about her sons murder. She doesn't believe he was a terrorist and the FBI won't tell her anything. Liv turns into a hostage negotiator in Prada and tries to defuse the situation.  She gets on the phone with the Commander from the FBI explaining to him that Mary wants to know the truth.

In another scene, the dude who was seconds away from bursting into the Oval office was released at Cyrus' command.  Clearly Cy is trying to keep whatever information ole' boy has about Remington TIP TOP SECRET.  The story is formulated that this intruder is not related to the hostage situation also going on at the same damn time.  They say this dude was a "lone wolf"... sound familiar?  mmmkay? 

WHAT THE HUCK?! Still stalking Papa Pope, Huck has a perfect opportunity to bust a cap in his ass but he chickened out at the last second!  Don't be going all Drake on us Huck!

Back at the White House, the President is being debriefed while being taken to the bunker.  Liv has gotten Mary to release some of the hostages and Harrison is out on the street reporting back all he's seeing.  The FBI commander is tired of the shenanigans and is ready to just put a bullet in June Cleaver, I mean Mary Nesbit's head.  Liv rushes her away from the window and places herself confidently in the crossfire knowing that President Mush will get one look at that quivering lip and Malaysian hair and halt this whole operation. And she was right. Liv pulled the shade down(literally) and demanded the Commander to patch her through to Fitzy.  So she rings up Jake because she knows he can get thru to President Mush on her behalf.  After checking himself in the mirror and calming his butterflies, he takes his call in private cuz he can't let his staff hear him swoon when talking to his Boo.  Exxxcept, when he picks up the phone and says "Olivia?", Jake is all like "uhmm no."

Jake and President Mush go back and forth in a little pissing contest that left both of them sour. Cut back to Huck who has followed Eli Pope out to West Bumblefuck to follow up with the dude from the White House breach earlier that day.  Of course they had some sort of deal worked out, Eli Pope has his hands in everything but a hearse. Dude wants to blow the lid off Remington and Papa is like HELLL TO THE NAWL! He is now a liability so it's serendipity that Huck is standing outside the trailer as Papa Pope goes to leave.  He has the gun to Pope's head and everything and just cannot pull the trigger.  Since Papa know's that Huck ain't gonna bust a grape in a fruit fight, he throws him a bone and tells him that he can have his way with the old drunk in the trailer.  Needing to kill SOMEBODY this week, Huck takes what he can get and goes into the trailer to kill ole boy.

Baby Huck learns her place this week because the Gladiators need her to hack into the FBI database and she can't.  Bow down little Quinn, bow down and SADDOWN somewhere!  She needs Huck's skills to do it.  Abbey, not able to waste anymore time goes to David Rosen for a favor. Good thing shes been wearing a little mascara and some lipstick lately as she was able to schmooze him to get the information she needs. 

David then heads over to Cy's office to get to the bottom of this Chris Lawrence situation.
President Mush gets the full scope of the Chris Lawrence murder and calls up Liv to tell her everything but also to order her that she CAN NOT under any circumstances tell Mary Nesbit the truth (that her son actually WASN'T a part of a terrorist cell but that he was CIA and had infiltrated a high level terror group.  Many lives are in the balance based on this secret).  Olivia's morals are tested as she wants to tell Mary the truth but she follows Fitzy's command in the end and confirms to Mary that her son was indeed a terrorist.  Heartbreaking.  She pulls Mary in her tiny bosom while she sobs onto Liv's silk Elie Tahari blouse. The SWAT teams, SEAL teams and every other team is at the office door, trying to get Liv and the remaining hostage out alive but as the Liv goes to walk out, Mary pushes her out the door and slams it, locking herself in the office alone...wearing her suicide vest.  Cut to Explosion. Damn.. I guess June Cleaver was about that suicide life after all! 

Liv was a hero!  She got all the hostages out.  **Insert Jersey Shore fist pump**  But it's not time for wine and Dorothy Zbornack cardigans in Liv's apartment yet!  Baby Huck lets Olivia know that Huck is trying to kill him some Eli/Rowan. 

At the White House, Mellie is getting shitfaced off some hooch and pours up a glass for Fitz.  They talk for a bit and Mellie's jealousy is palpable.She told Fitzy that she's glad Olivia didn't get blown up because as long as she's alive she can use her to pull all presidential strings.
Liv makes her way back to P&A where Huck is sulking all alone. He tells her how he couldn't pull the trigger on her dad and how after all this time, he still controls Huck.  Damn, I told ya'll Papa Pope is the most powerful man in the country.  He ends up breaking down and for the second time that day, somebody's salty tears get spilled on Liv's fine silk. 

Liv finally gets to go home and Jake is waiting for her talmbout "you wanna order take out boo?" but Olivia wants to know why and how is it that Jake is finally free in the first place?  All the while, Papa Pope is ringing Liv's phones off the hook.  She wants to know if Jake has been sent back to spy on her. Jake thinks love brought him back to Liv's door but Liv is like no boo, "You're alive because you're an asset to my dad, otherwise you would have been pushing up daisies by now". Still not answering any of her phones, they cut to Eli/Rowan sitting in the back of a Towncar, pissed that he can't get through to Liv. 
Aaaaand Scene!

Written by Bree Maria
Check out My Fashion and Media Commentary Blog!

Season 3: Episode #2 "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner"

After this episode I had to go back to the 80's to get this signature duet that so aptly describes our thoughts right now:

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

(Stacy Lattisaw and Johnny Gill)

There comes a time when love can fade away
And it came across for you and I
And I don't know how or where to go from here
I really don't know just what to do
So baby, can you tell me

Well my fellow Gladiators in Suits, you asked for more SCANDAL and you got it...in high dosage! We learned a lot this evening as Shonda and the writers gave us a glimpse via flashbacks on Liv and Daddy Eli's relationship.

Flashback 5 years ago. Liv and dad move from civil uncomfortable dinners to world class chess players with calculated moves, counter-moves, countermeasures, and ultimatums. All over Sunday dinners with a stellar Cabernet. (Dad is the impetus for Liv's love of red wines....hmmmm). You may not like Eli but he's got style. Dad is singly responsible for putting Huck in the hole, releasing him and leaving him alone (a B6-13 no-no), breaking up the engagement between Liv and Edison (I know most of y'all didnt wanna see that wedding anyway, but I digress), putting Jake in the hole and his ultimate release from the hole. SUNDAY DINNERS at Dad's - dont be late!

Where do we go from here
My love 

 Do we walk away or do we keep on trying?
After the feeling's gone 

 My love

Liv's new client as we know from last week is the lady who got her out of the spotlight - Janeen Locke. But what I love is the way Fitz and Liv use the "Bat-cellphone" via secret service hand-off to keep communications going.  They are smooth as butter! Liv let's him know she is representing Janeen and she will not hold back, bringing her full force against the White House. Fitz says BRING IT ON!  And Liv Does..."I have personally been brutally affected by this slander. Yesterday I was having an affair with the President, today it's Janeen, who will it be on tomorrow?"  YES GAWD LIVVIE!! Cue crickets at the White House...Did you all see Cyrus' facial expression (PRICELESS).

Cyrus, Cyrus, Cyrus. You and FLOTUS thought you had it together but it appears that you were stuck in the middle like Jan Brady between Marcia and Cindy. Mellie called an audible that left you complimenting her with 'you're evil' to which she responded 'you're welcome'. One of these days you are gonna learn not to put your trust in FLOTUS. One day she is for Fitz, the next day for TEAM FITZ and MILLIE, and the day after that Mellie alone. Her loyalties change quicker than a chameleon in a paint factory.  And if that wasn't enough Cyrus, Fitz also called an audible complete with a "How ya like my Presidential Ball's now" read that left you feeling as useless as a pork chop in a Muslim restaurant.

Now there was a time when I thought I knew you well
That's when we were young and satisfied
Now I don't know what or how to go about it
Shall we take the chance and patch it up,
Or just leave it for a million years, yeah, yeah, yeah

The five year flashback also gives us glimpses not only into Liv and Daddy ELi, but also Liv and Huck. It appears that the chemistry and love between those two have been longstanding even before she knew of his abilities/capabilities. I sure hope the info he found out (thanks to Quinn's nosey ass) don't destroy this relationship.  And speaking of Miss Quinn/Lindsey (that's a test for you new Scandalites) she just won't stop, but pretty soon she's gonna get herself into some deep shiggady that even Huck, Olivia, Harrison, Abby, David Rosen, POTUS and FLOTUS combined won't be able to get her out of. Nor will Judge Cancer (moment of silence for Verna)..................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................

Miss Quinn gonna end up MIA and we wont be able to bury her next to Verna.  Or even worse, in Wonderland. *sigh*

Can you tell me, baby?
Somebody tell me
Where did we go wrong?
Heeeeyy, should we just mooove on, yeah

When the feeling's gone
Tell me, baby, tell me, baby
Where do we go
Should we just walk away?
Should we just walk away, baby?
Can you tell me, tell me, tell me, baby?

Where do we go from here, my love
Do we walk away or do we keep on trying?
After the feeling's gone, my love

The more Liv visits the morgue the more she is confident he is alive. Liv gives dad the ultimatum to release Jake as she is convinced that B6-13 has him. She puts Fitz in check, ruining their fantasy life in Vermont where they have four kids, he's the mayor and she is making jam. JAM??? Really Livvie? I'm with daddy Eli on this one, "WHY MUST YOU BE SO MEDIOCRE"?

Although mostly silent, Pope and Associates spring into action to counter the White House's accusations to confirm several occasions for the affair between Fitz and Janeen. Abby confronts another White House aide armed with all of his porn download history and he does a 360 better than a X-games skateboarder. But before the messages can be confirmed to corroborate Janeen's alibi, good ole FLOTUS in her "me mode" offers Janeen $2 million in a Cayman account to get her to confirm the rumors of the affair. She is all set to do so, when Liv gets wind and has a "Liv chat" as only she can; however, the most powerful man in the country trumps everyone and interrupts all press conferences for one of his own and acknowledges the affair to the press and then just for good measure chews up VP Sally in the hallway and spits her out.....There's a new sheriff in town at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and he has balls! BIG HUGE, PRESIDENTIAL COJONES!

We've been trying to work it out all the summertime long
I can't figure it out, where did we go wrong?
Ohhhhh
Where do we go from here, oh
What do we do?
Ohh, baby..
Where do we go frome here, baby?
Did we just walk away, baby?

Should we just take our time, and take it step by step, step by step?
The feeling's gone, the feeling's go-o-o-one, ohh
  Where do we go?
Where do we go from here
My love 

 Do we walk away or do we keep on trying?

After it is all said and done we end the episode with Daddy Eli telling Livvie to open her front door, and there is ...wait for it....wait for it...Jake. Now, what in the hell will happen next? You know this isn't fairy tale land. Shonda and the crew will not let anyone live happily ever after - wrong show. Fasten your belts Gladiators in Suits, it's gonna be a BUMPY RIDE (in my best Bette Davis).

Humbly Submitted, 

Willie J. Broussard, Jr.

Gladiator in Suit

twitter: @ScandalitePoetL

Season 3: Episode #1 "It's Handled"

Welcome Back Gladiators in Suits! Whether you were in SCANDAL Rehab, vacation, or some other place of retreat and reflection, it is good to have you back in stride again (as Frankie Beverly and Maze would say).

We have gained many newcomers to our Scandalite FB Group so a warm and hearty welcome to each of you. My recap posts started in Season 2 and have grown in popularity. Each of them will have a song that I think closely reflects the mood of that episode. To get yourself ready to reflect with me I ask you to do three things. This season it will be known as the 3 S's:

1. Silence it - get any and everything out of your personal space so you can enjoy this trip back down SCANDAL Lane just like you did when you watched the episode.
2. Sip it - Prepare your favorite beverage/adult beverage of choice
3. Start it - scroll down and press the play button to start the song/video

This season's premiere is brought to you by the Queen of Soul herself, Miss Aretha Franklin...

THINK!

Think (think) think (think) think (think)
Think (think) think (think) think (think)
You better think (think) think about what you're trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free

 
Shonda, you and your team of writers have collectively pushed our minds to the limit. Every character is thinking about something, we are thinking about everything. When we all think we have it figured out you make us THINK again... GOOD GAWD GIRL!

We return back to the limo that left us in cardiac arrest a few months ago. Liv with her dad. Daddy gives our Livvie a scathing father-daughter tongue lashing including references to her childhood (if only you could have been this silent during your childhood).  You raised your skirt opened your legs and gave it up to a man with too much power... He is not in charge....Power is in charge! He told you you would be First Lady and YOU BELIEVED HIM! Do you have to be so Mediocre? Joe Morton....WOW!!! What a one-two knockout to your own daughter...

Despite his concern/anger daddy has the master plan including chartered plane, new identity, swiss bank account and all the creature comforts. Relocation after 8 months to Brussels, etc. But intrue father fashion he ends it letting Livvie know you are leaving come hell or high water and Daddy is the HELL and the HIGH WATER!!! Daddy sure thought that one out...

Let's go back, let's go back, let's go way on way back when
I didn't even know you, you couldn't have been too much more than ten. (just a child)
I ain't no psychiatrist, I ain't no doctor with degrees
It don't take too much high IQ's to see what you're doing to me

Madame VP Sally is on her religious high horse with a smile she cannot contain. Her and Cyrus have an epic exchange of words that is only the first round of a multi-round prizefight that I would buy a front row seat for in Las Vegas. Sally threw a low-blow bringing up Cyrus being gay then, his "sweet brown child" all while "keeping her opinions to herself".  Sally girl, I guess none of your advisers have told you about coming for one of the kids. Reading is fundamental and when Cyrus finishes reading you sometime later this season you will be on top of the New York Times Bestsellers list. You will think again before you try it again with Cyrus...

 People walking around everyday, playing games, taking scores
Trying to make other people lose their minds.
Well be careful, you're gonna lose yours.

The Gladiators at Olivia Pope & Associates are in shock and concern for their fearless leader, but in true "we wear the white hat" mode, they are in full crisis-prevention mode. Liv is a bit oblivious to the reality of the situation, not realizing all of her clients are bailing like they are aboard the Titanic after it struck the iceberg. You better think clients...I don't care what is happening with Livvie, I would still want her on my team.

There ain't nothing you could ask I could answer you but I won't (I won't)
I was gonna change, but I'm not, if you keep doing things I don't

After there is evidence on camera of Fitz exiting Liv's building (although how many other people live in that building), Cyrus requests a "kill file" started on our Livvie. The file is quite thorough as we learn more about her upbringing and more intriguing her attraction to older, established men (Livvie you sly fox you)...

You need me (need me) and I need you (don't you know)
Without each other there ain't nothing we can do

After a second encounter with daddy, Olivia "rings the bell" and activates the bat-call, so to speak. Next thing we know a presidential motorcade and full armed services escort is dispatched and Livvie is brought into the room with Fitz and....wait for it.....Mellie. The shiggady gets real (yes the struggle is real down there in that locked room folks). The story is hashed out between the three of them while Fitz professes his being in love with Livvie while Mellie says she will not go along with this plan, as she will not discuss the details of every time Fitz slept with Liv (excuse me his whore) over a year, then off, then on again. To which Liv poses the question "well how many times will you be okay with"...I died.

There ain't nothing you could ask I could answer you but I won't (I won't)
I was gonna change, but I'm not, if you're doing things I don't

With a Reader's Digest condensed story agreed upon by all parties, they leave the secured room ready to implement the agreed upon plan (it's still the truth just not the whole truth). However, in true Shonda /SCANDAL form the plan is not executed as outlined.  Enter Cyrus (and Mellie) who along with Harrison (are we Gladiators or bitches?) and the rest of the OPA gladiators call an audible better than Tom Brady in a SuperBowl game.  The next thing we know a video is released with the new Whte House communications aide Janeen Lott on the campaign trail drunk calling Fitz "freaking hot". Like Heidi Klum would say "One Day you're in, the next day you're out"... Livvie off the hook, spotlight on Janeen.

Oh freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), freedom, yeah freedom

Freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), freedom, ooh freedom

Sidenote: The quickshots of reactions to the announcement...VP Sally mad that she fell for the rouse again, Janeen in shock - WTF just happened, Livvie is pissed - WHAT DID YOU DO?

Shonda, our brains can't take anymore. AND JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS OVER - BAMMMMMM!!!

Mellie reveals the true leak - FITZ. WHAT THE WHAT? Mellie truly on top of her game recollecting the ugly read Fitz gave her last year (you are ornamental, not functional), knowing how romantic Fitz is and wants Livvie. The battle is on after Fitz explains the true reason for leaking her name - to ultimately clear Livvies name forever...

You better think (think) think about what you're trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free

Flash forward to OPA where guess who the new client is - Janeen Lott...!!!

And just when you thought it was all over, here is our favorite hit man (outside of Huck) in the bed with James who looks DEAD TO THE BED (literally and figuratively). We think the worst but it is a plan to get Cyrus to Livs' Dad to see the file of what happened with Fitz and Jake while they both served in the Armed Forces or was it B6-13...

SHONDA, you have made us Think (think), Think (think), Think (think), and continue in deep though about what the hell just happened the past hour. It was worth the wait and we cannot wait for next week's episode.

                                 You need me (need me) and I need you (don't you know)
                                       Without each other there ain't nothing we can do

Humbly Submitted,

Willie J. Broussard, Jr.
Gladiator in Suit!
twitter: @ScandalitePoetL

P.S. You can reach me in SCANDAL rehab. They have agreed to let me bring my flat screen into my room so that I do not miss an episode. It's the best solution for me now....

Season 2: Episode #22 "White Hats Back On" (Season Finale)

My fellow Scandalite Gladiiators in Suits,

I know tonight’s episode was a lot to digest and even as I type these words I am sitting here shaking my head. Shonda you and your team have outdone yourselves. We have been anticipating this episode like a nervous adolescent female awaits her “monthly visitor” a week after its normal date. Since I know you have already done the 3 P’s prior to the show starting go head on and scroll down and click the play button.

As we conclude Season 2, all I can say is “Enough is Enough”! The characters tonight have been pushed to their respective edges – both literally and figuratively. Although they never scream ENOUGH, it is easy to see that their actions and other non-verbal communications scream loudly ENOUGH IS ENOUGH…

Mellie has had it. She is sick and tired of playing second fiddle to Livvie. She wants her man and she does not want any pretty packaged deal that aligns her with the Republican party in the future. Mellie is a here and now kind of beeyatch. She wants to be FLOTUS for her entire eight years. She wants the rose garden, white house tours, Easter egg rolls, and all the other delicacies that the most elite ladies group in the nation affords and no little fixer is gonna take it from her.

“If you've had enough, don't put up with his stuff, don't you do it If you've had your fill, get the check pay the bill, you can do it”

Cyrus Cyrus Cyrus... you summa ma bitch (in my best Bernie Mac). You play the games and twists better than anyone. Even in full cardiac arrest you are the master Geppeto controlling Fitz, Liv, James, and the VP like his personal collection of Pinnochios. I don’t know whether to love or hate you but I respect you cuz you have the hugest set of COJONES I have ever run across (no pun intended – get your mind outta the gutter). You single handedly in 5 minutes gave a wake up call to Liv and Fitz that sent him back to Mellie. CYRUS – you are the MF Man!

“Enough is enough is enough I can't go on, I can't go on, no more no enough is enough is enough I want him out, I want him out that door now”

SCANDALITES please take a moment to rise and lift your glasses as we honor the coming of age of our own little Quinn. How bout she is getting so good that it is scaring Huck (WTF). Not only did she demonstrate her hacking skills but she stepped in and sealed the deal on advanced torture and interrogation when Huck was having a mini nuclear meltdown. “Where’s the card Billy. I’m not gonna ask you twice…” WORK QUINN! Even Huck was frightened. One problem though, you cant shut her up sometime. It’s like she has diarrhea of the mouth. If you could make yourself inconspicuous you may be a future B6-13, but all this talking is gonna end up with you dead to the bed next to Verna. But I digress “CHEERS to Quinn” not only did she say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH but I am also detecting that Huck may also be waving his white flag as well. Had we kept that scene going I am confident he was about to start mumbling 752 again. Sorry Huck you cannot take us on that ride again this soon. HUCK UP AND PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER. We’re gonna need you in September in top form. WE’VE HAD ENOUGH HUCK! SNAP OUT OF IT!

“Tell him to just get out nothing left to talk about pack his raincoat show him out just look him in the eyes and simply shout”

David Rosen you sly fox you. We were ready to make you a martyr for moles everywhere last week. What a great double spy role with a side order of this is what’s in it for me too. You knew exactly where to leave clues and you did not let anyone know what you were up to (I think this was for their benefit more than yours). Your game was smooth as butter and I have to take my white hat off to you. You turned it OUT! You decided you had enough of the mole and the person who framed you. Well Done. But be careful. Even though you did a great thing by bringing the card to Cyrus – you are now a marked man.

“I've always dreamed to find the perfect lover, but he turns out to be like every other man our love (I had no choice from the start) our love (I've gotta listen to my heart) our love (tearing us apart)” “Enough, is enough, is enough I can't go on, I can't go on no more no enough, is enough, is enough”

Fitz and Liv, we thought things were looking up but we know that we cannot have happiness with you and Liv together and definitely not married and in the White House. The ministers and pastors will have a field day the week that happens (you know they already make small comments about Liv seeing the president). Liv’s plan was great but unfortunately it will not bear fruit. As grandmother said you will never be happy if your happiness comes at the misery of someone else. Liv you were on your game for the most part until you almost got killed in your apartment and Jake saved you. Just when we thought all was well - President headed back to Mellie, you rededicating yourself back to Pope and Associates – we were ready to rest on our laurels and be ready for Season 3, but NO not Miss Shonda Rhimes. You have to throw our collective blood pressures up, and clog our arteries at the end of the episode. Our Liv comes out wearing a beautiful white jacket (FIERCE) wearing her headphones looking like she is headed to workout. She opens the main door to exit her building and the Press Corps is in full attendance asking her about an affair with the president. She tries tot urn and go back to her place but two men grab her and throw her in a limo where she sees Joe Morton and says “daddy”….SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! REPEAT AFTER ME…”Who’s the daddy?” If you said Fitz, well umm at times he may get called that by Liv (in bed), by his kids, and maybe even Mellie from time to time (not lately…lol) but how about Joe Morton’s character. Did you hear that collective gasp followed by screams when Livvie jumped in the limo looked up and said Daddy. We were collectively dead to the bed. Morticians are gonna have big business over the next two week.

“Enough is enough is enough I can't go on, I can't go on, no more no enough is enough is enough I want him out, I want him out that door now”

Shonda, Season 2 has not only met but exceeded our collective expectations. Your writing team has tapped into our every emotion and even some we never know existed. We are emotionally, physically, and spiritually drained. We asked and you gave it to us – much more than we expected. We have had enough, more than enough in fact. For the remainder of the summer we will be singing, typing, mumbling, chanting the following:

“Enough, is enough, is enough I can't go on, I can't go on no more no enough, is enough, is enough I want him out, I want him out that door now is enough is enough is enough is ENOUGH!!!”

Humbly submitted,

Willie J. Broussard, Jr.
Gladiator in Suit

P.S. See you all in September for the First Episode of Season 3…

 

Season 2: Episode #21 "Any Questions"

My fellow Scandalite Gladiators in Suits,

I am writing to you from the Shields Home for Scandalites. After last nights episode I “caught the vapors” and it was all I could do to dial the number. The people were so nice and understanding (I guess VIP status has its privileges). They sent two nice gentlemen to help me pack and they delivered me to the clinic for yet another visit.
My life coach said it would be good therapy for me to continue my journal of recaps, so I am putting my best foot forward for my sanity and hope that it will also help relieve some of the same symptoms and issues you are feeling.

NOW…you know what to do to get ready (3 P’s).

(Sidenote to SHONDA @ headquarters – I know we stay on your case but you have outdone yourselves. KUDOS to the writing team).

Now back to life (back to reality – or what we can fathom of it at this time)

This week’s recap is brought to you by the Teddy Bear himself – Teddy Pendegrass cuz it was truly a Love TKO last night. If you think the fight of the week was the Floyd Mayweather fight, let me serve notice to you that that night’s card pales in comparison to the bouts we had last night on SCANDAL.

"Lookin' back over my years

I guessed, I've shedded some tears

Told myself time and time again

This time I'm gonna win"

Cyrus, Cyrus, Cyrus you were everywhere last night. You were like the energizer bunny rabbit running all over the DMV. You were at press conferences, in the oval offices, running sightseeing tours in the park, and still had time to not only cut down, belittle, and ostracize your partner who you say you love, but you also broke all of our collective hearts at the same time. Cyrus let me give you a word, the power of the tongue is lethal weapon and you use it as a deadly assassin. It’s gonna come back to bite you in the ass like a Cobra (and I hope it is full of deadly venom. HOW DARE YOU speak to the person you “love”, share a home and raise a child with in that manner. In my Adolph Caesar voice from the Color Purple, ‘James you has my sympathy’. I would rather Cyrus have an affair with someone and James catch him rather than witness what I did last night.

LOVE TKO to Cyrus

"But another fight, things ain't right

I'm losin' again

Takes a fool to lose twice

And start all over again"

I believe poor Jake is truly in love with Liv but is caught in some mess he cannot get out of. He is being controlled quite masterfully by Joe Morton’s character, Fitz, and Cyrus (and Liv too). I want to feel sorry for him, but something tells me he still has an ace in the hole (something up his military sleeve). Be vewwy vewwy careful Jake…

Major LOVE TKO on Jake

"Tried to take control of the love

Love took control of me

'Cause you lose all thoughts, sense of time

And have a change of mind"

Mellie, Mellie, Mellie you have hired yourself a male version of Liv? REALLY? How’s that working for ya? I don’t know the reason why you have not revealed Liv’s name to the press but I know it was not for any good reasons. But I will tell you that she knows her man. She knew he would declare his re-election bid…but what is lurking behind that sinister smile remains to be seen. Not only is she a woman scorned, she is FLOTUS scorned…BEWARE!

LOVE TKO to Fitz (Fitz watch your back)

"Takin' the bumps and the bruises

Of all the things of a two-time loser

Just tryin' to hold on, faith is gone

It's just another sad song"

David Rosen you ignorant SOB…it appears that you quite cleverly set yourself up to tug at the heart strings of Pope and Associates so that they would feel sorry for you. You also kept letting Abby play on your pole so that you would learn where the SD Card was for Defiance. I guess this is your ultimate payback to Liv and to the Gladiators in Suits (a name you constantly mocked over the past few weeks). I hope you know you have a target on your back! Some people speculate that you are playing a double spy game with Billy and are really proving your commitment with Livvie. I would really like to believe this BUT I just don’t think you are that smart! It’s like hoping Kanye West will be quiet at an awards ceremony when you know he is gonna open his mouth and make an ass of himself.

LOVE TKO on Liv and Pope & Associates

"I couldn't stand this pain much longer

Think I'd better let it go, let it go, baby

Looks like another love T.K.O.

Oh, sometimes, sometimes I just feel like I wanna say, I wanna say"

Harrison, Harrison, OH Harrison….By the way HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Tara! Harrison once again you have shown your commitment and allegiance (hint to David Rosen). He quite aptly cut through the BS with Liv asking WHAT IS THE END GAME. You see Liv may not have spoken but she brought him the end game in the next scene. And did you all not the intensity in that last scene – he looked like he was channeling Huck for a minute…I thought someone was about to be DEAD TO THE BED…YES HARRISON YES!!! We know Pope and Associates and our Livvie are in good hands as long as your are around.

LOVE TKO on anyone who messes with Harrison

Liv and Fitz…you gave us what we wanted – to finally see you two together. But at what cost? POTUS I love your spin to the public, ‘It’s none of your damn business’. I wish it was that easy but you know they are not going to rest until they devour your carcass like vultures circling fresh meat in the desert. Fitz is so happy to have Livvie he is literally walking on air. Cyrus is pissed (do you think he secretly wants Fitz…ROFL) when he walks in on them in bed. Then Cyrus really sees red when POTUS says he will not be seeking re-election. I can hear Cyrus now, ‘BUT I THOUGHT YOU SAID THIS WAS OUR JOOK JOINT…FITZ WHO DIS WOMAN?’

LOVE TKO on Cyrus by Fitz

Well my fellow Gladiators in Suits it was a full card of epic battles last night. We are left to pick up the remnants of whatever is left in our hearts, thoughts and minds. Again, Shonda much respect admiration and love to you and your writers. We look forward to this journey into frustration, intrigue, passion, betrayals, and SCANDAL each week. And in the immortal words of Teddy Pendergrass..

"I think I'd better let it go

Looks like another love T.K.O.

Yes, I think I'd better let it go, let it go, baby

Looks like another love T.K.O."

Season 2: Episode #20 "A Woman Scorned"

Alrighty Scandalites…you know the routine. Get yourself ready with the 3 P’s (refer to last week’s REMIX Recap if you are new or have forgotten…)

CUE THE MUSIC…

Yes my fellow Gladiators tonight’s recap is aptly inspired by Tracy Chapman’s song and thus entitled (excuse my language) GIVE ME ONE MF REASON….

“Give me one reason to stay here

And I'll turn right back around

Give me one reason to stay here

And I'll turn right back around

Because I don't want leave you lonely

But you got to make me change my mind “

I don’t even know where to begin so let’s start with the First Lady. I don’t know what served as the impetus of her sudden move to Blair House and ultimatum to POTUS, but a few episodes weren’t you okay with Liv taking care of your man? Could you please stop changing your dang platforms Millie – it’s like watching a Wimbledon championship tennis match lately with you. But you held your ground even after you realized that your 36 hours had dwindled down to 5 ….4…..3….2…1….and no POTUS. Kind of lonely out there on the edge ain’t it. Now you have to jump off the cliff. In my best Sarah Palin, “How’s that workin’ for ya?”

“I don't want no one to squeeze me, they might take away my life

I don't want no one to squeeze me, they might take away my life

I just want someone to hold me and rock me through the night”

Poor Jake. He is caught in the middle worse than Jan Brady. His presence not acknowledged like the middle piece of bread in a Dagwood sandwich…like the first runner-up to Miss Universe (I dare you to name any first runner-up…can you?)
Liv doesn’t want him nor does se want him following her. He is POTUS’ little lap dog chasing the ball (Liv) all around the DMV. He even has to tolerate a kiss then a lie from Liv, knowing she is in still waters (they run deep you know…) with POTUS…

“Give me one reason to stay here

And I'll turn right back around

Give me one reason to stay here

And I'll turn right back around

Because I don't want leave you lonely

But you got to make me change my mind “

Now let me tell you Cyrus Beane gave James one reason to stay. That reason was so good he got invited into the bedroom a la our first taste of gay oral sex in primetime TV (sidenote: SHONDA you all are really doing too much….). James was happier than Fran Fein in Loehmann’s during a 75% off sale. He went from Stepford wife to Heidi Fleiss quicker than you can say “Back to you in the studio”….

Last week the gladiators answered the call to arms for Huck and that was his reason to not only stay but come back better and stronger than ever. Huck was on his A-game identifying his trainer by his ear only and also locating his whereabouts. Even Miss Quinn got in on the action to show how her skills have been sharpened due to Huck’s mentoring. (Watch the closeness…I do believe at one point they were almost completing each other’s sentences…IJS)

Abby, David, and Harrison were just window dressing and supporting cast for us this episode. Not too much from them or any significant contribution. In my Randy Jackson voice, “not the greatest episode for them but still good”….ROFL.

Finally, my Livvie… First of all, them gloves are about to lay me out Liv…I don’t know which is better when you have them on then take them off or when you just enter with them in your hands. You do so much with those to show your grace and sense of style….As Indie Arie sings….it’s the little things….and the joy it brings….ANYHEW. Liv is tossed as it APPEARS that Cyrus may be the mole. Liv’s friendship is tested as the evidence strengthens but she holds to her loyalty even in debate with Jake. In addition, here is POTUS flexing his most powerful position summoning her to the oval office like a principal to a problem student. Cornering her against the window like a cobra with a mouse ready to devour her. In yet another stunning exchange of dialogue Liv leaves the office with the final words you must EARN my love….YES GAWD HUNTY….I was in high winds in El Paso about to blow away to Oz…but Fitz would not be outdone. He earned it YES HE DID…and we stood there with our collective Scandalites’ mouth open when Fitz showed up at Livvie’s and not Mellie’s suite at Blair House. Note to the players and player wannabee’s THIS IS HOW YOU EARN IT!

“Baby just give me one reason, Give me just one reason why

Baby just give me one reason, Give me just one reason why I should stay

Because I told you that I loved you

And there ain't no more to say”

And clearly I have no more to say!

Humbly submitted,

Willie J. Broussard Jr.
Gladiator in Suit

Season 2: Episode #19 "Seven Fifty-Two" (752)

RECAP II - THE REMIXXX

Alright my fellow Gladiators in Suits here is part two... I know it's been a while so here are the ground rules again...

1). PAUSE IT - Get all of the outslide influences away from your inner-realm of being a SCANDALITE (unless of course they are SCANDALITES too...
2). PREP IT - get your favorite cocktail, appertizer, dinner, etc.
3.) PLAY IT - scroll down and click play on the link at the bottom to enjoy during the recap...
 LOST IN A MASQUERADE

"Are we really happy here With this lonely game we play Looking for words to say Searching but not finding Understanding any way We're lost in a mask, masquerade" 

After this episode of Scandal I cannot think of a more appropriate sentiment for all of the characters on our favorite show - SCANDAL. (Side eye to all those who mention other shows accidentally....)..ANYHEW. We have all wanted a glimpse into what makes Huck's character so volatile yet sensitive, sinister yet dedicated, and intense yet quiet. Well be careful what you ask for. After his capture and imprisonment, we are taken back to Huck's induction into B6-13 as well as his wife and son that he was forced to forget. Clearly, the capturing triggered his lapse into only being to say those faithful words that titled the episode - SEVEN FIFTY TWO... we know know this as the time he sees his son each morning at the subway... We also find out that Joe Morton's character appears to be very high up in B6-13 administration and wants to know who Albatross is too. But who else is current or former B6-13.

DAMN YOU SHONDA... LOST IN A MASQUERADE

Mellie, Mellie, Mellie. You either love or hate her, there is no straddling the fence about your love or disgust. She has taken things to a new level this episode. Sister grabbed all of the first luggage - I bet it wasn't even packed. I wish Fitz would have opened it and called her bluff (my own personal drama moment)...os she is gonna move across the road and come in through the tunnels like Harriet Tubman in the Underground Railroad....WTF Mellie. I would change the locks and trap her in the tunnel, then have a search for her... Mellie do you think this will keep him from Livvie? Or do you want time to see your favorite Secret Service man who may actually be the baby daddy...IJS. If you think you are gonna ruin a re-election bid for Fitz and Cyrus, then there is a hitman with your name on it...and it may be Fitz. You will be dead to the bed and right next to Verna...

" Both afraid to say we're just too far away From being close together from the start We tried to talk it over but the words got in the way We're lost inside this lonely game we play" 

Harrison OH Harrison my Harrison! We finally learn a bit more about you and it is delivered to us Harrison-style (we wouldn't expect anything less. You spoke so honestly about how the power of your tongue (get ya mind outta the gutter) became the mechanism for your successes from adolescence onward. How this success has ultimately become your greatest nemesis. WOW!! YES SHONDA YESSS! He is not lost in the Masquerade. He is the Master of the Masquerade. To quote Funky Dineva, YES GAWD HUNTY! Where can I get a Mardi Gras Mask? When is the Next Ball....
MASTER OF THE MASQUERADE

I know I have been hard on Abby, and I give her some slack this time because she did provide us more insight into her allegiance to Liv and Pope & Associates and why the litmus test of her love for David vs. her allegiance to Liv was no test at all - ADVANTAGE LIV....ALWAYS. Yet her love for David

"Both afraid to say we're just too far away From being close together from the start We tried to talk it over but the words got in the way We're lost inside this lonely game we play" 

Cyrus - I just don't know what you are up to but I tip my hat to you. You have shown allegiance to Fitz. I don't know what you are doing but you got GAME. Your speed dial consists of POTUS, POPE, YOUR PARTNER, and A HITMAN. You got balls!! #NOFEAR

Quinn you showed us a little bit in your monologue but most of it we already know. Kinda vanilla for me but we know where your emotions are especially when it comes to Hollis and why. You really need Huck back at full strength so we can continue the EDUCATION OF QUINN PERKINS/LINDSAY DWYER...

TRULY LOST IN A MASQUERADE

Liv, Liv, Liv - you keep control even in the hospital. POTUS arrives and shuts down the wing with Secret Service. Jake is in the wings realizing a lot without a word being said. Fitz refuses to leave and pledges his love for you. You get out and run to Huck's side and snaps him out of his "Ode to 752"...and I saw you in that white coat. This is why Huck, Harrison, Abby and Quinn devote their allegiance to you. And so do all of the SCANDALITES!

"Thoughts of weeping disappear Every time I see your eyes No matter how hard I try, oooh To understand the reasons That we carry on this way We're lost in a mask, masquerade" 

Where was David Rosen? Has he disappeared in the masquerade?

Respectfully and humbly submitted,
Willie J. Broussard Jr. - SCANDALITE, Gladiator in Suit

AND...SCENE!!!


AND......SCENE!!!