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....