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....