Scandal is back!
Last we saw, Olivia Pope was on private jet to somewhere with Jack Ballard, whom she "chose" over the President. Olivia or shall I say Julie Baker (an alias to be kept hidden from the world) is on a beautiful remote private island with her man of the moment.
The first minute or two were a risque, but being on a beautiful island, one might want to get it on with your significant other when presented the chance. Olivia looks happy, relaxed, and carefree. Being on a remote island, they get there food via the sea. They get a shipment of imported grapes, cheese, and wine. But on that particular delivery the boatman hands Olivia an envelope. But how did they find her? Who found her? Why the letter? After a few beats Olivia opens the envelope and finds out Harrison has been killed. Now, she has decided to go back to plan his funeral.
Back in Washington D.C., we see what the associates of "Olivia Pope and Associates" are up to. First person she meets up with is Quinn. Quinn is the one who found Olivia tracking her down by following a trail of expensive and rare wines. Looks like she is the only "active" member of the firm now. Huck is now "Randy" is the fix-it guy at an electronics repair place. Abby is now the White House spokesperson, even being nicknamed “Red" because of her hair. Looks like she is enjoying the attention and power of being the the new mouth piece, or the new Olivia Pope.
President Fitz did not have much of a role in the season opener. If he was on the screen, he was with his wife Millie. Fitz is burying himself in work trying to pass a bill. Mellie is a state of depression due to the loss of her son from last season. She now walks around the White House in Uggs, a robe, hair uncombed, eating out of cereal boxes, and drinking for breakfast. She has mentally checked out from being the poised and refined First Lady we are use to seeing.
Jake catches up with David Rosen to see if has in fact taken down B-16. Sadly he has not. But this writer guesses he has bigger things to do because Cyrus gives him the opportunity to become the U.S Attorney General. Cyrus is still the Presidents pitbull. He's is dealing with Portia De Rossi who has a role as the RNC (Republican National Chair) and looks like she is going to keep Cyrus on his toes. Cyrus has been having Abby followed and that is how he found out Olivia is back in town.
Poppa Poe makes a brief appearance when he and Olivia sit to have drinks, which leads to the question that Olivia wants answered. Did he have Harrison killed? He replies no. The audience were led to believe he did in fact have him killed, but one would not put it past Shonda Rhimes to blow our minds away with a back story about his death.
Remember, Olivia is just in to plan the funeral and go back to the remote island but it would not be Washington without a scandal. A female Senator is involved in an incident with a male senator and she calls Olivia to fix it. Olivia comes over and the man is actually still alive hanging on to whatever few breaths he may have left. The female Senator claims she was sexually assaulted and defended herself. Olivia figures out she is lying and then she discovers the female Senator set up her assistant so he would assault her. Olivia is back in Washington and cleaning up scandals. She is back in the office while Quinn and Huck join her. All the associates of Olivia Pope and associates are back, minus Abby.
Fitz and Olivia. They saved the best moment for last. In slow motion, which only intensifies the encounter, Olivia sees Fitz and Fitz sees Olivia. Just a quick glance is exchanged. They are walking towards each other but, not to each other. Both with steady eyes focused forward did not one show any hint of emotion as they pass each other in the hallway. For a moment their hands almost brush and they almost touch.
The Verdict:
10! This writer could not have asked for anything more in this opener. We now know what the characters were up too. We know where the next episode is going to lead. The Fitz and Olivia encounter has not come full circle yet so that keep the audience wanting more. There was so much content in this episode and never once felt did it feel as though it was just dragging along. A well deserved 10.
Top five Scandal quotes of the night in no particular order::
1. After visiting Huck
Olivia: "What happened"
Quinn: "You left"
2. Mellie to Fitz about the fact she no longer shaves in the nether regions since they are not doing it anymore: “It’s 1976 down there.”
3. Huck(Randy) to Olivia: " Are you back for now or back for good?"
4. Olivia & Abby having a conversation outside the White House:
Abby: You want me to forgive you?
Olivia: No, I don't need you to forgive me. I haven't done anything wrong I was making an observation"
5. Jack to Olivia: "Gettysburger has rib sandwich now with pickles and secret sauce under the ribs its called the underground railroad. I got myself two. You, a turkey burger with a small side of haystacks"
