Spoilers below!
Olivia Pope is now back in Washington. It’s clear she doesn't want to work for the White House anymore but on a jog with Jake (who is looking into who may have killed Harrison) she takes a detour and meets with Cyrus. Cyrus lets her know that if she doesn't work for the White House he will indeed blackmail her. Cyrus has a job for her. He wants her to secure a couple and make sure they are present at the Presidents State Of The Union, James and Lisa Elliot.
James and Lisa who are the picture perfect poster couple for gun control. Lisa, who is in a wheelchair from a shooting at an elementary school, and her husband James, a war hero are to appear at the White House for the State of the Union address to help Fitz get the bill passed for gun control. When Olivia shows up to meet them, they are not the unified couple they are thought to be. They are actually verbally abusive to each other and down right hate each other. Olivia Pope lets them know that the President of the United Sates needs them at the event and they state they will be there. She enlists Huck and Quinn to keep an eye out on them.
Millie, poor Millie, still in mourning, was spotted in her robe at her sons grave eating potatoes chips. Not only was she spotted but she was also photographed. The picture went viral and media sources are dubbing her mentally unstable. Not a good look for the White House. Not only is she in mourning, but she is completely unmotivated to participate in the State of The Union event. She has no intentions of attending the event but Abby convinces her to go by telling her that children die everyday and she must be strong.
Elizabeth lets Cyrus know some bad news has come to light about David and it’s not a good for the White House. She tells Cyrus that David's nomination needs to be taken away. In the last episode David Rosen was well on his way to being the Attorney General but when he is shown the evidence of domestic abuse that he was once falsely accused of Cyrus tells him he has to pull the nomination. David is fed up with playing by the rules. He decides instead to use blackmail to get his way. As it turns out, David is now highly recommended for the position after a recommendation from a senator so he maybe the new Attorney General after all.
In true Olivia Pope fashion she gets the job down done; James and Lisa arrive as a united front to support the President. Mellie also gets up enough courage to put on a Red dress, pearls and sits in the audience to support Fitz.
In this episode Olivia and Fitz finally meet face to face. Before going on and addressing the people Fitz asks everyone to clear the room so it’s just he and Olivia. Abby is not too thrilled because she is the "new" Olivia. He asks Olivia to look over his speech. At first she resists then gives in and looks it over. She recommends Fitz tell the American public the truth: you two are still grieving, connect with the people. The speech is raw and compelling. Soon after the speech is over Mellie goes back inside where she removes her heels and tugs at her pearls having them spill onto the floor. She then collapses on the ground and cries and Fitz is right behind her and by her side.
It looks as though Cyrus maybe getting into to a bit of trouble. We see him and a good looking young man almost engage in some sexual fun but he refuses the advancements of Michael who looks like a male prostitute. Elizabeth has the male prostitute working for her. Looks like more scandal will be coming to Scandal soon.
The Verdict:
The gun control back-story was pretty solid. The first meeting between Fitz and Olivia was a little anticlimactic. Mellie grieving and David playing to win made this episode worth watching. Solid 8.
Top five quotes in no particular order:
1. Cyrus to Olivia: “Sorry to be such a bastard Liv, craving meat really brings out the worst in me.”
2. James Eliot to his wife Lisa: " ..The wheelchair is your frickin throne. Its like you sit in there a rule over your little paralyzed kingdom"
3. David going to Senator Watson with evidence of him taking bribes:
Senator Watson: "This is blackmail"
David Rosen: "I like to think of it as winning"
4. Cyrus to Abby when she ask if he's even a tad bit concerned that the Elliot’s wont show:
Cyrus: “I am not concerned that Olivia Pope will fail. I am never concerned that Olivia Pope will fail. The Elliott's will be at the State of the Union. Mellie, not so much."
5. Abby to Mellie:
Abby: "There are thousand of people out there who's children have died just like yours. But unlike you they didn't get to spend 3 months flipping through trash and eating potato chips. They got three days to grieve, three weeks if they were lucky. Or, they would lose their jobs and make no mistake Mrs. Grant you do have a job. You are the First Lady of the United States."