I must admit I am a bit disappointed that whole, senator tried to rape me story got dropped. If just because, while I like seeing a different case every episode, I feel the only stable thing on this show shouldn't be the idea that Olivia and Fitz will eventually end up back together. For truly, while Harrison won't be replaced, I feel there is a need to find a worthy character to fill the screen time and charisma Columbus Short left behind. Something which is hardly seen for while Abbie steps it up a bit, and Mellie does well to a point, everyone else feels same old, same old. Really pushing the idea that the show needs someone new to really inject some interest. For, to me, Lizzy sure ain't cutting it.
Topic 1: Blackmail – David, Olivia, and Cyrus
To begin, with Cyrus not having a strong faith in Abbie's abilities, he outsources a job to Olivia to make sure James & Lisa Elliott, two prominent figures in the gun control movement, end up at the State of the Union address. Thing is, Olivia is done working for the White House, does not want to work for the White House, but has no choice but to work for the White House. Which in the past the reason would have been due to Fitz, however this time Cyrus blackmails her by having it where the government gives her quite a bit of money, and he uses said money to threatening the IRS on her. So, being that Olivia really doesn't want trouble, and seemingly isn't on good enough terms with her dad to sick him on Cyrus, she just goes along with what Cyrus wants.
As for David, as he pursues becoming Attorney General, he is having a few troubles. For one, there is the fact he is considered a Democrat and Lizzy seems ready to start a civil war in the Republican party to stop, if not slow down, Fitz having a more integrated cabinet; then comes his investigation into the election fraud; him quitting his job to be a high school teacher; and lastly, the Olivia Pope made up scandal of David being an abuser. Something Lizzy dug up in a last ditch effort to stop David. Thing is, being that David learned a few things between dating Abbie and working for Liv, he knows how to blackmail now. So, to push along his nomination, Senator Watson, a prominent member of the senate hearing, gets blackmailed by David using some of the B6-13 files. Though, I should note, with Olivia nearly screwing him out of the position, it seems she is back to being on his list of people to expose when all is said and done.
Topic 2: Proving My Worth – Abbie & Mellie
As mentioned, Cyrus doesn't have much faith in Abbie. In fact, it seems she is considered just a last minute replacement who, because she worked with Olivia, is better than going through the process of dealing with someone new and having to hide all the dirty laundry. Thing is though, Abbie is no Olivia. Abbie is more forward, if not blunt at times, and can be rash. Something which sort of gets her in trouble when the press start questioning the way Mellie is grieving. Though it isn't helping that internally, meaning inside the White House, Mellie just lounges all day and has the attitude that this is Fitz's white house and his reputation. She has no investment in it, and has no real prominent place in it, so why should she put in the effort for a performance she doesn't even like to do? Well, Abbie reminds her, despite her feelings about being first lady, she does have a job. Is it convenient, what Mellie deserves, or wants? No. However, she has been given the liberty to grieve much longer than most people can and if Jackie Kennedy can go from her husband being shot right next to her to being part of LBJ getting sworn in two hours later, then Mellie can gather the strength to be seen.
Topic 3: You'll Always Be My Baby – Olivia & Fitz
Of which she does. But when it comes to the Elliotts, things are a tad more difficult since while they were in love when James was the star for being a war veteran who lived through Taliban torture, once Lisa became a celebrity in her own way too, as well as paralyzed, it seems their relationship hit a rough patch and is now at its end. Though, to make things worse, Lisa goes beyond arguments. I mean, she uses a wine opener to stab James. However, despite this drama, Olivia gets them to the State of the Union and tells them she will help manage their divorce so neither looks like the villain in the situation.
Leading to the topic of Fitz. As we have seen countless times before, when it comes to Fitz's speeches he most values Olivia's opinion on them. For who knows how to really talk to people than her? So, in a move which had me rolling my eyes at first, he clears a room for just them and asks her to look over his speech. A good idea for it really led to one of the best speeches he ever presented. I mean, often I don't see Fitz as a good president because of his personal life, but for once it seems his personal life was actually an asset to him as president.
Topic 1: Blackmail – David, Olivia, and Cyrus
To begin, with Cyrus not having a strong faith in Abbie's abilities, he outsources a job to Olivia to make sure James & Lisa Elliott, two prominent figures in the gun control movement, end up at the State of the Union address. Thing is, Olivia is done working for the White House, does not want to work for the White House, but has no choice but to work for the White House. Which in the past the reason would have been due to Fitz, however this time Cyrus blackmails her by having it where the government gives her quite a bit of money, and he uses said money to threatening the IRS on her. So, being that Olivia really doesn't want trouble, and seemingly isn't on good enough terms with her dad to sick him on Cyrus, she just goes along with what Cyrus wants.
As for David, as he pursues becoming Attorney General, he is having a few troubles. For one, there is the fact he is considered a Democrat and Lizzy seems ready to start a civil war in the Republican party to stop, if not slow down, Fitz having a more integrated cabinet; then comes his investigation into the election fraud; him quitting his job to be a high school teacher; and lastly, the Olivia Pope made up scandal of David being an abuser. Something Lizzy dug up in a last ditch effort to stop David. Thing is, being that David learned a few things between dating Abbie and working for Liv, he knows how to blackmail now. So, to push along his nomination, Senator Watson, a prominent member of the senate hearing, gets blackmailed by David using some of the B6-13 files. Though, I should note, with Olivia nearly screwing him out of the position, it seems she is back to being on his list of people to expose when all is said and done.
Topic 2: Proving My Worth – Abbie & Mellie
As mentioned, Cyrus doesn't have much faith in Abbie. In fact, it seems she is considered just a last minute replacement who, because she worked with Olivia, is better than going through the process of dealing with someone new and having to hide all the dirty laundry. Thing is though, Abbie is no Olivia. Abbie is more forward, if not blunt at times, and can be rash. Something which sort of gets her in trouble when the press start questioning the way Mellie is grieving. Though it isn't helping that internally, meaning inside the White House, Mellie just lounges all day and has the attitude that this is Fitz's white house and his reputation. She has no investment in it, and has no real prominent place in it, so why should she put in the effort for a performance she doesn't even like to do? Well, Abbie reminds her, despite her feelings about being first lady, she does have a job. Is it convenient, what Mellie deserves, or wants? No. However, she has been given the liberty to grieve much longer than most people can and if Jackie Kennedy can go from her husband being shot right next to her to being part of LBJ getting sworn in two hours later, then Mellie can gather the strength to be seen.
Topic 3: You'll Always Be My Baby – Olivia & Fitz
Of which she does. But when it comes to the Elliotts, things are a tad more difficult since while they were in love when James was the star for being a war veteran who lived through Taliban torture, once Lisa became a celebrity in her own way too, as well as paralyzed, it seems their relationship hit a rough patch and is now at its end. Though, to make things worse, Lisa goes beyond arguments. I mean, she uses a wine opener to stab James. However, despite this drama, Olivia gets them to the State of the Union and tells them she will help manage their divorce so neither looks like the villain in the situation.
Leading to the topic of Fitz. As we have seen countless times before, when it comes to Fitz's speeches he most values Olivia's opinion on them. For who knows how to really talk to people than her? So, in a move which had me rolling my eyes at first, he clears a room for just them and asks her to look over his speech. A good idea for it really led to one of the best speeches he ever presented. I mean, often I don't see Fitz as a good president because of his personal life, but for once it seems his personal life was actually an asset to him as president.
