In this week’s episode of Scandal, we saw budding loves coming closer to bloom
Fitz is back, Cyrus has a new admirer, and the chemistry between Mellie and the President of Bashran becomes even stronger. Fitz interrupts Olivia’s makeout sesh with Curtis wanting help on a case of missing colored girls. Fitz put Vermont on pause for missing colored girls? Hmm. Like Eli said Fitz is Olivia’s only weakness.There should be a reason why her kryptonite is back. Meanwhile, Cyrus is conflicted and doesn’t want to accept a Cezanne painting from Fenton. Anyone who remembers anything from that one art history class they took in college would’ve kept the painting in their closet. Cyrus decides to do the right thing and pay for the painting for 20 dollars, but not without putting the moves on Fenton.
Related | Scandal Roundtable 7×03 “Day 101”
Mellie continues to try to bring peace to the middle east while making googly eyes at President Bashran or should we say, ex-president? A coup was staged during negotiations at the White House. Mellie, of course, tries to save her man but Olivia put a stop on that before Mellie sent our troops away. You know when you get promoted but you still get calls to handle things for your old job? That’s Olivia right now running back to OPA to handle the case on the Lost Girls. Its obvious OPA can’t run without Olivia, Liv strategizes how to handle the case within 5 mins of walking into the room. Now handle that, honey!
Let’s hear what our roundtable had to say about this episode!
Keith (@keithlovemovies) - Creator of the originally named keithlovesmovies.com
Dorothy (@djg66sports) - Educator, Journalist, and Guest Contributor for TVAD
Rozella (@rozellahw) - Life & Leadership coach, consultant, and creator helping folks live a meaningful life
Nthabbie (@nthabbie) - Marketing & Media Maverick, Sometimes TV Commentator (TVAD) & most times Epitome of Awesomery
Myoshi (@BeingMyoshi) - Navy Vet turned Journalist & Life Explorer
1. This episode of Scandal proved that old habits die hard. Olivia and Fitz are at it again, what do you foresee in their future? Do you think Liv and Fitz will have their happy ending?
Keith (@keithlovemovies): They’ll be together but not in a romantic relationship. There is just no way for them to avoid each other regardless of how much they try. Likewise, a happy ending seems unlikely.
Dorothy (@djg66sports): I’m not too sure. I love Olitz - lol - but stuff just doesn’t seem to work out right for them. I hope they have their happy ending and Vermont and all that good stuff. But I just don’t know. I can see the series ending with them forever in love but not together permanently.
Rozella (@rozellahw): I believe that some people don’t believe they deserve to be happy. I am constantly wondering if Fitz or Liv know what makes them happy and if they are willing to let go of power to embrace happiness and vulnerability. I don’t think they’re willing to do this and would be surprised if they had a happy ending. Olivia is power hungry and Fitz showing back up is under a guise that isn’t truthful. Can a happy ending exist when people are fully vulnerable and willing to sacrifice the present for a future together? I foresee it getting more chaotic before it gets better.
Nthabbie (@nthabbie): I highly doubt they’ll end up together. Unfortunately with whom much is given, much is expected. Olivia knows that she and Fitz will never ride into the sunset forever. Theirs is here and now, although their love story is intoxicating.
Myoshi (@BeingMyoshi): After this episode, it’s not safe to say. So far it seems like Fitz is going to do what he wants and have to in order to get the results he wants. As dark as Olivia has turned this season, I doubt they have the happy ending. She’s all about having her power.
2. Looks like Liv can’t stay away from Pope and associates. Can she pull a double shift and do both the oval office and OPA? The Lost Girls is a pretty big cause can this bring Olivia back to OPA?
Keith: I doubt that she can pull a double shift. Her job at the White House appears to be more important to her. Being a person of color is probably what brought her back.
Dorothy: I don’t like Liv at the White House. She is crazy. I like OPA Liv. Smart. Confident. A Fixer. Just awesome. I don’t know about the double shit. I think she can and is so arrogant will probably try.
Rozella: I don’t think Liv can realistically be the chief of staff, command AND work with OPA. She is going to have to choose but the reality is, she has never done well with making choices. This is truly a scenario where she can’t have it all.
Nthabbie: Olivia is a bad ass and has been managing everything just fine. The Lost Girls campaign is a passion project for her because even though she’s the President Mellie Grant’s right-hand woman, she’s also a black woman in a state that rarely pays her kind any attention so it means she carries the burden of representing all of them.
Myoshi: Hmm, I would’ve said yes, but after Fitz got busted, she may not be back at all. She’s set the ball in motion for them to get the help they need to solve more of The Lost Girls.
3. Eli keeps messing into Olivia’s love life and business. He loves pulling her strings. What do you think is his motive this time? What is he up to?
Keith: He’s using her weakness for Fitz to bring down Olivia’s B613. Maybe he wants it back for himself?
Dorothy: I love Papa Pope. I think he’s lonely. I’m not sure of his motive. I think he wants a connection with his baby girl. Only way to get it is to pull strings. That’s like real life, we know how to pull the strings of those we love and want attention from.
Rozella: You know, I never know with Poppa Pope. I can’t tell if his concern is genuine or if he is planning something that will change everything. A part of me wants to believe he’s really for her - I mean, that’s the role of a parent, right? Why else would he turn to Fitz to “save” Olivia from herself? He hates Fitz and yet he has reached out to him to remind Olivia of her humanity. But I’m wondering if this is his real motive. Does he just want to be command again? Does he want Olivia to have what he didn’t have - an integrated life and love? Or is it something else? He ALWAYS keeps me guessing!
Nthabbie: Eli loves power, it’s what drives him and what he lives for. The fact that his daughter is literally the most important woman in the US means there’s room for her to be more. I’ve learned over time that Papa Pope raised Liv to be everything and more. I’m of the belief that every now and then he wants to remind her that there’s always more - never get too comfortable or complacent.
Myoshi: I thought he wanted to save his daughter, but maybe he’s trying to get her out of B613 so he can get back into the Boss seat. Knowing him, he has some crazy plot to take over Mellie if he can get back in.
4. Mellie has fought long and hard to be President of the United States and now Liv is calling the shots. What are your thoughts on this? Is the country better off with Mellie as a figurehead or do you think it’s time for Mellie to rule the office?
Keith: Their relationship is working for now but it can’t last forever as Mellie can only listen to Olivia for so long. Despite that, I don’t think Mellie can do it on her own.
Dorothy: Again, I don’t like White House Liv. I want Mellie to truly do the job of POTUS. She has truly earned it. Liv needs to move around. She’s Chief of Staff, not freaking Junior President!!!
Rozella: I wonder why both Mellie and Fitz always deferred to Liv. It makes for great television but it makes me wonder if leaders really know their own mind and lead from within. There are so many external forces and it must be a helluva relationship between Mellie and Liv especially for the president to relinquish control. The obscene obsession with power in the name of the Republic is fascinating to me. I would love to see Mellie let loose and be the leader that we have consistently seen glimpses of. I would love for her to stand on her own, not without support, but with her own confidence to step up to the plate.
Nthabbie: Mellie will never technically rule the US, whether Liv is there or not. You don’t sit at that seat and actually rule. You execute calls made on behalf of the state by various stakeholders. Is it better off with her as the head of state - it’s hilarious that we would even insinuate she heads up anything.
Myoshi: I knew that was going to happen. When does Liv not call the shots? She did the same with Fitz but now she’s the right-hand man like Cyrus. Mellie fought hard to get there she needs to rule the office. She needs to show the people who’s boss.
5. We’ve only got a few more episodes of Scandal left to cherish. Who do you think will be President when it’s all over?
Keith: Mellie will still be President by the time the show is over assuming there are no time jumps.
Dorothy: I hope it’s Cyrus. I like him. He truly wants this office.
Rozella: This question makes me nervous. What do you know? I would think that Mellie would be president! I trust her most, if I’m honest, when it comes to those who are in positions of power.
Nthabbie: I truly hope Mellie will still be there. For the sake of the girl child all over the world. Men have long ruled and made errors of great proportions, women now deserve a shot. But the way Scandal is set up - I wouldn’t be surprised if Cyrus ends up as President, soon as he gets over this schoolboy crush on that Fin fellow.
Myoshi: Most likely Mellie will end as president, but knowing Shonda that would be too easy of a way to end. Maybe Olivia will take over and be the boss of it all.
6. Exes have a tendency of messing up what you’ve got going on. Do you think Mellie and Marcus will have a chance of firing things up again?
Keith: There’s a small chance that Mellie and Marcus will fire things up again but she’s moved on since then.
Dorothy: I sure hope so. I think they are good together. Lots of chemistry. Lots of sparks and I believe a genuine friendship and like for one another!
Rozella: Not if Liv has anything to do with it! I do hope Mellie and Marcus are able to connect. I’m loving the truth that is being shared regarding women in powerful positions who are single and the ridiculous amounts of double standards that exist.
Nthabbie: Well, once you go black you never go back and in as much as I think President Rashad can get it every day of the week and twice on a Sunday- Mellie wants Marcus real bad!
Myoshi: I hope so! Marcus kept her grounded and happy. She needs this before she messes up with a war scandal over the man she’s in love with.
7. Does Fitz even realize he’s being used? Does he genuinely want Liv back or is there another motive here?
Keith: Fitz knows he’s being used. His main motive isn’t Olivia but he still has feelings for her which may cloud his judgment.
Dorothy: Nope and I’m not sure. Love is blind and Fitz is blind. I think it may be half and half. Half a case of being arrogant and wanting what he wants and can’t have and half of truly loving her and wanting her back.
Rozella: I think Fitz knows he’s being used but I think it’s not for the reasons he thinks it’s for. For all of his charisma, Fitz doesn’t seem to be the sharpest tool in the shed. Poppa Pope has done nothing to prove his loyalty or right motive to Fitz and yet, Fitz is back in a relationship with him. Here’s to hoping that the women figure it all out and that they save us from ourselves!
Nthabbie: See the thing about Fitz is, he’s an idiot. Half the time the lights are never on upstairs. He just wants to make jam in Vermont with Liv and homegirl don’t have time for all of that. She’s busy running the most powerful country in the world! Although he is sincere about his love for Liv, she’s his kryptonite!
Myoshi: Fitz should know Eli by now. Fitz does love Olivia, but he’s not in D.C. for nothing. He may be wanting Liv out the seat so he can take it…hmm.
Final Verdict: As we near the end of Scandal, things are getting a little bittersweet
We’re grappling at our seats trying to figure out what will be the fate of our beloved gladiators and political mavens. The everlasting love between Fitz and Olivia gives us another taste. Mellie is single and ready to mingle but not much mingling can get done when you’re the leader of the free world. It may be time for Cyrus to put away his superficial standards for someone who actually cares for him. OPA doesn’t seem to run well without Olivia. Eli is back at it again, pulling strings and manipulating people. It’s bittersweet as we wait for the next episode to know more about our favorite characters and we get closer to the end. Until next time gladiators.
