Olivia goes rogue, Quinn goes M.I.A., and Taylor Swift makes a commercial appearance during this week’s Scandal.

This week paved way for Olivia (Kerry Washington) to face her rogue behavior head-on. Coming off the explosive deaths of President Rashad (Faran Tahir) and his niece last week, we learn that Olivia was the mastermind behind it all and Mellie (Bellamy Young) is none the wiser. This truth makes its way around when Quinn (Katie Lowes) reveals she knows the truth and plans to out Olivia. Things take a dark turn when Quinn goes missing on her wedding day and is nowhere to be found. Naturally, this has Olivia in complete panic mode and in paranoia as the team investigates Quinn’s whereabouts. To make matters worse, Curtis (Jay Hernandez) shows up after receiving a call from Quinn the night before promising she had news about the assassination. With every discovery, it brings the team closer to discovering Olivia is responsible for President Rashad’s assassination, and about her angry, secret meeting with Quinn.

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With Olivia facing anxiety like she never has before, things have taken an interesting turn on Scandal. It appears that Olivia now balances the reality of her double life. While she makes impulsive decisions as Command, this episode highlights how this life has trickled into her personal life. She has betrayed Mellie, Quinn, and the team and things are only getting worse. This episode highlighted the rollercoaster journey of Olivia’s life while she looks ahead at the possible consequences that await her. Amidst the chaos of the episode was a commercial break that took the viewers by surprise. Taylor Swift premiered her song, “New Year’s Day” in anticipation of her new album release. Many fans took to Twitter in anger (and hilarious commentary) as they conveyed their frustration with this interruption during an emotionally packed episode. It was quite the night for Scandal and its fans as we brace ourselves for next week’s winter finale.

As always, Scandal kept us on our toes with its never-ending drama. Now let’s meet our roundtable and see what they had to say about this episode!

MindSet Podcast (@MindSet_Pod) - Podcast focusing on social justice and black culture

Julia (@DrJuliaPRS)- Plastic surgeon, food lover, movie connoisseur, music junkie, mother of cats, and child of God

Torri (@torrij89)- PA real estate agent, occasional photographer, and Shondaland fanatic since 2005

Keith (@keithlovemovies)- Creator of the originally named keithlovesmovies.com

Dorothy (@DJG66sports)– Educator, journalist, Jeremiah’s mom

1. Oh boy, seeing Mellie’s reaction over President Rashad’s death was heartbreaking. How do you think she’d react if she found out Olivia was behind the assassination?

MindSet Podcast (@MindSet_Pod): Oh boy, seeing Mellie’s reaction over President Rashad’s death was heartbreaking. How do you think she’d react if she found out Olivia was behind the assassination? I don’t know if Mellie fully understands B6-13 and what it means to be Command because she still thinks Olivia listens to her. She’s in for a rude awakening!

Julia (@DrJuliaPRS): I think she’d be shocked and angry like she was when she found out Liv killed her VP running mate…. but let’s be honest, Mellie kinda got over that fairly quickly. I only think she would be SUPER angry because Mellie had some strong feelings for President Rashad, Liv KNEW how strong those feelings were AND the fact that Mellie really can’t exercise the power she THINKS she has. Having said all that now, she will be angry, but that information will only confirm her suspicions (and knowledge she tries to deny) that Mellie ain’t really the one running things… it’s Liv.

Torri (@torrij89): WHEN she finds out that Olivia orchestrated the murder of President Rashad she is going to be livid! Millie and Rashad could have been a great power couple, and lord knows Mellie needs some loving! Beyond that though, she’ll never get the chance to see what they could have become, and it sucks that Olivia is behind that. My bet is Mellie will try to put Olivia UNDER the jail and finally dismantle B613 for good!

Keith (@keithlovemovies): If Mellie found out, their relationship would definitely be over, maybe worse.

Dorothy (@DJG66sports): I really feel bad for Mellie. So much emotion. She truly had feelings for him. Liv betta watch out if she ever DOES find out. Probably fire her.

2. Jeez, what a twist! Command aka Olivia was responsible for President Rashad’s assassination. What did you think of this twist?

Mindset Podcast: Jeez, what a twist! Command aka Olivia was responsible for President Rashad’s assassination. What did you think of this twist? Not surprising, I think we’re only beginning to scratch the surface of Liv’s “dark side”. I’m interested to see how far she’ll go!

Julia: I mean, I guess it makes sense from the power standpoint, but I was expecting Mellie to demand more explanation or give some sort of comeback for Jake’s “I don’t work for you when I’m off the clock.” statement. Boy!!!!! You’re NEVER off the clock. Have you lost your mind?!?!? I don’t recall Mellie going to Liv to get the dirty stuff done, but she knows she capable of some dirty mess. I mean, Mellie knows there is a power struggle between her and Liv. I think I’m just surprised Mellie doesn’t put more together.

Torri: I was completely shocked! Even though we’ve seen the signs in the last few seasons that Olivia is more like her father than we originally thought, it surprised the hell out of me to find out that she made the call to kill President Rashad after knowing how Mellie felt about him. This whole season I have thoroughly enjoyed bad bitch Olivia Pope commanding the White House and wishing that she and Mellie really did run 1600 Pennsylvania Ave instead of the person currently occupying the space, but her role as Command is taking over her life completely. Olivia’s new no-nonsense demeanor is something I can relate to on a secular level, but her callous is disheartening and too much, unlike the character we’ve grown to know and love.

Keith: The reveal that Olivia was responsible for the assassination wasn’t that much of a stretch considering her trajectory so far this season. This is just the next step to become Command.

Dorothy: I don’t like it. I don’t like the direction the writers have taken Liv’s’ character this year. Yeah, she’s killed before but not with the kind of malice and evilness and coldness that she appears to have now. I used to root for her. Not anymore.

3. Cyrus and Glackland are finally an item, who didn’t see that coming, right? What do you think of this pairing and its future?

Mindset Podcast: Cyrus and Glackland are finally an item, who didn’t see that coming, right? What do you think of this pairing and its future? I surprisingly like them together! It seems like they’re good for each other-they can balance each other out!

Julia: Well, I think it could have worked, but now Glackland knows TOO much. Cyrus knows Glackland has some power and influence so I wouldn’t be surprised if Cyrus uses him for his resources… Cyrus ain’t a fool either. He knows when people are valuable. So their romantic relationship will serve as a means for benefitting Cyrus. I’m all curious if Glackland may have a side agenda other than the obvious political aspirations.

Torri: Cyrus and Glackland make more sense to me as a couple than any of Cyrus’ past relationships, including James! (Sorry, not sorry) Though we don’t know much about Glackland besides his ambition to be a politician. His demeanor and position in the world align more with Cyrus’ and they just make a cute couple.

Keith: The Cyrus and Glackland pairing wasn’t much of a surprise as the season has been setting them up. Not sure how long they’ll last since most of Cyrus’ relationships seem to go bad but he deserves a happy ending.

Dorothy: I love Cyrus. Good for him. I think they will end up ruling the world!

4. Yikes, that interaction between Olivia and Quinn was quite something. Quinn knows what Olivia did and things aren’t looking too great for Ms. Pope. What did you think of this scene and of Quinn’s reaction?

Mindset Podcast: Yikes, that interaction between Olivia and Quinn was quite something. Quinn knows what Olivia did and things aren’t looking too great for Ms. Pope. What did you think of this scene and of Quinn’s reaction? I thought it was a great scene, Quinn really called Liv on her shit. I wonder what Huck would do if Liv hurt Quinn.

Julia: I think Quinn is bringing it back to 1st season feels. Now we know not everyone Pope & Associates helped were innocent, but if I remember correctly they were doing more good than bad and helping the people who needed representation. They (Olivia) done gone off the rails.

Torri: Quinn’s reaction was justified. In last week’s episode, we got to see more of how Quinn runs QPA and how she interacts with her clients through Rashad’s niece. I would have reacted the same way if I spent hours looking after that girl just to have to watch her get blown up after believing that my mission of keeping her safe was complete. This new Olivia Pope is a surprise to everyone including Quinn, who has always looked up to Olivia and what she stood for.

Keith: Quinn was right for calling out Olivia, however, it may be too little too late.

Dorothy: I loved it! Quinn has always been THE gladiator after Liv. I’ve loved the evolution of her character and how she stands up to Olivia. Quinn is #nofear personified!

5. David and Abby for life, right?! What do you think of them being together as a couple?

Mindset Podcast: David and Abby for life, right?! What do you think of them being together as a couple? I remember how devastated they both were after that horrible break up, so I hope they can make it work!

Julia: I think they should be together. They love each other and care for each other…. so, I’m for it.

Torri: David and Abby have always been an adorable item to me. They’ve been through so much since season 1 and it’s only right that they end up together in the end.

Keith: David and Abby are perfect for each other, simple as that.

Dorothy: YAASSSSS!!!! DABBY for Life!!! #abouttime #chemistry #givethefanswhattheywant

6. Olivia is officially in panic mode after Quinn’s disappearance. As the gang pieces together information leading to her whereabouts, she knows she is on the verge of being discovered for her crime. What did you think of her panicked state of mind and guilty conscience?

Mindset Podcast: Olivia is officially in panic mode after Quinn’s disappearance. As the gang pieces together information leading to her whereabouts, she knows she is on the verge of being discovered for her crime. What did you think of her panicked state of mind and guilty conscience? It was good to see that she still has a bit of a conscience. I wonder how she’ll dig her way out of this or if it will make her slow down at all.

Julia: Liv is ALL the way out there… like, Eli Pope out there. It’s so interesting though because she’s still in the learning phase of having so much power. She doesn’t even know everybody IN B613. It seems like there are only, like, 2 people in B613…. like Liv was sweating real bullets when they were looking at that video of Quinn. She’s not even in the place where she knows she’s got all her bases covered. She ain’t at Papa Pope level yet. When we were introduced to him, he knew who was doing what. I almost feel like Jake knows more about B613 than her.

Torri: The scenes of Olivia freaking out in the bathroom of QPA is the real Olivia Pope. I think she finally realized what her actions as Command could do to the people she cares about that still wear the “white hat” she can no longer wear.

Keith: Her panicked state was a little odd. It was exciting but it wasn’t clear what she was feeling guilty about because she felt she did the right thing with Rashad and it was clear that she was responsible for Quinn’s kidnapping.

Dorothy: Don’t care. Hope she gets caught. I DO NOT LIKE THIS OLIVIA. PERIOD. #girlbye

7. Last but not least, we have NO idea where Quinn is and who took her. In the final moments, we realize she didn’t get cold feet on her wedding day. But if that’s not the case..then who took her?

Mindset Podcast: Could this be Papa Pope?! I wouldn’t be surprised if somehow he’s still command. And he was awfully quiet this episode…

Julia: B613…. Liv just doesn’t know. For some reason, I just don’t trust Jake tells her everything. She’s a baby and he’s been in this mess for a minute. Maybe it is to protect her, but I don’t know.

Torri: My guess is Papa Pope. Imagine how hard it is for him to be told what it is he can and can’t do by his own daughter whom he’s used to controlling. We all know how much he loved being Command and leading B613. And speaking for myself, seeing him be under Olivia’s thumb is a little unnerving. My guess is he did this to teach Olivia a lesson, and to show her that she’ll always need him. Because at the end of the day, that is his favorite role to play in her life. Honestly though who knows…

Keith: I have no idea who took Quinn but I don’t she was kidnapped and this is all just a ruse to get back to Olivia.

Dorothy: I am really struggling here. I was trying to read the faces of the characters. Maybe Papa Pope? Not sure. Hope she and the baby are ok.

Final Verdict: With the possibility of Quinn being kidnapped and Olivia being discovered, stakes are higher than ever before as we approach the winter finale.

In its final season, Scandal has upped its drama and stakes. Olivia is on a vicious path of destruction, taking down all those around her with no apologies. While this episode had her confronting the consequences of her actions, it is yet to be seen if this will be a deterrent for her. With the winter finale just days away, fans are anticipating explosive drama and action to end the first half of the final season.

Will they find Quinn? Will everyone learn the truth about Olivia? And will she EVER decide who she wants to be with? These are just some of the many questions fans are hoping are answered as Scandal inches closer to its series finale. Oh, Scandal, you slay us.

Scandal returns Thursday, November 16th at 9/8C on ABC.