The old Liv is back and fiery and fierce as ever!

Scandal brought out all the cards in its latest episode, leaving us to wonder where the heck will it all end? Scandal has certainly had its ups and downs over the years but in this penultimate episode, things got intense–real fast. The episode picks up with Liv (Kerry Washington) and Fitz (Tony Goldwyn) in bed together after a night of passion. But there is no time to gush over the romance because things are heating up for Mellie (Bellamy Young) as she is being framed for the hijacking of Air Force Two. Liv is dead set on Mellie telling the truth because it is her armor–which means not pleading the Fifth during questioning. However, things take a drastic turn when Mellie is asked about President Rashad’s assassination. She finds herself backed into a corner because there is a recorded video conversation between her and Liv discussing what went down. This turns the investigation towards Liv who is subpoenaed on the spot. Behind all of this? Jake (Scott Foley), of course.

In the QPA offices, the group deals with Sally Langston (Kate Burton) who comes sniffing around about Liv’s subpoena and says she is willing to pay to get information. And while they deal with Sally, they also attempt to come up with a plan to exact revenge on Cyrus (Jeff Perry). The downside? Any crime Cyrus has ever been involved in incriminates them as well. Liv faces the fire when she sits down for questioning which leads to something fans did not see coming. While asking Liv whether or not Mellie gave orders to kill President Rashad, she confesses to being Command and exposes B613 in its entirety. Jake decides to get rid of her testimony and erase it from the record–because, why not? Liv talks to the rest of the group and tells them they have to tell the truth even if it means they all end up in jail. They need to be honest if they want future leaders to be better, stronger, and more truthful.

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The QPA gang decides that they need to leak the truth about B613 and co. to Sally Langston because it gives them the platform they need to expose and take down Cyrus and Jake. Amongst the drama, this episode ropes in Papa Pope (Joe Morton) to declare that he has always been and will always be Command. No one ever took that role away from him and never will. Yikes. The episode comes to a dramatic end when QPA bands together and lets Sally expose B613 on live television as Jake and Cyrus scramble to make sense of the mess they now find themselves in. Over a cliff, right?

The penultimate episode had us on the edge of our seats, right?! Here to talk about B613 being exposed, Papa Pope’s return and the anticipated series finale is our Scandal roundtable!

Mindset Podcast (@Mindset_Pod)– Podcast focusing on social justice and black culture

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

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

Myoshi (@BeingMyoshi)– Writer, comedian, and traveler

Nthabbie (@nthabbie)– Marketing & Media Maverick, Sometimes TV Commentator (TVAD) & most times Epitome of Awesomery

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1. In this week’s episode, Fitz asked Liv how she thinks the story will end. What are your thoughts on how it will all come to an end?

Mindset Podcast (@Mindset_Pod): Man, I hope it doesn’t end with everyone in jail! Even though that’s exactly what they all deserve, it would be such a bummer. Despite how dark these characters could be, I want (most of) them to have happy endings. That’s a testament to the amazing writing and acting we’ve come to love on this show.

Dorothy (@DorothyJGentry): I’m still trying to get a feel for it. Not really sure. But I have a feeling that Papa Pope is going to be somewhere in the mix, standing on top. One week I’m thinking Mellie will come out on top, Fitz and Liv will ride off to Vermont, etc. etc. but then other weeks I’m like, that’s too predictable and nice and neat. Something crazy is going to happen. Cyrus WILL get the White House, maybe someone major will die; what if Papa Pope ends up in the White House?

Julia (@DrJuliaPRS): I think this will finally get Fitz & Liv “together”. I’m not sure in what capacity as one of them or both of them will be in jail. I think the bigger concept is that they are all finally trying to redeem themselves. I really don’t know how it will end, but I think the process has been the most important part: they want to do better.

Myoshi (@BeingMyoshi): This was an end I didn’t see coming. I feel like, from the preview, one of the three masterminds behind Mellie’s downfall will kill themselves or end up in prison for a long time. Liv, Fitz, and the rest will be fine…or maybe I’m totally wrong and everyone goes to jail lol.

Nthabbie (@nthabbie): Everything comes full circle and I’m glad their story ends with them doing the right thing. My worry was it will end with them fearing their own shadows because of all the evils they conspired. To whom much is given, much is expected.

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2. Liv outing herself as Command and giving a testimony about the existence of B613 was something, right? What did you think of that moment?

Mindset Podcast: I loved that moment, mostly because of how shocked Cyrus and Jake were! Liv just wants to tell the truth. While she may have some noble intentions, I think it’s clear that she’s tired of trying to fix everyone and everything.

Dorothy: I LOVED IT!! I was like YAASSSS!!! The truth will set you free…and I know it felt good for Liv to say it. Ol’ boy had to take a break there was so much truth flying around that room. Lol. It was so liberating. Great scene.

Julia: I thought it was her ultimate act of redemption. She is taking responsibility for what she has done in the distant past and the recent past. Also, it was an effective way to take down Jake who is part of her immediate problem.

Myoshi: O-M-G when Liv outed herself as Command of B613 I thought I was going to faint! Lonnie was so shocked he stopped the interview to go check! That was one of my three most shocking scenes this episode. I felt that was the moment that needed to happen in order to show Jake and Cyrus they aren’t that ahead of her.

Nthabbie: It was not as spectacular as I thought it would be but alas it had to be done. I just really have no other opinion on her delivery except for – well then!

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3. Liv gave a monologue about wanting to tell the truth about all their sins so the next generation of leaders can be better. Do you agree with her? Why or why not?

Mindset Podcast: I agree with her; airing out their dirty laundry could be a huge wake-up call for the republic. The question is, would the upcoming generation learn from those mistakes? Regardless of the long-term outcome, it looks like Olivia and everyone in this twisted world will have to confront their demons.

Dorothy: I totally agree. Because leadership, truly being a leader, IS being honest, having integrity, putting the greater good ahead of your personal good. They are trying to protect their hides. Time to let their hides get hit – and get some sun – with the truth. Great scene. Great words. Great writing.

Julia: I do agree with her. I think all of this storyline is very relevant to current events, but there is a balancing act since everything can swing in the opposite direction. As Mellie said, there is a lot that can’t be controlled and it can get a whole lot uglier before it gets better (if at all). Again, I think this is a part of her path to redemption.

Myoshi: As stated above that was a smart move, but will the next generation be better…maybe. I mean in today’s society we could only hope for B613 Command to make us feel better. I get where she was coming from on allowing those after you to learn from your mistakes.

Nthabbie: Haha, I once read somewhere that: Power is not a means; it is an end. One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes the revolution in order to establish the dictatorship. Once you achieve something, it matters not what the person who succeeds will do. Will the next generation of leaders be better, we could hope – but politricks is a nasty game and to survive you need to eat or be eaten.

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4. Marcus told Mellie she is surrounded by sharks. What did you think of this statement?

Mindset Podcast: One of the things I love about this show is that no one can say they don’t have blood on their hands. That was very evident when they were brainstorming ways to save Mellie’s presidency; all roads lead to their downfall. Every character on the show has been faced with moral dilemmas, and more often than not, they chose the option that best served their own purposes. Now it’s time to face those decisions.

Dorothy: It’s true. All in their own ways – they are all sharks. I agree. Again, great scene. Great words. Great writing.

Julia: No, he didn’t say she was surrounded by sharks. He said they (she and everybody else) WERE sharks, which was fitting as this is one of the first times an “outsider” (other than David Rosen) has learned about all their dirt and been truly appalled. Marcus is right. Mellie is where everyone else was during Fitz’s administration… trying to justify their actions, but Marcus spoke some truth to her.

Myoshi: Marcus never lies. He was telling the truth. Mellie didn’t even realize that by surrounding herself with sharks she has become a shark as well. I loved how he told her the real deal despite her feelings. She needed to hear it in order to make her decision.

Nthabbie: Marcus is wearing rose-colored glasses, argh he irritates me. He himself is a shark. You do not get to share a bed with the 1st citizen without having to be a shark yourself. It’s quite hypocritical for him to say something like that.

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5. Papa Pope finally made an appearance this week! What did you think of him telling Jake no one can take Command?

Mindset Podcast: It was good to see ol’ Papa Pope! He’s taking his epic monologues with him to the bitter end! I agree with what he said about power, but I don’t know about the Command thing. Am I to understand that when Liv had control of B6-13…she wasn’t actually in control? Like B6-13 operatives were secretly reporting to Eli the whole time? I don’t know, maybe I haven’t “evolved” enough to understand lol.

Dorothy: FASCINATING!!!! He was spitting truth. About power and what it is and what it is not. Makes sense now. All of it. Never occurred to me that Papa Pope was – IS – still Command. He actually is. Wow. Yet again. Great scene. Great words. Great writing.

Julia: I’ve been thinking this the whole time. From the time Liv “became Command”, I’ve always thought that she and others took it as a title instead of embodying the power that it was. Papa Pope was still playing them while “they were Command”. I’m so glad he vocalized this because I always thought Liv/Jake weren’t truly Command…. they were just posers.

Myoshi: Now I love me some Papa Pope! I will miss his monologues the most. I wouldn’t have guessed he was still “Command”, but he was right as well. This man was Command for all these years. He taught Jake, Huck, Charlie, Quinn and countless others how to be who they are. How would they think he would just give up who he really is. We see how he was playing with Liv while she was Command. Plus everyone that takes over always come back to him for the nod of approval.

Nthabbie: Papa Pope is EVERYTHING!!! His little speech about how real power is silent and does not need to declare itself to anyone for it to be recognized resonated with me so much this week, of all weeks. Jake should take a page from South African struggle icon, Winnie Mandela. Her power transcended through silly formal recognition like Noble peace prizes however the people claimed her as their chosen leader. During her days on this Earth and posthumously. Now that’s real power. Jake is busy barking orders that nobody cares to listen to, that should be his cue.

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6. The series finale is this week and we have so many feelings about this! What are you most looking forward to as the series comes to a close?

Mindset Podcast: I am anxious to see how this story ends, even though I am sad to see it go. I hope each of these characters ends in a hopeful place, but knowing Shonda, everyone could be headed into another Scandal! (see what I did there?)

Dorothy: All the Gladiators going with Olivia over the cliff!!!!! The End! The FABULOUS End!!

Julia: I’m looking to see how things are tied up though I think some aspects won’t be complete. I am curious who will go to jail and if anyone is killed off. So many questions… will it be a 2-hour finale!?!?! I need this to happen!

Myoshi: I am most looking forward to how it all ends! Will Mellie, Liv, and the crew go down, or will their plan set them free and Cyrus, Jake, and Lonnie go down?

Nthabbie: I need Olitz to be officially recognized as a couple by the state court on an official doc called a marriage certificate. Hehe. They need to also shut down OPA, B613, and all those useless special agencies they had. Also, Cy needs to find Jesus. Mellie must own up to her situationship with Marcus, a black man dating a Republican woman.

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7. The team went to Sally Langston with information about B613 in order to stop Cyrus and Jake. What did you think of this decision and the fact that Sally played a big part in helping them?

Mindset Podcast: Can I just say that Sally Langston is my FAVORITE supporting character? She just tickles me! I don’t know that they had any other options since Liv’s testimony was buried. Sally is helping her ratings first before anything else, so I’m not really surprised, but it is crazy that the Gladiators have to work with the Lovers of Liberty!

Dorothy: Didn’t see that coming. Glad to see ol’ Saint Sally back in the saddle helping out. It was a pivotal point and has set up the finale in a major way. Good stuff.

Julia: It is an effective strategy and I think it works with getting a “bipartisan” effort to righting the wrongs of all of these individuals. I mean, Sally should be in jail too! I almost forgot about her and her husband. So, if anyone knows the inner workings of all this, it is her… and she got off free!

Myoshi: Now you know Sally can’t pass up a good political scandal! That was a very smart move. I’m glad she put it out there for the world to see. It’s like Jake and Cyrus’s plan is crumbling, they can’t hide now. Knowing Sally she will make sure all of the situations will be put on blast.

Nthabbie: Hello lover of liberty, I live for Sally and her spicy self. What a way to break the news. Sally will go down in history books as relevant unlike what she currently is on that show of hers. I’m so happy for her. Lol!!

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Final Verdict: Over a cliff, they go!

Can you believe it? The series finale of Scandal is upon us and we cannot wait to see where the story will all end. While there is so much excitement about how the story will wrap up, there is much to be sad about as we bid farewell after seven seasons. The penultimate episode pulls out all the stops to ensure the series finale will go to all lengths to bring the Shondaland drama we all crave and adore. B613 is now exposed which leaves Jake and Cyrus with very few cards left to play–if any at all. What will this mean going into the finale? We can be certain that the war is officially on and they will scramble to do whatever they can to come out on top. However, QPA, Liv, and the rest of the gang are as strong as ever and are prepared to take on whatever comes–even if it means their downfall.

The writing on Scandal in the final season, particularly this one, has been phenomenal and bringing out some of the best work we’ve seen thus far. We have to give them kudos for keeping the drama alive with the show on its way out. It is not an easy task but one that the writers of Shondaland have excelled in for Scandal’s final season. So what can we expect for the final few moments of Scandal? If the past seasons have been any indication–a whole lot of scandalous drama. It is officially Liv and co. versus Cyrus and Jake, which can mean disastrous consequences for everyone involved.

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B613 is now exposed which begs the question–what will Cyrus and Jake do now? The investigation into Liv and Mellie has been turned on its head and the microscope now is on Cyrus and Jake. Will they able to get away with it? We sure hope not! There is a lot yet to unfold as we anxiously await the Scandal series finale and many questions that are ailing our minds. We can only hope Shonda Rhimes will do the fans justice by giving us exactly what we want–a satisfying ending.

Scandal returns for its series finale on Thursday, April 19th at 9/8C on ABC.