Scandal season 4, episode 20 found Mellie battling questions about balancing two jobs, while Jake returned from the dead and remained under Papa Pope’s watchful eye.
Jake comes back to life — for now
After discovering Jake lying “dead” on the OP&A conference table, Huck delivers a giant punch to Jake’s chest, instantly reviving him. Olivia decides they need to take care of Jake themselves, or else Papa Pope will find out he’s alive. The group hires a Russian doctor, who will only save Jake from death if they help his KGB friend.
Unfortunately, Rowan knows Jake is still alive anyway. “If he were dead […] I would’ve found myself on the other end of a phone call from my daughter,” Papa Pope astutely points out to Olivia’s lover/his undercover agent Russell.
Rowan is eager to find out where Jake is, so he sends Russell to track down his former B613 ally. The search initially turns up nothing, which leads Rowan to send a bullet into Russell’s arm to make him try harder. Russell puts himself in the hospital, where Olivia picks him up. Naturally, she puts him right next to Jake in their make-shift hospital ward so they’re both under her protection.
Russell tries to kill Jake now that he’s in arm’s reach, but luckily the doctor spots the kerfuffle from a nearby window. We’re sure some viewers wouldn’t have minded seeing Jake actually die in this scene.
Meanwhile, Olivia asks the KGB to take down Papa Pope. Imagine how excited Putin would be to have Rowan’s head, Olivia argues! Unfortunately, Papa catches on to this new plan and kills the KGB man. “Against me, you will never win,” Rowan tells his daughter. He’s right — he’s always one step ahead, and it’s extremely frustrating. At what point will Olivia ever be able to take advantage of a gap in Papa’s plan?
In light of the recent kills by Rowan, Olivia’s new Russian doctor friend leaves Jake for dead. David insists they push forward with prosecution, but Olivia wants them to run away from all of this. Or else? “He will kill every single one of us,” she warns.
Olivia tells her father about their decision then goes home to Russell. If you thought she was ready to throw in the towel, think again! Olivia seduces Russell only to put a gun to his head to demand answers about Rowan. She finally figured out that her hot lover was too good to be true!
An uphill battle
Out on the campaign trail, Mellie takes on questions about potentially simultaneously juggling life as First Lady and a Senator. VP Sally Langston, speaking on her talk show The Liberty Report (the set of which looks like the set of The Colbert Report), piles on with the same questions.
Meeting in the Oval Office, Mellie, Fitz, and her team debate the recent headlines: Does the First Lady need to separate herself from Fitz? Is it even legal for Mellie to run for office while she’s married to the President? David says it’s fine since it’s never happened before (a First Lady running for office? Crazy!).
Polls reveal Americans agree with Sally, so Abby suggests they send Cyrus onto The Liberty Report to fight back. “I hate myself for saying that, I threw up in my mouth saying that,” Abby humorously says of her idea.
Cyrus reluctantly agrees to appear on his “very dear friend’s” show, but we’re glad Fitz forced him — the on-air debate between Cyrus and Sally was delicious, with the former delivering several great jabs. But Sally ultimately delivers the final blow: She accuses Cyrus of secretly wanting to become a Senator, and it’s clear she’s right.
The interview helps Mellie’s campaign only slightly, so Lizzie suggests they turn to one last option: Leak that the President and the First Lady’s marriage is over so that Mellie can play the single mother card. Unfortunately, Mellie doesn’t like the idea because she and Fitz are a team (except when they sleep with other people).
Later that night Fitz places a call to Olivia for help, and confesses he wishes to make up for the sins of his past by doing right by Mellie. “I’m trying to do better.” This moves Olivia, who then suggests they embrace her conflict of interest. To paraphrase Ms. Pope: “Having a Senator who sleeps with the President is awesome!”
The President takes his advice to Mellie, who runs with it on the campaign trail. “Every night I’ll come home to the President!” she proudly tells voters in Virginia. The only person not thrilled by the campaign is Cyrus, who threatens Abby’s future.
What did you think of ‘Scandal’ season 4, episode 20?
There are only two episodes left this season, and the show will be taking off next Thursday, April 30. The next episode — airing May 7 — will finally shed some light on Foxtail.
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