Tonight’s episode of Scandal season 5 found Fitz deciding that being impeached was better than losing Olivia.

The Affair

In her first day at the Senate, Mellie is told by the women of Congress that they want to impeach Fitz for his affair with Olivia. More importantly, they want to make a lesson out of him. It shouldn’t just be Olivia who’s punished with all of this negative attention — Fitz should also be suffering! The women leave it up to the First Lady to decide if they’ll move forward on this idea. (Spoiler: She eventually agrees.)

Mellie has a great Mellie Moment here, noting that it’s the woman in the affair who always gets the attention when the relationship goes public (as the hour-long Olivia special this episode was framed around reminds us). Where’s Fitz’s hour-long exposè?

Even though the women of the Senate seemed like they were the only ones interested in impeachment, it turns out the men wanted to use this to their advantage, too. Fitz is pressured by male Senate leaders to drop his hallmark achievement, the Brandon Bill, or risk impeachment (they believe the Brandon Bill only helps Democrats — the party Fitz and Senate leaders don’t belong in). He even faces a shocking comment: One Senator suggests to the President that next time he has an affair he select someone more “palatable.” Racist much?

In light of their poor treatment of Olivia and some additional soul searching, Fitz decides to make a public spectacle of their threats by driving to Olivia’s apartment as the media follows in tow. It’s date night for these two… featuring a million guests watching at home thanks to the media’s fascination!

Livid at Fitz’s decision to be so public with Olivia, Mellie decides she wants to impeach him after all. Maybe now Fitz will get the hour-long Dateline special?

Dog Whistle Politics

Olivia continued to struggle with the attention her affair announcement has caused.

After dealing with paparazzi outside her window, Olivia discovers there’s porn themed around her and Fitz’s affair (lol). While the idea of that alone is funny given all the parody porn in the real world these days, Olivia is disturbed because the internet is verbally attacking her and threatening rape. Suddenly it isn’t funny, and it turned into important commentary on how black women are treated in the media and online.

The commentary extends to OP&A’s new PR hire Marcus, who we all remember as the activist on season 4. He takes the media to task for the way they talk about Olivia and their offensive language, labeling it “dog whistle politics.” His PR tour does the trick — it gets the media quiet, but will they pipe up again now that Fitz and Olivia are happily appearing in front of the cameras?

We really liked this arc because it’s relatable whether or not you’re in politics. The internet could learn a lesson or two on how to treat women online.

A tender family moment

Mellie drops into the White House to pick up a few of her things and comes across Fitz playing hide and seek with little Teddy. Teddy! We forgot about you. This scene reminds Mom of what once was, and in a fleeting moment, Fitz and Mellie are partners again. In light of these emotions, they vow to not fight anymore. In hindsight we know this promise doesn’t last too long considering Mellie wants to throw her husband out of the White House.

But forget about that drama. Everyone say “aw”…

The episode was framed around an hour-long tell-all offering a biography of Olivia in light of her recent scandal. It was understandable that Olivia was into watching coverage of herself, but Quinn and Huck? Their obsession seems unjustified — as if the special would present new information.

Elsewhere…

– Cyrus has an intense conversation with Mellie over how he sees Fitz as his child. He always protects the president from danger and sees things that he can’t, and it’s killing him that he can’t work with Fitz anymore. Cyrus stupidly says that Mellie is lucky her son is already in the grave… and safe. Mellie fires him for his insensitive remarks.

– Jake has reconnected with an old B613 flame in Paris named Elise as he tries to figure out what Papa Pope is up to. He invites her back to America — might this be another new OP&A employee?

– END Quinn goes to Marcus and tries to hire him at Olivia Pope & Associates as a “mouthpiece,” a spokesperson. He says thanks but no thanks because they think “the law is a suggestion” at OP&A. Oh, and they’re losing clients left and right.

After Quinn gets yelled at by Olivia for trying to hire someone else, Marcus has a change of heart — he wants their money while they still have it! He also wants to help Olivia.