Did Scandal season 2, episode 20’s politics hit a bit too close to home for America’s current Presidential campaigning season?

“I should run for President.” How many times do you hear that during the campaigning season? More often than not someone has something to say about one or all of the candidates running to hold the highest office in the United States. Scandal‘s fake America is no different. But instead of sticking to the candidates unique to their world, Scandal once again broke the fourth wall to comment on the current race, which proved to more of a distraction than a major plot device in the penultimate episode of the season.

Beyond the glaring title, “Trump Card,” Scandal chose to run with the headlines and keep to the biggest hits — racism, misogynistic comments, working with the KKK. But by the umpteenth time Hollis Doyle had an accusation thrown at him only to spin it into something even more offensive and rise in the polls, I wanted to find the fast-forward button. Where was the story? What threat does this person serve in the current story?

As it turns out, Hollis Doyle’s success turns Mellie and Susan’s ceasefire into a race for the Vice President slot on Doyle’s ticket. That is until Liv films Hollis in his office spewing some “truths” that goes straight to the ears of the lovers of liberty. With Doyle out of the way and less than half the episode to get Abby and Liv back with their candidates and take each other down.

Before we can make moves there, Hollis Doyle’s usefulness crosses the aisle. Edison took a shot at the Doyle that not only gave the media the ultimate soundbite, but also allowed him to make a statement about race, progress, and how far the Nation still has to go. Effectively, he ended his campaign, a campaign that never belonged to him in the first place. You can all but see a red dot appear on Edison’s back and the chills form when somewhere Papa Pope felt the betrayal rattle his bones.

But where the tension truly lies, and yes, you have to get to the final 15 minutes, is in the dirt exchange. A meeting where, behind the closed doors of the Oval, both parties present their dirt and decide who will make it through a smear campaign and who will bow out gracefully. Abby hold the trump card — the information about Olivia’s abortion. She may have the edge and the nerve to sit through a meeting with Papa Pope, but she does not have his blood coursing through her veins. When faced with dropping a bomb that would destroy every single person in the room, she chooses to take the least amount of casualties and tucks it away. Instead Liv’s news of David’s sugar deal in FL hits the floor.

Rosen must resign, Susan must drop out of the race, and their all-too-sudden engagement from the top of the episode is tossed to the curb. I appreciated Susan’s honesty in the moment following her withdrawal from the race. She tears David Rosen apart. “I am witty and cute and smarter than you.” You tell him, Susan Ross. You do not need that man, but you deserve that cry.

Do we finally have a true reconciliation between Abby and Olivia? Abby finally admits to Liv that she knew about her abortion. However, Olivia stands behind her decision to go forward with the abortion. But since Abby sat on that information Papa Pope still has a grenade in his back pocket to blow up her world.

Edison got off easy, with Papa Pope deciding that the pawn could live to see another day. Who knows when he may be of use somewhere in the future. But Jake has another use for Edison right now. As Jake smashes Edison’s head into the desk he lets out a single request in a hushed whisper– tell Olivia he wants out. Tell her that he is chasing the sun. Will Jake make it out of Command’s grip once again? The odds do not look like they are in favor of Ballard this time.

Stray Observations:

• What is the thing about the koalas, Susan?!

• I am still holding out hope that Cyrus’ storyline will find a way back into the spotlight, but every week I am let down by its execution. I was happy to see Cyrus and Liv sharing a bench again, gossiping about candidates, giving each other some pep talks and cryptic warnings. It was refreshing, but I hope that next season Cyrus finds his way back into the White House.

• Speaking of the race to the White House, I bet Vargas’ brother is still lurking in the shadows.

Next week is the season finale! Will everyone survive?

The Scandal season 5 finale, “That’s My Girl,” airs Thursday, May 12 at 9:00 p.m. ET on ABC.