This was the best episode we’ve seen yet this season. It didn’t touch the Kaitlin Winslow murder too much, but it delved deep into Pope family politics, sexual politics, and there was a moment when I actually gasped in disbelief. I used to do that all the time in Season Three, and I missed the feeling.
First, let’s jump right into the Pope family. Last we saw Olivia, she left Rowan speechless by the side of the pool after she wrested Jake out of his control. Olivia continued riding that wave this week, this time getting a leg up on Rowan and Fitz.
How? She wrangled a meeting with Tom in the Warden’s office despite Rowan and Fitz’s objections. Though Tom didn’t tell her anything new about Jerry’s death, she proved she can override both the President and Command’s authority. Plus, she basically told Fitz, “No more sexy phone time until I get word on Jake’s condition.” Once again we see that Olivia ultimately has a power over Fitz that Rowan can never compete with, even if he is Command.
Though Tom didn’t say anything new about Jerry, he did have a lot to say about Olivia’s control over Fitz. “What’s so special about you?” Tom implores. “Why does he revolve around you?” Tom casually mentioned that Fitz creeper-stalked Olivia’s apartment after she left and made a wailing sound that Tom had never heard before. Oh, and PS, Fitz tried to kill himself after she left. Tom continued throwing those hum-dingers: “I’ve never been able to look at your face directly before. Wow, you are beautiful. The face that launched a thousand ships. I can see why the President, Jake, Command, all want you.”
Okay, Tom, it’s starting to get creepy, especially since you’re talking ex-act-ly like Jake. (Seriously, did anyone else notice it was the same cadence? First Rowan, then Jake, now Tom… it’s like everyone went to the same acting school for dramatic monologues.) Since Tom still insists Jake ordered Jerry’s death, Olivia simply warns him that he is a loose end, and Rowan doesn’t like loose ends. Ooh Tom, you in danger girl!
When Rowan discovered that Olivia visited Tom, they had a mighty face off. Rowan reminds Olivia that he spent a lifetime taking care of her, and she should never get in his way or disrespect him again. Olivia told Rowan that he spent a lifetime doing the wrong things, to which he steadily replies, “Against me, you will lose.” So the lines are officially drawn between those two. No more Sunday night dinners and impromptu coffee dates for this father/daughter duo.
Back in supermax, Tom is stabbed. He survives and confesses to Olivia that since Rowan tried to kill him, he’s inspired to tell the truth: Rowan ordered the attack on Jerry. And Olivia got the confession on tape. Now here’s the part that made me gasp — Olivia ordered the attack on Tom. Yes. She admits to Fitz, “I handled him the way my father would have.” OMG, what?! (I wanted her to scream next, “From you dad, I learned it by watching you!”— but that’s for another generation.) Olivia’s white hat got mighty dirty this week, and I liked it. If you’re going to have a chance against Rowan Pope, you have to fight dirty like he does.
Inside the White House, there are several scandals brewing. First, Senator Lewis McDonnell from Virginia is caught on tape having “playtime” with a prostitute while wearing a sailor’s hat and giant diaper. Oh, and, “Baby made a mess.” (Shonda, seriously, what?!) The video is leaked, McDonnell resigns, and Fitz nominates Charles “Chip” Putney to fill the empty position. Does “Chip” sound familiar? It should, because it’s the name of Abby’s abusive ex-husband, the man who beat her so badly her jaw was wired shut for six weeks.
It’s cool, Abby’s a team player. Sure, she vomits in the bathroom after seeing him, but she’s good! Press secretaries can’t cry! And they need his votes on the hill. Abby is good, really! She can do this! Yeah, she pulled a gun on Chip in the parking lot after he was seriously creeping on her, but she didn’t shoot! She wanted to, but didn’t!
Nuh uh. Olivia is not having it. (I’m glad they’re friends again.) She begs Abby to go public about the abuse, but Abby shuts her down. “We did that with clients for years. We came, fixed, and conquered. They became Anita Hill, Monica Lewinsky, they told their story, but where are they now?” Sadly, Abby is correct and I’m glad she had the foresight to see it. So, instead of trying to take down Chip, Olivia puts on her white hat (and fabulous white jacket) and backs his opponent, Susan Ross, free of charge.
The only other person Abby talks to about Chip’s abuse is his campaign manager, Leo Bergen. We haven’t seen Bergen in a while, but he’s his usual sassy, brazen self. After Abby confesses Chip’s abuse, Leo leaks to the press that Chip set up the McDonnell sex video. This forces Chip to resign, and Ross wins, and everyone screams “Yahtzee!”