ABC’s ‘Scandal’ season 5: Latest promo features Olivia, Jake, and surprises

Is Olivia Pope really interested in getting back with Jake Ballard on “Scandal,” especially so soon after what we ended up seeing between her and Fitz? Based on the latest promo released by ABC Thursday, it certainly seems like a possibility … though we hope that it’s not.

What would it really accomplish for Kerry Washington and Scott Foley’s characters to get back together? Nothing really. We just don’t buy that someone like Jake would be willing to continually get back to her after she has routinely shown time and time again that she cannot get Fitz out of her head, no matter what he does to her or what she does to him. He has always felt like more of the priority with Jake there waiting in the wings. Our hope is that this is more of a case where either Olivia is manipulating Jake, he is manipulating her, or they both think that this is the best way to get what they want. Multiple duplicity is always fun when done right.

Also, the promo tells you to get your jaw “reacquainted with the floor,” which of course reminds us of why we hate ABC’s promotional strategy: They continue to insist that crafting a narrative based on shocking moments is more important than actually making a show about great characters and the story. Remember, we’re not necessarily saying this about the show itself; sometimes, Shonda Rhimes and company don’t always write scripts that are a clear reflection of everything that is out there from the network.

“Scandal” returns on Thursday, February 11 with new episodes, and you better believe we’ll have more information as it comes out.

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