ABC’s ‘Scandal’ season 5, episode 18 review: The story of Jake and Rowan

For weeks now on “Scandal,” we have bemoaned in particular about the addition of Jake and Rowan to the show. While they’re interesting, all of the spy / espionage talk has made for a rather cluttered show, and we think it is distracting at times from what is the real power and awesomeness of the show: Olivia being a fixer, and also some of the great political stuff.

At least Jake is linked somewhat to the election thanks to the attempts to get him instilled as a potential veep in the future, but for the time being, Thursday’s episode was for the most part to us more of a story about Jake and Vanessa’s wedding. The two said their “I do’s” following a complicated exchange, one where Olivia slept with him the night before the big event took place, but not too long after that we ended up learning that Rowan did everything that he could to ensure still that Jake tied that knot. It happened, and now he can continue to be groomed for what he is seemingly deemed to be.

Meanwhile, for Rowan in particular we learned further how manipulative he can be, as we saw through so many flashbacks as he trained Jake to be the way that he is after so much heartbreak and loss in his family. It gave us more sympathy that he as a character is even above ground at this point, let alone someone who is such a power player in his own way.

We’re not going to pretend that “Scandal” is better off with Mellie and Fitz are in the background (it’s not), but for all purposes this was a better episode than we imagined it would be going in. This may not be the most ringing endorsement of the story, but it’s how we’re feeling at present. Grade: B-.

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