ABC’s ‘Scandal’ season 2, episode 15 review: Olivia plays matchmaker
When we heard that “Scandal” was going to be a little less serialized for the second half of this season, there were admittedly some big-time worried on our end. After all, we wanted to ensure that the quality of the story remained the same … and for at least Thursday night’s new episode, it ended up remaining the case.
For one, the storyline involving the hostage crisis overseas (which is the one major continuing plot of the week) was thoroughly fascinating, mostly in learning that the person really responsible for putting these American citizens in harm’s way was the Director of the CIA. This is the sort of over-the-top plot twist that in many ways infuriates people who don’t like this show; but for those who do, it was yet another welcome dose of juicy drama to have our hair stand on end for another week. The same goes for the slowly-evolving relationship between Olivia and Jake, as she finally agreed near the end of this week’s episode to go on some sort of actual date with him rather than a mission to try and use him for information. (Of course, Olivia doesn’t know right now that Jake is playing both sides with her and with Fitz.)
The story specific to this episode was fascinating in its own right, since it touched on something that has become a sad part of American culture: that a politician. especially a Republican, has to be married and as a part of a family unit in order to be taken seriously. Olivia Pope and Associates spent much of the hour trying to find this man a wife under the suspicion that he was gay, when in reality he was having an affair with his politician brother’s wife. This made for a nice twist at the end, especially since it showed that in some families, image really does matter more than happiness.
What did you think about this episode, and are you enjoying where the Olivia / Jake story is heading? If you want to read some more scoop on Quinn’s future on the show, you can do so over at the link here.
Photo: ABC
JacquelynH
February 26, 2013 @ 1:24 pm
I think the love triangle is a good thing, it adds new blood to the series. How many times can Fritz reject Liv in the name of his so-called betrayal? And how many more stolen moments can they really have? Liv is a complicated, successful, intelligent woman that can fix everyones live, but doesn’t have the where-with-all to control her passion for a married man that has to still be sleeping with his crazy wife (newborn baby), so let her have an affair with Jake; it will end as soon as she finds out he has been hired to keep tabs on her every move. That is unless he tells her the truth about it. I hope they fall hopelessly in love so that Liv can have her own man that she doesn’t have to share with another woman. Love Fritz (with his handsome self) and surely they make a beautiful couple, but he can’t give Liv what every woman wants…to be her man’s one and only.
Tanna
February 26, 2013 @ 9:12 am
I think Scandal is wonderful i think the love triangle element is wonderful the writing is just plain excellent. And Scott Foley is sexy as hell. and Fitz is a MARRIED man no matter how hot Olivia and Fitz are and EVERYONE is talking about it.
shame
February 22, 2013 @ 9:20 pm
Olivia and Jake better not have a romantic story if Scott Foley values his career.
Name ONE actor or actress who has been used as a love rival in a major TV couple whose career HASN’T been damaged by it.
The fans of scandal will be disappointed, and take it out on him and forevermore associate him with a bad memory.
We saw it time and again on Grey’s Anatomy, Friends, you name it.
I don’t know why actors and actresses volunteer to take on these roles.
Scandals current trajectory is gonna crash the ratings unless they back up fast.
You heard it here first.
People are already signing off over Fitz and Olivia, just check out the blogs.