After this week's episode of Scandal, I find myself asking one question: If you're anyone other than Cyrus Beene, is it possible to keep a secret from Olivia Pope?

"All Roads Lead to Fitz" was a game-changer in terms of who's trusting whom. Old alliances were renewed, new alliances were formed and all of it was done for one purpose: protecting Fitz.

Tonight's episode picked up immediately where "Beltway Unbuckled" left off and one thing's for certain: Hollis Doyle might be the greasiest slimeball since President Charles Logan on 24.

I'm not sure if he's the reason they had a mess to cover up or if they've all gotten their positions because of a mess he uncovered, but Hollis is not a man to trust. He is, however, a man to keep very, very close by. Like the saying goes, "keep your friends close and your enemies closer." Hollis knows everything he shouldn't know and then some, but what he doesn't know is just how far Cyrus is willing to go to keep this secret under wraps.

And how far will he go? We know he'll go all the way to having someone murdered, and after tonight, Mellie might infer that much as well. Their scene in the hallway of the White House was exactly what I love most about these two characters when they're together.

Cyrus recognizes the threat that Mellie can be, calling her a "terrifying political animal," and Mellie seems to appreciate that Cyrus sees that in her. But Cyrus? Don't mess with Cyrus.

If Mellie's an animal, Cyrus is a monster willing to stop at nothing, even embarrassing his own husband, to protect Fitz. And then, as if nothing happened, Cyrus just snaps back to his normal self as if he hasn't just threatened the First Lady of the United States and accepts her invitation to dinner. Brilliant! (To read more of Cyrus' fantastic lines, albeit without his trademark delivery, check out the Scandal quotes page!)

This mess they're covering up, voter fraud during Fitz's campaign for President, is not one I can say I saw coming. Olivia wears the white hat, and while David Rosen has said she's not afraid to do the wrong thing from time to time so that good will prevail, I have to wonder if she knew about the fraud at the time of Fitz's campaign or if she found out after. And if she knew about the voter fraud, what was the worse evil she was trying to prevent?

Gosh, this show. Always with the questions!

The Pope and Associates case-of-the-week was seamlessly integrated into both the theme of this week's episode and the conspiracy. Governor Reston's feigned reluctance to accept Olivia's help due to the fact that she cost him the election against Fitz and the subsequent revelation that he had premeditated murdering his wife's lover, hoodwinking Olivia the whole time, was really well-crafted. The foreshadowing that something had been awry during their competition for the White House was flawlessly executed.

(By the way, was anyone jonesing for an Everwood reunion like I was? Tom Amandes and Debra Mooney together again? Too bad they didn't share a scene tonight.)

Other important things of note from this episode:

• David and Abby's relationship is no secret, nor was the fact that he was too close to the truth for comfort. Olivia's been spying on him and using someone other than Huck to do it.
• Speaking of Huck, how delightfully awkward, and also incredibly creepy, was his date? He spies on suburban families for fun.
• Edison Davis is after Olivia, and she's not saying no to his advances. She's also not saying yes. I like the way this potential relationship is being handled. While I know the majority of the audience wants her with Fitz, that's not plausible at this stage in the game. Edison might be a nice distraction.

What did you think of tonight's Scandal? Let's talk in the comments and look for the Scandal Round Table, coming soon!

Miranda Wicker was a Staff Writer for TV Fanatic. She retired in 2017. Follow her on Twitter.