Scandal Season 7 Episode 4 Review: Lost Girls
Christine Orlando
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Sometimes it feels as though the whole world revolves around Olivia Pope, and much of Scandal Season 7 Episode 4 followed that rule.
That was easier to take when Olivia still wore a white hat, although I do absolutely love that dramatic, yet classic, black and white houndstooth coat that now appears to be a permanent part of her wardrobe.
Olivia started off on Scandal Season 1 fighting the good fight with OPA, but as the show has progressed and Olivia has made her way over to the dark side, it's gotten more and more difficult to root for her.
But there were still a few glimpses of the light shining through, but I'm not certain which side of the force will win out in the Scandal Season 7 fight for Olivia Pope's soul.
As Rowan pointed out in this Scandal quote...
So Olivia will help you find these girls and what? Trade in her B-613 horns for a halo?
Rowan
That plan sounded a little naive to me too.
Not that the cause wasn't worthy, and Olivia did poke her head into QPA to give them her two cents about putting Zoey's mother in the spotlight instead of just a photo of the missing girl, but only after Marcus reminded her that finding even one girl was important.
Before that meeting, Olivia's focus remained on why Fitz was back in D.C. and how it affected her.
I appreciated that Scandal shined a light on how little attention missing children of color get from both law enforcement and the media.
Fitz: Girls like Zoey aren't just being ignored by the justice system, they're being ignored by the press.
Curtis: So you're saying the media's to blame for these girls going missing?
Fitz: No, Curtis. I'm saying the media's to blame for them staying missing, and for the fact that the only reason Zoey's picture is on TV tonight is because a rich, white guy is sitting next to her mother right now.
But most of this episode was about who was really in control. Rowan was manipulating Fitz, who thought he could sway Olivia, who was quick to put her father back in his proverbial cage when she found out he'd stepped out of line and contacted Fitz.
Did Olivia really have to take Annie? How much have things changed that I felt bad for Papa Pope when his daughter stole the dinosaur bones he used as a stand in for human companionship?
I also got a chuckle out of Olivia acting both clueless and curious about Fitz's sudden arrival in D.C.
Olivia: I need you to look into Fitz. He's back, no warning. Shows up on my doorstep saying he's got some case he needs my help with.
Jake: And you think that's strange, a man who hasn't gone for three minutes, let alone three months, without wanting to see you?
Jake may be stuck on his own leash, but he's still the one person in Olivia's inner circle who will tell her exactly what he thinks.
And he thinks that B-613 needs more agents.
It's as though Olivia wants her deadly toy soldiers to do her bidding, but doesn't want to feel as though she has blood on her hands.
As Rowan pointed out, it just doesn't work that way, and the big question is, what will Olivia do when that really sinks in.
Unfortunately, QPA's role was quite small in this installment. Huck was almost nonexistent, Charlie griped about taking the case pro bono, and Quinn looks as though she's going to have that baby any day.
And that's a day I can't wait to see. I'm hoping they give an entire episode over to Quinn and Charlie having that child.
But until then, it was good to see Mellie continuing to come into her own as President, flaws and all.
Mellie: It's intoxicating, everyone always doing what I say. I started to think, I can do whatever I want, whomever I want, but that is exactly what they all thought; those old dead guys with their mistresses and their child brides. The pigs! And now, it's happening to me. It's a nightmare.
Cyrus: I never thought about it like that.
Mellie: Well, now you know. You're not the only one with issues around here.
Any scene with Mellie and Cyrus being honest with one another or working together is tops on my list.
Mellie is unique in that she can acknowledge her feelings and possible failings, while still having the presence of mind to see the big picture.
She might want Rashad, but she knows that making decisions on those feelings isn't smart. However, she also knows that the peace process has a chance if he is alive and is given a chance to retake control of his country.
Meliie isn't flexing military muscle to look strong or to keep her possible lover safe, she's doing it because she truly believes it is the smarter decision that has the best chance to provide peace.
And Olivia surprised me when she came around to Mellie's way of thinking and had her back.
You are a woman, a tactical thinker, a strategist, and a leader of the free world. So yes, this can be your call, and you will not make the same think below the waist mistakes as the 44 men who came before you because I will not allow it. That is my call. You are never alone. You have me.
Olivia
Was that Fitz's influence, or Olivia's moral compass finally righting itself?
Even though I'm not the biggest Olitz fan, it was good to see them finally get back together; I only hope it was more than a momentary fling for Olivia.
And even if it's not, I hope that this means she's kicking Curtis to the curb and out of her bed because I'm not a fan.
Elsewhere, Cyrus struggled with what to do with Fenton.
I'm also not sure what to make of Fenton. Is he just a shallow, egotistical narcissist or is there more to him than that?
The only thing we know for certain is that he is attracted to Cyrus, and although I have no clue where a relationship between the two might be headed, I have little doubt it will be fun to take the ride.
What do you think TV Fanatics? Are Mellie and Olivia really a team? Was Liv too hard on Rowan? And do you want to see more of Cyrus and Fenton?
Also, if you'd like more information on the plight of missing children, the website given at the end of this episode was www.missingkids.org.
Check back next week when Paul Daily will be back with his review of Scandal Season 7 Episode 5, and until then you can watch Scandal online any time here at TV Fanatic.
C. Orlando was a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow her on Twitter.
