Now THAT is how you go on hiatus, TV Fanatics and Gladiators. This episode of Scandal was jam-packed with everything I love about this show... with a side of awesome for good measure.

I have tons to say about tonight's episode and none of it is bad. "Molly, You in Danger, Girl" really was "twisty, crazy, good."

I don't even know where to begin breaking down this review because my brain is running in about as many directions as the plot twists and potential plot twists in tonight's episode. I have so many questions swirling in my head right now that this review might be comprised entirely of questions.

What is Jake up to, you guys?

Did he plant the attacker in Liv's apartment just in case she turned on the TV at his house and saw the cameras there? So that he could pretend to be her knight in shining armor when we all know he's been watching her for months?

Or was that a really huge coincidence that she decided to show up at his house with cheeseburgers so they could get down to business on the night when she was supposed to be attacked in her home? Did Jake know about this planned attack because he orchestrated it? Anticipated it?

What in the world is going on?

I want to believe that he's not the bad guy he's being painted to be and that he just anticipated that someone would strike at her apartment. But I fear that he knew someone would show up to her apartment because he sent that someone there. That's why he wanted to go over there and cook her dinner. So that their little rendezvous could take place at her house and he would be there to protect her. Or fake protect her.

He had no way of knowing she would show, but her appearing certainly put a wrench in his plans. (And a beautiful woman in his bed, but still.) When she saw the surveillance footage and started questioning who he was, I wanted to believe him when he said he wasn't going to hurt her and he was only trying to protect her. But then I also wanted to shout that she probably wouldn't need protection if he wasn't a crazy sort-of stalker.

Jake knew before now that he was being asked to watch Olivia for personal reasons, but he didn't know just how personal those reasons were until tonight. His face when he saw Fitz lean in and hug her in the hospital was the moment when the Fitz and Olivia relationship really clicked for him. And the look was one of jealousy and rage.

Jake does not at all like the fact that Fitz and Olivia's relationship was or is more than whatever Fitz led him to believe. Watch out, Mr. President!

Another thing about Jake is that I can't decide if he's the mole or if he's covering for the mole. Is Cyrus the mole? Why would he torpedo Fitz' presidency?

Charlie being "baseball cap" and working with Jake and Cyrus is an interesting turn of events. Why did Cyrus need Charlie to look into Jake? Did I miss something? Did Cyrus order Charlie take Huck out independent of Olivia being under surveillance?

There's a missing piece to that puzzle and I can't wait to see what the piece is. Cyrus' involvement certainly has me intrigued. It feels like a return to Amanda Tanner when we thought he was involved, then thought he wasn't, and then suddenly found out that not only was he involved, he was behind her death. 

And now Cyrus knows that Fitz killed Verna and he excuses it as one of those things people sometimes do. Like brushing their teeth or paying their taxes. It's no big deal. He just killed a Supreme Court Justice. He absolved Fitz of his crime like he's a confessor and has the power to do such things. Fitz says "I killed Verna" and Cyrus replies "Go be happy."

Cyrus getting relationship advice from Fitz was rich, but it was a nice moment for the two characters. 

One thing's for sure, after fighting to keep him, hoping he'll be successful, Cyrus will not be telling James anything about anything this time. James made it clear tonight that he wishes he could go back to the time before he knew about Defiance and pretend that he didn't know what Cyrus is capable of doing. More importantly, James wishes he didn't know what he himself was capable of doing. But he can't pretend. 

It seems Mellie's the one who's mastered pretending. 

The Mellie/Fitz relationship is one that is so broken and bizarre to me. If what he said tonight was true, that she was brought to the dinner meeting unaware that she was basically being sold to him and Big Jerry like chattel, then my heart kind of breaks for her. I do believe she loved Fitz, then and now.

She's just come to love herself and her own wants and ambition more. 

Fitz is miserable in just about every aspect of his life. The look on his face in Olivia's hospital room said as much. Her face, however, said she wasn't interested. At least not now. She's far too confused to be interested right now. She didn't return his "hi." I kept waiting for that, but I'm glad Olivia didn't give it. I want her to be angry at him. Just as angry at him for the way he's treated her as he has been at her over Defiance. Sometimes, like in this case, anger is completely justified.

A couple of other things to point out before wrapping this up:

David Rosen as a sort-of employee of Pope & Associates. LOVE IT.

David: Gladiators in helmets, right?
Harrison: Suits. | permalink

How perfect was that moment? He's standing around listening and then just says "Oh, you know? I have this idea and it's better than all of your ideas. So let's do my thing, okay?" And then they do and it works. Way to go, David!

I also like that David confronted Abby about their mutual feelings for one another and the fact that he knows she really did steal the Cytron card. I liked the two of them together and I think lovers in the work place is murky but also interesting. 

Quinn kicked some serious butt tonight! She gave Zeke a verbal beating and saved Huck! She's really hitting her stride as a member of the team lately and I like it.

I do not like that Huck keeps getting put into these torturous situations. Can we please, please send the man on a vacation? Or to therapy? Poor Huck!

What did you think of "Molly, You In Danger, Girl"? What are your theories about Jake? About Cyrus? Watch for the Scandal Round Table and in the meantime, be sure to check out the Scandal quotes page for more Gladiator goodness.

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