Liv and Mellie face an uphill battle getting Congressional approval for war in Bashran, including complications from Fitz, Cyrus, and Rashad. Full recap of Scandal, “Adventures in Babysitting” (first aired Thursday, November 2 at 9pm ET|PT on ABC).
“Adventures in Babysitting” begins right where “Lost Girls” leaves off, with Liv reading Papa Pope like it’s her job. (Did anyone else have flashbacks to the Elisabeth Shue 80s movie? *FLAILS*)
Liv is highly upset that Rowan would tell Fitz that she is Command and then lure him back to Washington DC to… what? Get Liv to leave B613? Liv speaks to her father about the privileges she’s allowed him, including his dinosaur bones (which are no longer in the office). Rowan tries to interject, but: “Speaking to me is a privilege. You do not have privileges.”
Which means Papa Pope has to be silent. Liv gives her father a message to deliver to Fitz: “Go home.”
I’m highly concerned by how shook Papa Pope is. He actually apologizes to Fitz for involving him in Liv’s business! Rowan says that if Fitz wants to have any sort of relationship with Liv, including speaking privileges, he should leave for Vermont that night. But Fitz is Fitz, and he’s not going anywhere.
Meanwhile, as agreed, Mellie makes a direct appeal to the American people to send troops to Bashran in order to restore Rashad as president. However, the press isn’t having it. Curtis Pryce is especially vocal in his opposition. It makes no sense since, up until recently, Bashran was an enemy to the U.S. Plus if the rebels have nuclear weapons, this could be dangerous. Liv tries to encourage Mellie to stand firm, especially in the face of bad poll numbers. The American people don’t want this war. However, David Rosen reminds the group that only Congress can declare war, so they are the ones who actually need to be convinced. Cyrus steps up like the good VP he is and offers to take the lead on whipping Congress-folk into line. Rashad suggests that maybe he should just return to Bashran and face the rebels, but Mellie shuts down that idea. It’s too big a risk to take with his life. Rashad agrees, but requests that his niece Yasmeen be taken out of school and protected. Liv gets QPA on board to handle that task, one that’s more difficult than they initially think.
Quinn and Charlie bring Yasmeen to the QPA officers (played by Medalion Rahimi, Princess Isabella from Still Star-Crossed! *cries* can we please get a Season 2?!). Yasmeen isn’t particularly happy to be taken from school and then stripped of all her electronics. She becomes even more frustrated when Quinn tells her that she won’t be returning to Dartmouth. Once Quinn emphasizes that this is for her protection, Yasmeen seems to concede. Yet, the prospect of returning to Bashran with her Uncle isn’t one she’s excited about. Later, Charlie offers to play cards with a bored Yasmeen. When she finds out that they incinerated her electronics, that pushes her off the edge. Yasmeen starts crying, which Charlie can’t handle.
Meanwhile, Liv and Jake coordinate from the B613 Command Center. Liv suggests creating dissension between the two rebel groups/parties who have formed a coalition to overthrow Rashad. If one of the leaders dies and the other group is blamed… well, this is something that can help Rashad *without* Americans on the ground.
When Liv returns to the West Wing, possibly to tell Mellie part of her plan, something is wrong. Fitz is leaving the Oval and claims to have told Liv everything. EVERYTHING. And in truth, Fitz spills all the tea, even about Liv/Jake killing Luna Vargas. Mellie is incensed because she believes that whatever Liv does, even as Command, will come back to her. Mellie is the one who has to stand in front of the American people, alone, and take full responsibility. She orders that Liv shut down anything and everything to do with B613 immediately. Instead the focus should be on convincing Congress to authorize the war in Bashran the old-fashioned way.
"If I ever hear about B613 again, Olivia, so help me God, I will not be so forgiving." #Scandal pic.twitter.com/wKXnxXMQSN
— Scandal (@ScandalABC) November 3, 2017
Liv is UPSET and goes to see Papa Pope in his office. She gave her father one job, to get Fitz out of town, and now he’s made her life more difficult. Rowan chuckles when he learns that Fitz has told Mellie everything. But what else does Liv want from him?
“I WANT MY BONNNNNEEEEEEES.”
Liv doesn’t even flinch: “No bones for you.”
Cyrus begins his work, meeting with individual Congressmen/women about Bashran, even offering up contracts and employment opportunities for constituents. Fenton Glackland has decided to start his politics lessons and sits in the corner of the office observing. Well, he’s not actually observing… he’s doing something on his phone. This annoys Cy because these negotiations are important! When Cyrus asks what Fenton has been up to, Fenton reveals that he’s been crunching numbers. He used an algorithm to determine the potential success of the war in Bashran and the outlook isn’t good. Fenton warns Cy that if they go to war and things go wrong (as he believes they win), the American people will never trust Mellie (or Cyrus) again.
Back at QPA, Yasmeen has gone missing, somehow slipping out of the office when Charlie gave her some privacy to get herself together from crying. Yasmeen texted someone from Charlie’s phone, so Huck is able to track it. Huck and Abby are able to find Yasmeen… and her girlfriend, Gillian. The two are trying to run away together, but Quinn won’t let it happen.
There’s an awkward meeting between Fitz and Jake. Fitz invites him to share drinks and “catch up”… which is really just a giant fishing expedition to get information about Liv and B613. But the only advice Jake offers for Fitz is that Liv is a lost cause. She’s become the person she was always destined to be, Command.
Two men, scotch and the truth. #Scandal pic.twitter.com/EGLzokfDf8
— Scandal (@ScandalABC) November 4, 2017
Liv is still having sexy times with Curtis and uses the opportunity to suggest that he interview President Rashad. Curtis is resistant to having someone tell him how to do his job, but Liv claims it’s only a suggestion. Curtis has an opportunity to contribute to world peace and be on the right side of history. What’s his choice? Well, Curtis invites Rashad on his show. At first, they are seemingly antagonistic, but soon Curtis reveals all the good works Rashad has done in Bashran for underserved and persecuted groups. Rashad comes out of the interview looking like a progressive, U.S. ally. Liv goes to Mellie as she’s watching the interview, but Mellie really can’t be bothered…
Cyrus comes to see Liv and delivers some bad news: “You’re going to need Congressional approval and you don’t have the votes.” (#Ham4Scandal, anyone?! 😉 )
Congress is split 50-50 and Cyrus, as the tie-breaker, plans to vote against authorizing the war. Liv tries to coerce Cyrus, but he isn’t budging, not even with threats from B613. As a friend, Cy warns Liv that America doesn’t want this war.
In frustration, Liv makes her way to Fitz’s apartment. If they don’t get this war, they don’t get the nuclear disarmament treaty, and there goes peace and security in the region and world. And it’s Fitz’s fault that Liv is restrained from using her B613 resources. Is he happy now? Fitz says that he is happy about telling Mellie the truth because, by doing so, he’s given Liv her white hat again. Liv is salty! She tells Fitz that she’s been a boss-bitch in the Oval Office ever since she put him there eight years ago. Did he really think he was about to swoop back into DC and try to make a meaningful difference in her life? NOPE! Fitz holds firm and says he won’t leave until he sees the old Olivia Pope.
Liv meets Quinn and QPA to tell her that Yasmeen has to stay a little longer. Quinn updates Liv on Yasmeen’s situation with her girlfriend and her plan to send Gillian back to school. Yes, she’s crushing young love, but Liv sympathizes. It’s hard to be the boss. However, Quinn makes an interesting point: she says that she was so distracted, she hasn’t treated Yasmeen like a client and asked her what she wants. “Olivia Pope 101.” This sets off something in Liv’s mind…
Take it back to the cardinal rules of Olivia Pope. #Scandal pic.twitter.com/MtB8s3jjZN
— Scandal (@ScandalABC) November 3, 2017
When the press learns that the authorization for war doesn’t have the votes in Congress, Rashad decides that he should take his chances and go back to Bashran. He isn’t a coward and he must defend his people. Mellie appeals to change his mind. Can’t he see that she cares for him? Mellie and Rashad share their first kiss (FINALLY), but Mellie cuts things off before they can escalate. Hmmmm…
Elsewhere in the White House, Cyrus invites Fenton to share a drink and they toast to his advice to avoid the war. Then the two share their first kiss in front of the Cezanne 🙂
Liv returns to the White House and finds Mellie on the terrace. And Liv asks Mellie what she wants. Liv promises not to go behind Mellie’s back again, and Mellie says that her goal is for President Rashad to be alive and that disarmament treaty. She wants America and the world to feel safe and they need it now. There’s no time to sell this to the American people. So, without saying anything at all, Mellie basically gives Liv permission to unleash B613. “Consider it handled Madame President.”
Later that evening, Mellie invites Rashad back to her office. She has arranged a flight for him to return to Bashran via Turkey. Mellie also promises that Rashad will be returning as President. Mellie notes that it will be hard to say goodbye, but Rashad promises that he will be back, especially since he’s very committed to their treaty… and to her. When Rashad goes to kiss Mellie again, she steps away. (Still curious!)
At QPA, Quinn breaks the news to Yasmeen that she and her Uncle will be returning to Bashran. Yasmeen doesn’t want to go, but Quinn tells her that she has an opportunity to shape her country in a way to would make a difference and expand choices for others. Yasmeen has to believe in her love with Gillian, and the chance to be together in the future remains possible.
As the episode ends–
Liv makes one more request of Mellie. And when Fitz saunters into the Oval, it’s to be told that he is to return to Vermont and have no further communication with Liv OR Mellie. Mellie does apologize though *SNORT*
Curtis breaks up with Liv. “I just don’t like you…I’ll see you around.” WELPS.
Quinn and Charlie escort Yasmeen to meet her Uncle to catch their flight to Turkey/Bashran. And as the plane taxis down the runway, it explodes.
You never know what will happen, down to the very last minute.? #Scandal pic.twitter.com/iChVqdVzbW
— Scandal (@ScandalABC) November 3, 2017
Ummm, can we talk about how there wasn’t a post-episode preview of next week’s episode?! You don’t think Liv had that plane blown up, do you?
Next week’s episode is called “Vampires and Bloodsuckers” (written by Chris Van Dusen and Tia Napolitano, directed by Jann Turner):
The Gladiators come together to celebrate Quinn and Charlie’s big day, but events take a turn when Quinn goes missing. Back at the White House, Mellie meets with the Bashrani ambassador to deal with the aftermath of President Rashad’s assassination. (via ABC)
Mellie probably isn’t going to take Rashad’s death well… but Quinn and Charlie are getting married!
What did you think of tonight’s episode? Share your thoughts and speculations in comments!
Scandal airs Thursdays at 9p/8c on ABC.
