In the first half of the How to Get Away with Scandal crossover, Liv teams up with Annalise Keating to reform the justice system, putting them in conflict with the White House and QPA. Full recap of “Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself.”
This week Scandal returned from its brief hiatus in a massive way with the much anticipated crossover with How to Get Away with Murder. For two hours, we got to enjoy the epic team-up and juicy shade between Olivia Pope and Annalise Keating. It was everything. How to Get Away with Scandal starts with Scandal’s episode “Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself.”
Two months after announcing her departure from the White House, Liv is teaching at DeWitt University. We catch her in the midst of a class talking with students about the biggest mistake people make in a crisis. In fact, Annalise (who has snuck into the lecture hall) has the key response–not knowing you’re in a crisis is the number one mistake. After class, Annalise introduces herself to Liv, one-on-one and makes her pitch. Annalise is ready to take her class-action suit about violations of public defense to the Supreme Court and she needs Liv to help generating support and interest. Liv is hesitant to get back into politics, but is intrigued by Annalise’s talk of justice and ending the “New Jim Crow” (*SIDENOTE* I highly recommend the book by Michelle Alexander.)
Buckle up #Gladiators! #howtogetawaywithscandal #scandal #htgawm pic.twitter.com/8R363JK8FI
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) March 1, 2018
That night, Liv meets Marcus for drinks and he’s geeking out all over Annalise. Apparently he applied to law school at Middleton because of her. Liv is less enthused, especially after her google search revealed the criminal accusations and misconduct against Annalise. Marcus is much more optimistic and excited about the prospect of correcting a huge wrong in the justice system. This class action is an opportunity for Liv to get back in the ring: “We’re Black, which means I’ll always be here for you and I’ll always root for you.”
Liv looks through the case vfiles and does some of her own research into Annalise. She goes to Annalise’s hotel room to discuss the merits of the case. Liv believes it’s powerful and compelling, but the problem in Annalise and her scandals. Annalise with her hot mess can’t be the face of this class action. But can’t Liv move mountains with her spin? After all, that’s why Annalise has come to DC to find Liv. Liv wishes Annalise a safe trip back to Philadelphia and then leaves… only to turn around again and take the case. Epic team-up activated!
Next, Liv goes to Fitz to get help from his foundation. Marcus originally brought the idea to him, but they were sidetracked by other projects. At first, Fitz is very cold with Liv… understandable since Liv played them all in Vermont. Liv didn’t come to Fitz for forgiveness, but this is a chance for them to change the world. Fitz agrees and the next day, they get to work. When Marcus arrives at the conference room, Michaela is already there getting the documents in order. Michaela is all of us as she fangirls over meeting Liv and 44, AKA, Fitz.
Fitz also had news that the other President Grant has agreed to a meeting. They quickly head over to the White House and Annalise presents the case. While Mellie is supportive, she suggests that they wait to bring the class action to the Supreme Court. There are one or two conservative Justices who are expected to retire and a year from now, they would have a much friendlier court. This isn’t the news that Annalise or Liv want to hear. Liv asks to speak with Mellie in private, to which Mellie agrees.
Liv accuses Mellie of trying to punish her by delaying her support of the case, but Mellie says this isn’t the truth. In fact, it’s Liv who’s trying to manipulate things to her advantage and gain back influence in DC. Liv promises to move forward, with or without Mellie’s support. And Mellie promises that if Liv does that, she will be an enemy of the White House. Won’t be the first time!
Liv returns to the Grant Institute and reports on the meeting. Annalise is concerned that Mellie still won’t support them. Wasn’t Liv supposed to make her magic happen? What happened when everyone left the Oval? Liv lashes out and says that it’s Annalise’s reputation that has scared Mellie off (which isn’t true!!!!!!). Liv decides that they don’t need Mellie; they can put public pressure on the Supreme Court themselves. So Liv begins a media campaign to influence public interest, while Marcus and Michaela make appeals to the Justices and their staffs.
Meanwhile at QPA, Quinn is obsessed with reading about Liv on the interwebs, so much so that she’s unable to pay attention to their caseload. Quinn is pretty surprised that Liv is teaching now, but good riddance, right? Quinn decides to team up with the White House when Jake shares news about Liv wanting to take the class action suit to the Supreme Court. Quinn agrees that this is a chance to prevent Liv from scoring a win and using it to gain power and influence. (*SIDENOTE* it’s super creepy that Jake is stalking Quinn’s search history. But I wouldn’t put anything past Creeper Jake, especially now that he wields the levers of the White House and B613. UGH.) According to Abby, for a case to be brought to the Supreme Court, four of the nine justices must agree. Liv already has the support of one justice, so QPA must make sure three more don’t also agree.
When it’s all said and done, Liv’s and QPA’s attempts boil down to Justice Spivey, who is leaning towards granting the writ of certiorari. Liv suggests that she does one more big interview to help sway Spivey, but Annalise thinks that she should be the one to do the interview–she knows the case better. Besides, Liv didn’t do that great of a job selling the case to Mellie Grant, right? Michaela intervenes before the argument gets too heated and suggests Liv and Annalise do the interview together.
Mellie grows more and more concerned that Liv will win this tussle with the White House. She regrets letting Liv announce her resignation since it allowed Liv to walk away with her head held high. Mellie decides that QPA should leak the information that Liv was actually fired as Chief of Staff. PETTY.
While at the hair salon getting ready for their interview, Annalise and Liv see the news of Liv’s firing and things get heated. Annalise can’t believe Liv lied. It’s Liv that’s the problem with the case. The shade flies, as Annalise accuses Liv of being bougie and siddity, while Liv basically calls Annalise a broke bully. It’s savage and I don’t have the words to describe the juiciness of these two power houses going at it. Just watch below!
"Allow me to reintroduce myself. My name is Olivia Pope." #Scandal #HowToGetAwayWithScandal pic.twitter.com/4FxqHkzpvZ
— Scandal (@ScandalABC) March 4, 2018
“Allow me to reintroduce myself, my name is Olivia Pope, and I don’t have to explain myself to anyone, especially you.” LAWWWWWWWWWWWD!
Liv goes to see Quinn that night as she’s leaving QPA. Liv tries to convince Quinn that she’s fighting on the wrong side; however, Quinn just knows that Liv doesn’t really care about the people who have been denied adequate legal representation. But isn’t Quinn also here for revenge? What about justice?
That night, Fitz calls out Liv for being so defeatist and blaming things on Annalise. Where is Olivia Pope? Liv admits that she took this case because it matters and she wants to change the world. That proves that she’s still herself… white hat and all.
"You're still you." #Scandal pic.twitter.com/pI8WnJrIxn
— Scandal (@ScandalABC) March 6, 2018
At the interview, Liv admits to being fired from the White House, but quickly pivots to what she believes to be more important, fighting with Annalise Keating for the class action suit and reforming the judicial system. Now is the time. Liv and Annalise are able to bond over popcorn and win (none for Annalise), AKA the megabus special/siddity snack. LOL.
Interestingly, a strong bond develops between Michaela and Marcus as they work the case. He appreciates her legal mind and dogged determination; she likes how passionate he is about doing what’s right. At the end of the episode, an almost kiss is interrupted by a call from Asher. You know, Michaela’s boyfriend. YIKES. (And after watching these two in the second half of the crossover, you have to wonder if Shondaland is planning to move Marcus over to How to Get Away with Murder after Scandal ends this season…)
QPA is able to solidify things when Charlie finds information that they can use to blackmail Spivey into refusing to hear the class action suit, though Abby has some reservations. They’re supposed to be gladiators and working for good. When Quinn meets Jake to give him the information, she realizes that he and the White House aren’t concerned with doing what’s right. They only want to check Olivia Pope. Quinn has a crisis of conscience and shares the damning information Charlie discovered.
Liv goes to see Justice Spivey and shares that she knows about the blackmail. It’s based on information that Spivey’s son killed a woman in a hit and run and he paid off the only witness. Spivey admits that he only wanted to protect his son, who made a terrible mistake at 16. Liv says that she’ll help Spivey fix this, especially since the witness died two years ago. In return, she only wants Spivey to reconsider on the merits of the case and listen to his conscience. If Spivey’s son stood trial for the hit and run, wouldn’t he want his son to have access to good legal defense? There are millions of families who want the same thing for their loved ones currently rotting in jail.
Spivey agrees and the class action will be fast-tracked to the Supreme Court!
The epic team-up continues in How to Get Away with Murder, “Lahey v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” The episode is definitely MUSTWATCH, even for those who don’t normally watch the series. I’ll just highlight my favorite part, where Annalise speaks to the Supreme Court about the racial inequality embedded in the justice system, which systematically violates the constitutional rights of people of color. I still get shivers!
This scene is everything. #HowToGetAwayWithScandal pic.twitter.com/SmuecHl2jJ
— How To Get Away ABC (@HowToGetAwayABC) March 2, 2018
Scandal airs Thursdays at 9p/8c on ABC.
