Scandal, Season 4, Episode 8, “The Last Supper”
Written by Allan Heinberg
Directed by Julie Anne Robinson
Airs Thursdays at 9pm EST on ABC
On this week’s Scandal, Olivia, Jake, and Fitz join forces to defeat Rowan, Olivia turns on a client to help Cyrus, Huck brings his son on a stakeout, and Mellie reunites with an old lover.
“The Last Supper” is the most fun Scandal‘s been in a long time. This is partly because next week is the winter finale, but it’s also because watching the main cast members team up to take down a big threat is always enjoyable. Season four has felt a little lost and directionless thus far, but “The Last Supper” gives the story the focus it’s been so desperately needing.
While sticking Oliva, Fitz, and Jake in a tiny room together is the perfect recipe for drama and tension, this strange and unconventional love triange is just not the most interesting part of the series anymore. Honestly, it feels a little tired because the show’s been exploring it for so long. Though, it does afford the episode a great shot of Olivia standing between the two bickering men and trying to stop them. Rowan believes the two men will eventually turn on Olivia, so he clearly hasn’t been keeping as close an eye on her as he claims, because there’s no way Fitz is going anywhere. Jake, maybe, but Fitz has been almost unwaveringly on Team Olivia since the beginning.
While the love triangle aspect of this week’s A-storyline is a dud, the trio trying to eliminate Rowan is excellent. He’s been a lingering threat for far too long, making all of the series’s beloved main characters seem weak and defenseless in comparison. Finally, they’re starting to regain some of the power they held pre-Rowan, Olivia especially, and the ensuing drama is intense and shocking and full of the twists and turns Scandal made itself known for when it first premiered. Even Rowan’s continued existence on the show is beginning to feel a little fresher now that Olivia and Co. are actively against him.
Meanwhile, has Olivia ever turned on a client before? Her reasoning in the episode makes sense, but the move is definitely surprising. Olivia runs a very tight–though not necessarily moral–business, and she’s usually very firmly on her client’s side, even if said client is guilty. At least the storyline brings back the rekindling of Olivia and Cyrus’s friendship–the duo’s unlikely relationship has long been one of Scandal‘s best pairings.
Lastly, Huck’s growing relationship with his son has been on a precipice since it began, so it’s no surprise that the kid witnessed something violent and traumatic. The fault is absolutely Huck’s, and he’s possibly ruined all chances, however slight, he had with keeping his son in his life. Way to go, Huck. (Though really, who thinks it’s a good idea to take a child on a stakeout? Even Huck is smarter than that.) While sad, this turn of events was absolutely expected.
“The Last Supper” feels like a return to Scandal‘s season two glory days, and the episode makes it clear that Scandal is headed into a very intense and explosive winter finale–let’s hope the momentum sticks around until the latter half of the season, as well.
Ashley Laggan