The biggest news involving Scandal during the off-season was in fact a real life scandal. Columbus Short who played Harrison was arrested for domestic violence and subsequently fired from the show. But if you ask him, he will say that he walked away from the series and was not fired. Regardless of him quitting or not, he was not coming back. So, it was a guessing game as to how they would write this into the Season Premiere when addressing this. I for one thought it would be something small, something in passing, much like how they got rid of Henry Ian Cusick's character from Season 1. I couldn't have been further off the mark. Killing off Harrison was a major plot point and his funeral was actually used as the catalyst of bring back the gang, who had been scattered in the wind in the events at the end of Season 3. So, I will give them props in the writing department for that and for not going the easy route.

An okay episode that is more of the same. Not much to say other than I did like the last scene between Jake and Olivia's father about the fact that he has proof that he was behind the murder of the Presidents son as well as the murder of Harrison. This pretty much seals Jake's fate with his 'blackmail' threat. I can't see Rowan suddenly becoming sloppy and getting taken out by Jake. We shall see.........

Nice followup to last weeks epic episode. I did enjoy Jake basically running his own interrogation with the man that was put in charge of him. He never stood a chance of succeeding in breaking Jake. But I do think the idea of the President coming down and beating him to a bloody pulp to get a confession out of him was a bit laughable for a couple of reasons. One, you can't break Jake and two, if you're gonna use muscle to break up, do it with someone that actually weighs more than a buck fifty. So, it looks like Abby and Liv have made up. Kinda. I thought it was great that she went to Liv's to call her all sorts of names and ends up comforting her when she revealed that Jake had a hand in killing Harrison and the Presidents son. It was great seeing Jasika Nicole returning as Huck's estranged wife. I love me some Jasika any and all times.

Best part about this one was the revelation that Olivia orchestrated the "assassination" of Secret Service Agent Tom, just to bluff him into think that Rowan, her father was the one behind the hit. Worked like a charm as he couldn't fast enough it exonerating Jake. Also liked seeing Huck's son tracking him down at work and telling him he knows he is his father. Abby's meltdown was pretty intense.

Pretty good mid-season finale that has all but guaranteed that fans will return to see what the f*ck just happened. The cliffhanger was that Olivia was kidnapped and it's implied (by way of editing) that the Vice President is behind this. I'm sure it is him because of all the evidence pointing at him: the staged "terrorist" car bombing he orchestrated in order to get the Prez to declare war and the surveillance photos of Oilvia. So yeah, he definitely kidnapped her and will use her to blackmail the Prez to get what he wants. Best scene of the episode once again goes to Joe Morton. He monologue was eletric and testing Olivia's "loyalty" was electrifying to say the least.

Well, the President finally learns the truth behind Olivia's kidnapping, that the Vice President is in fact the one orchestrating it all, just so that he can get his war and lay the ground work so that he can ascend to the Presidency himself. Very elaborate plan. Just one problem with that though. He forgot that he is dealing with Olivia "Motherf*cking" Pope! I love how she was finally able to manipulate her kidnapper into selling her off the highest bidder. She played him good. Can't wait to see how this plays out.

It's very rare that I am ever pleasantly surprised by something that happens on this or any show because there are too many spoilers out there or I have the misfortune of seeing a name in the opening credits that could potentially ruin a big moment. This episode was all about the Olivia Pope auction and just who would win her and exploit her to their benefit. When the Russians beat out Huck and company as the highest bidder, I really didn't know what was about to transpire. At the delivery sight to hand Olivia over to the Winner, out steps......Stephen, played by Henry Ian Cusick. This was literally a jaw-dropping moment for me and every other Scandal fan because his character was written off the show after the first season to my dismay. I never expected to see him return at all. This clearly is a one-time cameo, but it was a monster of a Grand Slam moment. Very, very cool moment. I loved that he was able to save her, repaying her for doing the same for him years ago. I'm even more in shocked that I didn't hear a single thing about this as I'm 4 episodes behind in catching up with Scandal. So, this is old news as the episode aired over a month ago.