Liv faces off against Cyrus. Plan A is to convince him to back off Mellie. And Plan B… well, Liv did used to be Command. Full recap of Scandal, “People Like Me”.
“People Like Me” opens where last week leaves off, with Liv and Mellie in the tunnel under the White House and Mellie asking Liv to kill Cyrus. LAWD. *SIDENOTE* I’m all sorts of disturbed by Mellie’s request. She isn’t asking Liv to be her Chief of Staff again. No, she’s asking Liv to be Command, and those two positions vary greatly in the services they provide to POTUS. Basically, Mellie wants Liv to be her assassin. This is hella problematic, especially since Liv is trying to find her way back to the white hat. And Huck is hella against this. *SIGH*
Liv tries to walk away. She’s not a killer and Mellie isn’t either. Mellie pushes back on that–as Commander in Chief, people die on her watch everyday, innocent people. Cyrus Beene isn’t innocent. And this is war. Cy is attacking Mellie, she is the state, he is the enemy. Liv tries to argue that Mellie is already under suspicion for trying to assasinate Cy in the Air Force Two hijacking. It isn’t a good look to actually try to kill the man. Liv isn’t a killer, not anymore! But Mellie calls on Liv’s patriotism and her commitment to getting Mellie into office, two women, side-by-side, making the world into a better place.
Mellie returns to the Oval Office and is met with several calls from leaders across the world to express their concerns about the accusations. The only person she wants to hear from is Olivia Pope. When Marcus comes to see Mellie, she seems to be speaking in code language about flowers in the garden. But she says, Liv is working on something for her. Marcus is quite suspicious, especially if Mellie is about to sell her could in order to keep her presidency.
Liv returns to QPA to set up a plan. They will track Cy’s movements for a time and place that Liv can ambush him and try to convince him to stop this plan to frame Mellie. QPA will continue their search for proof that Cyrus is guilty… if they could just find the hacker Cy used.
Meanwhile, Lonnie confirms to the press the Mellie is a person of interest in the Air Force Two investigation. Jake is trying to figure out how to take Liv out. He suggests to Cyrus that they adjust their plan to strike Liv and QPA/OPA. Cy argues it’s too much of a risk. When Cyrus gets a note from Lonnie that they need to meet, he arrives at the art storage bunker, only to find Liv and Huck there. It’s time to talk.
After Huck takes Cy’s phone, Liv offers him a glass of wine and makes her offer. She will let him go if he calls Lonnie to drop the investigation against Mellie. Cyrus laughs off the request. That’s not going to happen, so what’s the alternative? Liv grabs onto a metal chair (a chair very similar to the one she’s used to kill another former VP Andrew Nichols)… YIKES. Liv tells Cyrus that QPA is working to expose his collusion with the special prosecutor. But Cy also has a team too… the secret service is looking for him. Cy decides to sit back and enjoy the wine.
It turns out the Liv has a Plan B of her own… she has poisoned one of the bottles of wine. So if she can’t convince Cyrus to drop the investigation… Huck is so nervous. He just got the old Liv back, now she’s out here assassinating VPs? Liv tries to assure Huck that it won’t come to that, but he isn’t so sure. Liv tries to appeal to Cy’s love of his daughter, Ella. And Cy responds by bringing up Fitz. He’s the one that has bound them together, friends forever with all those secrets. What would have happened if they’d never met Fitz? Cy believes that he would be the exact same, the kind of guy who would trade his conscience in for a shot a power and not think twice about it. Liv is wasting her time with keeping Cy holed up.
Remember Mellie’s code language while Marcus was in the Oval? She KNOWS that Jake has been spying on her! While drinking her hooch, Mellie calls out Jake for his delusions and insecurity. “I see you. Olivia sees you. Cyrus sees you… Time’s up! We’re coming for you.”
Quinn and Abby are able to hack into Cyrus’ phone and track down the hacker he hired for the Air Force Two hijacking, LilPymp69. *SNORT* But when they arrive at the hacker’s place, the guy is dead. They share this news with Liv… so it’s time for Plan B. She will poison Cy and place a call to the police to find his body, with all evidence leading back to Lonnie Mencken. Liv tells Huck to leave, despite his firm disapproval.
Liv switches to the poisoned bottle of wine and offers Cy a glass… but before he takes it, Jake arrives. Lonnie came to Jake because Cyrus was supposedly at physical therapy. However, that’s the cover for when Cy is meeting with Lonnie. Liv tries to get Cyrus to drink the glass of wine, but Jake knows what’s up. He taunts Liv by offering his gun for her to shoot Cy since it would be quicker than poison. Liv hesitates, so Jake takes it further. He forces the gun into Liv’s hand and puts it in his mouth. But Liv is NOT a killer and Jake knows that: “You, Mellie, you get to stay clean, because you have people like me!”
Jake and Cyrus leave a flustered Liv behind.
Marcus shares his concerns about Dark Mellie with Fitz, but Fitz doesn’t seem concerned. This is what happens when your legacy is under attack and Mellie will do whatever it takes to save her presidency. However, Marcus is doubtful–did Fitz really survive with his soul in tact?
In her loneliness, Mellie reaches out to Fitz. She just wants someone to talk to and Fitz offers advice. If possible, Mellie should find another way–she can find a way to save her legacy and preserve her soul. When Liv comes to update Mellie, Liv encourages that it’s time for her to fight back–smarter, better, more just. Mellie says she is with Liv. So a new plan is in motion: “a way to surf the tsunami.” Mellie makes her way to the daily press briefing and declares her innocence before the world: “I am not guilty. And I will not be bullied.”
We're with you! ?? #TeamMellivia#Scandal's all-new tomorrow night at 10|9c! pic.twitter.com/EIQJIHzYWf
— Scandal (@ScandalABC) April 12, 2018
In the midst of all this, Jake is also having a row at home with Vanessa. She is highly concerned about the accusations against Mellie. What does this mean for them? Jake tries to assure Vanessa that when the dust settles, they’ll be fine. But Vanessa quickly realizes that something is up and perhaps Jake has gotten in over his head by conspiring with the Vice President. Jake is only the VP’s bitch.
The episode ends with Liv coming to see Fitz with a bottle of scotch. COME TO ME OLITZ!
#TeamOlitz, where you at? #Scandal pic.twitter.com/e9GiCrrMgS
— Scandal (@ScandalABC) April 7, 2018
And after Mellie’s speech, Cy comes to see Jake at home about adjusting the plan. But Jake has already spoken to Lonnie about making Liv a person of interest in the Air Force Two hijacking and the assassination of President Rashad. Cyrus is highly offended. This is his operation and Jake can’t just go around him. Jake invites Cy into the kitchen and offers him a drink, right over the body of his now dead wife. Jake lets Cyrus know that now they are a team of equals. They toast their partnership over bleeding, dead Vanessa.
We're shook. ? #Scandal pic.twitter.com/1HkhKrSUyo
— Scandal (@ScandalABC) April 6, 2018
LAAWWWWWWWD. Jake has lost it. Truth is, he never had it.
Two episodes to go, y’all…
Scandal airs Thursdays at 10:00pm ET|PT on ABC.