REVIEW: Olivia Pope Can't Stand In The Sun For Long On 'Scandal'
By Carrie Tan
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — For true fans of Scandal, the Shonda Rhimes' vehicle built around powerful DC 'fixer' Olivia Pope, season 4 at times felt like the show was falling from its prime. Storylines lagged, our favorite characters' relationships were in shambles and, kicking off the season, nobody had any idea where Olivia Pope was hiding. But it ends on a rather satisfying note, wrapping up a few loose ends while leaving a few lingering questions for season 5.
So, let's start at the beginning: Olivia, played by the phenomenal Kerry Washington, is nowhere to be found, the OPA gladiators are in chaos and President Grant (Tony Goldwyn) is reeling from the death of his son. Olivia left at the end of season 3 to "stand in the sun" with Scott Foley's Jake, a nice plan that's derailed when Olivia gets word of Harrison's death. It brings her back to DC and back to a harsh reality. Quinn, played by Katie Lowes, is furious over Olivia's disappearance, Huck (Guillermo Diaz) is working at a generic computer genius bar and Abby (Darby Stanchfield) has moved into Olivia's former position as press secretary at the White House for President Grant's second term. It's the OPA gladiators like we've never seen them and it takes some getting used to.
The first half of the season focuses on Jake's arrest for Jerry Grant's death, which we know was ultimately planned by Olivia's endlessly evil father, Rowan. Jake's arrest leads Olivia on a quest to find out the truth, kicking off a plan to arrest Rowan and end the secret government spy agency that he commands, B613, for good. Thus begins one of the most frustrating storylines in Scandal history. The takedown of B613 dominates much of the second half of the season and I think a majority of fans were over it. Nonetheless, Rowan Pope, played incredibly well by Joe Morton, is about the scariest character on TV when you don't count Game of Thrones and any scene involving him is riveting.
The stories that unfold over the 22-episode season are at times over-the-top (Olivia is kidnapped, for crying out loud, but that plot does bring back a long-lost Scandal favorite that true fans will love). In typical Scandal fashion, it is full of twists, some obvious, others jaw-dropping. But with OPA all but disbanded, it lacks the weekly storylines focusing on OPA cases that many love about the show in favor of the season-long arc focusing on B613.
That being said, the finale was ultimately satisfying, if not underwhelming. It almost could've been a series finale the way some storylines were wrapped up so neatly, bow and all. With all hope, it marks the end of B613 and signals the beginning of a new dawn for Olivia Pope in DC.
Loyal viewers of the show will love the extra footage on the season 4 DVD, including two extended episodes and a behind-the-scenes blooper reel. If you truly love the show, it's worth the buy. Otherwise, catch it on Netflix and hope for an action-packed season 5.
