Scandal Season 4 Premiere: Olivia Pope Returns to Chaos, Grief, and a New Political Landscape
The highly anticipated fourth season of Scandal burst onto our screens on September 25th, delivering an intricate web of unexpected twists and profound emotional shifts. After a dramatic Season 3 finale, viewers were eager to discover the fates of their favorite characters, especially the enigmatic Olivia Pope. This premiere plunged us directly into the aftermath, showcasing a world drastically altered by Olivia’s absence and the devastating loss of Harrison Wright. From Olivia’s serene island escape to her reluctant return to the cutthroat streets of Washington D.C., every moment underscored the profound changes that have swept through the lives of the Gladiators and the inner circle of the White House. This episode meticulously laid the groundwork for a season promising to delve deep into themes of grief, loyalty, identity, and the lingering power of past choices. Let’s dissect the captivating events of this impactful season opener, exploring how each character grappled with their new realities and the ghosts of their shared history.
Olivia Pope’s Retreat and the Shocking Call Home
Season four opens with a starkly different Olivia Pope. Gone are the power suits and the relentless hustle of D.C. Instead, we find Olivia (Kerry Washington) and Jake (Scott Foley) living a seemingly idyllic life on a secluded island, far removed from the political machinations they once navigated. Olivia had truly attempted to shed her past, even adopting a new identity: Julia Baker. This peaceful, sun-drenched existence, however, was merely a temporary reprieve. The tranquility shattered when Quinn (Katie Lowes), ever the steadfast former Gladiator, managed to breach Olivia’s carefully constructed sanctuary with news that would irrevocably pull her back to the life she tried to escape. The devastating revelation: Harrison Wright (Columbus Short) was dead. This single piece of information acted as a gravitational pull, reminding Olivia that some ties, particularly those forged in fire, could never truly be severed, no matter how far she sailed.
Harrison’s death served as the catalyst, forcing Olivia’s reluctant return to Washington D.C. She arrived with a firm declaration, insisting she was only there for Harrison’s funeral, a brief visit to honor a fallen friend before retreating once more. But those who knew Olivia understood the powerful, almost magnetic pull of D.C. and the profound responsibility she felt towards her Gladiators. Her initial quest was to locate the rest of her former team, and Quinn’s subsequent revelations about their whereabouts were nothing short of shocking, highlighting the extent to which their lives had diverged in her absence. Olivia’s meticulously curated detachment began to crumble the moment she stepped back onto the city’s familiar, yet now alien, streets, realizing that the world hadn’t simply paused for her sabbatical.
Washington D.C. Transformed: The Gladiators Scattered
The former members of Pope & Associates had each coped with Olivia’s sudden departure in their own unique and often heartbreaking ways. Huck (Guillermo Diaz), once a master hacker and formidable problem-solver, now found solace, or perhaps anonymity, in the mundane world of computer repair. His profound loyalty to Olivia and his deeply troubled past made his withdrawal particularly poignant; he refused to even speak with Quinn, reflecting a deeper internal struggle and a sense of abandonment. Abby (Darby Stanchfield), on the other hand, had undergone a truly astonishing transformation. From Olivia’s fiercely loyal second-in-command, she had ascended to the demanding and highly visible role of White House Press Secretary. Her new position placed her squarely within the President’s inner circle, working directly alongside Fitz (Tony Goldwyn) and Cyrus (Jeff Perry) – a development that would have been unimaginable just a season prior. This shift not only underscored Abby’s formidable capabilities but also painted a vivid picture of how drastically the power dynamics within Olivia’s former world had rearranged themselves.
The White House itself was also reeling from Olivia’s absence and the recent tragedies. While Fitz channeled his grief and anger into his administrative duties, attempting to project an image of unwavering leadership, First Lady Mellie Grant (Bellamy Young) was trapped in a much darker, more unconventional state of mourning. Jerry’s death had shattered her, leading her to bury herself in a bizarre and deeply personal ritual of grief, consisting of alcohol and cereal. Her appearance – disheveled, clad in a robe and Uggs – was a shocking departure from the meticulously composed, fiercely ambitious Mellie viewers had grown accustomed to. This portrayal offered a raw, vulnerable glimpse into a woman utterly broken by loss, highlighting the profound emotional toll that public and private tragedies had taken on her, stripping away her usual regal facade.
A Political Power Player Emerges: Liz North’s Introduction
Adding another layer of complexity to the already volatile political landscape, Portia de Rossi made her highly anticipated debut as Liz North. Introduced as a formidable political power player, Liz immediately established her connections within D.C.’s elite, specifically with Cyrus Beene. Her swift integration into the narrative suggests she’s not just a minor character but a significant force, hinting at new political machinations and potential alliances or rivalries that will undoubtedly complicate the existing power dynamics. Her presence signaled that even with Olivia gone, Washington remained a city teeming with ambitious figures ready to exploit any vacuum of power, further emphasizing the intricate and dangerous game constantly being played within the nation’s capital.
Confronting Grief and Blame: Harrison’s Legacy
The inevitable confrontation between Abby and Olivia marked a pivotal, emotionally charged moment. Olivia, still clinging to the idea of the Gladiators as a cohesive unit, wished for them all to collaboratively plan Harrison’s funeral, a final act of unity. However, Abby, hardened by Olivia’s abandonment and Harrison’s death, brutally rebuffed her. She lashed out, her words dripping with a long-simmering resentment, directly blaming Olivia for Harrison’s fate. Olivia’s attempts to invoke “forgiveness” and her “Gladiator card” fell flat against Abby’s righteous anger. This raw exchange highlighted the deep wounds Olivia’s departure had inflicted and the broken trust that now permeated her former family, showcasing that while Olivia might have left, the consequences of her actions reverberated profoundly through the lives of those she left behind.
Despite the immense personal turmoil and the knowledge that her own father, Rowan Pope, was likely responsible for the death of her former lover’s son, Olivia still met with Papa Pope for dinner. This chilling encounter was a masterclass in psychological warfare. Olivia, seeking answers and perhaps a confession, cautiously broached the topic of Harrison. Rowan (Joe Morton), however, remained utterly unphased. He didn’t bat an eye, didn’t flinch, even when directly questioned about his potential role in Harrison’s murder. His stone-cold composure served as a terrifying reminder of his power and his chilling capacity for detachment, reaffirming him as one of the most formidable and unnerving antagonists in the series. The scene left Olivia, and the audience, with an unsettling sense of his unyielding control and impenetrable psyche.
In a desperate attempt to match her father’s impenetrable facade, Olivia adopted a bravado concerning Harrison’s death. “You lose people,” she stated, feigning indifference. “Whatever.” This stark, almost dismissive utterance was jarring, completely uncharacteristic of the deeply empathetic Olivia Pope we knew. It spoke volumes about the toll her experiences had taken, suggesting a new, colder shell she was attempting to construct around herself to survive the brutal realities of her world. This new Olivia, seemingly desensitized, raised questions about how much of the original Olivia Pope truly remained beneath the layers of trauma and self-preservation.
The White House Divided: Mellie’s Struggle and Fitz’s Confession
Following her emotionally charged encounter with Olivia, Abby sought out Cyrus, revealing Olivia’s return. Cyrus, always attuned to the political currents, reacted with palpable anger and concern. “You should have told me she was back in town,” he seethed, his words laced with a potent mix of fear and strategic calculation. Cyrus, ever the pragmatist, immediately recognized Olivia’s presence as a potential threat, believing her return could be “very dangerous” to the delicate stability of the White House and, by extension, Fitz’s presidency. This moment underscored the enduring power Olivia held, even in her absence, and how her mere presence could send ripples of anxiety through the highest echelons of power.
When Cyrus finally brought himself to inform Fitz about Olivia’s return, Fitz, in a surprising turn, preempted him with a seemingly mundane update about Mellie: “Mellie was now washing her hair.” This seemingly trivial detail, delivered with a hint of relief, revealed a deeper truth about the First Lady’s condition. It was a subtle indication that Mellie was slowly, painfully, beginning to emerge from her profound state of grief over Jerry’s death. Despite the appearance of progress, the lingering weight of their shared tragedy still cast a long shadow over their relationship.
However, the moment Cyrus finally admitted Olivia was indeed back in D.C., a visible, almost visceral change came over Fitz. His entire demeanor shifted, his carefully composed presidential facade cracking, revealing the complex emotions that still swirled beneath the surface whenever Olivia’s name was mentioned. This subtle yet powerful reaction confirmed to loyal fans that, despite all the heartache and distance, the intense connection between Olivia and Fitz – “Olitz” – remained undeniably alive, a flickering flame that even time and separation couldn’t extinguish.
Meanwhile, Olivia and Jake found themselves settling into her old apartment, attempting to replicate the domesticity they shared on the island. Jake, ever the hopeful romantic, envisioned a “fun date night in” complete with Gettysburger, a symbol of their new, simpler life together. Yet, Olivia, despite her attempts to shed her past, was clearly not ready for such domestic bliss. The pull of her old life, the cases, the need to “handle” things, was already too strong to ignore, indicating that the island fantasy was unsustainable in the face of her true calling.
The universe, it seemed, agreed. A timely knock at the door brought with it a new case – a Senator’s wife, accused of a crime her husband committed. This was precisely the kind of intricate, morally ambiguous situation that defined Olivia Pope, and despite her insistence that she wasn’t “back for good,” she agreed to help. This acceptance, however reluctant, served as the first crack in her resolve to stay away, subtly signaling her gradual reintegration into the high-stakes world she once dominated. The pull of justice, or perhaps simply the familiar rhythm of her old life, was proving too powerful to resist.
Driven by a need for connection, and perhaps seeking validation, Olivia returned to Huck’s computer repair shop. Like everyone else, Huck confronted her with the inescapable question: “Are you back for good?” Olivia’s firm “nope” was met with Huck’s chilling, pragmatic response – he would only treat her like a normal customer unless she was truly committed to returning. Undeterred, Olivia tried to bridge the gap by telling him she had planned Harrison’s funeral. Huck’s subsequent demand, “Don’t come back unless you’re back for good,” delivered with his characteristic intensity, served as a stark ultimatum. It was a plea for genuine commitment, a refusal to endure further emotional abandonment from the woman he so deeply revered, underscoring the profound sense of betrayal the Gladiators felt.
One of the premiere’s most heartbreaking scenes unfolded as Mellie and Fitz visited Jerry’s grave. Mellie, in a profoundly raw display of grief, laid across the cold headstone, her body wracked with silent sobs, while Fitz watched, helpless, as his wife continued to endure unimaginable pain. This moment, stripped of all political pretense, was a poignant portrayal of shared loss, revealing the deep cracks in their marriage and the lingering devastation that Jerry’s death had inflicted upon them both. It was a powerful reminder that even the most powerful individuals are ultimately vulnerable to the universal experience of human suffering, transcending their roles as President and First Lady.
Harrison’s Farewell: The Gladiators’ Bittersweet Reunion
Later, back in the comparative calm of her apartment, Olivia and Jake found themselves in bed, a fragile moment of intimacy. Yet, Olivia’s mind was already elsewhere, consumed by the intricacies of her new case. Jake, understanding the unstoppable force that was Olivia Pope, wisely allowed her to talk, recognizing that her true nature would always gravitate towards challenges and problem-solving. He knew that the quiet domesticity he craved was a stark contrast to the relentless energy that fueled her.
This quiet conversation, however, quickly veered into the unspoken elephant in the room: Fitz. Jake, unwilling to ignore the obvious, directly confronted Olivia about her unresolved connection to the President. With a cutting, yet entirely accurate, observation, he declared that as long as Olivia remained in Washington, she would always be “Fitz’s turn,” implying that he refused to be merely a placeholder in her tumultuous love life. Jake’s declaration was an epic burn, highlighting his deep understanding of Olivia’s enduring bond with Fitz and his refusal to be part of a love triangle that would inevitably leave him heartbroken. It was a poignant moment, showcasing Jake’s self-awareness and his unwillingness to play second fiddle.
Only time would tell if Jake could truly uphold that boundary, given the magnetic pull Olivia exerted and the complex web of relationships that defined her life.
As for Olivia’s new case, the truth began to unravel. It turned out the senator’s wife (played by actress Michelle Fairley, aka Nan Flanagan from “True Blood”) was covering for the secretary, knowing her husband had a predictable “type” and had once again crossed a line. But as the drama escalated, threatening to consume Olivia entirely, she abruptly bolted, not out of fear, but driven by a deeper, more immediate necessity. There was a critical event she simply could not miss.
That urgent necessity was Harrison’s funeral. Amidst the somber gathering, the Gladiators slowly but surely reassembled. Quinn, Huck, and Abby all arrived, drawn by the profound bond of their shared past and their loyalty to Harrison. “He didn’t have people,” Olivia stated, her voice thick with emotion, “Just us.” This poignant eulogy encapsulated the true nature of their unconventional family, united by their dedication to Harrison and the life they once shared under Olivia’s leadership. It was a bittersweet reunion, a powerful testament to the enduring, albeit fractured, bonds that still tied them together even after Olivia’s departure. (Rest in peace, Harrison.)
After the service, Olivia was left alone, save for Jake. As he held her, offering comfort in her moment of vulnerability, an ominous presence was revealed: Papa Pope, watching from a distance. His silent, watchful gaze added a layer of chilling menace, reminding both Olivia and the audience that even in her most private moments of grief, she remained under his pervasive and unsettling influence, a puppet master always pulling strings from the shadows.
For fans of David and Abby’s burgeoning romance, this episode delivered a disheartening blow. While David (Joshua Malina) tirelessly dedicated himself to researching the sinister organization B613, a pursuit driven by his unwavering commitment to law and justice, he ultimately lost Abby. His singular focus on uncovering the truth proved to be a wedge between them, as his desire for justice overshadowed his relationship. However, this dedication did not go unrewarded, as David was later nominated for the prestigious position of the new Attorney General, signaling a significant shift in his career and political standing, even if it came at a personal cost.
Unveiling Past Traumas: Fitz’s Secret and Mellie’s Strength
The raw, unfiltered conversation between Fitz and Mellie on the White House terrace was a powerful, revelatory moment. Mellie, sipping a martini, confronted Fitz directly: “I’m not going to jump,” she stated, her voice laced with bitterness. “I’m not going to try and kill myself. I’m not you.” The words hung in the air, chilling and unexpected, exposing a deeply hidden trauma.
This shocking revelation sent ripples through the narrative. What?! Mellie’s statement unveiled a devastating secret: Fitz, in the depths of his own grief and despair after Jerry’s death, had attempted to commit suicide. This confession recast their entire dynamic, adding a layer of profound pain and unspoken history to their strained relationship. Fitz, clearly uncomfortable, tried to shut down the conversation, desperately not wanting Mellie to bring it up again, along with other painful topics like Jerry and, tellingly, Olivia.
Fitz revealed to Mellie that Olivia was back in town. The weight of this information was palpable, given their complex history.
Despite the revelation, Fitz adamantly declared, “I’m not going to see her.” He swore that he would avoid Olivia at all costs in the foreseeable future, a desperate attempt to maintain order and perhaps protect himself and his marriage from the irresistible pull of their shared past.
Mellie, however, was not easily fooled. Her weary, knowing response was chillingly direct: “When you see her, you will tell me,” she commanded, her words betraying her understanding of the inescapable connection between them. This exchange revealed the depth of her pain and her resigned acceptance of the enduring, almost fated, pull between Olivia and Fitz, despite their claims.
In a defining moment of self-reclamation, Olivia made the decision to stay in Washington. She was ready to shed the “Julia Baker” persona and fully embrace being Olivia Pope again, the formidable fixer who thrives in chaos. She took on the senator’s wife’s case with renewed vigor, signaling she was “all-in.” As she confidently walked out of the courthouse, fate, or perhaps the show’s writers, orchestrated a deliberate, almost agonizing encounter. Fitz and Olivia walked right past each other, their paths intersecting for a brief, tense moment.
They didn’t look at each other, their eyes deliberately averted. There was no “hi,” no acknowledgment of their shared history. This deliberate avoidance might have suggested to some that their epic romance was truly over, a closed chapter. Yet, for devoted fans, the unspoken tension, the charged silence, screamed the opposite: Olitz would never truly die.
In a subtle, yet powerfully symbolic gesture, as they walked past each other, their hands almost touched, a fraction of an inch separating them. This near-contact was a visual metaphor for their enduring connection, a palpable longing that transcended their current circumstances and their attempts at emotional distance.
It’s not over! THERE’S STILL A CHANCE FOR OLITZ.
HollywoodLifers, what were your deepest thoughts on tonight’s explosive Scandal premiere? Were you genuinely surprised that the show committed to killing off Harrison Wright, fundamentally altering the Gladiator dynamic? What do you make of this profoundly new, raw Mellie Grant, and her unconventional methods of coping with grief? And perhaps the most shocking revelation: were you stunned by the disclosure that Fitz attempted suicide after Jerry’s death, adding a dark layer to his character’s journey? Share your theories, reactions, and hopes for the season in the comments below – let’s handle this discussion!
— Avery Thompson
Follow @avery__thompson
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