'Scandal' Review - 2.10 One for the Dog

        On the newest episode of ABC's Scandal, Huck is being held under the Patriot Act and Olivia and the team get unexpected assistance from an old friend to help him; Olivia helps Mellie out of a very compromising situation that could affect Fitz'a future; and Olivia's relationship with Edison reaches a boiling point.

        It has been awhile since we've had a new episode of Scandal - and an even longer time since I've written a full review - but tonight the series returned in a grand way. I am fully expecting this episode to be met with some controversy due to its depiction of torture. The controversial subject has recently sparked a lot of debate in this country mostly due from the depictions in Academy Award nominated film, Zero Dark Thirty (which really should have been nominated for more awards, especially for Kathryn Bigelow, but I digress). Although, yes this topic is a slippery slope to go down. I do believe that much like that film, the scenes in tonight's episode were necessary to the overall effect and storytelling of this narrative and were handled with care.
        The whole Who Shot Fitz storyline has elevated the second season of this show to a whole new level. Beforehand, I was happy and content with everything happening despite the glaring issue of two distinct narratives (the people at OPA and the political stories) that never crossed over. And while yes, the show has grown tremendously excited the more it has embraced the craziness and the theatrics of the conspiracy. It still feels like the use of characters like Quinn, Abby and Harrison have been diminished. Even though Quinn is right in the center and is the one most severely effected from the results of the conspiracy she has been subjected to the background for most of the season. This episode did try to counter that by bring those three more into the fold of helping Olivia, Mellie, Cyrus and Verna cover up the president's awakening. The concluding moment of Quinn demanding a fuller explanation of why Olivia's not turning Hollis in and what really happened to her is one that excites me with its prospects although it could be shuffled quickly under the rug. I hope not though considering showrunner Shonda Rhames has stated that this story is the arc for the first thirteen episodes and thusly things like this should be coming to a head right about now.
       But by far, the most entertaining material comes out of the Olivia-Mellie-Cyrus stuff in this episode as they plot to steal the White House back from Sally and Hollis. It was pure fun to see them convince the entire public of Fitz's recovery while still holding off Sally who wasn't buying any of it. That confrontation between her and Mellie over the handwriting was so informative and yet damning of everything that Mellie had done. Yet, all will be well for our great trio as now Fitz is awake and ready to fully heal and take back the reins of the presidency - likely with all three of them once again working together in his corner. However, a more imminent threat would be Edison as now that he knows some of the truth he is poised to attack and potentially take down our protagonists.

So what did everyone think of the episode? Will Olivia tell Quinn the full truth of the conspiracy? Will getting the baby fully silence James? What is in Huck's dossier? How miraculous is it that Fitz is already awake by episode's end? Share your thoughts in the comments.