Following those pesky impeachment hearings, Fitz issued a public statement/apology to open Scandal Season 5 Episode 7.
He attempted to earn their trust back by vowing to work tirelessly for each and every one of them.
From there, Olivia dodged Abby’s questions about how she actually ended said impeachment hearings, though Abby gave her rival a knowing glance later on when Liv played dumb over Rowan’s “escape” from prison.
When Olivia got back home home, found finds Jake on her sofa. He blamed her for Elise’s demise and told her that she is Rowan’s greatest achievement.
Ouch! Burn! Olivia asked Jake to leave in response.
We then head to the Oval Office, where Olivia is camped out on the President’s couch… much to Cyrus’ chagrin. He realizes that she is really second in charge, not him, but that doesn’t stop Cyrus from telling Fitz to call off the FBI search for Rowan.
POTUS replies that he’s decided to go in a different direction.
At OPA, Huck has a few words to say to Olivia about her dad, believing Rowan will bring back B613 – but Olivia tells him the company is out of the spy business.
She then meets up with a woman named Hannah Taylor, who has been waiting in her office.
Taylor needs help getting justice against her rapist, Frank Holland, the man receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom. After hearing Hannah’s tale, Olivia heads to the White House.
Elsewhere, Abby learns from Liz North that Sally Langston has offered her an exclusive sit-down regarding her time in the White House.
She insists on being given a job within the President’s inner circle … or she’ll become a “lover of liberty.” Well played, Sally.
Cut to the Oval Office, where see that Jake is Fitz’s “different direction.” He plans to kill Rowan after he tracks him down.
Olivia and Quinn later meet with Frank Holland to ask him about the Hannah Taylor situation. He denies all allegations, saying Hannah plagiarized a paper for Holland’s class.
So, as you’ll note when you watch Scandal online, Quinn and Marcus set out to find more women Holland may have raped in order to help their case… and hit the jackpot.
Meanwhile, David is unable to prevent Liz from walking out of his office to give the interview with Sally Langston after she senses that this scheme has Cyrus Beene written all over it.
The Case of the Week concludes with the discovery that Holland’s wife is in total control, she doesn’t even let her husband talk. Hmmm… we wonder if this supposed to mirror anything going on within the White House.
Especially after Cyrus finds Olivia in the Oval Office again and Fitz takes her suggestion to let Liz go on air. He also makes Liz North Susan’s new Chief of Staff.
We end with Liz and David Rosen having sex (!!!!!) and with Cyrus confronting Olivia about her power inside the White House.
She better learn to wield it wisely.
Where will this all go on Scandal Season 5 Episode 8? We’ll be tuning in to find out!