I See You

I See You

Air Date: March 17, 2016 — Writer: Matt Byrne — Director: Paris Barclay
Previous Episode: "The Fish Rots from the Head" — Next Episode: "Pencils Down"

I See You is the fourteenth episode of the fifth season of Scandal, and is the eighty-third overall.

Plot[]

Olivia continues to spy on Jake while the gladiators have to fend for themselves. Meanwhile, Susan and Mellie are feeling the pressure as their campaigns heat up; Abby begins to question Cyrus’ motives; and a blast from the past surprises everyone.

Recap[]

Olivia has cameras set up so she can spy on Jake’s new fiancée, Vanessa Moss. Of course, it’s hard to spy on a spy. Jake is hip to Liv’s not-so-secret camera setup. He lectures her on her daddy/president issues before assuring her that he’s in love with Vanessa. A short time later, Olivia tells Jake she wants to call a truce. She says she misses him. All seems well until Olivia realizes that the way Jake met Vanessa is the same way he met her. She orders Quinn to step up surveillance on Jake.

Mellie meets with Hollis Doyle, who wants some help with the EPA in exchange for a half billion bucks in campaign contributions. That’s not the only meeting the oily oilman takes. His sit-down with Susan Ross goes sideways fast when Fitz assures the veep that they don’t need to suck up to this man to win an election. This sends Hollis back to Mellie, who lays out the framework for her campaign. Hollis likes what he hears. That’s why he steals the idea to declare it as his own as he announces his candidacy for President of the United States.

Susan Ross yells at Fitz in the Oval Office. She’s upset that Hollis Doyle is now running against her in large part due to the president’s actions. She’s the candidate. She’s going to have to debate the guy now. This is the Susan Ross Show. Stay tuned!

Huck recognizes the guy who is dating his ex, Kim. He and Charlie once tried to kill him. His name is Sean Barton. Huck tricks the guy into going on a car ride with him. Olivia, Quinn and Marcus search for them. They find the empty car. A heated discussion between Olivia and Quinn ensues about how things have certainly changed over the years. The discussion ends abruptly when Huck appears to dump Sean’s unconscious body onto the ground. Turns out this wasn’t the guy he tortured back in the day. Huck realizes that he needs to let go of his family. He needs to move on.

Abby realizes that Cyrus is cheating on the president. Not literally. That wouldn’t make sense, as she points out to David. Cyrus is in cahoots with Francisco Vargas. Abby calls him on it. Cyrus promises he’ll make things right. He assures her that things are over with Vargas. He begs her to not tell the president. Abby agrees, but she still wants to take Cyrus down. She wants his job. She doesn’t want to wait. Olivia advises her to not let the thirst for power corrupt her. She should be a better person.

Abby lets Fitz know that Cyrus is running Francisco Vargas’s presidential campaign. She advises him on how he can make this work for him. All he has to do is fire Cyrus and hire her. Actually, Abby is the one who has to do the firing. That’s the job. So Abby fires Cyrus. He has 15 minutes to exit the White House. As for Abby, she joins the president and the vice president for a drink.

Cast[]

Main Cast[]

Recurring Cast[]

Kate Burton as Sally Langston
Joe Morton as Rowan Pope
George Newbern as Charlie
Artemis Pebdani as Susan Ross
Ricardo Antonio Chavira as Francisco Vargas
Joelle Carter as Vanessa Moss
Vanya Asher as Ethan
Jaden Betts as Javi
Jasika Nicole as Kim
Gregg Henry as Hollis Doyle

Guest Cast[]

Ivan Hernandez as Sean

Quotes[]

"The reason I can be selfish, the reason I can turn my back. You held things together when I went to the island with Jake. You ran this place when I left for the White House, and I didn't think twice about leaving you alone, because I know, no matter where I am, or what I'm doing, you'll jump in. You'll do whatever you have to. You'll take care of everyone. You'll handle the situation."

Olivia Pope to Quinn Perkins

Long Speeches & Rants[]

"Man, he really messed you up. Not your father... Fitz! You walked away from him over and over, because you knew in your gut, you knew if you said yes, he'd own you, he'd consume you, he'd be no different than your father, but over time, Fitz manipulated you. He made you feel like... Like you owed him. It's what he does best. You knew that more than anyone, and you still fell for it. Man, that has got to turn your world upside down, to go from being the smartest person in the room to the biggest fool... to realize you're just another textbook example of daddy issues, played out on a national stage. But I am in love, Olivia. I am marrying a woman I love. She's smart, she's beautiful, and best of all, she's capable of loving me back."

Jake Ballard to Olivia Pope

"If you allow Cyrus to depart amicably, if you accept his resignation, he's safe. He can decide to work for Vargas after leaving the White House. You neutralize him, you keep the optics in your favor. You win. And you don't have to spend a single second looking for a new chief of staff. I'm right here, I'm exceedingly qualified, I will raise my sword, run at the enemy, and fight the good fight every single day. I will be the best West Wing general you've ever wished for and the scariest monster you never knew you needed. I'm loyal, I'm tough, and I'm not afraid to tell you when you're wrong, and you are wrong right now. Because it is easy, Mr. President. Fire him. Hire me."

Abby Whelan to Fitz Grant