As any O.G (Original Gladiator) knows, it can be difficult to keep up with the fast-paced world of Pope & Associates. The purpose of this recap is to break down the key moments from each episode without wasting time on unnecessary filler storylines. Ready? Let’s jump in.
**Spoilers below. Scroll down at your own risk**

1. Case of the Week : Leonard Carnahan
This episode’s case of the week was taken straight from real-life headlines. The episode kicks off with the news that a former republican president from the 1980’s passed away from a stroke. Similar to real-life president Ronald Reagan, the “Scandal” president survived an assassination attempt during his time in office. The man who was charged with the attempted assassination calls Olivia to visit him in prison so she can help prove his innocence. According to the man, the U.S government framed him for the assassination by forging his handwriting in a diary that included how he wanted to carry out the crime. Since the bullet that struck the President is still lodged in his brain, Leonard wants to prove his innocence by removing the bullet to show that it does not match the pistol he had on his person the day of the assassination attempt.
When OPA break down the case, they decide that the only way they would have a legitimate reason for an autopsy is if Leonard is officially charged for the murder of the former President. The case focuses on whether or not the bullet played a part in the stroke that led to the President’s death.
Olivia plants the story into the ears of the media and influencers on social media and is able to push the Attorney General (David Rosen) to officially file charges against Leonard Carnahan in the murder of former President Edward Cooper.
But, of course, we’re led straight into another classic “Scandal” plot twist when the bullet is traced straight back to Leonard’s gun. When Olivia confronts Leonard, he tells her that he actually only hired her so there would be no speculation about whether or not he did it. He wanted to shut down the conspiracy theorists so the world to know for sure that he successfully carried out his plan to assassinate the President of the United States.
2. Fitz visits Olivia
In a move we all saw coming, Fitz and his secret service agents waltz up to Olivia’s front door in the night. Olivia is still angry at Fitz for keeping her from Jake and still doesn’t want to believe the allegations that he was the mastermind in the death of Jerry and Harrison.
Olivia’s gut is almost always right in her work life, but is mostly clouded when it comes to her personal life. I have to give her some props here, though, because she refuses to believe that Jake was capable of carrying out the murder of Harrison and Jerry.  
3. First Ladies
Mellie is enlightened during her time spent with the late President’s wife. The former First Lady tells Mellie that she was actually the mastermind behind many of the things her husband received credit for. This inspires Mellie to speak up unexpectedly to the press about rumors that Fitz closed down military bases despite the fact that she didn’t actually know the truth. I think this shows that while President Cooper’s wife inspired Mellie to use her brilliance, Mellie has decided she doesn’t want to be remembered as just another trophy wife. She wants to be able to comment on serious matters and receive credit for her voice and her ideas.
4. Olake reunion
When Olivia is finally allowed to see Jake, he goes on this spiel that it’s okay that she didn’t choose him. He also gives her the information to a secret offshore account he has that he’d like her to access to leave behind money for his mom. Olivia starts getting emotional, but she barely tries to comfort Jake, which is surprising. However, she may have been hesitant considering Fitz and guards were watching them from outside.
At the end of the episode, Fitz informs Jake that he isn’t going to kill him. Instead, he’s going to sentence him to life in prison in a maximum-security facility. In an awkward moment with Jake, Fitz says “Consider it a gift to the woman we love.” I swear I actually gagged when he said this.
Of course Rowan is livid when he finds out Olivia played a hand in saving Jake’s life, but I doubt that this is the end of the Jake/Rowan/Fitz war.
5. The Key
We also have a mini-appearance from last week’s case (remember when Quinn dug into a dead girl’s body for a key?). At the end of this episode, Huck and Quinn are able to locate the locker the key fits into and they find several photographs of Olivia taken from outside her bedroom window. Why is a co-worker of Olivia’s former college friend’s husband presumably stalking Olivia? This is one of the most random story lines to come out of this season, but it will be interesting to see who this leads to.
What did you think of this week’s episode of “Scandal”?
Comment below and don’t forget to live-tweet next week’s episode with me at @AggiAshagre on Twitter.