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Scandal Recap: Liv Gives Fitz “Hope,” While Jake Faces Impending Death by B613 in “An Innocent Man”

Scandal Season 4, Episode 6 "An Innocent Man"
Olivia tackles the case of a presidential assassin in the October 30 episode of Scandal, "An Innocent Man."

Olivia Pope is having “nightmares” — she can’t figure out who she’s rolling around in bed with: Fitz or Jake. On this week’s episode of Shonda Rhimes’ Scandal, “An Innocent Man,” Liv continues to struggle with her very powerful, and sexy, love triangle. While Jake is locked away, beaten and bruised, Olivia appeals to her other boyfriend, Fitz, for Jake’s safety. Meanwhile, Huck is playing video games with his estranged son, Cyrus has it bad for an escort, and Quinn continues to work on Catherine’s case. Things are never easy in the world of the Gladiators. Us Weekly breaks down the five biggest moment’s from episode 6.

Scandal - Kerry interrogating

1. Olivia Gets Played by a Psychopath

This week, OPA takes on the case of Leonard Francis Carnahan (guest star Brian Benben), a man charged with an assassination attempt on a former president, a la President Reagan. Former President Cooper has just passed away from a stroke, his death allowing an opportunity to investigate the truth behind the shooting. Carnahan has always maintained his innocence, and hires Olivia to exonerate him after decades of imprisonment. The only possible proof, however, is a bullet lodged in the now deceased former President’s head. OPA uses social media, yet again, to force David into ordering an autopsy and removal of the potentially acquitting bullet — #JusticeForCooper.

Unfortunately for an already emotionally unstable Olivia, instead of proving his innocence, the bullet solidifies Carnahan’s place in history as a presidential assassin. Which, we learn, is what he wanted all along. By manipulating Olivia into reopening the case, he dropped the “attempted” part of his assassin title, and joined the “illustrious” ranks of John Wilkes Booth and Lee Harvey Oswald. Hey, he’s got the three name thing going for him.

Olivia is disturbed at how easily she was exploited by Carnahan, but David Rosen is thrilled. For once, he beat the indomitable Olivia Pope.

Related: PHOTOS: Olivia Pope's best looks ever

2. Abby Confronts Fitz

Abby/Gabby and Olivia have finally ended their icy feud, as Abby seems truly concerned for Liv’s sanity following Jake’s imprisonment. While Olivia desperately tries to reach Fitz for answers, Abby takes full advantage of her White House gig by confronting the President in person. She prods him for information about where Jake is being held, and Fitz is, at first, aghast by her brazenness in confronting the “Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.”

“I’m not asking the Commander in Chief, I’m asking the married man who used to sleep with my friend what exactly he has done with the man she is currently sleeping with,” she says. 

Fitz initially refuses to provide her with the information, but all it takes is a little appeal to his heartstrings. Abby mentions witnessing Olivia waking up from a nightmare, and Fitz makes one of his late-night visits to casa de Pope.

Related: PHOTOS: Get Olivia Pope's style for less

Scandal - Mellie

3. Mellie Meets Her Match in a Tri Delt from Tuscaloosa

Well hello Bitsy! As Mellie settles back in to normality (RIP Smelly Mellie) and her role as First Lady, she is responsible for helping plan the funeral for former President Cooper. President Cooper’s wife arrives to the White House playing the part of “simple” Southern old lady, but Mellie quickly discovers she’s far from it.

“Since us bitches have got to get through this dog and pony show, I’m going to need you to sit down, shut up, and follow my lead,” Bitsy tells Mellie. “I’ll do the planning and you go crochet or vaccinate fat kids, or whatever silly hobby makes you feel like you’re making a difference.” 

The commandeering former First Lady makes quite the impression on Mellie, especially when she learns that Bitsy essentially ran the White House. She hops at the opportunity for more power, and plays into Liz’s (Portia de Rossi) scheme by cornering Fitz into a decision regarding military bases. She and Bitsy celebrate the power play by, what else, smoking a joint on a White House balcony.  

4. Olivia Gives Fitz “Hope”

Olivia uses her own manipulation skills to buy Jake more time, by promising Fitz there will be zero chance of reconciliation if he hands Jake over to B613. Olivia pleads for Jake’s life, telling Fitz that any possibility of a future between them hinges on how he handles the fate of her other lover. Fitz latches onto the chance that there’s hope for them yet — that Vermont and jam is still on the horizon. He opts to release Jake to a maximum security prison, instead of Rowan’s eager hands. He tells Jake to “Consider it my gift to the woman we love.”

Scandal - Abby and Cyrus

Related: PHOTOS: Stars who've played the President

5. Cyrus’ Starts to See the Truth About His Boy Toy

Cyrus has clearly fallen for his male escort Michael. As the episode starts, the two are canoodling at a swanky hotel. Cyrus tells Michael he’s secured a new cell phone for him, as well as rented a cozy one-bedroom. Michael, the alleged “business student,” seems happy, but when Cyrus leaves the room Michael quickly snoops through his phone.

Later, when Liz tries to pay him off for his “relationship” with Cyrus, Michael proves that he’s good for more than just scandalous photos. His snooping provided proof that the President is closing several military bases, information that Liz ultimately uses to manipulate Mellie.  

Cyrus, meanwhile, is furious about the information leak, and tasks Abby with finding the source. The tables are turned, however, when Abby reveals that he’s the one at fault.

“Before you head on a witch hunt, you might want to take a closer look at your own back door,” she says. Burn.

Tell Us: Are you Team Jake or Team Fitz?

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