Scandal Series Finale: Here’s How It All Ended – Today’s News: Our Take

After seven seasons of break-neck plot twists and theatrical monologues, it was time for our heroes to finally face their past and fess up to their dark crimes. More importantly, it was time for Olivia Pope to earn back her trademark white hat on Scandal.

Kicking off the hour with a bang, Olivia staged a super secret meeting with Lonnie Mankin who killed himself to ensure that she and the rest of the Gladiators get a proper Senate hearing. With David officially in charge, it was a new game for the group who would now have to testify before a committee about their connection to B613.

On the brink of surfacing her darkest secrets, Olivia turned to Papa Pope for some guidance but he wasn’t in a mentoring mood. Papa Pope rebuffed his daughter’s pleas for help, but not before reminding her that she doesn’t need to fix everybody’s problems.

Meanwhile, Mellie worried a potential impeachment would erase everything she’d done as president and rightfully so. After all, a connection to a black ops organization responsible for the assassination of world leaders isn’t something you want to advertise. But if she’s going to she, she might as well face with a clear conscience. The Commander in Chief finally admitted her feelings for Marcus and they shared a sweet kiss.

Soon, it was time for old skeletons to come waltzing out of the closet and dance they did! Olivia admittted to sending the order to kill President Rashad, Mellie and Fitz confessed to being aware of B613, Tom (Oh, hey there!) fessed up to killing Frankie Vargus under Cyrus’ orders. Even Hollis got in on the action and confessed to his many indscretions. With the truth finally out, our heroes prepared for punishment but not before pulling one more scheme: get Quinn and Charlie (whose real name is Bernard!) married in jail.

The happy mood was quickly interrupted by Jake who corned David in the parking garage for some old-fashioned threatening. But Zen David was not afraid to die with honor, not this time! “I am not your b***h, Jake Ballard,” he hits back at Jake. Someone ate their Wheaties today! David then Jake a chance to do the right thing and put on the metaphorical white hat. But is Jake really capable of thinking for himself for once?

Actually, yes. Jake decided to head home instead of taking another order from Cyrus so that’s progress. Now down an errand boy, it was up to Cyrus to save his own skin. Staging a meeting with David under the guise of striking a heal, he poisoned the Attorney General and then smothered him with a pillow — his first official kill in the show’s seven-year run.

The brutal murder hit Olivia and QPA (and anyone who has a heart, really) hard. An emotional scene at the morgue saw Abby order everyone not to cry or else she won’t be able to stop. And after Huck offered to take care of things the b613 way, aka murder, Olivia was adamant that they remain the good guys and not resort to dirty tactics. Welcome back, White Hat Olivia! With the Senate poised to issue a punishment the next day, Olivia and Fitz faced the possibility of never being alone together ever again. That meant taking full advantage of the moment: “Take off your clothes.” Right on, Fitz!

If only they knew in advance that the hearing would be post-poned. Rowan, who had stayed out of things the entire episode, finally stepped back into the light and faced the Senate as a new witness. Was he there to confess his sins? No! In true Papa Pope fashion, the former b613 Command dropped an eloquent monologue on how he started the secretive organization with his bare hands and helped save the country. He also through Jake under the bus so that he could remain a free man.

So Jake Ballard was the one to take the hit for all of B613’s crimes. At least he got one final visit from Olivia, who wondered what would have happened if she hadn’t pulled him from that island. But Jake had no regrets. He did a little good, loved Olivia a lot and will also have those memories to fall back on. That’s sweet…and sad. Speaking of, Olivia offered Cyrus one last chance to make things right by signing a confession, which he did. The defeated VP exited the Oval Office narrowing missing the one position he’d worked all seven season to obtain: president.

And just like that, it’s over. Charlie was freed, Mellie continued what looked to be a successful presidency (with Marcus by her side), Jake was left daydreaming about being in the sun with Olivia while in prison, and Abby and Huck said their final goodbyes to David at his gravesite. As for Olivia, she officially hung up her hat and ditched the seedy underbelly of Washington D.C. for greener pastures with Fitz.

Closing things out on a hopeful note, Scandal wrapped its final shot on a pair of fresh-faced black girls curiously staring at her portrait hanging up in the museum. She might be gone, but her legacy is permanent.

Kerry Washington, ScandalPhoto: Eric McCandless, ABC