Scandal S6 E04.... "The Belt" | EPISODE RECAP

The Belt, The Beat down, The Catch, The Verdict

RECAP

Oooookaaaaay, sooooo Gladiators… TOM DIDN’T DO IT! So in short, episode 3 left us with Tom admitting to killing Frankie Vargas and pinning it on Cyrus as the brain behind it. Episode 4 definitely left us with Olivia and new finding out that Tom couldn’t have done it, because there’s surveillance of him in a drive through line at the same time Frankie Vargas was shot. If Tom didn’t do it, that means Cyrus is not guilty of Frankie’s death either. Aaaa-ha!

Tom confessing to Cyrus after he was almost killed

The episode opens with a VERY well executed opening scene of Cyrus being taken to prison. The entire sequence is uncomfortable, especially once he has to strip down for his cavity search. It is quiet. The shots are close. The acting is superb. This is the beginning of the challenge the viewer must face on whether or not they will feel sorry for Cyrus for the remainder of the episode. 

Here's a few noteworthy moments I cannot help but mention:

THOUGHTS

1) This was one of the best episode I have seen in a long time, and this is coming from someone who has been very satisfied as of late. However one thing that really bothered me during this last episode was the prison setup. Now, I'll be the first to admit that I could be wrong here, especially considering the fact that I've never been in prison before. But I found it interesting that the man who is accused of killing the President of the United States of America was able to be jumped by am angry mob outside. Now, I do recognize that part of the point of the deranged across- the -hall -neighbor -devil- I- ate-my-family dude, was to show us what kind of maximum security "Wing" - if you will -Cyrus was on, but that wasn't enough for me... it just didn't make sense.

2) I knew Abby was lying when she tried her little speech. What baffled me was that BOTH the FBI Director and Attorney General took her word without consulting the person she claims to be speaking for. First of all, that's a conversation that's important enough that the President can do his own speaking, without his assistant as his mouth piece. But with something so important as whether or not the man accused of assassinating the new POTUS should get the death penalty, don't you think you need to hear from the man himself before you make an official decision?!

Abby being confronted by President Grant with the lie she told to the FBI Director and Attorney General

3) While the moment had me hyped, when Cyrus was able to outsmart the guard for his advantage, I was super upset. Because I didn't understand how the guard who's supposed to be over the wing where the guy ATE his family, and the other guy who supposedly KILLED THE PRESIDENT of the United States was so easily manipulated. Is this truly an indictment of our justice system, or am I just being deep? As a fan, I definitely bought into the whole "Cyrus is a bad mamma jamma" moment, but like in real life though, I wasn't here for that either.

4) Sooooo, Huck and Meg definitely got cozy! Now, Meg is the young lady who supposedly blew up in the cabin explosion from the premier. Huck shows up at her apartment to get some clarity on whether she's "a client or a friend"... well, Meg answers that with a kiss! GET IT HUCK!

BEFORE I GO

And why in tarnation was TOM not a part of that beating Cyrus took. Cyrus is nursing his elderly wounds, and Tom is laid up with his feet kicked up reading a book in peace. Even if Cyrus DID order Tom to do it - which he didn’t - TOM STILL DID IT!!! Po Cyrus was spat on and beat up, and Tom is chillin’, probably getting seconds at the lunch counter. 

I really kinda feel for Mellie. She was SO excited about being POTUS 45, and it definitely doesn't look like a guarantee anymore. I mean, the woman got her twerk on for goodness' sake! Let her have the Oval! hahaha

Should we talk about Fitz and his Sees candy obsession or nah? He is definitely sleeping with FBI Director, Angela, and their relationship is sure to cause some tensions. Hey, it's already caused Abby some embarrassment. 

QUOTABLE MENTIONS

"At some point, the bill has to be paid."- Olivia to Cyrus

"Stop being a monster and be a man." - Olivia to Cyrus

Olivia on the phone with Cyrus (S6,E4)

Scandal Season 6, Episode 3: "Fates Worse Than Death"

AND THE KILLER IS....

IN SHORT

1.  Tom did it! Tom killed Frankie Vargas!
2. This new approach to storytelling this season is very interesting.  Very HTGAWM. The choice to employ flashback sequences as a mode of storytelling aids in the way the viewer is made to feel about what's happening. It definitely keeps you locked in, so you don't get confused. It also promotes more of the "aaah ha" moments that the viewer experiences. Interesting choice Shondaland.
3. Here we go with Liz North. She is such an opportunist. Of course, she only wants to help Cyrus so she can help herself.
4. Liv and Cy be BIPOLAR THAN A MUG! They went from planning a wino meet up at the Lincoln memorial as old friends to declaring war. What I don't understand though is why Cyrus was so mad when she mentioned him putting himself on the ticket. Is that NOT his typical MO?!
5. Tom having confessed and pointing the finger at Cyrus was huge! Tom is a jilted lover looking for his revenge. I wonder how far this will go for Cyrus before he waves the white flag... or if it'll be waved at all.

CYRUS & TOM

Tom stepped on the scene like WHET?! Had Cyrus shook .

That moment with Cyrus and Tom on the hotel room made me feel like I should put myself in timeout for watching. That was more intimacy than I was comfortable watching, no matter who was doing it. Shondaland sure has a way of making a girl feel like a prude!

Now Cyrus's moment of shell shock in the hospital during the premier right after Frankie was shot makes sense. His declaration of innocence makes sense. Him being frustrated make sense...  But he's dead wrong for being offended. All he's ever done is plot and set up murders. Cyrus seems innocent to me. He's so flabbergasted, and he shouldn't be. Fitz presents Cyrus with two options: step down and withdraw from the presidency or admit to killing Frankie Vargas. Cyrus says he’ll step down if Mellie does, but since we all know she won’t, Cyrus decides to keep the country. He assumes the investigation will die down soon … until Tom calls and reminds Cyrus that everything could blow up in his face if Tom decides to open his mouth.  He tells Fitz ," I'm keeping it... It's not safe with you." Ummmmm, homie... You may have forgotten but you're a monster!

Soooooo, Jennifer Fields got her butt straight kicked! Cyrus definitely is a user. He charmed Tom into beating that poor girl up. He used up poor Tom until Tom was completely out of his mind, and now he's dealing with Thin Line Between Love and Hate... Especially after the way he broke it off with Tom.  To tell someone, "You're dead to me", after all they'd been through, and expect no repercussion is signifier of Cyrus's pride and unrelenting ego. A total disregard of Tom's feelings, and how his words would affect him, now he's trying to apologize his way out of a sticky situation. Ladies, sound familiar? Let there be a lesson in this... Watch how you treat people and keep it locked tool you get that rock. Desperation humility is still  inauthentic.

OTHER MENTIONABLE MOMENTS

1. That dude Tom started barking! Lol #iWasntReady
2. Tom left Cyrus all the way leveled. Bruised and teary eyed. 
3. Okay so once upon a time Cyrus was human and had a dream.... that whole moment of him replaying his dream of being president AFTER having been humbled by his encounter with Tom's gun was hilarious! Come on bruh.... come on. 
4. Quinn and Charlie.... barf!

QUOTES

1. "Why, so you can pick it up and shoot me?" 
2. “I do not want your help. I do not want you. You are dead to me.” – Cyrus to Tom
3. "There are fates worse than death, much worse. And you should know - you handed one to me." - Tom to Cyrus

Preview of Episode 4