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