'Scandal' Review/Recap: "The Testimony of Diego Muñoz"

By Nora Dominick ‘17/ Emertainment Monthly Assistant Stage Editor

Scandal continued its triumphant fourth season with the latest episode entitled “The Testimony of Diego Muñoz.” This episode brought back the ambiguous, mysterious and fatal military group B-613. With little known about the agency that has changed the lives of Huck (Guillermo Diaz) and Jake (Scott Foley), this latest episode let fans learn a little more about the agency that has become integral to the Scandal universe.
The key players in tonight’s episode were David Rosen (Joshua Malina), Jake, and Huck. All three of them have been involved in B-613 and this week their past came back to haunt them. In a shocking turn of events, Kim (Jasika Nicole), Huck’s estranged wife, shows up in David’s office with mounds of old B-613 files. She pleads with David that her husband, Diego Muñoz (Huck’s real name) was held captive and tortured by B-613. Huck, David and Jake decide that Huck will testify but lie and say he doesn’t know anything about B-613. In one of the best acted scenes to date, Huck chooses his family and delivers a captivating and emotional monologue about his time in B-613. He brings Kim and David to tears as he explains his time spent locked away in the box. Diaz delivers one of his greatest performances to date as he peels back another layer to the mysterious Huck.

This episode picked up with Susan Ross (Artemis Pebdani) trying to navigate through the new political world of possibly becoming Vice President of the US. Pebdani provides some comic relief to the otherwise stressful and dramatic television show. Her quick quips and body movements help her create a character that stands out on Scandal. This episode, Susan is placed in the stressful situation of trying to prove to the Senate that she is qualified to be the next VP. Abby (Darby Stanchfield) enlists the help of Leo Bergen (Paul Adelstein), political fixer and her boyfriend, to help drill Susan so she is the best candidate. The scenes between Pebdani, Stanchfield and Adelstein are hysterical as Adelstein yells, Stanchfield diffuses the situation and Pebdani reacts. The three of them are amazing and play off of each other very well. By episode’s end, Susan Ross has been elected the new Vice President of the US with the support of Fitz (Tony Goldwyn), The Senate and Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington).
Although Susan Ross gets confirmed, Leo and Abby hit a bit of a rough patch. With Leo screaming at Susan about Russia, North Korea and how she would run the U.S if the President should die, he fails to see the strain it’s putting on his relationship. Abby tries to do everything in her power to stop his tirade but it all comes to a head not in the White House, but in the bedroom. Stanchfield and Adelstein perfectly complement each other and their chemistry on screen is amazing. Abby and Leo’s relationship may not be the standout on Scandal, however their two characters complement each other perfectly and here’s hoping their relationship continues to step to the forefront.

Olivia Pope is still hurting after being captured in previous episodes. Her PTSD escalates this week as fans see how Olivia acts when she isn’t put together and outside her home. She sits on the floor drinking wine, brushes her teeth while holding a loaded gun and doesn’t talk to her neighbors. Her kidnapping not only affected her, but her neighbor Louis (Fran Bennett), who was killed in the line of fire. Marla Gibbs (The Jeffersons) guest stars as Rose, Louis best friend and lover. Gibbs gives an effortlessly performance as she searches for answers as to why the love of her life has suddenly disappeared. She turns to Olivia for help saying, “Louis always told me ‘If you are ever in trouble, you go talk to the black lady across the hall.’” Gibbs and Washington give great performances as they show two sides to the grieving process. Gibbs shows the optimism while Washington shows the fallout. Truly magnificent scenes between both.
By episode’s end, everyone seems to be in a pretty solid place. Fitz and Mellie (Bellamy Young) revel in the success of making Susan Ross Vice President, Huck goes home with his wife, Abby and Leo are happily together and Olivia has made the first step towards going back to her normal life: eating popcorn and drinking red wine on her white couch. Although, anyone who knows Scandal knows that nothing is ever as happy as it seems. In the last minute, David and Jake conspire to take down B-613 and continue the court case, even if that means taking down Olivia’s Dad (Joe Morton) and possibly hurting her. Looks like things on Scandal are just heating up.
Scandal airs on Thursdays at 9/8c on ABC
Overall Grade: A-