The question we’ve been asking all summer was finally answered last night on Scandal Season 4 Episode 1.
Where in the world was Olivia Pope!?!
Zanzibar. Or off the coast at least. Standing in the sun with Jake while her team fell apart back home.
Olivia Pope, under the alias Julia Baker, receives a newspaper clipping reporting Harrison’s body found in a desert. She and Jake fly home to D.C. to plan Harrison’s funeral.
While there, Olivia realizes that her family–her Gladiators–have ceased to be a team in her absence.
Huck is working as a computer repair person, Abby is at the White House, and Quinn is being a spy. She used her sleuthing skills to track down Olivia and Jake. (Note to self: If you move to a remote island, don’t buy expensive, hard to find wine.)
Olivia feels remorse for leaving her team and tries to make amends with each of them, all the while alienating Jake by falling back into her old life.
When a senator’s aide calls Olivia for help, she cannot refuse to respond, listening to her gut and saving the senator’s reputation.
At the White House, Mellie is distraught over the loss of her son, refusing to get dressed, drinking excessively, and eating cereal straight out of the box. Her marriage to Fitz is a shambles and she is barely functioning.
Fitz, it is revealed, attempted suicide after his son died but found a way to channel his anger, frustration and grief into his political campaign, angering those within his party by his bi-partisan policymaking.
Cyrus is thoroughly enjoying the power of the White House.
After helping the Senator, Olivia decides she and Jake must stay in D.C. and she becomes a Gladiator once again.
Be sure to watch Scandal online to see what you missed!