SCANDAL: BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE (TV)
Summary
One in this drama/political thriller about the Pope & Associates crisis management firm in Washington D.C. In this episode, as Christmas arrives, Olivia struggles to accept the boring domestic demands of her role as "First Girlfriend," and Mellie discovers that the new spending bill puts Planned Parenthood in the "discretionary" category, meaning that the money can be easily rescinded at any time. Quinn, still searching for the missing Huck, informs an amused Marcus of her firm dislike of Christmas, and Elizabeth is exasperated when casual lover Rosen attempts to give her a fancy bracelet as a holiday present. When Mellie's concerns are condescendingly dismissed by the other senators, she decides to filibuster the vote, meaning that she will have to keep the floor for 16 long hours to run out the clock. Elsewhere, Rowan continues taunting his captor, Huck, and Jake watches as Tom Larsen meets up with Franklin Russell, who is revealed to be the true mastermind behind Lazarus One. Cyrus urges Fitz to "stay away" from Mellie's risky political move, and when Rowan tries to anger Huck by mentioning his estranged son Javier, Huck coldly reminds Rowan that he has "failed" with Olivia, who chose Fitz over her own father.
Olivia intently watches Mellie's filibuster as she prepares for the annual cabinet dinner, and she tries to convince Senator Moskowitz to ask a long, rambling question to allow Mellie a desperately needed bathroom break, though Moskowitz refuses. When Vice-President Ross gives Rosen a pricey Christmas present, he re-gifts Elizabeth's bracelet, and Ross happily enters the chamber and takes the floor from Mellie. Mellie spots Olivia in the ladies' room and, aware that she engineered Ross' help, admits that she feels close to breaking, though Olivia sternly urges her to continue her mission. Fitz is angry when Olivia fails to appear at the formal dinner, and Mellie's many supporters are thrilled when the clock strikes midnight and the harmful bill is defeated thanks to her selfless actions. Jake tracks down Russell, who confirms that he did indeed kill Elise, and Jake coldly shoots him dead. Huck, however, releases Rowan unharmed, declaring that his love for Olivia is the only thing saving her villainous father.
Olivia makes a secret late-night trip to a clinic and undergoes an abortion, having decided to tell no one of her pregnancy by Fitz. Back at home, Fitz angrily confronts her about her mysterious absence, and their argument quickly escalates as Olivia accuses her of holding her "hostage" as part of her eternal emotional debt to him for saving Rowan's life. He declares her "worse than Mellie," and when she realizes that their relationship is truly over, he accuses her of preferring him "unavailable." Elsewhere, Quinn seeks solace with Charlie, and Elizabeth is flustered to spot Ross' new bracelet. Rowan reunites with his prodigal "son" Jake, and Olivia orders a new couch, signaling her readiness to move on from Fitz. Includes commercials and promos.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:00:02
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 125512
- GENRE: Drama, mystery/suspense
- SUBJECT HEADING: African-American Collection - Drama; Drama, mystery/suspense; Politics; Christmas; Abortion rights
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 2012-2018
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - "Joy" motion picture
- TV - Commercials - "Sisters" motion picture
- TV - Commercials - "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" motion picture
- TV - Commercials - "The Big Short" motion picture
- TV - Commercials - "The Good Dinosaur" motion picture
- TV - Commercials - Barnes & Noble bookstores
- TV - Commercials - Diet Coca-Cola soft drinks
- TV - Commercials - Hunt's tomatoes
- TV - Commercials - Jared Galleria of Jewelry
- TV - Commercials - Kay jewelers
- TV - Commercials - Kohl's stores
- TV - Commercials - Macy's stores
- TV - Commercials - Marie Callender's pot pies
- TV - Commercials - Metro PCS cellular services
- TV - Commercials - Microsoft Surface Pro 4 tablet computers
- TV - Commercials - Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
- TV - Commercials - Olay Ageless skin products
- TV - Commercials - Pizza Hut restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Samsung Galaxy Note5 cellular phones
- TV - Commercials - T-Mobile wireless networks
- TV - Commercials - TJ Maxx / Marshalls / HomeGoods stores
- TV - Commercials - Tamiflu influenza medicine
- TV - Commercials - Toys 'R' Us stores
- TV - Promos - "American Crime"
- TV - Promos - "Dancing With the Stars"
- TV - Promos - "Dr. Ken"
- TV - Promos - "Good Morning America"
- TV - Promos - "Grey's Anatomy"
- TV - Promos - "How to Get Away with Murder"
- TV - Promos - "Last Man Standing"
- TV - Promos - "Marvel's Agent Carter"
- TV - Promos - "Shark Tank"
- TV - Promos - "The Bachelor"
- TV - Promos - "The Great Holiday Baking Show"
- TV - Promos - American Music Awards
CREDITS
- Betsy Beers … Executive Producer
- Tom Verica … Executive Producer, Director
- Shonda Rhimes … Executive Producer, Created by
- Mark Wilding … Executive Producer, Writer
- Heather Mitchell … Co-Executive Producer
- Merri D. Howard … Co-Executive Producer
- Allan Heinberg … Co-Executive Producer
- Judy Smith … Co-Executive Producer
- Alison Schapker … Co-Executive Producer
- Mark Fish … Co-Executive Producer
- Matt Byrne … Supervising Producer
- Scott Collins … Supervising Producer
- Zahir McGhee … Supervising Producer
- Noah Evslin … Co-Producer
- Brad Yacobian … Co-Producer
- Holden Chang … Co-Producer
- Chris Van Dusen … Co-Producer
- Jason George … Co-Producer
- Chad Fischer … Music by
- Kerry Washington … Cast, Olivia Pope
- Scott Foley … Cast, Jake Ballard
- Darby Stanchfield … Cast, Abby Whelan
- Katie Lowes … Cast, Quinn Perkins
- Guillermo Diaz … Cast, Diego "Huck" Muñoz
- Jeff Perry … Cast, Cyrus Beene
- Joshua Malina … Cast, David Rosen
- Bellamy Young … Cast, Mellie Grant
- Portia de Rossi … Cast, Elizabeth North
- Cornelius Smith Jr. … Cast, Marcus Walker
- Tony Goldwyn … Cast, President Fitzgerald Grant III
- George Newbern … Cast, Charlie
- Artemis Pebdani … Cast, Susan Ross
- Brian Letscher … Cast, Tom Larsen
- Mackenzie Astin … Cast, Noah Baker
- Brian White … Cast, Franklin Russell
- Rose Abdoo … Cast, Senator Linda Moskowitz
- John Prosky … Cast, Senator Stanley Gibson
- Matt Riedy … Cast, SS Agent Alex Radstone
- Elyse Mirto … Cast, Sandy Harding
- Mary Mouser … Cast, Karen Grant
- Joe Morton … Cast, Rowan Pope
- Bruno Oliver … Cast, Presiding Officer
- Gary Riotto … Cast, Mitchell Heatherton
- Erica Shaffer … Cast, Reporter Julia
- Kandiss Edmundson … Cast, Tamara Connors
- Alison Trumbull … Cast, Senator Harding's Aide
- Edward James Gage … Cast, Sergeant at Arms
- Claudia Doumit … Cast, Aide
- Monica Parks … Cast, Nurse