Dee Davis on 'Scandal': It's a blast from the past

So, last week, after watching Huck go a little crazy, Fitz get a little drunk, and Mellie vie for a little more power, we were left with Olivia being turned over to a buyer. Iranians? Her father? Mellie in an attempt to secure Fitz's love? A new guy to worship and adore her? All in good time. Or in this case about five minutes … (yes, I'm still watching Grey's Anatomy).

I have to say that despite the messier aspects of Huck's performance last week, there's still something compelling about the man. And I can actually understand why Olivia felt the need to rescue him. I do wish, however, that there was some kind of Sweeney Todd intervention that would pull him out of his less-than-savory tendencies. Kudos to Shonda Rhimes, though, for creating a character so fatally flawed and yet still vulnerable enough that we actually find ourselves rooting for him.

OK, show opens as Olivia makes a play to try to wiggle her way out of trouble. (Farsi, anyone?) Cut to D.C. and Quinn cracking up. Meanwhile, the Iranians bought it and Liv … well, lives. Cut to the VP and Mellie. Sleaze and sleazier. I always sort of liked Mellie, but at the moment, the jury is out again. But she's playing Andrew and she certainly has his number. Of course, he swings right back. Tit for tat. (Pun intended.)

So, gang, now it remains to be seen if the president will rescue Olivia, Jake will rescue Olivia, or Olivia will rescue Olivia. Of course, folks in the government are still holding out for the drone. All of this to prove that you really have to be careful who you get into bed with. On all sides. Hey, you don't suppose that we're going to cut to Jake in the shower and Olivia in the middle of a really bad dream?

It seems our entire cast of characters is walking on the razor's edge. And I for one am trying to find the logic in the plot. But because I love Jake, particularly, and Olivia a lot, I'm struggling through this, praying that at the end of it all we'll be back to the show I fell in love with. But I'm telling you, Jake's and Huck's B613 memories are tough to watch. But in a very extreme way, I suspect it is symbolic of what people lose when they commit to battle and the atrocities that subsequently occur.

Abby and David are outside the inner circles, which could be a really good thing at this point. We need a hero and why not Liv's BFF? Maybe she'll be the voice of reason. Or the one who finally gets something done to get this plot back on track.

"Hang on, Liv, we're coming." — Huck

Famous last words. Is it possible Kerry Washington is off having another baby, or filming a movie or something that pulled her out of the show and caused this endless auction?

Looks like Cyrus is going to end-run Fitz (big surprise) and have them take Olivia out. Which adds a whole new dimension to all of this. Thank goodness Abby is listening. But then she goes to Cyrus. And he, as usual, justifies his actions with his own ambition. Cut back to the auction. Russians vs. the gladiators. (I'm still voting for Daddy Dearest.) But, meanwhile, Olivia makes another play, and Gus cuts it off and gives the win to the Russians.

Abby arrives in time to learn that the gladiators lost. And she has even worse news to impart. But at least the gladiators know what's what. Huck takes out the VP, or at least hurts him in a big way. Cy is lying through his teeth. Abby is working with David. Jake calls on Mommy Dearest, who is playing hardball but, at the end of the day, loves her kid.

And finally, Olivia's dad is back. And I have to say as much as I dislike him, I am actually hoping he's in the game again. Although I have a feeling it's going to be a long diatribe before we get anything done. The man is full of soliloquies. "I have no daughter." Predictable. So what next?

Cut to our kidnappers, talking about road trips and easy money. Liv makes a break for it, but because we have to hold this plot until sweeps week, she gets bonked on the head Nancy Drew style. Cut to White House and Cyrus making his play, with a moment of regret.

And then — OMG — Stephen (HENRY IAN CUSICK!) is back. Was I right about the third guy or what? OK, that was a twist that totally blew me away. Go Shonda Rhimes. And enter a new hero. (I hope.) One of my favorite actors, by the way (remember, Lost?). Stephen was in the first season. And it looks like he's been fairly successful in whatever he's been up to in the meantime. This is a twist I can get into.

Add to that, Olivia's shooting Gus in the kneecap and I'm kind of a happy girl. Despite all the missteps along the way.

So IMHO, this reveal is the television drama equivalent of a last-second touchdown in the championship game by the losing team. The ultimate Hail Mary. And even better than bringing Harrison back. Cool!

Back to the White House. Go Abby! Who needs boyfriends when you have such a great BFF? Maybe they'll make peace now? But bummer, it was just a onetime thing with HIC. No permanent Stephen. Sigh. Still, great twist. I couldn't have written it better myself. And the VP is out of the game. Which is as it should be. High-fiving between Mellie and Liz.

So Liv is back. And, thankfully, I was wrong about sweeps. But things are not going to be the same. At least they shouldn't be. In the end, Fitz and Olivia face off. And Olivia calls Fitz on what he did. War. No more Helen of Troy. She did everything for the presidency. All her sacrifices. And she can't live with the fact that he threw that all away when the going got tough (as in, her life was on the line). But all he wants is Liv. Always has. Always will, I suspect. But she can't live with that. I don't know whose side I'm on here. I can see both of their points of view. Talk about a hero and heroine with a serious conflict.

So, loyal viewers, where do we go next? Will Olivia fight another day? Will she still love Fitz? Will she love herself? Will Jake and Huck beat their B613 (which sounds like a vitamin) pasts? Will Cyrus grow a conscience? Will Liv's father catch a fish? Will her mother watch Orange Is the New Black? Will Henry Ian Cusick come back?

I, for one, will be here watching next week. Same time, same bat… er, gladiator channel. How about you?

Dee Davis is the bestselling author of 22 novels and five novellas. When not glued to her television screen, she can be found pounding away at her keyboard, trying to put words to one of the stories running around in her head. Find her at www.deedavis.com.