Dee Davis on 'Scandal': Y'all are some crafty ladies

After our last episode's stunning ending with Olivia holding a gun to Russell's head and its relief-inducing revelation (at least for me) that Jake still lives, we've just got two episodes left in this season.

The penultimate episode, A Few Good Women, aired this week. With all of us asking what Foxtail truly is, we may have to wait — possibly until season five if suspense patterns hold. This is building to a climax time of year, and sometimes the payoff is delayed until the opening of the next season. (Of course it could also be a step leading to an even bigger payoff. We'll just have to see.)

According to sources, this week's episode will find Millie still having problems with her campaign, and Olivia taking on a case recommended by the new VP, who still isn't riding within Fitz's harness. But, more important, it promises to give us insight as Huck and Quinn continue to help David in the crusade against B613. Of course, that really means they're taking on Rowan Pope, and that never bodes well for anyone — in a very deadly way if rumors of the finale have any credence. But we'll save that speculation for next week.

Hopefully it will be time for a little payback!

For once I'm kind of happy with Quinn's little habits. And Olivia has gone on the offensive. Although I do feel a little queasy that it is all happening in that sweet older lady's apartment.

Cut to our new VP. And a very observant one she is, too. Susan Ross on the job. Maybe she should be a gladiator. And she takes action that mightily shakes up both Cyrus and Fitz. Go VP Ross. However, I'm sort of unhappy with Fitz. Although maybe he's following protocol. But Cyrus' rampage seems a bit excessive. "Put her back, Susan." That seems to be the operative sentence of the moment.

Sigh of relief from Olivia as Secret Service men move aside to reveal not Fitz, but Susan, and she needs Liv to help. This should go down well with the president. Although if Susan is right, then there's a darn good case for overriding him anyway. So Olivia is on the job and at the base.

Meanwhile, Russell isn't cracking and time has run out. The phone rings and Quinn and Huck try to get Rowan's location, but there isn't enough time, and now he knows that his plans have been exposed. And previous experience tells us that sort of thing doesn't play well with him. Still, seems to me that with a concerted effort on the part of the president we ought to be able to take that man out. But then who would torment Olivia?

Mellie and Liz are strategizing and it's not going well. Liz wants her to go to Springfield, but that was where Jerry died and Mellie can't face that. But without Springfield, she's going to lose. A hurdle that Mellie must attack full-on. If she wants to win.

Our sailor, meanwhile, just wants to go back to work. Olivia has an uphill battle just getting our woman on board. But she's not Olivia Pope for nothing. Our girl spills. Her attacker is pretty much untouchable. And Olivia digs for help from Abby. But without it, sets out to do what needs to be done. Not what the White House needs. Tough luck, Fitz.

But this is some serious boat-rocking and could affect everyone involved and surrounding it. Olivia wants a trial outside the military tribunal and Fitz refuses to intervene to allow it, which makes him a supporter of rape. At least from my point of view. Gotta say I'm not much liking the character he's become.

And I know I've said it before, but I really hate the scenes with Quinn and Huck in scary mode. It's overwhelming. And sickens me. But in this case, the dude kind of deserves it. OK, no one deserves that, but you know what I mean. And, honestly, I wish there was a 12-step program for B613 escapees.

So finally a scene between Jake and Olivia. She has blood on her sleeve. And Jake being Jake already knows that Russell is across the hall. And Jake knows better than most that Russell won't crack. Jake tells Olivia that Russell is like him. Olivia says no. And then Jake explains exactly why he is in fact just like him. Except he explains, he has a "defect." He loves her. Really, really loves her. Russell, he tells her, is cut from a different mold.

Olivia goes back in her head to the bathroom in the place she was kidnapped. Horrible smelly bathroom. But it was safe. She was alone. She knew what it was. What to expect. Knew her father couldn't get her there. Man, these people have really been worked over by Rowan Pope. Gotta say the day they finally take him down is going to be a happy one at my house.

Meanwhile, Jag Corp has sent a very young judge advocate. A very, very young advocate. This is his very first rape case. Clearly, they want Olivia to fail. This kid has no idea what he's doing. And is in awe of the general accused of the act. But hopefully, Virgil will surprise us all. Olivia has that effect on men.

After things don't go so well in the efforts, (the general is a real problem), Abby volunteers to help, but Amy calls Olivia and asks her to get her off the ship. She's pregnant. And she wants an abortion. But, Olivia suggests, if she waits they could get DNA evidence. Amy isn't sure she can wait. She wants off the ship now. But the Navy powers that be aren't going to let that happen. I'm now worried that our girl is in big trouble.

Jake arrives in the apartment to talk with Russell — from one B613 creation to another. Not sure this is a very good idea. Huck might should have kept a better eye on this thing. I'm still worried about Jake. All those rumors about another show got to me, I guess. Not to mention the rumors about next week's finale. But I'm trying not to think ahead. (This does seem to be Rhimes' year for killing off major characters). Odd conversation between the two of them. And Russell nailed the cadence of his speech. A connection among enemies.

The insight here is that Rowan is successful when they're caught. He wants Olivia to know he has her in his control. Always. That she can never take command — without the capital C. Olivia is doomed. But unless Russell is playing Jake again (and it's totally possible that he is), he is going to let Jake take care of Olivia and face his own music.

I'm not sure how I feel about any of this. I guess I want to live in a world where sometimes the good guys beat the bad guys. The really, really bad guys like Rowan. And yet I understand that he is part of the dynamic that makes Olivia…Olivia. Weird paradox.

Anyway, Amy, our sailor, is now a captive on her ship. But Olivia has a plan to get her off of it. Following Navy protocol. Cut to Mellie and her difficulty dealing with capitalizing on the personal tragedy of losing her son. Mellie can't stomach it. And faces Fitz with her anger and fear. He is there for her.

Amy is safe in Olivia's apartment with a captive man next door. Not really a smart idea. The Navy is blocking access to anything that might help Amy's case. Olivia calls to yell at Fitz, who has dug in. Although at this point, I'm back to being on Fitz's side on this. Which just goes to show you how good the writing on this show can be. But, still, rape is not an injury on the battlefield. And the world needs to get up to freakin' speed.

Amy is having the procedure. And the world continues to be an unfair place.

Fitz and Mellie have a little bedroom chat. Mellie isn't sure she can do this. Springfield. Losing a son is beyond anything any of us should ever have to deal with. Especially in such a nefarious way. It's an honest moment between the two of them. Without all the shadows that lie between them. Mellie is rising to the occasion. And we see the part of her that actually does have the potential for greatness.

But then Fitz rises to the occasion, too. What did I say? Well-written characters. Line of the night: Virgil: "Y'all are some crafty ladies."

Mellie, throws Fitz under the bus. Albeit with his permission. And it works like a charm. Women's vote in the bag. So where is VP Ross? She's the one who started this ball rolling.

Big guns have been drawn and the circling Navy wagons are going to burn. Won't change Amy's life. Justice rarely does that. But maybe it makes it better — at least a little.

Holy moly, Virgil is actually B613. I did say he might surprise us! Russell has been saved. And Mellie Grant is Foxtail. She's in bed with Rowan. Or he's at least pulling some of her strings. And the question now is what kind of fallout will that create? When the final curtain falls — who is going to be left standing? We've come a long way from boy meets girl who is running his election …

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. Her newest digital reissues are After Twilight and Dark of the Night. Find her at www.deedavis.com.