Dee Davis on 'Scandal': Olivia makes her choice

This is it! The season finale. And with the title You Can't Take Command, I think we have a very good idea what it's going to be about. The question here is whether Rowan Pope will finally be defeated. And if he is, how many he'll take down with him. And if he isn't — exactly how many he'll take down anyway. The point being this is one bad hombre with a really twisted obsession for his daughter.

So sit back and let's enjoy the ride.

Mellie and lying Rowan. How in heck does she not know who he is? Seriously? But he's definitely on his game. Still, she has no idea who he is given all that has happened? Makes no logical sense. At least she's cluing in. But still … Get why he's got her, but not why it couldn't just be a full-out this-is-who-I-am and be a more believable press.

One thing is for sure. Rowan is at his very best. Is there any beating this man? Sorry, but sometimes the good guys have to triumph or why are we in the game? Grand jury time … white hats, but this is a very gray game, all said and done. David might believe in everything black and white, but he's not watching this show.

Olivia is all in. No matter the cost. And while I admire her, Rowan is still pulling the strings. So Jake testifies. A chat with Fitz. Like their life is OK? But the Brandon bill is a good one, and that was still an amazing episode. We're supposed to believe they are back together? Rushing the fences, people. And at least she's having doubts. She should.

And I was right, Susan Ross is a force to be reckoned with. And now payback. A bus full of dead folks. Grand jurors that Mellie gave to Rowan. Hello, Mellie? Clueless is taking on new meaning. David being David is going to bail. He's just not up to the task. This is his calling card. He's been told this over and over, and now he's bailing? Liz and Mellie are freaking. And Mellie needs Cyrus' help.

Olivia has had enough. She doesn't want to be comforted. She wants to win. And frankly, I want her to win, too. And considering what's happened on other programs by these writers, it's time for some kickass. Come on, Olivia and Jake, let's kick some B613 (define it Rowan) behind.

So cut to Mommy Dearest and a heart to heart. Liv needs advice. I say, she's got such a screwed-up family. But Mommy isn't playing. And she could be right. Or she could be cray-cray. Good question, though. And there is actually Mommy wisdom in her words. Bring Rowan in from the dark. There's hope.

But for Mellie, it's not a good thing. Cyrus is calling a spade a spade. And he's right. Mellie is always all about Mellie. And still I ask, how the heck did she not know who Rowan is? But Cyrus has clued in. This is why he's on the job. And if anyone can play dirty enough to win, it's Cyrus. The operative question being whose team is he playing for? And of course the key words of this season: "Don't tell Fitz." Seriously, if this is in any way a reflection of the real president, we should all be really worried.

Gladiators at the CIA. Our people are concerned. But Olivia has listened to Mommy Dearest and is outing her father. Only, the CIA isn't really inclined to listen. But we've got Jake talking, and they've got the director's ear. And she's listening. Of course it could remove Liv and company from the equation. But that would be the show. But there's no telling whose side the director is really on.

So I for one am not taking the good-guys-win thing very seriously. And of course Cyrus has a direct line to Rowan. But then let's see who is playing whom. Truth is that Cyrus plays too closely with the dark side to be effective.

Liz, on the other hand, isn't clear whether it's black or white, but she's on Mellie's team. Or she's playing her, which would be a lovely twist. Back to Cyrus and the CIA and the whole Cyrus-is-playing-for himself-only. Clearly, he's not on Olivia's side. I'm thinking CIA chick is walking dead now. Cyrus is really the ultimate bad guy. I really don't want that to be true, but, sadly, I think it is. And Olivia has been upended again.

This time by being arrested. Not a pretty picture of American government, is it? And frankly I need a gladiator victory or I'm not sure I'm back next season. Still, this has been a season for last-minute wins. So I'm holding out hope. Fitz is singing Mellie's praises. Unaware that she got all those people killed. Which isn't making her feel really good about herself. Totally understandable. Which is too little too late. Although, for me, this year has made me less than a Fitz fan, too. Maybe they deserve each other.

Cyrus and David are having a talk. But he's now got to tell David that he had Olivia and Jake arrested. And Cyrus goes right for the heart. Abby. Cyrus is going to bring them all down. And if he does, I've got to say, I'm out. Seriously, Cyrus has gone too far. David is playing hardball for Abby. And this really sucks.

Come on, David. Nail them. Nail them. Obviously, I care about this program too much. :( And if this continues … I'm trying to have faith, seriously, I am. But Derek Shepherd just had the most horribly plotted death on all TV. So I am worried. A lot. (Hopefully, you all are faulting my lack of faith about now.)

Is there a chance that Abby can get to Cyrus? Reach whatever heart he has left? Or is there nothing left in him? I don't buy the speech, Cyrus. It's all about you. It always has been. Enter Rowan and Olivia. I really hate him. Isn't there a way to kill him? I've had enough. No more file. Rowan is free. Gosh, I hope not. But Mom has signed off. And Cyrus is still playing for the bad guys. Eli Pope is alive and well, and Olivia has lost the game.

And apparently in the fastest election ever, Mellie has won. Virginia should be very, very worried. Oops, Liz blew it. Which might be our saving grace. Fitz does know Rowan. There's a photograph. So maybe Fitz is going to save the day? At least now he knows the cost, and it's a big one, to her win. But this is all a game, and Fitz has hardly been noble lately. So I'm not holding my breath.

The point of this show has always been to watch Olivia triumph and to see her relationship with Fitz develop and implode a la, dare I say it, Meredith and Derek. This is why we watch the show. For me, at least, I was willing to follow the side line into Liv's relationship with Jake. But we've gotten so far afield. Now it's about Olivia constantly fighting for her life and her sanity, battling her father. And that's just not the show I signed on for. An interesting side plot maybe, but it's gone too far. Granted, I'm ranting too soon. There is still show to go. But, well … we'll see.

OK, there's hope. Money. It's always about money. Embezzlement.

Nice to see mouthy Rowan on the other side of the bars. And silent Jake standing there watching. Eli Pope might just be screwed. But with Rowan there's always payback.

OMG. Huck killed the grand jury people? Quinn/Huck showdown. Why is he working with Command? Really, Huck should have more control. Again, there is a disconnect here with the audience and the writers. We care about these people and they've all become unredeemable. I know that this is the time for anti-heroes as heroes. But this might just be going too far.

Cut to Mellie and Fitz and Cyrus celebrating and the truth about the jurors comes out. Fitz is repulsed, as he should be, but he's not believable as a white hat at this point. Too little too late? Mellie is going to threaten him now. Par for the course. At least these people are predictable. And Cyrus is going to go down, I hope. As much as I've always liked him (and I have), I really hate him at this moment, and he deserves what he gets. (BUT there is always payback.)

Jake/Liv moment. We knew this was coming. At least I did. It might break my heart. But I knew it was coming. Jake loves Olivia. But she loves Fitz. (And I don't know why.) And I have to say, despite the issues with Jake, I have always loved him best. But from a storytelling point of view, it's probably time for him to go, unless he is going to become the hero (and, sob, he isn't). But I will always love him. And if you liked him as a hero — buy my books. (OK, kidding, but you get how much I loved Jake.)

Cyrus is fired. But as I said before, there is always payback.

Fitz on the balcony, alone. Only not so alone. Olivia is there. He is, after all, our hero.

So … here's the deal. Momma has been freed. Daddy may or may not have been taken down. Jake has moved on to his own sitcom. Mellie has been thrown out, but beware the woman scorned. Quinn may have taken out Huck. David is still without Abby, and he chose the black hat. Cyrus is on his own, which can't be a good thing. And, at the end of the day, after a really unbelievable season, Liv and Fitz are together, which would be fine except that he hasn't exactly been on her side this entire season. At all.

So what did you all think? Good season? Good ending? Which actors still have jobs? Are we all convening here next year? I really want to know. So spill …

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.