In the midst of a national crisis, Cyrus learns the hard way that there are “Fates Worse Than Death,” the title of Season 6, Episode 3 of “Scandal.” Here’s a recap:
We start with a brief summary of this multi-episode story arc that’s been unfolding since the season premiere. President-elect Cyrus Beene is under suspicion of having killed his running mate, Frankie Vargas. A Vargas staffer, Jennifer Fields, called an FBI tip line to say that Cyrus murdered Frankie. A video clip on Jennifer’s camera shows a heated argument between Cyrus and Frankie, with Frankie vowing to have Cyrus jailed. But with no clear evidence, Cyrus is in legal limbo.
It’s 76 days until the inauguration, and U.S. Attorney General David Rosen calls a press conference to announce that the investigation into Frankie Vargas’ death is being reopened. Which means that Cyrus is Suspect No. 1.
Cyrus’ ego and arrogance are off the charts, and he’s close to a mental breakdown. In a private meeting, Fitz tells Cyrus that he has two options. Cyrus can be tried, convicted and executed (huh?), or Cyrus can step down and the investigation will go away. Cyrus rejects Fitz’s offer, thinking that it’s a ploy to put Mellie in the White House.
Olivia and her minions keep poking into Jennifer Fields’ video footage. She was the videographer for the Vargas campaign. Olivia realizes that Frankie and Jennifer were sleeping together, and that Cyrus knew it. Olivia’s crew determines that the incriminating fight between Cyrus and Frankie took place on the day that Cyrus won the vice presidential debate against Jake Ballard, who was Mellie’s veep pick.
The rest of the episode’s important action takes place in flashbacks and the present day.
Tom and Cyrus meet in a diner during the campaign. Tom Larson is an ex-B613 agent who had an affair with Cyrus; Cyrus abruptly kicked Tom to the curb and reunited with Michael when Cyrus became a candidate. You know, it’s all about the optics. “You abandoned me, as soon as they put you on the ticket,” Tom says in a creepy, deadpan way that signals he’s really hurt. Tom is a dangerous dude; he killed Fitz’s son a few seasons ago.
Cyrus has noticed the closeness between Jennifer and Frankie, and is worried that the affair will bring the campaign down. Tom volunteers to take care of the Jennifer problem. Then Tom purrs, “Can we get out of here? Because I’m sure this place is not serving what I’ve been craving for a long, long time.” Oh Tom, you sexy psychopath.
Later, Tom reports that Jennifer is alive but won’t be hanging around the campaign anymore. Tom says that Cyrus belongs at the top of the ticket. “I can help you take what’s yours,” Tom whispers in his ear. “Do you want it?” The gears are spinning so fast in Cyrus’ brain, steam is practically coming out of his ears. Cyrus confirms that yes, he wants to be president. But later, he tries to rein in Tom, telling him not to harm Vargas. Cyrus cruelly withholds his affection from Tom – again.
When we see Jennifer again, her face is mangled and she’s come by the campaign office to collect her equipment. Frankie is livid when Cyrus admits that he orchestrated the attack. Frankie insists that nothing was going on between he and Jennifer. “You disgust me! The two of us are done!” Frankie yells at Cyrus, calling his actions vile and inexcusable. And the irony is, getting someone beaten up is nothing when compared to Cyrus’ many crimes. This is the argument captured on Jennifer’s video camera.
In the present, president-elect Cyrus meets an unstable Tom at a picnic table at night to attempt to regain control over Tom. But while Tom is psycho, he’s not dumb. “I’m done being your bitch. Time to switch positions. I’m on top now,” Tom says as he pulls a gun on Cyrus. Cyrus goads Tom by saying that he never loved Tom, trying to get the former agent to pull the trigger. But in the end, Tom lets Cyrus live, saying, “There are fates worse than death, much worse.”
As the episode wraps up, Tom confesses to killing Frankie Vargas, but fingers Cyrus as the man who gave the order. Cyrus kisses his daughter Ella and Michael goodbye before FBI agents arrive to arrest him. Olivia informs Mellie that she is now the next president of the United States.
This was one of the best episodes of “Scandal,” with an amazing performance from Jeff Perry as Cyrus. I had predicted that Tom would resurface and be the gunman behind Vargas’ death. But we still haven’t answered how Jennifer knew that Cyrus was guilty, and who blew up her cabin? There are still more shoes left to drop.
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