So now that Abby knows about David Rosen’s Beautiful Mind wall and she’s also knows his crazy obsession about Lindsay Dwyer’s ex boyfriend case, do you think Abby would be #TeamOPA just so she’ll know Olivia’s secrets OR would she be #TeamDavidRosen? (So far she’s the only OPA team member that questions Olivia’s commands.)

Do you see Abby jumping OPA ship to join the ranks of David Rosen? Do you see a Dabby vs. OPA face-off in the future? Better yet do you see a Abby vs. Olivia face off in the future? (Abby doesn’t hold her tongue when it comes to Olivia.)

Is this simply Abby’s OCD-like behavioral way of wanting to know more about her boss, Olivia Pope? (She’s crushed Olivia wouldn’t open up to her since she offered her to do so in White Hat’s Off.)

Do you see Abby as a fearless OPA unafraid of questioning her boss? (We’ve been trying to call you. Your phone’s turned off. We could use a little help here.)

Granted that this is all too early to predict what team Abby is on but Abby sort of likes David and he too.

Here’s my take: Abby’s using David to simply learn about the boss she’ll go over a cliff for because she hates she’s a open book and she’s not.

Sound Off Gladiators!

And I quote Instyle.com:

Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) isn’t the only one with designer duds on ABC’s hit D.C. drama, Scandal! Co-starDarby Stanchfield, who plays Abby on the show, steps up her style this week in a super-slim Vince leather jacket and blue silk blouse paired with a Diane von Furstenberg pencil skirt and envy-inducing Tom Ford handbag. Costume designer Lyn Paolo clued us in on Abby’s fashion evolution: “In this episode Abby is investigating for Olivia, so I liked the idea of her looking very private investigator on the job,” Paolo told InStyle.com. But, as last week’s final scene hinted, Abby’s romantic entanglement with Pope & Associates foe, David (Joshua Malina) will complicate things. Could love be in the air? If her wardrobe is any indication, we think so. “Because of [Abby’s] relationship with David, I am using a lot of softer silks and less pants than we have in the past,” Paolo said. 

Cannot wait to see what Lyn Paolo puts Abby in next. All Roads Lead to Fitz airs Thursday November 8th!

And I quote Kerry Washington:

#GLADIATORS we just worked an 18 hour day to finish up Ep208 @ScandalABC and WE CANNOT WAIT TO SHARE THIS 1 WITH YOU! Congrats @bokelberg :)

Darby Stanchfield tweeted that the cast & crew’s reading episode 209 script already! And I quote Darby:

Tonight my bedtime story is #Scandal script 209. It’s not making me very sleepy…#WheresTheFlashlight (x)

Episode 208 is the Fitz Inauguration Flashback episode. So you already know that just like last season episode 9 in season 2 will serve as a epic follow up!

Sound off Gladiators!!!

Gladiators Joshua Malina has created a BETTER shipper name for his Scandal TV character and his new love interest! Drum Rolls please! The shipper name for David Rosen and Abby Whelan is Avid. #ItsHandled!

From Joshua Malina’s Tumblr Page:

joshuamalina:

scandalmoments:

Hunting Season ships: Dabby 

Gladiators I shall name Abby Whelan and David Rosen from here on out - Dabby!

Not Avid?

I tweeted Darby Stanchfield about which shipper name is cooler and she’s team Dabby. All roads lead to Dabby! Here’s her take on the David & Abby shipper name:

Thoughts: Dabby it is!

Sound off Gladiators!!!

Darby Stanchfield confirmed that the navy and white wrap dress she (re: Abby Whelan) wore during her ThornGate investigation scene with Harrison Wright in Hunting Season was by Diane von Furstenberg.

And I quote Darby:

“@SylFowler: @darbystnchfld You look hot in that black & white dress. Classy!”Thanks! It’s #DianeVonFurstenerg. #AskScandal#SCANDAL

The exact print is lifted straight from the DVF Spring 2012 collection.

It’s safe to say that the New York based fashion designer DVF is a Scandal Gladiator!

Why?

Brenda Song’s Alissa also wore a DVF dress!

Sound off Gladiators!!!

 image credits: @DarbyStncfld & Style.com

From @DarbyStnchfld:

.@carlroberson IT GIVES ALL OF US CHILLS—>>> CHEMISTRY BETWEEN@kerrywashington@tonygoldwyn. EVEN DURING TABLE READS!

Sound Off Gladiators!

Gladiators we just witnessed a spanking, brand new episode for Scandal Season 2. I’m giving out hugs Gladiators because the emotions played out tonight!

But I digress!

Let’s get into my initial reaction to this episode. These are my sincere thoughts on…

Overall Reaction to Hunting Season:

Mellie, Harrison, Fitz, Quinn, Abby, Cyrus, Huck, Olivia, and shoot even Edison was ON FIRE tonight! #Scandal

On Quinnsday:

Initially when Quinn stood by the elevators with coffee in hand for Abby and Harrsion I was like…

Especially since Abby gave her a shade for life look. Harrison who I forever love for his swag gave Quinn a kiss on the cheek. I now know why TV Guide is shipping them so hard to do it!

On the creepy guy who felt that the only way to get Olivia Pope’s attention was to hide out in her car:

This is how you get her attention my man mention this:

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mav4npwpti1r7i2rko1_500.gif” />

Oops I meant this…

Oh yes good! You caught on!

On Fitz faking happy time with Mellie:

On Mellie smiling while folding baby clothes:

On Cyrus figuring out Fitz is not happy but a ticking bomb waiting to explode:

You’re ticking sir.

When Fitz figured out that Cyrus was using ThornGate to spy on his late night phone calls to Olivia. I was like…

That’s right Fitz you tell him that your White Hat’s bigger than his!

On Treegate:

Okay let’s talk Treegate. Olivia’s beyond pissed that Fitz sent Tom & Hal to get her to him.

Olivia said to Fitz: I don’t appreciate you being summoned.

Fitz is NOT about listening to what Olivia has to say because he’s all but yelled at her: Get out of the damn car!

When Fitz bend down to take Olivia’s signature pumps off and put on some hiking boots I was melting like a ice cube in the sun! Okay! LIFE received!

The man was so angry I thought he would…

Then Fitz compels Olivia to walk through the woods with him. Tom & Hal shadow them because you know he’s POTUS and all. I’m thinking to myself Oh snap Treegate is going down! Fitz is boiling mad at Olivia . Let’s transcript that scene, Gladiators:

I am protecting my country. You are dabbling into national security issues.

You’re upsetting the CIA, the NSA and my guys at the state department and you are using old boyfriends to dig up secrets on the intelligence committee.

I am not.

Senator Edison Davis was your boyfriend from 2002 to 2006.

You lived with him in Georgetown and in New York you had a engagement ring.

And you were seen yesterday with him looking kind of cozy.

You two screwing again?

Is he everything you ever dream?

Stop walking. STOP walking.

Then this happens…

Olivia painfully pulls away from Fitz with the episode’s latest sonic boom

I am not yours.

I don’t show up places because you want me.

I am not yours.

This is over.

Cuts to Angst Fitz!!! This is why Fitz is taking up a bad drinking habit. This is why Fitz is mad, Olivia. He’s mad at the idea of another man coming into his marked spot. Did he see how his voice cracked when he thought Olivia and Edison may be hooking up again? Did you see the way Fitz was checking out Olivia while he put on and tied up her hooking boots?

I can’t help but wonder if this is what went down at their WH Spot?

On Fitz not giving F anymore: Spyware on primetime TV. Unleash a legal nuclear tsunami.

YES GAWD! YES!!!

On Mellie’s empty threats: America loves a second shot. I’m going to be President. It seems like you’re only to be a one term president. Late term baby. Beautiful wife …blah, blah, blah! Mellie I love you for shouting off your resume but damn honey. Did you just feel the baby going I want out and you’re still about that I want to be POTUS life?

On David Rosen’s Stan tendencies:

I loved that Alissa called him out on it too. “A Beautiful Mind.”

David’s wall of photos featuring Olivia Pope & Quinn Perkins is a little too extreme for my taste!

But I digress!

This man NEEDS to quit it!

On the return of Alissa:

I’m over the moon thrilled that Alissa is back. I mean who else can call out David but her? Love this line from her: “Walk me through if you put on pants. PANTS!”

He’s too obsessed with the motive and he’s desperate for answers plus he wants his job back!

On Jealous Fitz:

First off let me just say that Jealous Fitz was on fire tonight! It’s because of his jealousy we know that Olivia dated Edison Davis for four years and that Olivia was thisclose to becoming Mrs. Edison Davis back in their Georgetown/New York days!!!

It was fun to see Fitz stab away at his food during dinner time with Mellie. It was fun to see that even though Fitz was boiling mad at Olivia that he thought and care about her much to get her a pair of hiking boots for their #TreeGate moment!

On Fitz learning about Edison Davis & ThornGate:

When Fitz said I don’t need a history lesson on them to Cyrus who showed him the photo all I kept thinking was Bring on Jealous Fitz, baby!!! Did you all catch the way he threw down that photo???

But wait did Cyrus let it slip that he knows about Olivia not answering his calls too? ThornGate is in effect and Cyrus is using it on spy on his baby. WTF???

“I want this handled yesterday.” Oooh he’s beyond mad!

On Senator Edison Davis:

When Edison rolled onto the screen I scream swag and Olivia scream disgust! In fact I loved Olivia for calling him to say how much she didn’t like him wearing pinstripes on TV. Strike 1 Edison!

“You’re wearing pinstripes. Distracted by pinstripes!

On Edison being against Fitz’s oil tycoon connection:

Edison you came onto the scene already against Fitz?? Strike 2 Edison!

First off Edison is a Democrat Senator from Florida???? How on Earth did he and Olivia meet up, fall in love, got engaged and break up? Florida is a LONG way from DC!!! How long has Olivia been apart of politics? 2002?? This is definitely before Fitz and Fitz is not entertain by this again!

On Edison being NOT Team Fitz:

I think Edison knows about Olivia and Fitz for real. I’m basing this off his last scene in the episode where he tells Olivia that he’s unemployed now. Oh yeah he knows and he’s going to play nice with Olivia too! Cocky and arrogant just like how Olivia likes her man but I get the feeling that Edison picked his career over her and Olivia hates him for that. “Their ball. Their court. Their rules.” Cock-block much? Jealous much, Edison? Strike 3 Edison!

On The Big Brother type case (#ThornGate):

Granted that I loved that this case. In fact this is the BEST case that OPA had this season thus far but I’m not here for that! This case is far better than QuinnsdayGate AND the leaked sex tape Congressman Shaw case combined. Why? It manages to connect OPA and White House flawlessly! The downfall of this case is Aernie! What a punk that I’m thrilled that Huck took out!

On Mellie grilling Tom & Hal on #TreeGate:

Really Mellie??? After your failed attempt to bond with your man over dinner, you want to play concerned wife all of a sudden?! I’m side-eyeing you. Heck, even Fitz is side-eyeing you! I loved Mellie for grilling Tom & Hal on why Fitz went from being happy last night at dinner to being in a foul mood today. I loved that. I’ll give you props on that Mellie.

On Olivia Pope Fashion:

From that pink Escada suit to her signature staples (Prada bag and Movado watch), it’s no wonder Olivia Pope struts. I have a theory. When Olivia wears white, that means things are about to be handled, shut it down, and straighten out like no other!

On Scandal Pace:

Closed captions be damned! Scandal Pace was sizzling hot tonight!

Best quotes:

“I’m Quinn…Bitch!” This is by far the best line Columbus Short’s Harrison Wright had tonight!!!

Quinn grew a backbone and served Abby a cold plate of shut down and I loved it! Harrison loved it too!

“Am I finally a client of Olivia Pope & Associates” – Senator Edison Davis. (Loved this man for still carrying a torch for Olivia!)

“You’re ticking sir.” Cyrus to Fitz.

“Go screw yourself.” Quinn to Abby

“Get OVER HER!” Mellie to Fitz.

Standing O to the writers and the actors for delivering on memorable lines on prime time TV!

On OPA: This week’s case is epic! It’s their best case ever. ThornGate is a spyware that allows federal intelligence Spying on Americans 24/7??? Who thought of this story line? Who pitched this idea to Shonda Rhimes?? WHO??

Abby – Abby is definitely I’m not Team Lindsay. Abby hates her guts but by episode’s end Quinn shut her down!!!! Also Abby why on Earth did you feel it was okay to let out that sexual tension with David out of ALL people??? Why not that Congressman from RI?? Why are trying to bite off the hand that feeds you??? David is only going to use you to get hook into his Olivia Pope/Quinnsday case obsession! I loved Abby shading Lindsay at every given opportunity. “We’re good, Lindsay. Lying sociopath.”

Harrison – “I’m Quinn…bitch!” Let me love you, Harrison!!! Harrison was getting a phone number from a woman too tonight and he wasn’t having it. LOL!

Huck – Let me love you Huck for being amazing. From telling Aernie – “Don’t touch my stuff” to going #OverACliff for Olivia. It’s official everyone needs a Huck in their lives! I loved that Huck waited for Olivia in the parking garage telling her – No more walking alone to your car. Huck went and opened a door he swore to Olivia that she wouldn’t do. If that doesn’t scream loyalty I don’t know what to tell you. Huck handled that Thorn Gate man case like a G!

On the cliffhanger: Abby and David???? Abby and David in bed??? Abby and David having sex??? David bought Abby a drink? I thought that line David feed Abby was Harrison’s panty dropping line to the ladies???

On the new Beltway Unbuckled Promo: Olivia crying because Fitz said their relationship is over???

I’m letting you go.

What just HAPPENED???? And so why do I get the same reaction post-new episode? My jaw is on the floor reaction? WHY?? Just why Shonda? Why do you continue to do this to us Gladiators??

Bottom Line: Tonight showed that when folks are truly ticking you better back off them STAT! It also proved that endgames are not one to mess with. I’m looking at you David & his endgame (figuring out Olivia’s motive), Mellie & her endgame (wanting to become female POTUS), Fitz and Olivia (angst, hurt, love).

Is it Thursday October 25th yet? Why does the end of every new Scandal episode leaves me feeling like this EPIC Amy Winehouse song lyric?

Sound off Gladiators!

Gladiators next week’s episode Beltway Unbuckled for Scandal season 2 will see Fitz breaking up with Olivia, Mellie and Olivia having a sit down, and lastly Fitz saying “Game Over.”

Here’s the official press release on Beltway Unbuckled:

“Beltway Unbuckled” — A DC college student goes missing and her grieving parents come to Pope & Associates for help. Meanwhile David is still investigating the Cytron case and gets help from a very surprising source; and in the White House, Fitz feels the pressure as Mellie proves once again that she’s a political powerhouse, on ABC’s “Scandal,”THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

We need a shipper name for David and Abby Gladiators! Dabby???

I think these two needed to let out all that sexual tension out in the worse way! I ship them! They are so identical in their I see everything black and white and I’m for the law life that they addicted to!

Read on for the scoop from TVGuide.com’s Natalie Abrams:

[Warning: This story contains major spoilers from Thursday night's episode of Scandal. Read at your own risk!]

David hates Quinn. Abby hates Quinn. David doesn’t trust Olivia. Abby is starting not to trust Olivia. We should have seen this coming!

After David (Joshua Malina) spent the last two episodes of Scandal trying to figure out how Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) was able to rig the system in order to get Quinn Perkins (Katie Lowes) cleared on murder charges, he apparently decided to go straight to the only person pissed enough to possibly let something slip: Abby (Darby Stanchfield). The two tangoed at the bar before hopping into bed together. But was this a drunken fling or is David actually after information? TVGuide.com turned to the Scandalbedfellows to get the scoop:

Scandal Video: How will OPA deal with the Quinn issue?

Wow. You two were in bed together!
Joshua Malina: Glad you were able to identify us! That’s the first good sign.
Darby Stanchfield: It was awfully dark.
Malina: It was dark by my request — and America’s!

How did you guys feel when you found out that Abby and David would be hooking up?
Stanchfield: Totally shocked.
Malina: She was delighted, and I was horrified. That’s the truth. [Laughs]
Stanchfield: I wasn’t expecting it in the least. In fact, I had the day off when we got the script. Our line producer had read the script and she called Kerry and said, “Turn to the last page!” Kerry turned to the last page, read it and hung up on her. She was so freaked out. I got all these e-mails and mass text messages from different people, and I hadn’t even read the script. I was like, “What’s going on? It must be something juicy that has to do with me!” Of course, I read the last page, and it was a shock.
Malina: Every time I get an episode, I read the last page first to make sure I’m still alive, so that was the first thing I read in this episode. I was very surprised.

Joshua, you were rooting for David to get a love interest. Did you ever think it would be Abby?
Malina: She was one possibility. I wasn’t really too convinced that [executive producer] Shonda Rhimes would have me involved with anyone. [Laughs] So I was surprised by it. There’s really no guessing where she’ll go or what she’ll do. That’s a losing game, trying to figure out where Shonda is going to go with the show.

Since Abby hates Quinn, might David let her in on his Beautiful Mind wall?
Malina: What becomes clear is that they have certain areas of common interest. In the coming episodes, viewers are going to figure out what their common interests are. Are they using each other? Do they just have common goals? Is it real? The situation is fluid. It’s not all made immediately clear.
Stanchfield: In very Shonda Rhimes style, you get a lot more questions posed to you than you do answers. We’re still asking questions. It’s definitely going to be really fun for the fans because there’s going to be lots to discuss with what’s going on between them.
Malina: David shows up very conveniently at this bar at the end of the episode. It’s a reasonable question to ask: Did he know she was going to be there? Why did he show up? What was his motivation? Was it a coincidence?
Stanchfield: My favorite theory is that David roofied Abby. [Laughs]
Malina: I don’t know if you watch the show, but I wear the white hat.

It did seem like David was playing, not on the weakest link, but the angriest link of OPA because Abby is really upset with Olivia right now. Can that relationship be repaired or is sleeping with David the first step in the wrong direction?
Malina: For anyone. [Laughs]
Stanchfield: It’s been a really challenging part of Abby to play. She’s over-the-cliff loyal to Olivia, yet she’s constantly questioning her. Her suspicions with Olivia go deeper and deeper. At the same time, in every episode, she absolutely agrees to do what Olivia asks. She’s still out there gladiating away. There’s a fine line there. The involvement with David only adds to that complication. It gets really juicy and way more complicated.

Scandal Postmortem: Quinn Perkins, revealed! What’s next?

David is piecing together that Quinn may just be a pawn. Will he turn his focus to Olivia now?
Malina: Yeah. She’s the focus of his obsession. We’ve already seen her do damage in two areas. He loses this slam dunk legal case, and the next thing you know he’s temporarily lost his job. She’s clearly gone above him. Although the Quinn of it all is so huge, it’s starting to get down to Olivia and how the hell she’s always one step ahead and what exactly she’s involved in that motivates her to pull all these strings. The focus is shifting, for sure, to Olivia.

Because whatever this scandal is could bring down the government, should we be worried about David and Abby’s safety?
Malina: Again, there’s a reason why I read the last page of the script to see whether my character is still alive and work my way backwards once I’ve seen good news. Yes, the stakes couldn’t be higher. When you throw the Shonda of it all into the equation, you know anything really could happen. For me, any episode where David doesn’t fall down an elevator shaft or get shot in the back of the head, the rest is just icing. I think that he’s, for lack of a better word, f—ing around with very, very, very powerful people and maybe he doesn’t quite know yet how intense the situation he’s putting himself in.
Stanchfield: And don’t forget, Abby’s got brass knuckles in her purse!
Malina: That’s true. Abby is clearly able to defend herself more than David [is]. David is ill-equipped. It’s possible that he’s pursuing her just for protection. [Laughs]

Were you surprised by David and Abby’s hookup?

Scandal airs Thursdays at 10/9c on ABC.

Is Olivia Pope’s gut broken? Just three episodes into this season of “Scandal,” the gang at Pope & Associates is really starting to wonder, and this week’s government conspiracy case puts their skills to the test.

The case isn’t the only thing that’ll make jaws drop — there’s a steamy scene between Olivia and Fitz (dubbed Treegate by fans) and an even steamier surprise ending to the episode.

HuffPost TV got a special sneak peek of this week’s third episode of Season 2, “Hunting Season” (Thurs., Oct. 18 at 10 p.m. ET on ABC), and while I won’t spoil anything specific, here are a few good teases of what to expect, and some scoop from the cast below:

• Patrick Fischler — who you might remember as Jimmy Barrett on “Mad Men” — turns in an amazing guest performance
• A royal gift arrives
• There’s a moment that’ll make you question decaf coffee
• Ann Cusack is another familiar face, and it’s unlike any role she’s ever played
• We get insight into a very scary government conspiracy
• We meet someone else from Olivia’s past
• There’s possibly the most tense moment we’ve seen between Fitz and Olivia
• And yes, there’s a pretty steamy scene between them, with Secret Service agents as an audience … but more on that, dubbed Treegate, below
• Is SARS still a thing? There’s a joke in here that made me wonder
• A government employee propositions one of the gang
• Old schoolmates Darby Stanchfield and “Grey’s Anatomy” alum Steven Bailey reunite onscreen
• There’s a possible new love interest for Abby — and it’s someone we already know

And after all that, HuffPost TV got to chat with the cast for a bit — keep reading for a few more teases of Episode 3, “Hunting Season” from Kerry Washington (Olivia Pope), Katie Lowes (Quinn Perkins/Lindsay Dwyer), Columbus Short (Harrison Wright), Darby Stanchfield (Abby Whelan), Guillermo Diaz (Huck), Jeff Perry (Cyrus Beene), Bellamy Young (First Lady Mellie Grant) and Josh Malina (David Rosen).

Treegate!
Washington: ”The fans are calling it Treegate online and on Twitter. [Laughs.] In the promo at the Emmys, our commercial had a lot of those images from the moment at the tree … Treegate!”

The First Couple
Young: ”There’s a bit of an ultimatum happening [with them]. [Episode] 202 was so moving, but 203 is so gripping — by the end, my jaw was on the floor.”

And Their Right-Hand Man
Perry: ”Cyrus gets his hand caught in a very large and dangerous political cookie jar with Fitz.”

Out For Revenge
Malina: ”[Olivia Pope] just completely has his number. And he loses his job — temporarily or permanently — and that’s clearly traceable to her, too. So I think he’s singularly focused on figuring out how she’s done it.”

And the “Scandal” doled out some more scoop about what’s happening and what else is to come, all right here.

“Scandal” airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC

Sound off Gladiators!!!

From @kerrywashington:

“@danbucatinsky: Mod Squad on set @ScandalABC! Me w@kerrywashington & @jscandalp! Watch all new #Scandal tonight!http://instagr.am/p/Q7a7aIKJGA/ ”

Moment: Olivia Pope returns back to OPA to learn from Abby Whelan that Pastor Drake’s mistress is demanding more money. Abby Whelan dishes one of the best lines from Scandal season 2 thus far!

Quote: Stupid, money-grabbing whore.

Thoughts: First off I’m glad “Whore” is still apart of Abby’s vocabulary.

Remember Paige is a whore from season 1?

I loved this Abby and Olivia moment. I also enjoyed the line Olivia said at the very end – “It’s handled.”

Thursdays at 9/8c on ABC
Scandal, created by Shonda Rhimes (creator of Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice), is a political drama that stars Kerry Washington (Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer) as Olivia Pope, the boss of a group lawyers who don’t actually practice law but instead use their skills and talents to help protect the reputations and images of the nations higher class (the clients). It is one of those “simple” shows where the characters deal with a different case/client every week while also dealing with a continuous subplot that will either be resolved or get more complicated in the season finale. Sounds boring, right? Wrong!! Unlike the huge amount of crime dramas on TV that only deal with murder, Scandal has a wide variety of interesting cases that span from a political conspiracy involving the president to the kidnapping of a dictators family.
Scandal offers a fresh take to the one-case a week style TV show. Usually, in these types of shows, whether it’s a medical, law, or crime drama, the case is solved within one or two days. In Scandal however, the case does not always have to be solved. As Olivia Pope states “it’s all about the client”. The case does not necessarily have to be solved for the client’s problem to go away. For example, if the client is a suspect in a murder investigation, all Olivia Pope and her suit-gladiators have to do is prove he is innocent. They don’t care who killed the victim, they only care about the client. It’s harsh but fresh and gives the show a more exciting feeling.
However, like most Shonda Rhimes productions, Scandal is full of ridiculous subplots and very fast talkers as well as a bunch of other drama clichés such as the he likes her and she likes him but they can’t be together situation and the “I can’t resist: we must have sex now even though its wrong” part.   Not to mention that one of the members of “the team” is an ex-CIA agent (I smell a subplot). Not even Henry Ian Cusick’s (Lost) presence or Darby Stanchfield’s (Mad Men) amusing personality could save this show from the amount of clichés and ridiculous situations. Still, the show is entertaining and I am into it enough to be moderately disappointed if it is canceled. Hopefully it’s refreshing take on politics and a great performance by Kerry Washington will make the second season better. B-

If you’re following Columbus Short and Darby Stanchfield on Twitter (@columbusshort1 + @darbystnchfld), you’ll know two things – they’re shooting scenes together and they have a nickname for their characters Harrison Wright and Abby Whelan – Abbison!

Team Abbison is going strong thanks to these two new Twitter photos that Darby Stanchfield shared earlier today!

And I quote Darby:

I love Team Abbison. #Scandalpic.twitter.com/cXHwAPsu

Harrison nappin in the Aston Martin. pic.twitter.com/Jwc5CMKo

Thoughts: I’m definitely hyped for MORE Abbison (That’s Columbus & Darby’s nickname for Abby Whelan and HarrisonWright) scenes in Scandal season 2! Why? Darby gave us a great spoiler: Watch out for seriously #SCANDAL-OUS HARRISON story to roll out! #YouWontEvenGuess #ItGoesDeep #AskScandal

And I quote Columbus:

“@darbystnchfld: I love Team Abbison. #Scandalpic.twitter.com/AQgt8Vmd” Team Abbison all day….! Just me and you holding it down today

Harrisons new wheels #KeepItClassyGladiators ;-)pic.twitter.com/REZUjnjN

source: Twitter

Team Abbison on set of #Scandal season 2 – Darby Stanchfield & Columbus Short! From @DarbyStnchfld: #GladiatorsInSuits: “Team Abbison” #CrazyScandalGoinDown

From Kerry Washington: Dream job… some of our SCANDAL fam XOXOXO @ScandalABC

From Bill Maher: With the star of my fav episodic “Scandal” pic.twitter.com/YF9Wvv6x

From Tonya Cryer & Katie Lowes:   @ColumbusShort1 @KatieQLowes#Harrison Cutting his own hair pic.twitter.com/ygqJpwVH” yes!!! He does a kick ass job

From Joshua Malina: This is what #Scandal live-tweeting from set looks like. #AskScandal

From @danbucatinsky: Back on #Scandal ! On location and James is back in that awesome@burberry coat! Thanks Lyn Paolo http://instagr.am/p/QZ84BgKJLQ/

From @DanBucantisky: On Sunset Blvd with Rom one of the @ScandalWriters before we wrapped tonight on a long, GREAT 14 scene day as James o…http://say.ly/IAB4jRw

From the Olivia Pope Style video for Elle magazine:

From Kerry Washington: Backstage after #REALTIME :) THANK YOU @billmaher

image credits – Twitter

The spoiler clip starts off with a heated exchange between Fitz and Olivia.

My thoughts: Uh oh Fitz is pissed that Olivia didn’t pick up his phone call.

I am angry because you’re behaving like a traitor to your country. – Fitz

To your country? Or to you? – Olivia

Mellie’s throwing threats. If you see her again, I’ll blow you away.

David thinks the Olivia getting Quinn Perkins off deal is a cover up! My thoughts: OMG was that Edison Davis – Olivia’s ex as the fall guy? YES Gawd to Brenda Song’s Alyssa coming back!

“They know about the phone calls from the White House.” Olivia to Fitz.

Hunting Season airs two weeks from now on Thursday October 18th.

Get more scoop on Hunting Season – Scandal season 2 episode 3 here!

Gladiators the wait’s finally over. Check out the new promo video for Scandal Season 2 Episode 2.02 “The Other Woman.”

Thoughts:

1. YES to another HOT Olivia and Fitz phone chat. Olivia’s in bed speaking to him.

2. YES to Angst Olivia side-eyeing Mellie’s baby bump.

3. YES to the line Harrison -sexonastick- Wright dished out.

4. YES To Fitz saying “Oh My God.”

5. It’s marked TV 14. This is giving me Season 1 episode 6 “The Trail” feelings all over again!

The Other Woman airs tomorrow night on ABC!

From @kerrywashington

Me and Lindsey  #scandal Last day of the work week… Fraturday LOL!

From @DarbyStnchld & @kerrywashington

“@kerrywashington: The @scandalABC family hard at work on Episode 6 http://instagr.am/p/QJp7LagBn9/” On the Friday night martini shot NOW!

“@KatieQLowes: Burning late Fri night oil here at OPA! W/@kerrywashington @darbystnchfld @ColumbusShort1@guillermodiazyo” BEST PLACE 2 B!

From @KatieQLowes

Me & the ladies of @scandalmakeup! http://instagr.am/p/QSLemNyPOW/

Me and G. @guillermodiazyo #scandal

Off topic: Why do I get the feeling when we get treated to long-awaited face to face Olivia and Fitz reunion there will be major cock-blocking going down like the epic Zack Morris & Lisa Turtle kiss?

image credits – @KerryWashington & @KatieQLowes

If you thought #ScandalFashion is irresistible  hair is definitely part of the charm for Scandal season 2. Kerry Washington confirmed on Twitter earlier today that Scandal has a fab team of hairstylists (Tonya Cryer, Danny Valencia, and Linda Villalobos) working to make sure Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington), Abby Whelan (Darby Stanchfield), Mellie Grant (Bellamy Young), and Quinn Perkins/Lindsay Dwyer (Katie Lowes) look fab each episode.

Danny Valencia is a wardrobe, hair and makeup veteran who was nominated twice for a Primetime Emmy. His work credits includes Enemy of the State, Phone Booth, ER, Chuck, The O.C and much more.

Tonya Cryer is a celebrity hair stylist and owner of Ms. Tonya’s of Hollywood Full Service salon. She has worked for Jill Marie Jones, Megan Good, Golden Brooks, Vivica A Fox, Tamela Mann, Vanessa L. Williams and much more before she started working at Scandal. (Follow her on Twitter: @MsTonyaOnSet)

Linda Villalobos and her department head makeup guru work can seen in Dreamgirls, and the first two installments of Scary Movie franchise.

Now let’s focus on what Kerry had to say about the Scandal hair department today, shall we?

From @kerrywashington:

We have a TEAM of FAB hairstylists @MsTonyaOnSet & #DannyValencia & my hair is by#LindaVillalobos WE LUV OUR HAIR DEPT!

From Mellie’s Jackie O-inspired do to Abby’s long straight Cher-like red locks to Olivia’s trademark side-swept bangs to Quinn’s brunette do, the team of hairstyles truly bring character to these four ladies. With these four you can definitely easily make the distinction between their hairstyle past and present. In fact Gladiators can easily make the distinction between present #Scandal hair and past #Scandal hair. For example Olivia Pope’s past #Scandal hair was all about bangs. Abby’s flashback hair was all wavy and full of volume.

• What Would Judy Do: White Hat’s Off
• The Secrets of Scandal
• Case File: Quinn Perkins – White Hat’s Off
• New Photos: White Hat’s Off
• Scandal Season 2 Gallery
• Dressing Olivia Pope
• Full Episodes
• Joshua Malina & Bellamy Young Added to Bios Section!

Scandal Season 2 Cast & Character Bios 

• Olivia Pope
• Harrison Wright
• Fitzgerald Grant
• Mellie Grant
• Cyrus Beene
• Quinn Perkins
• David Rosen
• Abby Whelan
• Huck

White Hat’s Off left Gladiators with three questions and here’s my theory on each question. Why? Because I sincerely went like this after the cliffhanger.

But I digress!

Who is Olivia Pope?

Now that we know who is Quinn, I think we need to know who is Olivia Pope and how did she become a well respected fixer.

What REALLY pushed her to become Olivia Pope.

Cues flashback episode/moment!

Her White Hat is truly bigger than David Rosen and everyone you can think of.

Olivia Pope is that person! In the face of chaos, she is calm.

Who is Quinn Perkins (Lindsay Dwyer)?

Lindsay Dwyer disappears from the face of the planet and no one from her past comes looking for her?

This story makes me miss Gideon Wallace. He figured out that Billy Chamber is Amanda Tanner’s baby father.

This gets into my next theory. We need a new character to crack this Who is Quinn/Lindsay case ASAP.

Granted we now know who is Quinn but who is Lindsay. What and who was she?

Who is she connected to that hired Olivia to come in and clean up her bomb killing mess? This person has enough power to give her new identity through Olivia and Huck.

Who is Olivia & Huck Working For?

Olivia makes one phone call and just like that Quinn’s trail is dismissed even though David Rosen’s defense said that all evidence points to her.

Huck has proved his undying loyalty to Miss Pope. She bought him to the lightafter all.

Who are these two working for?

This person of interest is really, seriously THAT IT FACTOR.

This person is possibly Olivia’s secret weapon. She hates to lose.

David Rosen

If David Rosen discovers this huge connection that Olivia has (which I doubt because Olivia has Huck in her corner), this I feel would make his White Hat bigger than hers.

Cue the David Rosen/Olivia Pope face offs!

Abby Whelan

Why do I get the feeling that Abby is OPA’s answer to David Rosen? She’s so black and white! I think she’ll come around. Loved her comic timing! I’m sure she’ll flip when the truth all comes out. Am I only one who thinks she should pair up with David Rosen?

Shocking I know, right?

But I digress!

Harrison Wright

Harrison becoming Olivia’s Stephen Finch in this Quinn/Lindsay scandal is going to be fun to watch. I can’t wait to see how he juggles OPA office politics and the daily OPA grind with a love interest. I think he’s team Olivia and Lindsay all the way because Olivia helped him at his lowest point.

What Do We Know So Far

Olivia’s ex will be coming back into town for episode 3 – Hunting Season. I can’t help but point out the title. Who’s out for blood in #Scandal world, huh? Is Olivia’s ex apart of her powerful phone call connection or is he simply an ex?

Predictions

Is the identity of Lindsay connected to the White House – Fitz? Mellie? Cyrus? James? Billy Chambers? Sally Langston?

Is the identity of Lindsay connected to OPA? Huck? (We know little of Huck’s history but if Lindsay’s memory can be messed with.)

Anyone else catch that the same way Lindsay was taken out was the same way Amanda Tanner was taken out?

Is Cyrus AND Mellie connected to this mess? (These two got each other’s backs like white rice. They both want their endgames so badly!)

Who is more powerful than Olivia, Cyrus, Mellie and Fitz? (Google it!) A possible political Grant fundraiser tycoon? Their money pumps the White House and OPA?

Bottom line

The focus should be not who is Quinnsay (re: Lindsay Dwyer aka Linn or whatever you want to call her) but who is Olivia and Huck working for? Am I reaching with my theory? Impatiently waits for Shonda to throw us a bone…

Sound off Gladiators. I’m eager to read your thoughts!

For the occasion of ABC’s Scandal uncorking its sophomore run this Thursday at 10/9c, TVLine visited the show’s set, spoke with series lead Kerry Washington and chatted up Olivia Pope’s team of gladiators, played by Katie Lowes, Darby Stanchfield, Columbus Short and Guillermo Diaz.

Who is “Quinn Perkins”? Is Olivia keeping her mitts off Fitz? And hey, where’d Stephen vanish to…? Get responses to those questions and more from this Q&A with Washington and the slideshow below.

TVLINE | Let’s start off easy. How much time has passed between seasons when we pick back up?
KERRY WASHINGTON | I don’t know how specific I’m allowed to be. I’ll say more than a month, less than a year.

TVLINE | And the “Who is Quinn?” mystery is top of mind for everybody still?
We get to it right away. All summer long, strangers have been walking up to me and asking, “Who is Quinn,” which is hilarious. It had been really easy because I was able to say, “I don’t know,” but now it’s harder because we do know. We find out who she is but we still are like why, and how, and when… all of that.

TVLINE | Quinn is in fact a client as the season opens. Is Olivia as protective of her as a typical client, or even more so?
One of the things that’s really cool about the character of Olivia Pope is once you’re in, you’re in. I mean, she may be resistant to taking somebody on, but once she takes you on, that’s it. Fixing your situation becomes the priority above all else. She’s no less committed to Quinn than anybody else, that’s for sure.

RELATED | We’ve Seen the Scandal Season 2 Premiere! Here Are 12 Quick Observations

TVLINE | Is the Quinn mystery more or less nipped in the bud quickly, and then we move on? Or will that thread drift through the season?
I don’t know, because when you work for Shonda you don’t get an outline of the season. Again, the major question of “Who is Quinn?” is answered, but you’re left with three or four more questions that are not solved right away.

TVLINE | I have to imagine that some “gladiators” are more vocal in wanting those answers sooner rather than later.
Yeah. What you begin to learn, as the season goes on, is that there are reasons why certain people need more answers right away and other people don’t. Even that’s complicated.

TVLINE | Quinn’s secret must be something pretty incendiary….
I was coming home from vacation when the first script of the second season came out, so I was honestly standing at baggage claim trying to plug in my phone to read it. Then once I got home, I threw the bags down and immediately opened my laptop. We were all so hungry, and it’s like that way every week. We just barely started shooting [Episode] 3 and we’re already hypothesizing about what can be going on in 4.

VIDEO | Scandal Season 2 First Look Reunites Olivia and [Spoiler]

TVLINE | So, the big question: Has Olivia been behaving?
What does that mean in Olivia’s world? She sets her own rules.

TVLINE | Well, there’s the handshake agreement she made with Mellie in the finale. So, I ask: Has Olivia been behaving?
When we meet Olivia in the beginning of the second season she is not at the White House, and she has not been going to the White House. She’s a woman of her word. She handed in her badge.

TVLINE | How soon will circumstances necessitate some sort of an encounter between her and Fitz?
I cannot say.

TVLINE | Is it a script you’ve seen yet?
I cannot say.

TVLINE | You’re good. When that moment comes, have you and Tony Goldwyn talked about how you’re going to play it? There’s got to be a bit of a different dynamic — yet still probably 75 percent of the old dynamic.
This is a tricky one…. I’m going to answer it in a general way first, which is that all of us are always constantly talking about how our dynamics with each other get more and more complicated. What is the impact of Stephen (played by Henry Ian Cusick) leaving the office? How does that impact my relationship with the other associates? What is the impact of the Quinn question being answered? We’re all always talking about how these things play out, and Tony and I are included in that. But often, we make a decision and then we get the next script and we’re like, “…or maybe not.”
     A great example is how Jeff Perry and I made all these decisions about what [Olivia and Cyrus] meant to each other and how much they loved each other. Then we got the episode where he suddenly turns into Iago and is playing Fitz and Olivia against each other in the middle of a state dinner. We were like, “Wow, OK. Here’s another layer.” Or, I remember when a new script came out and Jeff really didn’t want to read it yet because we were doing a pretty complicated scene. But I couldn’t help myself — I’m like a drug addict with these scripts — and when I came back to set after lunch, I just kept thinking, “I know [Cyrus is] gay and Jeff has no idea!” Stuff like that keeps you on your toes in the most exciting way.

TVLINE | Are we going to learn anything more about Olivia?
We are. I feel like I know her even better than I did before, but I also seriously have major questions about who she is and what she’s done, and her dynamic with some of the other people on the show. Really big questions. And there are new characters in the mix that also have made me ask about 20 new questions.

TVLINE | Is this where Norm Lewis comes in (as a rumored ex of Olivia’s)?
I can’t comment on that. But I will tell you that’s actually not even who I’m referring to. I was thinking about somebody else, somebody that nobody’s talking about. Something that’s not out there in the world at all. It’s a really important new dynamic on the show.

TVLINE | Before we go, talk about Django Unchained, the Tarantino film you have coming out at Christmas. I saw a trailer and it looked quite kick-ass.
It’s sort of a spaghetti Western set in the context of the antebellum South. Jamie Fox plays a freed slave who’s on a quest to rescue his wife, played by me, from a plantation owned by Leonardo DiCaprio. It’s been a really fascinating year for me to play these African-American women on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of empowerment, education and liberty. To juxtapose a woman who [in the movie's setting] is considered property and three-fifths of a person in our Constitution with a woman who’s arguably the most powerful woman in the country because of her effect on the president, has been a mind-bending, phenomenal experience.

TVLINE | Does your Django character get to be active?
She’s not a Tarantino kick-ass girl; she’s not cut out of Kill Bill. I’m always reluctant to say that she’s not empowered, because here you have this whole film about two people who in this time, when they are so limited and so abused and so degraded, are still able to believe in their love and kind of rise above the institution of slavery. To me, that’s really kick-ass and it’s part of what was important to me about her. She is a true survivor, and her resilience and her belief in her own humanity astounded me every day. When I look at where I come from as an African-American, I don’t understand how anyone made it through this time. That anyone could believe in themselves and in their right to love within that context just floors me.

Now, see what Washington’s Pope & Associates peers have to say about Scandal Season 2:

Abby Whelan to Olivia Pope: Watched it four times.  I’ll watch it again just in case.

In a new #Scandal sneak preview taken from tomorrow’s season 2 premiere episode, “White Hat’s Off”, Olivia Pope walks in on Abby Whelan watching a steamy sex tape.

Oh yeah you read that correctly!

It’s not what you think because she’s watching it for research purposes fro a Olivia Pope & Associates case!

Best quote from the clip comes from Abby who I must quote: Watched it four times.  I’ll watch it again just in case.

Thoughts: Brilliant, Abby, Brilliant!  This is pretty much how Gladiators feel about #OneMinute.

Abby is definitely echoing the sincere thoughts of Gladiators everywhere on whenever there’s a new episode of #Scandal.

The way they both turned their heads at the same time, though?

Hilarious!

Gladiators who tune into Scandal every Thursday last season will know that Kerry Washington shared her top 10 moments on her official website post-show. What’s great about this is that Kerry’s co-stars plus the show’s creator Shonda Rhimes and the show’s inspiration Judy Smith also shared their thoughts and fun behind the scenes scoops and fashion per episode recap. Here’s what she and her Scandal co-stars had to say for the season finale as well as the flashback episode and much more!

Grant: For The People (Scandal Season 1 Finale)

10 Reasons Scandal Season One Finale Rocks (The Gladiators)

1. Columbus Short: (Harrison Wright) It’s the freaking Season Finale

2. Guillermo Diaz: (Huck) In the first 5 minutes of the show you will witness the gladiators go “Over a cliff” for each other, like never before.

3. Jeff Perry: (Cyrus Beene)  The President is very vulnerable and yet he and the Vice President go absolutely head to head in this one!

4. Katie Lowes: (Quinn Perkins)  There is a 10 page scene in this episode THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND. A 10 page scene rarely exists in TV and to get it SCANDALOUSLY good we all got together to rehearse on our lunch breaks. It was like doing theatre. It was the most fun ever and I’ll never forget it.

5. Shonda Rhimes: (The Creator) Because Mellie BREAKS IT DOWN for Olivia in a way that is stunning.

6. Tony Goldwyn: (President Fitzgerald “Fitz” Grant) Girl fight!!!

7. Bellamy Young: (First Lady Mellie Grant) – At the table read (which is when we all read the script together before shooting starts for the episode) was especially fun becauseTony had to keep saying “take off your clothes” over & over – & each time he got redder & redder… 

8. Kerry Washington: Olivia Pope is in FULL #Gladiator mode is a gorgeous Valentino jacket that we tried on WEEKS before but decided to save it for the season finale because it was just so special and we knew the finale would be too!

9. Judy Smith: (Co-Executive Producer/Inspiration)) I’ve seen some meltdowns during my time at the White House but the VP’s Chief of Staff Billy Chambers’ takes the cake!

10. Darby Stanchfield: (Abby Whelan) The million dollar question Olivia Pope asks at the very end of the show may make you scream at your television set.

The Trail (episode 6)

10 Reasons that this week’s Scandal Rocks (Gladiators Edition!)

1. Columbus Short: (Harrison Wright) The amount of suspense in this episode is almost too much to bare but you can’t turn away, you’re in to deep!

2. Tony Goldwyn: (President Fitzgerald “Fitz” Grant) You can’t believe THIS much happens in one hour of television!

3. Jeff Perry: (Cyrus Beene) In a blast from the past on the presidents’ campaign trail you will be absolutely ROCKED by the First Lady!

4. Katie Lowes: (Quinn Perkins) I can officially say that I got to do a certain something in this episode while simultaneously doing something else where the two don’t necessarily go together (although they should). I had never done those combined things before on-screen or off 

5. Josh Malina: (David Rosen) This week I finally get some scenes with a pretty woman I’m not fighting with…

6. Bellamy Young: (First Lady Mellie Grant) -Harrison has an UNBELIEVABLE monologue about toe-sucking. 

7. Kerry Washington: (Olivia Pope) You know all those questions you have at the end of every episode? This episode will answer MANY of those questions. BUT at the end you’ll once AGAIN say: WTF?!?!?!?!

8. Shonda Rhimes: (The Creator) This episode holds the the only scene I’ve ever written that made me blush when I saw it being filmed!

9. Judy Smith: (Co-Executive Producer)This should make you think twice about that office romance! This episode could be a PSA for the perils of mixing business with pleasure– and I’m not just talking about Olivia and Fitz!

10. Darby Stanchfield: (Abby Whelan) ~As Marvin Gaye once sang, “Let’s Get it On!”

Crash and Burn (episode 5)

Kerry Washington on 10 NEW Reasons Why This Week’s (May 3) SCANDAL Rocks!!!!!

1. Josh Malina.  Not just because he’s hilarious and charming and smart and a joy to work with and watch, but because in this week’s episode – David is done playing games with Olivia Pope.

2. DON’T YOU WANNA KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO AMANDA TANNER?!?!?! So many of you have been theorizing about what exactly happened to Amanda at the end of last week’s episode and by who and why… This week, you’ll have SOME of your questions answered.

3. Some of the #Gladiators love lives take a turn… and I’m not talking about Olivia Pope

4. The Scandal that walks into the door of Pope & Associates this week is our most TRAGIC crisis yet.

5. Cyrus referred to this person last week but… NOW it’s time for you to MEET the Vice President of the United States! It’s a game changer…

6. Guillermo Diaz is a phenomenal actor. Although the episode is entitled CRASH AND BURN, an alternate title COULD be “Don’t F*ck with Huck” – right now you guys just have NO IDEA…

7. If you thought LAST WEEK was a cliff hanger… The first time I read THIS week’s episode, I called Shonda in a state of absolute shock and slight panic.

8. War has been declared between Pope & Associates and The White House… Uh, you don’t wanna miss that.

9. My favorite Olivia Pope jacket of the entire season is in this episode. The taupe with brown check Armani suit jacket – Strong, elegant, sophisticated, serious. Somebody is dressed for war!
(PS: my 2nd favorite jacket appears in the season finale…)

10. You know who drops a bomb THIS week? …Gideon! Watch closely. Listen carefully.

Enemy of the State (episode 4)

Kerry Washington on 10 Reasons this week’s SCANDAL rocks!

1. This is the episode where more that just Olivia’s & Fitz’s secrets start to come out of the closet…

2. I got to speak a little Espanol this week! Woooooooo hoooooooo

3. Columbus has a scene that’s so bad ass – strong, smart, suave – it made me jump up and down with joy while watching him shoot it… Seriously.

4. Darby & I have a scene that was easily one of my top 5 favorite scenes of the season to shoot because she’s brilliant and I LOVE her and I LOVE working with her.

5. Jeff Perry. Nuff said.

6. You will actually see a Gladiator in Pajamas (I see you @LoveScandalABC!!!)

7. This week’s episode has special meaning to me because of my work with Vday.org and women’s empowerment

8. If you thought the end of LAST week’s episode was shocking… JUST WAIT. We were FLOORED by this episode when we read it.

9. It was pretty much love at first sight with most of us in the cast, but this is the episode where we, at Pope & Associates really became like family. I feel so blessed to be working with these tremendously talented actors. They will all continue to amaze you…

10. And Lyn Paolo brings the fashion heat again this week  The single breasted grey Armani jackets is one of my favorites of the season (that’s why I chose to wear it in a lot of the press for the show!).  Lyn and I decided that those gray suede Gucci pumps are Olivia’s favorite GO TO shoe.

Kerry unfortunately didn’t give a fun countdown and behind the scenes blurbs for Hell Hath No Fury (episode 3), Dirty Little Secrets (episode 2), and Sweet Baby (episode 1)! Hopefully she’ll keep this going in season 2!

image credits – kerrywashington.com