Power Of The...

"Scandalous Thursdays!"

"Hi!  My name is Faith Margaret and I watch Scandal."  I enjoy it.  Thoroughly…and will blog  right here about all new episodes on Thursday nights beginning next week.  Oh!  Your theories about what is happening next in this suspenseful show are welcomed along with my musings.

“Heyyyyyyy…” *snapping my fingers* Is that Ron Isley?!?  “Summer breeze makes me feel fine blowing through the jasmine in my mind…”  I promise whenever the episodes begin with a little soul singing we are typically in for a good time.  Fingers, legs and eyes crossed, yes? Dream interpretation is an amazing thing, especially when your two lovers and your daddy are in your dream or nightmare!  Anybody know where that lovely duvet on Olivia’s bed came from?  Better yet, where can I get that black and white coat Olivia has synched so tightly around her waist?  F l y. 

Cyrus with his boy toy again.  Like, literally boy toy.  He wants to take care of his new project that is claiming to be without a father.  He has to know better.  I am still trying to figure out the role of Ellen’s wife besides her wanting to bring Cyrus down for some reason. 

Now O-Wishia aka Red aka Gabby but is really Abby has resumed the role of being a friend to Olivia because they connected over Olivia crying over a man.  Ain’t that the way?  And the POTUS entertains 1 minute too long of his conversation with her and allows her to tell him that he should tell the woman he loves that the man she is having hot, lusty sex with is alive?!?  Please. 

It’s nice to see Huck having a little bit of fun instead of being the tortured soul he always seems to be.  And we know why.  He is playing video games online with his little guy.  That’s sweet.  And kinda creepy.  Parents, pay attention to what your babies are doing online.  Anyways, this could be a really interesting story line…

So Mellie has found a mentor of sorts in an old First Lady that schools her on how to be powerful behind the most powerful man in the world.  I am not quite sure I can imagine Michelle going for drinks with Hilary or Laura, though.  Looks like Mellie is back in the game, baby!  Perfectly coiffed hair and perfectly tailored blue dress and all.

Command is a bad, bad man...

While I appreciate the lesson on the unfair characterization of women as “bitches” when we are direct, assertive and clear, it was a bit…forced.  Try again next week, writers.

Jake and Olivia still don’t make a believable couple to me.  He is the consolation prize for her because she can’t have the grand prize.  Fitz!  I mean really…Olivia doesn’t even know anything about where Jake comes from or his family that lives in some Midwest town.  Jake and Olivia’s love affair is as much a fantasy as their sordid involvement with the POTUS.  “I want you to know that not choosing me is okay.”  Damn.

  

So, Command grew up in Detroit, huh?  Figured!  He shows up at the White House to collect his dog, Jake from the POTUS after said dog strayed and now he wants to discipline said dog properly.  The POTUS and Command are now on the same team?  Of course!  Jake is their common foe and they can bond around their disdain for him.  I wonder which of the two dislikes Jake the most?  Command likely will never care for any man that attempts to love Olivia but now he finds POTUS to be useful.  “Stay focused.  Do what needs to be done.  Don’t be swayed by anyone. Give her what she wants.  Satisfy her then do what needs to be done.  Stay objective.  Stay clear.  Don’t let love cloud your judgment.”  Damn!  We all could use a little Command in our lives when we are wrestling with love and relationships, huh? 

Command leaves the POTUS and makes his way to Jake to give him some straightenin’.   It is like he has to have this confrontation with the men in Olivia’s life.  He made a good point though about how arrogance and the need to swagger can deter men from what they could have.  Being the master manipulator he is, Command plays with your mind until you are utterly confused about what is really goings on.  So now Olivia has to save Jake and by taunting her love box in front of Fitz she just may have accomplished her mission.  Silly man.  “You may be Command, dad but I have weapons at my disposal.  Weapons you cant possibly posses.”  Well alright now, girlfriend!

Side note:  They need to replace Harrison like yesterday.  The 2 team gladiator force is not doing it for me.  Side note to the side note:  3 more episodes left and neither  Shonda nor Debbie Allen are writing or directing any of them.  Another sigh.  

5 Things I Know For Sure This Month...

When I turned 40 years old, babyyyy…you couldn't tell me NOTHING!  *dusting my shoulder off*  The dreading turning 40 vibe missed me by miles and instead I was overcome with feeling myself for turning 40.  In my mind turning 40 was an indicator that I was "'sho 'nuff grown."  This wave of liberation literally washed over me and I fully committed myself to only doing what Faith Margaret wanted to do and not feeling obligated to justify my decision making around not doing what I don't want to do.  Dammit!  Head up.  Shoulders Back.  Face to the sun! 

This summer I celebrated my 44th birthday and though I still feel liberated, I also feel w a y more conscious of my aging.  I am very clear that I am walking in the second half of my life and I want very much to live the rest of my life fully and authentically.  So much so that I am looking for little life lessons in the daytime with a flashlight with the well intended purpose of thriving over the next 44 years.  October is just about over and left me with a few lessons to add to my authentic living:    

1.  The more I know and the more I plan, the less I worry.  Worrying is a habit I learned as a little one to cope with a dysfunctional childhood.  Worrying doesn't serve me well as an adult and it's my life's work to rid myself of this burden.  *sigh*  Life happened this month and I was reminded of how much better I feel when I learn more about a thing that is worrying me and when I am proactive.  End result is I am w a y less worried.            

2.  A watched pot never boils.  I can be impatient with life and want things to move according to my plan.  Accepting that I cannot control everything around me and there is grace is being able to yet enjoy my journey while waiting for this thing or that thing to come

A little reflection is a good thing...

to fruition is a gift.   Hurry up and wait, basically!

3.  Just because they ask for it, doesn't mean they will use it.  It is an honor for our friends to come to us asking for feedback and it's our duty to give them our honest perspective about their situation.  And that is where it ends.  Period.  Our friends are not obligated to take our feedback and run with it.  Though we may be right as rain, standing firmly beside our friends as they find their way through life's challenges is the task.  Speak your peace and hush!

4.  Every 90 days…refresh!  I go to work sick, tired and otherwise worn out more often than not.  I accumulate vacation day after vacation day and sick day after sick day because I show up at 8:30am Monday through Friday, come what may.  I get the work done and stay on task with work projects because I am always on the grind BUT I am pretty sure I am not my best self (at home or at the j-o-b) when I work with no rest.  I am starting to feel the benefits of taking time off every 90 days and I love it!  I feel better.  I look better.  I show up better.   

5.  It will be there tomorrow.  I am a task master and love a good, "To Do List" to get me through all the things I believe are necessary to keep my life running efficiently.  But, dammit…if it doesn't get done today it will be there tomorrow.  On that damn To Do List.  Waiting for me to check it off.  And that is just fine.  Damn!  Forgot to add something to the list...

November is right around the corner with it's brisk mornings and cold nights (and high a!$ heating bills).  In between layering on sweaters, zipping up boots and fixing scarves just so, there are plenty life lessons waiting for us.  What 5 things will you know for sure next month?  

What a Tangled Web We Weave...

"Scandalous Thursdays!"

"Hi!  My name is Faith Margaret and I watch Scandal."  I enjoy it.  Thoroughly…and will blog  right here about all new episodes on Thursday nights beginning next week.  Oh!  Your theories about what is happening next in this suspenseful show are welcomed along with my musings.

Okay.  Okay.  Okay.  I will say it.  “What the hell is goings on?!?”  Now that we have that out of the way, let’s see what I can manage after yawning through another lackluster episode of Scandal.

Pope & Associates is still managing with just 1-2-3 gladiators.  Are they ever going to replace Harrison, already?  I have run through all the possible young, viral, delicious black actors that can take his place.  Let’s see…  Terrence Howard.  Michael Ealy.  Tristan Wilds.  Derek Luke.  Brian White.  Pooch Hall.  Dolvett Quince.  Oh!  Lance Gross.  *staring off dreamily*  

Huck is stalking his old family and missed the entire situation unfolding across the way as young Faith was being murdered by some cat.  His wife doesn’t believe the crazy and ridiculous but so very real story he told her about the secret people coming to murder his family if he did not go with them.  How terribly sad is that?!?  It know it sounds ridiculous and everything but this is Huck we’re talking about here!  Let that man see his baby boy, already! 

The POTUS is back to drinking now that Jake is once again the object of his obsession.  Did I say, "again?" Trying to get a confession out of a B6-13 operative is no easy thing, apparently.  Asking the same question again and again, refusing food and water.  And good old Jake was not even present in the damn room during that amateur interrogation!  He was far away thinking of relaxing and frolicking on an isolated beach with the woman he loves that can’t possibly love him fully.  And now the fellas get together to hash out a little business about the death of the POTUS’ son.  The obligatory pissing match about The Olivia Pope

Commander in Chief, huh?

ensues.  The woman that loves the good guys so she has to love Fitz and Jake…the ones that wear the white hats.  By the way, that Olivia has a lot of damn nerve to call her old lover and ask if he has her current lover, Jake in his possession.  G A M E. 

 

Daddy Pope bangs on Olivia’s door hecka late night like the police just to have a night cap?!?  He always has some very sinister motive behind even the most gracious offering. Pay attention, baby girl!  

Dig this, though.  After noticing women on television floating around their home in beautiful bedtime wear, I thought to ask a few women about what they go to sleep in every night.  Most of us had the same commentary.  Tshirts, tank tops, night shirts, pj bottoms, fluffy socks.  Nobody and I mean, nobody said they went to sleep in the kinds of pajamas Olivia wears.  Silky.  Luxurious.  Sexy.  Very grown womanish. Dang!  *gotta bring my pj swag up to par*

Daddy Pope, who is Command when Olivia is confronting him about his damn biz’ness…is standing firm with his contention that Jake killed Harrison (pour out a little liquor for your boy) and the POTUS’ son.  Daddy Pope aka Command wants Olivia to believe he let it all happen because he trained Jake and made him the B6-13 operative he is today.  I don't know...    

Drunk Mellie and Smellie Mellie…a 2-for!  Oh, but she is on the way back to being regular old calculating and cunning Mellie.  Hearing that her son was murdered as an act of terrorism crystalized things for her.  A hot, steamy relaxing shower and she is back in the game, baby!  Wonder what color her dress will be tomorrow when she resumes the role of First Lady?

David Rosen was trying to make a booty call to O-Wishia after midnight, remembering when they used to shower together.  Ewwwww.  And just like I thought, he is being eaten up inside for trying to be somebody by leveraging the B6-13 files that were entrusted to him to bring down B6-13.  O-Wishia storms over to Olivia's to confront her for turning her man into a hot ass mess only to find Olivia actually crying. Nothing like a good cry session over a man to get old girlfriends that were bickering back to being good friends again.  Bastards! 

Will we ever reach the frenetic pace and absolute shock of seasons passed with this season of Scandal, fellow gladiators?  Or are we doomed to watch this season have starts and stops since last season WAS the finale for Scandal.  Come.  On.  Shonda.  Girl.   Get.  ‘Cho.  Life.  Immediately.  Please & thank you. 

Side note:  I wonder if random cats are jumping the White House fence on Scandal?  Prolly.  Not.  But that is another post, right?

Now We Have A Show!

"Scandalous Thursdays!"

"Hi!  My name is Faith Margaret and I watch Scandal."  I enjoy it.  Thoroughly…and will blog  right here about all new episodes on Thursday nights beginning next week.  Oh!  Your theories about what is happening next in this suspenseful show are welcomed along with my musings.

Nice start.  A little “Controversy” by Your Royal Badness for your viewing pleasure today, ladies and gentlemen. 

A cry for help can’t get any louder than the POTUS and Madam First Cray Cray’s baby girl getting high out of her mind and reportedly exploring her sexuality at a raging college party.  Auntie Olivia to the rescue with the helicopter ride on the damn roof of the party that seemed hella live (anyone from LA in the 80’s and 90’s should remember that saying).  When will these kids (and some adults) ever learn that smart phones are not always our friends?!?  I think kids should be made to sign a “Smart Phone Contract” when they get their first phone and every subsequent upgrade just to be sure everyone is clear about the rules of the game.  Especially if the parents are paying for said smart phones.  No.  Pictures.  Or.  Videos.  Ever.  And the parents of one of the boys want $2.5 million dollars for the sex tape of the POTUS’ daughter plus a little more for good measure?!?  Well, damn!  They didn’t know with whom they were dealing with.  Think again, rich mom and dad.   

Now you know good and damn well the Obama girls will NOT be caught doing any of that foolishness.  Instead of the Secret Service escorting Sasha and Malia out of some party, you best believe their Mama and Nana would march right up and through there and drag them out.  With all quickness.

Command is trying to kill Jake.  Again.  Note to self:  Remember to look for flashing red lights underneath your vehicle if it ever gets crazy out in these streets.  Who knew?!?  Oh, Lord Jesus!  Command is disappointed in Tom his, “Golden Boy”…one of his favorites. “Disappointment often turns to frustration.  Frustration turns to resentment.

Resentment turns to anger.  Anger to rage.  Rage to indifference.  And once I am indifferent?  Well, I will have forgotten that you were ever one of my favorites.”  Don’t let Command down, Tom!  *biting my nails*  Tom is about to be found out!  That’s the President’s boy.  Or so he thought. 

Jake is in trouble, trouble, trouble.

Jake is on a one-man mission to turn the entire town against Command.  He makes a beeline to David Rosen telling him to leak the B6-13 files should something happen to him.  Oh, but David got some cajones tonight (short lived, of course) and declined the directive claiming patriotism to the good old US of A.  It’s almost as if Jake said, “Boy, bye!” right before he penned him up.  What will he do now to be powerful in Washington?  Loses.  Again. 

 

Cyrus is caught up with that callboy.  Nothing good can come from that foolishness. 

Madam First Cray Cray had to get her life real quick when she attempted to snatch Olivia in the hall of the White House like she saw a damn ghost.  Cyrus got a quick jab in asking if Madam First Cray Cray had on a new color of Uggs.  Hilarious!  Oh, Mellie…how she must feel knowing her last surviving child called her husband’s mistress to help her in time of crisis.  Is that really that surprising, though?  Come on.  She’s Olivia Pope!  The fixer.  Geez…  Fascinating play on female empowerment, conscious choices and sexism. 

Well alright, POTUS!  He READ Drunk Mellie, Bad Hygiene Mellie, Smellie Mellie, Screw Everything to Hell Mellie, Cry Baby Mellie, Eat Everything That Is Not Nailed Down Mellie.  But not Righteous History Rewriting Mellie.  No sir.  No ma’am.  Not today!  In no uncertain terms he directed Smellie Mellie to get all of her natural life before she comes telling him not to call Olivia to fix the latest mess.  Thought she was on the ropes until she reminded him that baby girl takes after him.  Sex tape, indeed! 

Oh!  The Gladiators are in the White House and O-Wishia is trying to pull rank.  It’s not working out for her very well.  Cyrus reminds her that she just ain’t Olivia, “You are not Olivia.  You will never be Olivia.  Hating Olivia for your own shortcomings will never change that fact.”  I think she should just pick up her Gladiator gear and go back home to Olivia.

Diana Ross, baby!  “I’m coming out!  I want the world to know.  I’ve got to let it show.”  In the 80’s I fantasized that Ms. Ross was my mother and she would call me out on stage to perform with her.  I digress…

Olivia and Fitz finally have their moment and it was so intense!  The primal lust and dramatic love that keeps them bonded together like crazy glue is palpable.  Even from across the room they are still so so close.  But she managed to walk away.  Good girl!  For now…  Spoke too soon.  *cue that music they play when Olivia and Fitz have a moment*  Fitz got mad skillz, Yo!  Best way to end the party in both of their pants though is to reference good old Jake.  Womp.  Womp.  Womp.  Now somebody else wants Jake dead. 

That damn Command!  *clapping my hands excitedly* Here comes the drama!  He’s a bad…shut your mouth!  He straight looks Tom in the eyes and gets clear with him just how this thing is going to go down.  Command always gets his man, baby!  “Who gave you the order to kill the President’s son?!?”  Jake.  Ballard.  That Command ain’t nothing to f*!k with.  Shout out to Wu-Tang…

I still can’t stand Quinn.  At all.  Prolly never will.  And I am okay with that.  UGH! 

Side note:  Has anyone eaten at Gettysburger?  Good or naw?

Side note to the side note:  She’s baaaacckkkk! 

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?!?

"Scandalous Thursdays!"

"Hi!  My name is Faith Margaret and I watch Scandal."  I enjoy it.  Thoroughly…and will blog  right here about all new episodes on Thursday nights beginning next week.  Oh!  Your theories about what is happening next in this suspenseful show are welcomed along with my musings.

“I have back up plans for my back up plans.”  I thought I was the only one that did that!  Me.  Too.  Boo Boo.  There is nothing wrong with being prepared just in case things don’t go as planned.  A wise man once said, “If you stay ready, you ain’t got to get ready.”  Still trying to figure out the angle of Ellen’s wifey and why she wants Cyrus to get caught up.

Cyrus just may have met his match with that cat, “The Whore” that is trying to set him up.  The Whore had him all excited to take a stalker-ish call from him.  I’m not mad at him, though.  It is so intoxicating!  That getting to know this new person stage where you wait for their phone call, hang on their every word and imagine what being with them will be like.  Yeah…that!  Cyrus is in trouble.  Is that what escorts tell their johns?  They aren’t paying for sex but are paying for privacy and discretion? 

When is the last time you realized you were inside the bubble?  David Rosen is sitting at the grown ups table and he is enjoying himself, baby!  He has a habit of making himself look mighty good and saving his career by digging through those old B6-13 files

Daddy!

Jake gifted him with last year just looking for the dirtiest of dirt.  Now you know that I know that you know that I know Jake did not give the B6-13 files to David for that purpose.  But, he won.  The gun ruling was given in the POTUS’ favor.  The Judge killed himself.  And David’s white hat is getting dirtier and dirtier. 

I sorta kinda maybe prolly…hell, sure would like Command to be my Daddy in my dream life.  I mean, come on!  He is THE man.  He can make me breakfast.  He can pour my wine.  He can invite my lover and I over for dinner.  Olivia don’t love no damn, Jake!  How the hell does she ask that cat to have dinner with her father…Command…knowing he threw Jake in the hole and tortured him?  What is this thing with Jake trying to play hard to get with Olivia?  He is committed to getting her to understand that she needs to choose him, right?  Oh, but Jake has a little bit of game.  He keeps reminding Olivia that she is not his girlfriend, he damn sure ain’t her boyfriend and she is in love with another man.  But the sex is cool. 

O-Wishia and Olivia are growing to be enemies.  Olivia wants O-Wishia to stay out of her business and she kept it pretty and classy when she described why they are not as close, “…different paths.”  Note to self.  Did you check Olivia roll her sistah girl eyes at O-Wishia, though?   A good eye roll is an excellent compliment to get your pissivity or plain old annoyance across!  I use it liberally.   

Madam First Cray Cray gets excited and lifts her head out of the fog she is stumbling through with Uggs on, to dig into a story about a new bride pushing her husband off a cliff?  Those people look absolutely confused with being called to the White House for a PowerPoint presentation on how not to get away with murder, which they already knew.  “Womp, womp, womp.”  Are we going to see her in a straight jacket before the season is over?       

Jake is still investigating what happened to Harrison and is using Quinn to get that creepy Charlie to talk.  I want him to stop calling her, “Robin.”  She is incredibly confident this season and took some classes in how to whoop a suckas a@! in the off season.  She ain’t loyal, though just like Chris Brown said!  Jake is going to uncover what really happened last season and blow Olivia’s mind with what he discovers.  Her daddy is still Command. 

Shonda, Shonda, Shonda.  Certainly there is a method to this slow rolling boil that you are teasing us with.  This must surely lead to some amazing crescendo where we are all whooping and hollering and waiting with baited breath for next week’s episode.  Right?!?  *insert that sistah girl eye roll*

Side note:  there was no music in this episode until it was time to for the POTUS to ask O-Wishia about his one true love.    

Side note to the side note:  the legs of this show are clearly firmly rooted under the sordid affair between Olivia and the POTUS.  Set up the meet, already!