BWW Recap: Baby, I Could Never Steal You From Another on SCANDAL

How long have we been asking for the backstory on one Mr. Jake Ballard? Tonight we got our wish and were delivered his tragic past all wrapped up in a blood spattered dress uniform. And as much as I beg for shirtless Jake scenes, I will never complain about Jake in uniform scenes.

As it turns out, Jake Ballard aka Pete Harris, had quite a troubled youth. His horrifically abusive father repeatedly beat his mother and raped his sister. His sister, who wound up pregnant, eventually hung herself. (Did they say what happened to his mother? Did I miss that?) Pete entered the military, where he constantly found himself challenging authority and paying the consequences. Enter Rowan Pope. He recruits Pete into a "special organization" in which he will become Jake Ballard. Jake continues to challenge authority, but this time it is met with discipline in the form of physical, emotional and mental torture. Rowan beats him down until he can convince Jake to leave his past behind and let Rowan be his daddy (ew) and take care of him. When Jake finally "graduates," Rowan makes him the offer to either join B-613 or go home and lead a semi-normal life. Jake thanks Rowan and takes the latter offer to Rowan's surprise. But really, Jake goes home to shoot his father dead. He returns to his new father, Rowan, and joins B-613.

In present day, Olivia is back in her childhood bedroom (DEAD POETS SOCIETY poster was a nice touch) recovering from brutally murdering the Vice-President. (which was kind swept under the rug as no big deal... wasn't it?) However, she is playing them to try and figure out what is really going on with Jake and Vanessa. With the help of Huck and Quinn (and no Marcus as usual), they realize that Rowan is pulling the strings. Jake finally confesses to Olivia that Rowan wants to put Jake on the ticket with Edison and make him the Vice President. Vanessa is the perfect political wife, but really Jake is in love with Olivia and wants to be with her. With the help of OPA (still no Marcus), they decide Jake will jilt Vanessa at the altar at their very public D.C. wedding which will make him hated and have no political future. Surprise, surprise, Rowan is onto them and tells Olivia that she better convince Jake she doesn't love him or he will slit Jake's throat as he would rather have him dead than mediocre. Olivia does so by telling Jake she will always be in love with Fitz and Jake would only ever be his sloppy seconds. (I'm paraphrasing, but still... harsh). Heartbroken, Jake marries Vanessa as Rowan beams with pride.

Okay so... how many times are we going to see this story line of Liv on the verge of being happy and Rowan swooping in and ruining it? I get it. I get that this is the show and this is the drama and she can't be happy blah blah blah, but enough already! Barely a mention of her brutal killing of the VP, not one mention of the impending election and seriously, does Marcus officially work at OPA anymore? And I feel like David and Abby and the like would be invited to such a high profile wedding, wouldn't they? VP Susan Ross? Mellie, anyone? Very strange.

Where does this leave Liv? She literally has no one. Huck and Quinn, sure, but Abby is basically dead to her. I don't think we've seen the end of this downward spiral. Jake's story is beyond tragic, but how about those performances of Scott Foley and Joe Morton? What a night for those two. But, as Daveed Diggs would say, "Can we get back to politics?"

And lastly, I shall let William Shakespeare state the only words that are fitting for such a sad day, "Now cracks a noble heart. Good-night, sweet prince; And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."

Here's a preview for the next week's all new episode:

Photo Credit: ABC

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