Scandal Round Table: "Crash and Burn"

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Following such a Huck-centric episode of Scandal this week, it's hard to think of anything else except the (sort of) gentle giant and whether or not he'll recover from tapping back into his dark side. But the Round Table is back and we're attempting to do just that.

Join our expert panel of Jim Garner, Carla Day, Leigh Raines and Miranda Wicker as they answer a few burning questions about "Crash and Burn" and then add your answers in the comments.

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What was your favorite scene from the episode?
Jim: I really enjoyed Olivia in David's office when she told him where to find Amanda. For the first time he could see she was not made of stone and that she really did care about her clients. It was such a brief glimpse behind the normally in control front she presents.

Carla: Usually a specific scene will jump out at me, but the whole episode was shocking. When Olivia called the President accusing him of having Amanda killed was well-done. They both had shock and dismay written all over their faces.

Leigh: I have to say that finding out more about Huck's past had me holding my breath. The Dexter stuff was a little more than I wanted to see, but hearing his background and how Liv saved him was definitely a "wow" moment for me.

Miranda: I'm with Leigh this week. Guillermo Diaz did a phenomenal job of making me feel bad for this broken character, even while he was tapping into his inner torture artist.

Is Olivia correct in believing that Cyrus had Amanda killed?
Jim: I thought so, up until Fitz told him Amanda was dead. Had he had her killed I would have expected a little more faked remorse, he had none. So now I'm not so sure.

Carla: No. I don't think he did it. He is manipulative, but I don't think he would go as far as murdering her.

Leigh: I don't think Cyrus did it. Cyrus seemed so shocked and angered when he even found out about the affairs and he seemed shaken by the blackmail attempts. I feel like he is a really good red herring.

Miranda: Cyrus may have sounded like an evil, insensitive jerk when he found out about her death (a delivery by Jeff Perry that rivals his monologue from last week) but no, I don't think he had her killed. I don't think even he would go to that extreme.

Did Olivia tell David the truth about who she thinks killed Amanda when she answered him?
Jim: As much as she and David have become friends, I don't think she would ever tip her hand until she had enough information to prove her belief. The bigger question is if David will give her the space and trust to let her bring it to him on her terms.

Carla: Olivia is going to keep that to herself for now. She will reveal it when it serves her purpose.

Leigh: I think Olivia led David in the right direction but there is no way she could possibly reveal all of her cards.

Miranda: Olivia plays her cards close to her vest, so no, I don't think she told him. I also think David's a smart guy and that it won't take him long to connect the dots between a suicide-attempting, now-dead former White House aide and a conspiracy. He is, after all, gunning to be a politician. What better way to catapult one's career than uncovering a scandal?

More surprising knock on the door: Quinn at Gideon's or Fitz at Olivia's?
Jim: Fitz was a no brainer after he made a deal with his Secret Service guys to leave the White House. Quinn turning to Gideon for emotional support was a complete shock for me. Though I give Gideon props for making comfort food knowing she might show up... mmmmmmm grilled cheese.

Carla: Neither were very surprising. I hope that Quinn and Gideon can build something lasting, but on this show that is doubtful. And, I'm with Jim regarding Fitz. As soon as he said he wanted to leave the White House, I figured he was heading to see Olivia.

Leigh: Neither were a surprise. It was obvious Fitz was going to Olivia's and reminded me of Michael Douglas in The American President when he was just trying to get Annette Benning some flowers, granted they weren't having a secret affair.

Miranda: Neither was surprising, really. It took me out of the scene when Gideon said he'd made Quinn grilled cheese sandwiches because he thought she might need comfort, but he didn't even know she was coming, so how'd he know to make grilled cheese sandwiches? It's also not surprising that Fitz would sneak out to see Olivia to, according to the previews for next week, ask for her help. I think after seeing Cyrus' response to Amanda's death, she's the only person he can trust.

Do you think Mellie Grant (the First Lady) is hiding something?
Jim: Absolutely! Her quizzing the Secret Service guys about taking a bullet and following that with the statement that there were many people who would go to extremes for him makes me wonder if she was behind Amanda Tanner's death...or at least knew about her.

Carla: Definitely. I wouldn't be surprised if she was the one conspiring with Amanda or if she was the one that had Amanda killed.

Leigh: Mellie is 1000% percent up to something. Maybe he display of "everyone here would take a bullet for you" was kind of a reminder of how many people were willing to risk their lives for him so he better be worthy of it.

Miranda: Oh, this woman's sneaky and definitely up to something. I think she's probably managed to insulate herself from any direct connections to what's happening, but she's involved somehow.

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Scandal Season 1 Episode 5 Quotes

There isn't a person in this building who isn't willing to go to extremes for you.

First Lady

David: So, who do you think killed her? See, I've got this nagging feeling you've got a pretty good idea. I know I give you a long leash on a lot of things and I like to because, despite my better judgment and all my protests to the contrary, I really do consider you a friend. But I can't look the other way here, not on this...I prosecute crime. I get the bad guys. So at some point, even with you I gotta draw the line. I've gotta do my job. I've gotta be the sheriff.
Olivia: The white hat looks good on you.