What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Scandal “Truth or Consequences” 

[WARNING: Spoilers for Scandal “Truth or Consequences”]

After watching the latest thrilling episode of Scandal, I was exhausted. So much happened. All of it good. I can’t even believe the lengths some of these characters are willing to go to, in order to protect their status quo. Mellie induces labor in order to save her relationship with Fitz? Cyrus hires Charlie to kill Hollis Doyle? 

Then there was the matter of Olivia’s mini-breakdown, which I can’t believe took her so long to have. The guilt was killing her. Witnessing her in the bed unable to move, unable to even close her eyes, was so sad. It led to another one of those famous Fitz/Olivia phone calls. He could tell she was in a bad way.

I really enjoyed Abby, Quinn and Harrison piecing everything together with reluctant help from Huck. It was about time this happened and the show didn’t disappoint. Although, I did think Harrison was going to ‘fess up to what he did to break up David and Abby. That’ll be a matter for another time, I guess.

Instead of listing all my favorite scenes/moments I wanted to highlight the dialogue. The Scandal actors really brought writer Peter Noah’s words to life. It was a joy to watch. Hence, this very long edition of What They Said. I pretty much transcribed the entire “Truth or Consequences” episode, it was that good. So, enjoy.

Episode: “Truth or Consequences”
Writer: Peter Noah

Hollis (to David): “I suspect you know how we turn bulls into steers? Don’t make me haul out the clippers. Gentlemen!”

Cyrus: “Good morning, Mellie. Pregnancy gives you such glow of warmth.”

Cyrus: “And two, he is not my guy, he is our guy. We share custody. I get the weekdays and every third Saturday. And you will get…” Mellie: “He asked me for a divorce!”

Cyrus: “He asked you for a divorce? Is he insane?” Mellie: “Yes, he is insane. He got shot and he saw the light and baby Jesus or whatever…and now he thinks he can do anything he wants Fix him Cyrus or I swear to God!”

Cyrus: “Breeders.”

Harrison: “Wife of a senator, not too shabby.” Abby: “Please. Husband of Olivia Pope.”

Cyrus (to Fitz): “Another common side effect is delusion. Maybe you’re having that? One hell of a Grade A delusion that makes you believe that while in office, you could divorce your nine months pregnant wife and — what — kick her out of the White House and move in your mistress? No you can’t think that because we’re not French — marry your mistress? Now Liv is a lovely, smart woman — I can’t get enough of her — but she’s not exactly a hue that most of your Republican constituents would be happy about. Even if they could get past divorcing and the cheating and the abandoning of America’s baby, it concerns me, sir, how big your delusion is.”

Fitz (to Cyrus): “Here’s what’s great about having someone attempt to assassinate you. You’re being rushed somewhere on a gurney and doctors are yelling and blood is pouring out of you and you could die. And you suddenly stop being afraid…of anything…or anyone. And when you don’t die, when you miraculously live — you realize that you have nothing to lose. And no time to waste. This is going to happen, Cyrus. I am going to divorce Mellie and I am going to remain President of the United States after I do so. That is today’s big idea.That’s my job. Do your job. Work out the details. Make it happen.”

Cyrus: “Who in the holy hell does David Rosen think he is?” Olivia Pope: “The good guy. David Rosen is the good guy.”

Olivia: “He is the good guy. And we are the bad guys.” Cyrus: “Everyone is a good guy to someone it just depends on your point of view or your political affiliation.”

Olivia: “I don’t do things like that. I fix things. That is who I am.”

Olivia: “If I hadn’t been emotionally involved with Fitz. If I had kept it together, I would have fixed it. We should never have done it. And now, we’re the bad guys. And I don’t know how to fix that.”

Cyrus (to Olivia): “You don’t have to fix anything. You don’t have to think about it. I’m in charge now. I’ll fix it.”

Fitz: “Something’s wrong. I know you well enough to know…” Olivia: “You don’t know. You don’t know who I am. You don’t know me.”

Olivia: “I could quit. Go have some babies. Live in the country or something. Make jam.” Fitz: “Make jam?” Olivia: Have a normal life. Get some normal.” Fitz: “I asked Mellie for a divorce. Listen to me. Whatever’s wrong, we‘ll fix it. Don’t say you’re marrying Edison. Not yet. Just wait, OK? Whatever’s wrong, we’ll fix it. Just say you’ll wait for me. Liv? Say you’ll wait for me.” (She hangs up the phone)

Olivia (to Edison): “Go away, please.” Edison: “What?” Olivia: “Go away, please.”

Quinn: “I think we found our next client.”

Quinn: “Look, I know. We don’t ask questions. We don’t talk. We just gladiate. That’s the rule but it’s not working.”

Harrison (to Huck): “All you have to do is let us know if anything we say isn’t true. Blink. Cough. Raise your hand. It’s totally up to you but you have to let us know. OK, buddy?”

Abby: “I know Hollis Doyle was the man who framed you.” Harrison: “Your turn.” Abby: “I was sleeping with David Rosen.” Quinn: “The man who wanted to execute me?” Abby: Hey! No judgments…”

Doctor: “Was he [Fitz] there when Jerry and Karen were born?” Mellie: “He held my hand both times. Got me to push through the pain. Called me ‘champ’ which I hated but it worked. But the cords. So proud. I can’t remember a time when we were closer than in the delivery room. Both times, we were a team.”

Huck: “Hollis Doyle has to go. I can take care of that for you if you want.” Olivia: “Huck, you have to stop killing people.” Huck: “Why? It solves the problem.” Olivia: “You know why.” Huck: “Because killing people is wrong. In certain circles that’s not true, you know.” Olivia: “In this circle, in our circle, it’s wrong. I need you to learn that I’m not always going to be around…”

Huck: “Cyrus Beene is not in this circle…our circle. Cyrus is in my circle.”

Verna: “Look at me, there’s nothing left to protect. The day I agreed to election rigging, is the day I signed my death sentence. I’ve paid my price already. You…you have a chance at redemption. Take it.”

Hollis: “Damn it, Trixie! Don’t ever talk me into sushi again. I’ve eaten a whole plate of the stuff and I’m still starving. Go to Gettysburger and get me a General Lee with cheese and bacon.”

David: “But just so you know? This doesn’t make us even. Not even close. And it won’t stop me from coming after you guns blazing, both barrels, if it looks — as I strongly suspect — that you were involved in illegal activity. Or worse, you try to screw me again. In that case — God help you.”

Cyrus: “Justice is for regular people! Justice is for Fatty in Ohio, folding their laundry and drinking their beers. We are not regular people.” Olivia: “We are. We’re the people. And if we’re not, we should be because that’s what it means, ‘we the people,’ it means all of us. Hollis should be brought to justice.” Cyrus: “If what we did gets out?” Olivia: “Then it gets out. And we’re brought to justice.”

Cyrus: “You’re willing to bring down the whole Republic because you feel guilty. You know what our electoral process is. It’s magical. It’s like believing in Santa or the Tooth Fairy or the Easter Bunny — magical as long as they believe. What you’re doing is telling the people that the shiny presents and the bulging stockings on Christmas morning are just mom and dad staying up all night to do the work. You’re telling them we’re Santa. We’re the Easter Bunny. We’re the Tooth Fairy. You’re taking the magic away. You’re ruining Christmas morning and the whole Republic is gonna come crumbling down because you’re not tough enough to do what need to be done!”

Olivia: “Get your house in order, Cyrus. And hire a lawyer. A good one!”

Olivia: “I did things. Things that have affected your lives and made life hard for each of you. I need to apologize for all of that. I was wrong. And I’m very sorry.”

Harrison (to Quinn): “Moment of truth. Are you in or are you out? On the team? Or in the cold?” Quinn: “What do you need us all to do?”

Quinn: “Hi, I need to pick up a laptop I dropped off.” Salesperson: “What time?” Quinn: “Two years ago. I can wait.”

David (to Attorney General): “How long do we plan to detain him? You tell me. What’s the standard amount of time you keep a man who might have tried to kill the president?” Cyrus: “48 hours. I’m not a lawyer, but, that sounds fair, doesn’t it?”

Becky: “I’m supposed to trust you. Why? Because you gave me your word?” Huck: “Because I gave you my name.”

Huck (to Becky): “You’re the only person I can be myself with. Don’t make me say goodbye.”

Mellie: “You’re supposed to hate the woman. Isn’t that the standard trope? The seductress, the slut, the tramp who led your man astray? And I do. I loathe Olivia Pope. But it’s a boring sort of hate. Uninteresting. Cliche. It’s hard to even get my back into it. But Fitz…I found him. I cleaned him up after that monster who raised him damaged his spirit. I am the one who told him he was someone. I am the one who cheered him on and listened to him ramble about his hopes and his dreams. I am the one who focused him. I did all the work. I did all the work and now she gets to reap the benefits? No. No. I made him. He exists because I say he exists.”

Cyrus: “But Fitz…since the shooting, Fitz is an enigma to me. So if you have anything…a card to play…one last trick up your sleeve…now’s the time, Mellie.”

Doctor: “Ma’am. Is everything OK?” Mellie: “It will be.”

Olivia: “This guilt…it was eating me alive. That white hat was starting to feel like it was a lie.” Harrison: “Hey. That white hat will always belong on your head. Everything’s going to be OK. And even if it’s not OK, I got you, Liv.”

Hollis (laughing): Oh, I’m sorry…Family Circus is a hoot this week. They do so much with so little. Don’t mind me now.”

Cyrus: “Mellie would have to turn into the Wicked Witch of the West. (Fitz gives a look) I mean, publicly. This can’t happen.”

Cyrus: “Fitz! The numbers don’t lie. This cannot happen!” Fitz: “It’s happening. So get your head around it.”

Fitz: “And you get to scream as loud as you want. Why?” Mellie: “Because it is my right!” Fitz: “Because it is your right. Now, you can do this. Say it.” Mellie: “I can do this.” Fitz: “Yes, you can.”

Fitz: “All right champ? Here we go, champ.”

Scandal airs Thursdays at 10/9c on ABC.