Scandal - Season 5eps21 -

selects Jake Ballard as her VP candidate, a move orchestrated by Olivia to save Jake from her father’s control.

: President Fitz finally learns Olivia’s "big secret"—her abortion—which leads to a moment of shared understanding rather than a typical explosive confrontation. Major Character Shifts Scandal - Season 5Eps21

chooses Cyrus Beene as his running mate, marking Cyrus's successful return to a position of power. selects Jake Ballard as her VP candidate, a

The episode sets the stage for the final seasons by establishing two formidable tickets: vs. Francisco Vargas/ Cyrus Beene . It effectively closes the chapter on Fitz’s presidency and transitions Olivia from a "fixer" to a political mastermind mirroring the methods of her father. The episode sets the stage for the final

: Jake attempts to escape Rowan Pope’s influence, even sending a secret plea for help to Olivia via Edison. Rowan, however, maintains his "master of the universe" status by forcing Jake into the political spotlight to secure a half-billion-dollar inheritance.