Ep 7. Grant: For The People

As the seventh episode of season one, "Grant: For The People" of the political drama series Scandal begins, a convicted murderer's execution date hangs in the balance leading to a tense series of events in the Oval Office. The show sees the arrival of Chief Justice Verna Thornton (Debra Mooney) who informs Cyrus Beene (Jeff Perry) that the decision on her client's case will come through soon, ultimately creating a deviation from the otherwise calm environment of the White House at the start of the episode.

Meanwhile, Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) has bigger fish to fry as her team represents an ambassador, an ally of the United States, blackmailed by his lover. With the press hovering and the deadline for their client's coming death, the whole administration is focused on the court's verdict in the murder case.

However, when Olivia finds out that her client implicated the person her team has been trying to free, she attempts to leverage the information to bring an end to the execution. As the race against time continues, viewers are privy to how the team hone their skills to free their clients and see how the President (Tony Goldwyn) fits into the puzzle.

The episode follows the networks and systems of the Office of the President, and how he's handling the weight of his office amidst fighting for justice for a convicted prisoner. Olivia finds a new ally in the case, not so much in the guilty party, but in a lawyer attempting to do the right thing. The relationship between Olivia and the President starts to crack under the weight of this case.

The show is gripping and heightened with emotion, and towards the end of the episodes, a series of twists and revelations will leave viewers guessing until the very end. The acting of the cast is remarkable in conveying the tension on display, and it engrosses viewers in the storyline almost immediately.

"Grant: For The People" marks a turning point in the first season of Scandal, with different storylines, complex characters and the overall political intrigue all starting to intertwine in preparation for the next episodes. The show keeps the audience guessing as politics, power, and passion make for a compelling ride. The episode is a classic representation of how pop culture and societal politics can merge to create mind-blowing television.