Ep 14. The Lawn Chair

On Scandal season 4 episode 14, titled "The Lawn Chair," the show tackles issues of police brutality and racial tensions in a powerful and emotional way. The episode begins with a black man named Brandon Parker being shot and killed by a police officer in a predominantly black neighborhood. Immediately following the shooting, a group of protestors led by a woman named Lavonda takes to the streets calling for justice.

Meanwhile, Olivia Pope and her team are approached by the police chief, who asks for their help in managing the situation. They soon discover that Brandon was not actually armed, as the police claimed, but was instead holding a garden tool. As they work to unravel the truth of what happened, tensions continue to rise between the protestors and police, with both sides becoming increasingly agitated and aggressive.

The heart of the episode centers around a powerful scene in which a man named Clarence, who is Brandon's father, arrives at the scene of the shooting and refuses to move from his position next to his son's body. He sets up a lawn chair and sits down, refusing to budge despite the chaos and violence that surrounds him.

The scene is a powerful commentary on the ongoing struggle for justice and equal treatment for people of color, particularly in the realm of law enforcement. It serves to underscore the reality that too many families have been torn apart by police brutality and the ways in which systemic racism continues to play a devastating role in our society.

Throughout the episode, we witness Olivia and her team working to both uncover the truth of what happened to Brandon and to keep the situation from spiraling out of control. They must navigate a complex web of political and social dynamics, including the involvement of a powerful senator who seeks to use the situation to further his own agenda.

While the episode does not provide easy answers or tidy resolutions, it does succeed in bringing the audience into the heart of these difficult and fraught issues. Through the powerful performances of the cast, particularly the incredible work of guest star Courtney B. Vance as Clarence, we are made to confront the emotional toll of these ongoing struggles for justice.

Ultimately, "The Lawn Chair" is a powerful and unflinching look at the ongoing fight for racial justice in America. By shining a light on the struggles of those affected by police brutality and institutional racism, the show reminds us of the importance of standing up for what is right and fighting for a more just and equitable society.