Ep 1. Heavy is the Head

In the season 5 premiere of Scandal titled "Heavy is the Head," we are immediately thrust back into the dramatic world of Olivia Pope and her team at Pope and Associates. The episode begins with flashbacks of Olivia's father, Rowan, being placed in custody after his arrest in the previous season's finale. Meanwhile, Olivia is busy running her crisis management firm and handling the Campaign of Senator Mellie Grant, who is fighting for the Republican nomination for president.

However, things take a turn when President Fitzgerald Grant is faced with a national crisis that requires Olivia's attention. He needs her help in negotiating the release of American hostages from hostile forces in Angola, which puts Olivia in a difficult position because Mellie is opposed to any military action.

While Olivia is trying to balance her work with the Grant administration and Mellie's campaign, her own personal life is in shambles. She is still reeling from her breakup with Jake Ballard, and her relationship with Fitz is in a constant state of flux as he struggles with balancing his duties as president with his feelings for Olivia.

As the episode progresses, the tension builds between Olivia and the president, and it becomes clear that their relationship is being tested at every turn. Meanwhile, Mellie is hiding a secret that threatens to derail her campaign and hurt Olivia's efforts to help her win the nomination.

As always, the episode is full of intrigue, scandal, and shocking revelations that keep viewers glued to the screen. The show's trademark fast-paced dialogue and intense emotional scenes are present in full force, immersing viewers in the world of Olivia Pope and her team. And while the episode sets the stage for the rest of the season, it also leaves plenty of questions unanswered and many plot threads hanging, leaving viewers eager for the next episode.

Overall, "Heavy is the Head" is a strong start to season 5 of Scandal, delivering the drama and high-stakes storytelling that fans have come to expect from the show. It's a reminder of why Scandal has captured the hearts of so many viewers and why it remains one of the most compelling shows on television.