Jerry convinces Fitz to dig up some dirt on his opponent. This leads to Olivia assembling a team of investigators that’s made up of Harrison, Abby and a super scruffy-looking Huck. They don’t find anything too terrible about Reston, so the idea of rigging the election is broached once again. As for Fitz, he’s freaking out on his campaign team while prepping for his next debate. Olivia clears the room. She wants to know why he wants to be president. Fitz screams, “I don’t know what you want me to say!” Olivia realizes that’s his problem. She knows that he needs to say what he believes, not what he thinks others want to hear.
Olivia’s team learns that their opponent has been taking Prozac for many, many years. Jerry advises that Fitz blindside Reston with this tidbit during the final town hall debate. We cut back and forth between the debate Fitz had before he was president and the press conference he has in present day. In the White House briefing room, Fitz pauses before answering a question about any possible impairment he may have due to the shooting. At the town hall meeting, he’s given an opening to bring up his opponent’s drug use. In both the past and the present, Olivia stands on the sideline anxiously waiting to hear what Fitz will say.
At the town hall debate, Fitz first lays out everything he “should” say. Then he lets the people in on what he truly believes. In the present day, Fitz assures the White House press corps that he’s ready to lead again. Both speeches are met with an eruption of applause. Even Sally Langston can’t help but clap. She later accepts Fitz’s letter of reinstatement and admits that it is not easy being president. As for Big Jerry, he lets his son know that he’s going to lose the election. He says Fitz was never cut out to lead and that he’ll never be a winner like him. This guy’s not exactly Father of the Year material.
Olivia is once again drawn in to a conversation about fixing the election. This occurs around the same time Fitz learns that his father has died of a heart attack. In the present day, Edison apologizes to Olivia for his previous accusations. He also wants Olivia to know that he’s in love with her. He would very much like to marry her. At the White House, Fitz lets Mellie know that he wants a divorce. Once again, we jump back to the past. Fitz is briefed on the importance of winning in Defiance, Ohio. Cyrus lets Olivia know that in order to march behind Fitz, they need him to be president first. That’s why, the day before the election, she lets everyone know that she’s onboard with the rigging plan. Hollis makes a call. It’s a go.
