If the first two seasons of Shonda Rhimes's twisty soap opera starring Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope—head of a D.C. firm specializing in defusing political crises—were over-the-top, the third goes even further, but remains insanely watchable. The narrative begins with the ramifications of Olivia's outing as the president's mistress but quickly gravitates into the skullduggery connected with B613, the ultra-secretive black-ops agency in which Olivia's father (Joe Morton) is a prime mover—all while her company continues to deal with salacious cases. Later, President Grant (Tony Goldwyn) is challenged for re-election from within his administration, while Olivia's terrorist mother (Khandi Alexander) is at the center of a bomb plot that threatens to derail the entire election in the cliffhanger finale. No one could ever accuse Scandal of subtlety with its rollercoaster ride of outrageous behavior at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and throughout the rest of the nation's capital. Compiling all 18 episodes from the 2013–14 third season, extras include an “extended” finale, behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, and a gag reel. Recommended. (F. Swietek)
Scandal: The Complete Third Season
Buena Vista, 4 discs, 774 min., TV-14, DVD: $45.99 Volume 30, Issue 1
Scandal: The Complete Third Season
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