Release Date: August 23, 2016
Rating: TV14 DLSV
Running Time: Approximately 903 minutes (22 episodes/5 discs) (excludes bonus)

The Oval Office is up for grabs, and none of the players are playing nice, including Olivia Pope, who now realizes she can never be content as a wifely First Lady. Domestic bliss pales in comparison with holding the reins of the highest office in the land, so when faced with a chance to wield unrivaled influence at any cost, will she continue to wear the white hat… or prove that she is, indeed, her father’s daughter? Prepare for a battle royale as Olivia, the White House politicians and the O.P.A. “gladiators” play an anything-goes game of blackmail, murder and seduction in a bid for that all-consuming, all-corrupting commodity: Power.

Succumb to all 22 intoxicating episodes, spiced with exclusive, never-before-seen bonus features. Relive every drop of scintillating drama as you raise a glass to Scandal: The Complete Fifth Season.

***

The fifth season of Scandal began with a season premiere we can never forget. A royally screwed up scenario that Olivia gets involved in, which basically set the tone for the rest of the season. Drama between Olivia and her clients. Olivia and Fitz. Olivia and Jake and her father. Olivia and Mellia. Olivia and Abby. Olivia and her Gladiators. It never ends. The drama comes at all sides at every hour of the day and night.

I had a blast following Olivia do her fixing but also never drop the ball on handling herself, i.e. not becoming the next first lady. The episode, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” rings a bell. Loved it. Talk about a woman who knows what she wants, knows what she’s worth, and won’t settle for it no matter what, even with the President of the United States calling. I love Olivia Pope. Being a mistress aside, she’s fierce and knows and loves herself and won’t let anybody take her love, her achievements, her goals, her hopes and dreams away and I love it when it’s right. I love it so.

I’m glad Olivia and Fitz do eventually call it off because that relationship was just all kinds of wrong for oh so many different reasons. What’s shocking but then again not so shocking and wildly entertaining and gripping afterwards is Olivia taking on Mellie’s campaign as Mellie runs for President. That speaks volumes so I won’t even go into that as that’s an essay all on its own. Bottom line, I loved it. I loved this season, the election in full swing, debates and all.

Along with the election, our favorite gladiators inside and outside of the White House all of very captivating story lines of their own. Not necessarily as twisty, gritty or compelling as what we’ve seen in earlier seasons but solid nonetheless. So if you fell off of Scandal and have been on the fence about catching up, it’s worth it if you’re up for the downfall of Olivia and Fitz as well as a road to the White House storyline that doesn’t revolve around Fitz. If that sounds like something you want in your collection, get season five on DVD today!

Bonus Features: * Extended Episode – Selected by Shonda Rhimes herself, viewers are presented with an extended episode of Episode 5.14 “I See You” which you’ll enjoy even more than the episode that originally aired. I held my breath at moments, was tense during others, and laughed aloud in other moments even though I knew what was coming. The nuances though of what has been added here was wonderful so I highly recommend any fan of the writing and the acting of this show and obviously a fan of this episode, check this one out.

* Outtakes (Approx. 3:07 minutes) – Not much to say here, I’ve seen better blooper reels but this was still quite comical and enjoyable.

Own Scandal on DVD today.

Watch an all new season of Scandal coming soon to ABC.