“Scandal” kicked up the heat Thursday night! Mellie (Bellamy Young), Hollis Doyle (Gregg Henry) and Susan Ross (Artemis Pebdani) faced off during the first presidential debate, but that wasn't even the biggest jaw-dropper from episode 16.

Olivia (Kerry Washington) found out that Susan lied about marrying her ex-husband. In reality she had an affair with a man in jail for drugs, and lied about her daughter's paternity. In exchange for that information, Olivia gave Alex (Danny Pino) a lead that Frankie (Ricardo Chavira) could use against Edison (Norm Lewis). Olivia revealed that Edison had previously checked into a rehab facility for drugs. The only problem was that someone was able to get to the source and turn the tables on Frankie's campaign, making it appear as if Frankie was spreading false rumors about his opponent.

But the real shocker Thursday night was Olivia's power trip. She threatened Susan's ex in order to get him to take a paternity test and come out to the public regarding his relationship with the presidential hopeful. Huck (Guillermo Diaz) and Quinn (Katie Lowes) turned to Abby (Darby Stanchfield) and Fitz (Tony Goldwyn) in order to convince her otherwise, but Olivia was set in her decision. However, in a twist, Susan's ex hanged himself in his cell just before he was supposed to do his first on-air interview. The incident seemed to give Olivia a change of heart, and she vowed to Fitz that she'd run a clean campaign from there on out.

Episode 17, titled “Thwack,” will find the candidates in a very uncomfortable position. A “potential leak” will force them to work together in order to “keep their secrets safe.” But just how desperate are they? The synopsis teases, “boundaries are pushed and lines are crossed as we find out just how far some people are willing to go to protect themselves.”

It sounds like Olivia has a lot of work to do!

Catch Season 5, episode 17 of “Scandal” when it airs on ABC Thursday, April 7, at 9 p.m. EDT.

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