‘Scandal’ Season 6, Episode 12 Spoilers: “Mercy” – New Threat to White House Emerges as Peus Prepares Ascent to Power; Rowan Refuses to Cooperate

‘Scandal’ season 6’s episode 12, titled “Mercy,” will feature an emerging threat to the White House as Peus prepares his ascent to power. Rowan, who was enlisted by Olivia to help take down Peus and Ms. Ruland, will refuse to cooperate with the team.

The synopsis for episode 6 posted on TV Guide reads, “Peus' iron grip seems inescapable to Olivia (Kerry Washington) and everyone she holds dear, but then a shocking threat to the White House turns everything on its head.”

The upcoming episode will feature a new threat to the White House. Olivia, together with Fitzgerald (Tony Goldwyn), Abby (Darby Stanchfield), and Mellie (Bellamy Young) will have to figure out a way to take down Peus (David Warshofsky) as his power grows. Peus has been preparing to take the highest seat in the country by using president-elect Mellie Grant.

The mysterious man was revealed as the one who offered Abby a large sum of money to ensure Mellie’s position in the White House instead of Cyrus Beene (Jeff Perry), according to International Business Times.

Beene was recently cleared of allegations linking him to the assassination of Frankie Vargas (Ricardo Chavira). It was revealed that Rowan was the real perpetrator of the crime.

The sneak peek for “Mercy” opens to Fitz walking into the room where Olivia and her father are seated amidst a feast. When Fitz addresses Rowan by his first name, Rowan replies in defiance, “Mr. Pope, Mr. President.” Fitz then asks how he is and Rowan answers, “You don’t actually care and I don’t actually care to answer… I appreciate the protection and the hospitality, Mr. President, but I need to go to Paris.”

He then adds that perhaps Zanzibar would be a better option since no one will be able to locate him there. When the two begin to bicker, Olivia steps in and asks for their cooperation. Rowan then declines the “suicide mission” tasked of him and motions to leave from the room.

Two burly men then block his way to the exit. Olivia calls to her father and apologizes for what he will have to go through next. It seems that Olivia believes that Rowan is the only one who can fix their issues with Peus and Ms. Ruland (Zoe Perry).

Olivia was forced to enlist Rowan’s help after the confrontation between Fitz and Ruland, where she threatened that he will lose his power soon enough as the outgoing president of the United States.

Another teaser shows Rowan being targeted by a yet unknown character. When the attacker makes a move to kill him, Rowan manages to fight back. It seems that Rowan is not the only one in danger.

‘Scandal’ season 6’s episode 12, titled “Mercy,” is scheduled to air on ABC on April 27, 2017. It was directed by Nzingha Stewart and written by Severiano Canales and Ameni Rozsa. It will be followed by episode 13, titled "The Box," scheduled to be released on May 4 and directed by Steph Green.