TV & Film'Scandal' Tony Goldwyn scandal season 3

In Defense Of 'Scandal's' Jake Ballard: 15 Reasons To Give Scott Foley's Character A Chance In Season 3

In Defense Of Jake Ballard
By 

Associate Television Editor, The Huffington Post

Okay, so we know that many "Scandal" fans fell in love with the ABC drama because of the sizzling chemistry between D.C.'s best fixer, Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington), and the idealistic President Fitzgerald Grant (Tony Goldwyn), and we can't say we blame them.

But somewhere midway through Season 2 (maybe around Episode 14, who can say?) our Fitz appreciation was derailed by a mysterious military man who started flirting with our leading lady over scones. For a while, Captain Jake Ballard (Scott Foley) had way too many secrets and not enough explanations, but our interest was piqued, even after we discovered he'd been spying on Liv with an impressive array of surveillance cameras.

Despite his questionable viewing habits, Jake more or less proved himself to be a pretty stand-up guy by the end of the season, so even though many fans hate him (yes, even Scott Foley is painfully aware of that fact) we're flying the flag for Team Jake. And, in an effort to sway more Gladiators to our side of this love triangle, we've compiled a list of 15 reasons why you should give Jake a second chance in Season 3 -- after all, who doesn't love an underdog?

1
How could you hate Scott Foley? Look at this face!
AP
2
Sure, Jake might have some stalkery tendencies ...
miwurld.tumblr.com
3
But he was only following orders from these guys!
ABC/Getty
Both of whom were way more involved with Olivia than he was at the time.
4
Besides, he later disobeyed those orders and risked being locked in The Hole to protect Liv!
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That's dedication.
5
Plus, he's an excellent motivational speaker.
ABC
Wouldn't you want him to be your do-over?
6
He's great to have around when gun-toting assassins are after you.
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7
He's awesome at first dates -- even if Olivia isn't.
ABC/ScandalousGladiators on Youtube
8
He's also a member of B613, and we know those guys can make you disappear if you upset them.
ABC
9
Fitz is a little too good at emotional blackmail for our tastes.
ABC/ScandalousGladiators on Youtube
And Tony Goldwyn is pretty confident about Fitz's position in Olivia's life, recently telling us, "I don't think Fitz is really threatened by Jake. I think he knows Olivia loves him." A little competition is healthy -- we don't want him to start taking her for granted!
10
And he's MARRIED.
ABC
As Foley himself succinctly put it on a recent red carpet, "Fitz needs to go back to his wife and calm down." Infidelity isn't half as sexy as "Scandal" makes it look, y'all.
11
History has shown us that Scott Foley never wins in a love triangle.
Getty
12
So we think he's long overdue to get the girl.
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13
He's also a series regular for Season 3.
ABC
So he's not going anywhere any time soon -- we say embrace it!
14
Did we mention Scott Foley's face? It's worth repeating.
Getty
15
We're shallow, okay?
Hulu
16
...Then again, Olivia's spent so long being torn between men, we kind of like the thought of her choosing herself.
ABC
Team White Hat!

"Scandal" Season 3 premieres Thurs., Oct. 3 at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

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'Scandal' Tony Goldwyn scandal season 3Kerry Washingtonscandal scott foley

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