Even after the Season 5 finale, it is still not clear if Cyrus is indeed the real villain of the show or is just meant as a diversion. He has been betraying and scheming against Olivia at almost every turn alright but he is actually doing it to everyone, prompting his family to leave him too and making him look like a complete outcast.
As for the Gladiators in the TV series, it appears that they have changed completely from the early seasons. Quinn was a sweet, bumbling lawyer during the Season 1 while Abby still had a different hairdo. Indeed, “Scandal” has rearranged its characters a dozen times since it premiered its pilot season.
There is also the fact that the show is unapologetically feminist in nature. When Olivia chose to get an abortion, it was both a shocking plot development and a bold statement. But it is not the first time that “Scandal” has featured feminist issues. Showing a woman exercising her right to choose is right in the show’s wheelhouse.
The Season 5 finale of “Scandal” showed Mellie getting Jake to become her rather unorthodox running mate.
Season 5 of “Scandal” actually had the fewest episodes in the five years of the TV series as it only had 21. Its average during its four seasons is 22 episodes.