2. The State of the Union

Cyrus blackmails Olivia into helping him bring back a couple, James and Lisa Elliot, who are considered military heroes, and are supposed to attend Fitz's State of the Union speech about gun control, but they have missed their last two flights from New Mexico. Problems arise when Olivia learns that the couple are having marriage problems, and refuse to attend the speech. Meanwhile, Fitz and Cyrus must deal with a situation when the media begins to be concerned about Mellie's state of mind, and her refusal to go to the event. Abby manages to convince her to attend, but after the speech, where Fitz talks about the loss of his son, she breaks down crying. Meanwhile, Elizabeth, still concerned about Fitz's new direction, hires a man to flirt with Cyrus. David blackmails a senator to keep his nomination for Attorney General and Olivia and Jake's relationship evolves.