The shadow organization B613 remained the primary antagonist throughout the season. The constant "chess match" between Olivia and her father, Rowan Pope ( Joe Morton ), reached a fever pitch. The season finale, "You Can't Take Back the Past," saw the definitive (if temporary) dismantling of B613, but at a massive cost to Olivia’s soul and her relationship with the people around her.
While still a powerhouse for ABC's "TGIT" lineup, Season 4 saw a slight dip in average viewership compared to the peak of Season 3, though it remained a social media juggernaut. Scandal.S04
Season 4 was notable for tackling real-world social issues with more directness than previous installments. The shadow organization B613 remained the primary antagonist
The season picks up after the shocking events of Season 3, with Olivia ( Kerry Washington ) having fled D.C. with Jake Ballard ( Scott Foley ) to a remote island. Her self-imposed exile is cut short by the death of Harrison Wright, forcing her return to a fractured OPA (Olivia Pope & Associates) and a grieving White House. While still a powerhouse for ABC's "TGIT" lineup,
Season 4 saw the departure of Columbus Short (Harrison) and the promotion of Portia de Rossi (Elizabeth North) to a series regular.
Ultimately, Season 4 redefined the series. It moved away from the "monster-of-the-week" fixing format and leaned into a serialized, darker narrative that questioned whether anyone in Washington could truly be a "hero."