Following last week’s Jake-centric Scandal episode, we decided to look back on some of the reasons we can’t help but love Jake Ballard.

Here are nine times Jake Ballard was undeniably awesome.



1. The time he was in charge of B6-13.

While Jake still had to do dark and ugly things while he was Command, the organization was far less creepy and disgusting when it had someone with an actual heart and a still functioning moral compass at it’s head.

Jake: I am command, which means you don’t tell me to do anything because I’m not your bitch. . .I decide if America sleeps at night, I decide if America endures.

2. The time he stood in the sun with Olivia.

When it comes right down to it Jake is always ride or die for Olivia, because in spite of everything he loves her. Whether that means backing her up as they try to bring justice to the darkness of Washington DC or whisking her away to a remote island for some much needed vacation time, Jake is there for her.

It’s just especially satisfying to see two of them actually getting a break between Season 3 and 4, even if paradise is always short lived.

3. That time he teamed up with Huck and Quinn to rescue Olivia.

They didn’t actually win the race to bring her home, but their attempt was earnest and they tried so very hard to bring her home. Fitz’s attempts to bring her home only ended in war and nearly her death, but Jake, Huck, Quinn, and Abby were actually proactive about getting her back.

4. Every time he respected Olivia’s boundaries.

I know this one sounds slightly odd given their relationship began because he was assigned to watch her without her knowledge or consent.

Jake follows orders, and sometimes that leads to the two of them clashing, but in their personal affairs he respects her. When Olivia tells him no, when she says she needs space, Jake listens.

5. The time when he was Olivia’s safe space.

When Olivia told the world she was the President’s mistress her world turned upside down, but Jake was there for her anyway.

Even though he was still playing second fiddle to Fitz, even though he had to listen to her talk about the in’s and out’s of being in a relationship with someone who wasn’t him, Jake made himself a safe space for her as long as he could and that’s admirable.

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