What the heck happened to Olivia Pope on 'Scandal'?

Shonda Rhimes made us wait two months for tonight's episode of 'Scandal' and it was ... different.

While the episode focused on Pope's kidnapping and vaguely answered who kidnapped the Olivia Pope, it showed the gladiator knocked off her horse, in the dark, no wine ... you get it.

"I'm Olivia Pope ... it's funny, because it's useless."

We never thought we'd see the day, but there you have it, folks: a speechless Olivia Pope.

WHAT HAPPENED?!

This man happened, the lead kidnapper that - at least for now - has bested Olivia Pope.

Now Rhimes did warn us before the episode aired. She told the Hollywood Reporter, "Olivia Pope is never going to be the same person again."

And Rhimes DEFINITELY delivered. She peeled away Pope's resolve little by little ...

And, while the show was trending on twitter, fans either loved it or hated it.

One fan even declared, "Great acting but tonight was my last Scandal."
But Hollywood Life praised Kerry Washington's performance, saying she "pulled off her best acting to date."
And E! called Washington "phenomenal" - even going so far as to say she deserved an Oscar for the performance.

Unlike that Twitter user we quoted before, we are absolutely watching the next episode, because ...

Also on AOL:
Disney channel actor hands himself over to police
Huckabee insults entire female population in one city
Dog's heartbreaking reaction to the loss of his best friend
William Shatner reveals horrifying flying incident