Fans of "Scandal," nicknamed "gladiators," were stunned by an explosion, death, and resignation in the series' season three finale.

Last night's episode began with a literal bang when a bomb went off during Senator Hightower's funeral. President Fitz Grant avoided the blast, and Sally Langston attended to the injured. Her heroic reaction boosted her poll numbers, and threatened to steal the campaign from Fitz.

Fitz won the election, however, due to the shocking and tragic death of his son, Jerry. While the President was in the middle of a speech, Jerry mysteriously collapsed. It was discovered that the teenager had contracted a substrain of bacterial meningitis that can only be found at Fort Detrick. Fitz is convinced that Maya, Olivia's mother, is the culprit, and vows to kill her. Although tragic, the death of Jerry gives Fitz sympathy, and the election.

One character that gladiators were hoping would not die was Olivia's father, Rowan. After being stabbed by Maya, it was unknown whether he would pull through. Joe Morton, who plays Rowan, said that fans across the country had prayer meetings for the "Scandal" character.

"I was told there was an actual prayer meeting, a prayer circle being formed somewhere in the United States in hopes that Papa Pope stayed alive," Morton told US Weekly.

Luckily, Rowan pulled through, and even told Fitz he would help him kill Maya. Rowan reports that Maya is dead, but he actually puts her back where he kept her for 22 years—in a cell.

Wanting to escape all of the stress he is under, Fitz talked of running away with Olivia. He told her that he would move to Vermont with her and have two children. Instead, it was Olivia who ran away after announcing that she was leaving D.C. Too much had gone wrong, and she no longer believed she is the best person for her job.

"I'm the scandal," she said. "And the best way to deal with a scandal is to shut it down."