I think by "full strength" he meant he wasn't weakened by the kryptonite (which would've made it an unfair fight), not necessarily that he was using 100% of his strength. It was clearly in reference of the silver kryptonite Rhea used on him.

I don't think there a single moment where Mellie didn't know full well what Marcus' blackness could do to her campaign. No one on Scandal would've been so dumb as to think dating Marcus was like dating a white man. However, race would only become an issue if their relationship was publicized, so that wouldn't have…

I feel like not addressing the parallel between Mellie - Marcus and Fitz - Olivia was such a missed opportunity. That could have been a chance to comment on the gender difference (Was FItz less at risk because he's a man and voters would be more accepting of him cheating on his wife than of Mellie having a normal…

Actually Olivia did tell Mellie that Marcus was "black, poll crusher, public opinion-sinker, political poison", which basically means black, black, black & activist. Plus the episode juxtaposed their relationship with Mellie trying to gain favour amongst white male voters, so his blackness was a glaringly obvious…