I honestly had NO idea that Liv's mum would be bad, I didn't see it coming at all.
I loved all the twists and overall I liked the episode (except the Huck/Quinn stuff

)
But I agree, the show lost something. I think they include too many storylines and don't focus enough on Olivia, her team and the scandals.
I hope and I have hope that the show will rebound a biT.