And then, we end the . I may be alone at this point in thinking that, I don't know (Laughs.) TGIT returns Feb. 11 on ABC. It was pretty clear. Sound off in the comments, below. "I think in a way, Huck has grown and is trying to become a better man, but who knows?" Additionally, the poll found that six of 10 moderate and liberal Republicans supporting the right to choose. Theres always been Mellie and/or Olivia as this other yin and yang. Washington cracked up, but Rhimes gave a very thoughtful answer. What would have happened if Olivia had said to Fitz, Im pregnant? His face would have lit up in a smile and it would be the greatest joy in his life and hed have embraced her and said, Oh my God, were going to start a whole new life together, isnt that fantastic? Heres how the subtle reveal plays out: Fitz accidentally sees Olivias medical file sitting on the desk of chief of staff Abby (Darby Stanchfield). I didn't think Fitz could necessarily recover from the revelation that Olivia had been the one who saved her dad and yet Fitz did, albeit in such a dysfunctional way and making a grab at her and putting her in the White House. The two trade barbs about their upbringing. I thought that final scene with me and Kerry, as awful as it was, was very well-written. Thats what I thought was normal. She feels that Fitz moving her into the White House so suddenly (and without asking) was punishment for releasing . Jerry Springer hinted at his ailing health in his last-ever Australian TV interview before dying from pancreatic cancer at the age of 79 last Thursday. The episode ends with Olivia, bags packed, moving out of the White House and poised to celebrate Christmas with a big glass of red wine on a brand new couch in her apartment, alone. So why can't we have more abortion storylines storyblips might be a more accurate descriptor on TV? He's going to be very lonely. Abortion has been a regular subject on many of executive producer Shonda Rhimes programming. Adding fuel to the fire that Olivia and Fitz really weren't truly ready to be together in such a high-pressure fashion was the fact that Olivia was pregnant and opted to have an abortion unbeknownst to Fitz. Which isnt to say that I was faking anything I wasnt but the entire way I handled my pregnancy and abortion, both internally and externally, was heavily influenced by pre-existing expectations. ", Next Week's Episode Is Major: Fans in the audience went crazy for this Thursday's episode, but Kerry Washington promised that next week's is even more insane. I haven't actually decided, but I wonder. Shonda doesn't make polemic arguments; she's not sending messages. but the couch is an inanimate object its a nice couch, and the couch isnt going to make a lot of demands on Olivia. That [Olivia] was going to surrender every piece of who she was to be an appendage of [Fitz] was never going to work. I cant tell you that, Rhimes told EW ahead of the panel. "Theres no logic to Fitzs love for Olivia, so I think he could get past it. And maybe they're right. Previous Next Scandal TV You May Also Like TV "Bel-Air"'s Creator, Showrunner Break Down the Bombshell Moments in Season 2's Emotional. Because for Olivia, that's what it was: Her choice, and she didn't justify it. I feel like she disassociated from it. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Olivia calls Fitz an ineffectual president and believes the White House is a cage. Thats what I knew to do. Fitz is certainly not blameless in this but I think Olivia's fear is a huge part of this. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. ("We've talked about these things," is all Rhimes would elaborate.) What did you think of Scandals midseason finale? I havent actually decided, but I wonder sometimes. But he is willing to sacrifice anything for her happiness. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. I may be alone at this point in thinking that, I dont know (Laughs.) Now its your turn. She feels that Fitz moving her into the White House so suddenly (and without asking) was punishment for. | Later that same night, a majorly angst-ridden Liv is seen being escorted by a nurse into a medical room, where she undergoes that aforementioned abortion. I don't know how to do it any other way. It's not a paint by numbers. Its interesting to me that her primary story is a romance. Ive always had the end point in mind.. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. I think he would have to because hes in love with her. Come on, it's difficult; there's a lot of scrutiny but what the hell is Olivia so scared of?! That was followed by an epic, seemingly irreparable quarrelbetween Liv and Fitz, after which she moved out of the White House. How much of their breakup do you think was based on Olivias stress from the pregnancy and feeling cornered as she said, not running with the big dogs? It just happened. It just happened. The season five finale may have revealed how Fitz stands on abortion. Guillermo Diaz said former VP Sally Langston, while Joe Morton joked that he'd like to play David Rosen "because I have no love interest!" During the episode, Olivia already being accepted as the first lady-to-be is growing tired of being left out of the "big dog" club and instead is left to deliver cookies to a senator's wife as she has almost devolved to become the president's arm candy. Scandal was recently renewed for a sixth season, but does Rhimes actually look at that as the final season? Sometimes its more difficult since the show is often from Olivias point of view so I do have to ask Shonda questions in terms of what she has in mind for Fitz. ! She couldnt have that conversation because to her, thats terror and a ball and chain. Fitz is going to be terribly lonely. What if I had been, say, 16 years old, and seen Olivia going alone, confidently, to her appointment no looping in her boyfriend, no implication that the thing happening inside her body is anyones business but her own. For most women, having an abortion is just one unglamorous task in an ongoing mission to put together all the pieces of the life we want. As Liv chugs the moonshine (as a Southerner, I call LIES on how hard she put that sh*t away) and fights with her pissed-off boyfriend about some fancy dinner she skipped while off getting her abortion, we can clearly see that shes not in a great place. Murder! I can't tell you that. Ive always had the end point in mind.. Olitz. I havent actually decided, but I wonder sometimes. Fox Says Battle With Parkinsons Disease Keeps Getting Tougher: Im Not Going to Be 80, TV Premiere Dates 2022: The Complete Guide, Broadcast TV Unscripted Scorecard 2022: Whats New, Renewed and Canceled, TV Pilots 2022: The Complete Broadcast Guide, The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News. Show of hands if you saw THATScandal twist coming. Not only does he not have a partner, hes utterly alone. Is there hope for them down the line or can they only work out once his presidency is over? Bellamy Young mentioned Mama Pope, while Tony Goldwyn gave his vote to Mellie Grant. Not only did Olivia and Fitz break up, but Olivia got an abortion. Unfortunately, their relationship could not stand the public pressure, eventually leading to Olivia's shocking holiday plans: getting an abortion and moving out of the White House. Making a splash: A deep dive into the live-action. Greys Anatomy explored the subject when Sandra Ohs Cristina Yang has an abortion in season eight because she and then-husband, Owen (Kevin McKidd), did not agree on having children. We talk about it a lot.. "He got beyond the fact that her father was responsible for murdering his son," Goldwyn explained. All Rights Reserved. Rhimes previously said shewanted to take on the abortion arc in season oneof Greys but instead opted to feature Cristina suffering from an ectopic pregnancy and losing the baby because the showrunner feared it was too early in the medical dramas run to take on such a weighty subject. For the time being, Scandal is heading into the height of election season, drawing many parallels to the real-life political landscape so much so, in fact, that Rhimes revealed theyve had to change dialogue in scripts that hit too close to home. But that doesn't mean he won't find out in some way or another, whether she wants him to know about it or not. He's very progressive in so many ways and my guess is that Fitz would have a fairly progressive view on the matter, if only to say that it should not be in the hands of the government. Olivias been on a journey since we started. To restate the headline, this time without a spoiler redaction: R.I.P. all while [freaking out].". That shed surrender herself to be a prisoner of the White House and be an appendage of him, that was never going to work. During Thursday's season finale, President Fitzgerald Grant ( Tony Goldwyn) found out that his former flame Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) had a Christmastime abortion. She sat behind me, and I was like, 'Action!' From hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person whos on TikTok, even if you arent. I think it would be, next to the death of his son, the most gutting news he could get and frankly I don't know how he'd recover from that. Adding fuel to the fire that Olivia and Fitz really werent truly ready to be together in such a high-pressure fashion was the fact that Olivia was pregnant and opted to have an abortion unbeknownst to Fitz. For Olivia the character, it only highlighted her bravery. So, will he? Smith, who we spoke with just a few weeks ago, said "Marcus is fighting to set the bar, and yet [others] are trying to remove it in a way. Do you think theres still a stigma associated with depicting abortion on TV? But the dream may have been better than the reality if Thursday's midseason finale his any indication. My fingers are crossed. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. In its fifth season ABC's Scandal gave diehard Gladiators everything they wanted: a presidential divorce that paved the way for Fitz (Tony Goldwyn) and Olivia (Kerry Washington) to finally go public with their romance and be together as a couple in the White House. "I think in a way, Huck has grown and is trying to become a better man, but who knows?" 2 days ago. . But his feelings for Olivia defy logic. Youre the biggest bitch I know, Liv muses, dont tell me you cant do this. At last, Mellie triumphantly runs out the clock on the bill, even earning a handshake (which she rejects) from cranky Senator Moskowitz. One minute, Mellie was kicking some serious butt in a congressional hearing as she conducted her filibuster to save Planned Parenthood, and the next, Olivia was lying on an operating table, and the procedure had begun. But that's not all we learned. Do we need to know that choosing to handle a pregnancy in that way is the heartbreaking conclusion of a tortured decision-making process? So, will he? Mellie was miserable in that role. And when they spiral, they finally tell the truth. Id say 90 percent. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. It was clear and quite balanced. That's where she's coming from as a dramatist. FATHER KNOWS BEST | Still shackled to a chair, an increasingly desperate Rowan decides to play mind games with his captor/potential executioner, Huck. Im happy that you have fallen in love with Fitz, because that is the journey that Olivia went on. I don't understand it. 2 days ago, by Lindsay Kimble So it might be good for him. She recently told a French magazine that the rape 'wasn't a big deal.' How much more will Scandal explore Planned Parenthood and abortion storyline going forward? All we knew is that she made her choice, and carried it out rather unceremoniously. That does not mean she does not love Fitz, and it does not mean that Fitz is not worthy of love. The answer is YES, in capital letters. Did you guys have questions for Shonda after reading this episode? Unfortunately, their relationship could not stand the public pressure, eventually leading to Olivias shocking holiday plans: getting an abortion and moving out of the White House. Sometimes it's more difficult since the show is often from Olivia's point of view so I do have to ask Shonda questions in terms of what she has in mind for Fitz. Washington was quick to add that she'll do just about anything to make fun of Goldwyn. "Three highway patrol men came through and then nine secret service agents and then I saw Huma [Abedin, Clinton's aide], and I was like, 'I know her!' by Ariel Baker Many may think that because of the six-month time jump that the topic will never be broached again. That said, here's a look at where everyone wound up. Roman Polanski, 89, and Samantha Geimer, 60, were seen beaming in a recent photo taken in Paris - 45 years after he raped her. What did you think of Scandal's midseason finale? Olivia misses an important dinner and goes to get an abortion. Here's everything that happened: Huck's Family Drama: The audience previewed Thursday night's episode, in which Huck must deal with the emotional fallout of not being in his son's life. Before I did, I did a few other things: I talked to my boyfriend; I spent a week locked up in my apartment, going through the should we or shouldnt we motions of deciding what to do with my boyfriend, who wanted me to have the baby, and I pretended like I didnt already know that I wanted an abortion the second I found out I was pregnant. I understand as a viewer but if I were her shrink, I would have a lot to say. Did you guys have questions for Shonda after reading this episode? How do you think Fitz, who recently lost his son, would feel about Olivia's abortion? Shes progressive politically but she really does these things because theyre important to talk about. It happened unceremoniously, unexpectedly, and the storyline moved forward quickly in fact, Olivia' abortion only got one minute of airtime. 2 days ago, by Joely Chilcott Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. I can't imagine how Fitz will react when he finds out about the abortion. Its the first time on Scandal that Fitz has revealed which side of the abortion debate hes on. But emotionally, we were all silent afterward; like, "What just happened?!". Maybe what Mellies doing isnt about you at all, she tells Fitz. To me, her primary story has been discovery of herself. How much of their breakup do you think was based on Olivia's stress from the pregnancy and feeling cornered as she said, not running with the big dogs? A young woman told Rhimes that she loves Olitz together, but when it came to breaking them up, she needed the answer to one pressing question: "Why did you do that to us?" That abortion blew my mind. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day, Inside the business of TV with breaking news, expert analysis and showrunner interviews. Fitz is certainly not blameless in this but I think Olivias fear is a huge part of this. Switch-Up Day: Good Morning America's Lara Spencer (who moderated the event) asked the cast if there's a fellow Scandal character they would love to play just for a day. "My question is . Heres the thing about how I handled my abortion: I was playing a part, even if I didnt realize I was. At the midway point of the ABC drama's fall finale on Thursday, Olivia was escorted into a private medical room and then underwent an apparent abortion. It's interesting to me that it's a romance, that her primary story is a romancethat's what you've seen. A fan noted that since Disney has the upcoming Star Wars experience and Universal has Harry Potter, might fans ever get an actual Shondaland? Its interesting to me that her primary story is a romance. This isnt what I want. To me, her primary story has been discovery of herself. A) I dont know, and B) I couldnt tell you. But when the vote hits the floor, Mellie throws in a surprise filibuster she wants to protect Planned Parenthood which threatens to throw everyones holiday plans into disarray and (gasp!) shows up to surprise a lonely Quinn, while Olivia (back in her own apartment) welcomes the return of her couch (! Thats where shes coming from as a dramatist. The abortion and the breakup were both (messy and unpleasant, yes) about Olivia saying, Nope. Olivia's Abortion: Scandal has aired four new episodes since Olivia's abortion (as part of the mid-season finale), and Fitz still doesn't know about it. Is there hope for them down the line or can they only work out once his presidency is over? Fitz overreached a bit by moving her into the White House prematurely. Look at the fact that Fitz was able to move past that. Not once did Olivia say she was pregnant, and we had no idea what she was doing at the clinic until she laid down on the table. It was a quiet scene that lasted only a minute or two, but that was enough. | JuniorSenatorMellie whos still hankering for some respect gets more dirt kicked in her face, this time by some Senators sternly ordering her to vote for the new spending bill. ), and savors a glass of wine. I mean, its fine, its what we all do until we get a little older and realize that what weve been taught about what adults do or how adults feel in various situations all of which is largely based on what weve seen in movies and on TV is incredibly narrow and ill-fitting for who we are as individuals. It's the only way for me stay creative. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. The episode ends with Olivia, bags packed, moving out of the White House and poised to celebrate Christmas with a big glass of red wine on a brand new couch in her apartment, alone. PMC Entertainment. She fell in love, got the fantasy and she discovered the fantasy was not real. And those expectations were pretty firmly established by what Id been taught to believe about abortion from Hollywood. Fitz (Tony Goldwyn) tells Olivia (Kerry Washington) to forgive Abby (Darby Stanchfield). I can only assume he would because of his irrational love for Olivia. If you think the debates youve seen in the real world are fun star Kerry Washington teased coyly. 'Scandal's' Tony Goldwyn on Abortion Storyline, Fitz and Olivia's Future. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. As for Washington's take? Olivia did not fall apart last night. Fitz blasts her as being more manipulative than Mellie. The veteran series also features Addision (Kate Walsh) revealing that she had an abortion after getting pregnant during her affair with Mark (Eric Dane). TGIT returns Feb. 11 on ABC. Shes like, Hey, people, Im putting this on television because this is what is happening in our lives. Shonda doesnt make polemic arguments; shes not sending messages. But his feelings for Olivia defy logic. "It's because of who Olivia is in the brains of these writers. Because for all of their glitz and their glamour, Olitz can fight like the best of them. This is a very difficult job hes got and its very lonely at the top. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. By [Warning: This story contains spoilers from the season five midseason finale, Baby, Its Cold Outside, of ABCs Scandal.]. But that dream shattered is part one, and part two is the colossal lie and betrayal and withholding of that terrible truth that Olivia didnt tell him. [Warning: This story contains spoilers from the season five midseason finale, "Baby, It's Cold Outside," of ABC's Scandal.]. Portia de Rossi mentioned that she'd like to get inside Huck's complicated mind. Do it! commands Rowan, as Huck starts to choke the life out of him. We talk about it a lot.. All Rights Reserved. And for Scandalas a whole? Look at the fact that Fitz was able to move past that. He was pro-life and, more relevant, he wanted a child with Olivia more than anything in the world. I was 20, and had only a negligible amount of life experience and practically no experience as a genuinely independent woman who had any real grasp on how to steer her life in an empowered, decisive, custom-fitted way. Ad Choices, Shonda Rhimes Reveals Why Scandal's Olivia and Fitz Had to Split, If He'll Find Out About the Abortion, and More, Shonda Rhimes just dropped some major bombshells about Scandal at the Paley Center for Media's 33rd Annual PaleyFest. It's brutal and it ends with Olivia boldly declaring that "there is no us; no this; no Vermont; no jam; no future. Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. But that might be good for Fitz. Olivias frustration with her position in the White House intensified as she watched Sen. Mellie Grant (Bellamy Young) work tirelessly to support Planned Parenthood (in the latest Scandal episode that delivered a timely message). It was as if she didn't connect with it at all. IMO, Olivia doesn't need to tell Fitz IF she doesn't ever intend to be with him again, (in which case she should stay away from the Oval office and stop offering unsolicited advice) By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. Its not weird to have a favorite abortion scene, especially when most of them are so completely terrible. The talk show king was a guest on Channel . My mother was even like, 'Why are you acting that way?!" Nobody puts this Gladiator in a corner. JAKE TAKES CARE OF BUSINESS | Jake is still hot on Rowans trail, and knows that following Russell and Tom (whos under orders to find Rowan or die) will eventually lead to Papa Pope himself. And then, to boot, marching home, telling her boyfriend that she wasnt happy in their relationship, and didnt think they were headed towards a future that filled her needs, before then going home to her apartment, by herself not falling apart. What the what? ", The Moral Compass: Kerry Washington asked her cast mates which character on the show has their priorities straight, and Cornelius Smith, Jr. (who plays Marcus) immediately raised his hand with an enthusiastic, "I do!" But emotionally, we were all silent afterward; like, What just happened?!. America So She Could Breastfeed Privately, Michael J. Olivia Pope Had An Abortion On 'Scandal' & It Was A Brave & Unprecedented Move Entertainment Olivia Pope Just Changed TV Forever by Nicole Pomarico November 19, 2015 For a show that has. Really?! This is a very difficult job he's got and it's very lonely at the top. Look what hes forgiving her for and what hes overlooked, in terms of her bailing out on this supposed marriage they were going to have by making a deal with the man who murdered his son, with the father who has tormented her her entire life. I don't think of it as a product of what's being put out there. "The question itself feels so foreign to me because at no point in these five years has any decision that Olivia has made been because of something I wanted," she said. She feels that Fitz moving her into the White House so suddenly (and without asking) was punishment for releasing Rowan. Do you think there's still a stigma associated with depicting abortion on TV? Fitz is then incredibly nice to Olivia whom he hasnt seen in months after their split and agrees. How much more will Scandal explore Planned Parenthood and abortion storyline going forward? However it looks like, if it brings sheer joy and peace, I'm in.". Fox says life with Parkinson's is 'getting harder': "I'm not gonna be 80', Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson celebrate 35 years of marriage with cake, Chris Pratt talks Marvel audition fails: 'I was never gonna audition for Marvel again'. She never even casts a patented, subtext-laden, sideways, wincing look that at least lets the audience know that shes currently channeling all of her ~tragic abortion sadness~, even if shes stubbornly refusing to tell Fitz about it (which she never ends up doing). After a tumultuous few seasons of back-and-forth, Fitz (Tony Goldwyn) and Olivia (Kerry Washington) seemed poised to find happiness. Though Fitz and Olivia are done for the time being, Rhimes stressed that Scandal is more than just the Olitz relationship. She looks happy or freed with a glass of wine, new couch and a Christmas tree, while Fitz is left almost heartbroken. The reveal would not hurt her, but hurt Fitz both publicly and privately because he does not know. There's been a lot of darkness of Huck, but he's trying to be a better person. But then a weird and telling and amazing thing happens: She never mentions the abortion. What if I had seen Olivia having abortion like it was a part of awesomely choosing what she does and does not want for her life, and how amazingly at peace she seemed to feel as a result? We didnt think so. (Laughs.). I think she has a lot of work to do on herself. Sound off in the comments, below. Olivia' abortion only got one minute of airtime, filibustering in opposition of a Congressional budget. And of course she's withholding this terrible secret that Fitz has no clue about. She brought them coffees and worked her way up the ladder, and Marcus has gotten in there a little bit quicker than it took Quinn.