That said, here's a look at where everyone wound up. Many may think that because of the six-month time jump that the topic will never be broached again. She feels that Fitz moving her into the White House so suddenly (and without asking) was punishment for releasing . Does this open the door for Mellie to return? What's more, it may have. 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. The finale also left viewers to decide if Olivia and Fitz (Tony Goldwyn) got their happy ending and life of jam-making in Vermont. ", 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!" "Second to the death of his son, that's the worst thing that could ever happen to Fitz to find out that Olivia was pregnant with his baby, had an abortion and did not tell him," he says. She then heads back to the White House and makes a beeline for Mellies booze stash, which sets up an epic Olitz brawlfor the ages. Its the burning question Gladiators have been asking since the Scandal midseason finale: Will Fitz ever find out about Olivias abortion? So guess whos waiting in the ladies room to give Mellie a surprise pep talk? 'Scandal': Shonda Rhimes Responds to Abortion Storyline at - Variety 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. 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. 18 hours ago, by Eden Arielle Gordon But that might be good for Fitz. After a tumultuous few seasons of back-and-forth, Fitz (Tony Goldwyn) and Olivia (Kerry Washington) seemed poised to find happiness. But the combination of the fact that Fitz's fondest dream in life would be to have a child with Olivia as he put it in Vermont. 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. I was really impressed with the boldness of it; Shonda never fails to amaze me with her fierceness. I was in the phase of budding adulthood where you essentially just roleplay what youve been taught adults do. Olivia' abortion only got one minute of airtime, filibustering in opposition of a Congressional budget. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. And with their approval ratings on the rise, Fitz wants to keep Liv out of White House business, but Mellies ploy to grab the spotlight and shut down the government (more on that later) set off Livs gut instincts. Meanwhile, Fitz finds out that Olivia aborted his baby. Plus: Will the ABC political fixer drama soon come to an end? And she didnt have an abortion because she was mad about all the outfits he kept trying to dress her up in, although undoubtedly all of that is interconnected. 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. Shonda sometimes dives into political issues because they are raw expressions of the human dilemma that we all live with everyday. Scandal: Will Fitz ever find out about the abortion? And it really, really matters whether or not we have these depictions because its inescapable that young people are influenced by them, and its inescapable for their feelings and choices about their own lives will be swayed by these preconceptions. I haven't actually decided, but I wonder. Perhaps that Rhimes and co-producer Betsy Beers knows when and where the show will end. That abortion blew my mind. But it felt surprisingly fine to be reminded of that, and the fineness of remembering reminded me of the fineness of it happening, and to see Olivia going through that, and to see the whole thing framed in a way that didn't remind me that I was "supposed" to feel ripped apart by that particular moment in my medical history. Perhaps that Rhimes and co-producer Betsy Beers knows when and where the show will end. And perhaps a great many more women would experience abortion this way if more TV and movies taught them to expect that they might. 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. And yet I dont think they have a choice in the matter with this. My only responsibility is for the story. I don't have an attachment to what it looks like. The idea that they're together under the circumstances of which they were togethermove into the White House and [sort of] become Mellieis a farce. We talk about it a lot.". New Romance Brewing on Superman, Fox News 8 pm Viewership Down Sharply Since Tucker Carlson's Ouster, Stephen Amell Doesn't Think He's Done Playing Green Arrow. 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? "I will put that on my list!" And she didn't have an abortion because she was. It happened unceremoniously, unexpectedly, and the storyline moved forward quickly in fact, Olivia' abortion only got one minute of airtime. Olivia Had An Abortion On 'Scandal,' & It Got So Many Things Right - Romper In the first teaser, released Thursday by ABC, Olivia tells presidential hopeful Mellie . Hes a Republican but weve never asked that question [on the show]. 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. Olivia later goes to Fitz to bless Jake (Scott Foley) as Mellies pick for vice president on her Republican ticket. 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. Do we need to know that a woman is scarred and traumatized and genuinely f*cking upset about her abortion in order for us the faceless, judging public to not hate her for it (and we still might anyway)? She didn't even confirm she'd had an abortion or tell Fitz about . A fan noted that since Disney has the upcoming Star Wars experience and Universal has Harry Potter, might fans ever get an actual Shondaland? The two trade barbs about their upbringing. The veteran series also features Addision (Kate Walsh) revealing that she had an abortion after getting pregnant during her affair with Mark (Eric Dane). Olivia calls Fitz an ineffectual president and believes the White House is a cage. As an audience, we had no idea she was pregnant, and we had no insight into her thought process between finding out she was pregnant and deciding to get an abortion. Thats true. ", 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. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day, Inside the business of TV with breaking news, expert analysis and showrunner interviews. Shonda doesn't make polemic arguments; she's not sending messages. But that's not to say that it would ruin any chance of Olitz getting back together, at least not in this actor's eyes. 'First Republic has lots of knowledge about its customers and has been a profitable bank for its entire history - but its business model is not stable. I'm happy that you have fallen in love with Fitz because that's the journey that Olivia went on. Did you guys have questions for Shonda after reading this episode? "I'm not thinking of what the fans want to hear," said Rhimes. joked Rhimes. That does not mean she does not love Fitz, and it does not mean that Fitz is not worthy of love. During Thursdays season finale, President Fitzgerald Grant (Tony Goldwyn) found out that his former flame Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) had a Christmastime abortion. But to me, her primary story has been discovering herself. If you think the debates youve seen in the real world are fun star Kerry Washington teased coyly. If you think the debates youve seen in the real world are fun star Kerry Washington teased coyly. He's a Republican but we've never asked that question [on the show]. But that's not all we learned. Is this breakup something that Olivia and Fitz can come back from? I can't imagine how Fitz will react when he finds out about the abortion. Come on, it's difficult; there's a lot of scrutiny but what the hell is Olivia so scared of?! I cant tell you that, Rhimes told EW ahead of the panel. Soon enough, Jake finds himself face-to-face with Russell (who took out Elise), ignores his pleas to join Lazarus One, and puts a bullet in his head. My question is: Does he need to? Rhimes said at Tuesdays PaleyFest panel. Read More: How Shonda Rhimes Is Changing the Dialogue About Abortion on TV, It all set the stage for the most epic fight Scandal has yet to feature between the couple that has long been considered end game. She looks happy or freed with a glass of wine, new couch and a Christmas tree, while Fitz is left almost heartbroken. But. To me, that's what was so disturbing about that abortion scene: it was so mundane. All Rights Reserved. It just means that Olivia does not know who she is yet. He cannot reject her no matter what. Shes progressive politically but she really does these things because theyre important to talk about. The procedure is done by a licensed healthcare professional.. 2 days ago, by Lindsay Kimble 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. Its a quiet and unremarkable appointment that we go to, and we take care of our bodies, and then we go do whatever else we have to do, and we go home feeling better about the things weve gained from making empowered choices about our lives, far more than we feel upset about the loss of the things we didnt choose. [Warning: This story contains spoilers from the season five midseason finale, "Baby, It's Cold Outside," of ABC's Scandal.]. I cant tell you that. And the pressures are intense and to not have anybody that you can share your confidence with, who you know has your back and frankly who understands your frailties, that's a tough place to live in. He has always had a strong polarity in his life. 'Scandal' Series Finale Explained: How Did It End? - The Hollywood Reporter Abby and Fitz don't really know each other. The Existential Yearning Of Are You There God? Its such a divisive issue in our society and sadly has become a real political football. ", 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. Boom. All Rights Reserved. ("We've talked about these things," is all Rhimes would elaborate.) Last nights Scandal mid-season finale featured a scene where Olivia Pope had an abortion. We were all shocked, honestly, at how dark the writers went. She got the fantasy and then discovered the fantasy wasn't real. And those expectations were pretty firmly established by what Id been taught to believe about abortion from Hollywood. It just means that Olivia does not know who she is yet. Hes a Republican but weve never asked that question [on the show]. This is a very difficult job hes got and its very lonely at the top. It was a quiet scene that lasted only a minute or two, but that was enough. Shonda Rhimes just dropped some major bombshells about Scandal at the Paley Center for Media's 33rd Annual PaleyFest. Heres how the subtle reveal plays out: Fitz accidentally sees Olivias medical file sitting on the desk of chief of staff Abby (Darby Stanchfield). Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day, Inside the business of TV with breaking news, expert analysis and showrunner interviews. Added Rhimes: "I think everybody is evolving this season. (Also, there are a lot of spoilers below, but this is not your first day on the Internet, so you should know that by now.). To him, it is a sign that Olivia is running away from the relationship. 2 days ago, by Joely Chilcott Since that November episode, that storyline has not been touched on and the. It was not what I expected with Olivia and Fitz. How will we see both Olivia and Fitz deal with the aftermath of their break-up? Why do you think more shows dont go there? I want her to be whole. 'Scandal's' Tony Goldwyn on Abortion Storyline, Fitz and Olivia's Future. Scandal: Will Fitz ever find out about the abortion? | EW.com "I think in a way, Huck has grown and is trying to become a better man, but who knows?" How much more will Scandal explore Planned Parenthood and abortion storyline going forward? At the end of the day, its her body and her right, but its his child, Goldwyn told THR in November after the midseason finale that featured the abortion reveal. It's such a divisive issue in our society and sadly has become a real political football. | 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. It's brutal and it ends with Olivia boldly declaring that "there is no us; no this; no Vermont; no jam; no future. To restate the headline, this time without a spoiler redaction: R.I.P. That [Olivia] was going to surrender every piece of who she was to be an appendage of [Fitz] was never going to work. Did the fall finale live up to your expectations? But that's not all we learned. [Warning: This story contains spoilers from the season five midseason finale, Baby, Its Cold Outside, of ABCs Scandal.]. We know where it ends and when it ends, Rhimes said, though the question is when. November 19 2015, 7:00 PM PST, Stop reading now if you have yet to watch tonights Scandal fall finale. Fitz may have been replaced by a couch (Laughs.) Of course, abortion is something that has been alluded to on TV before, but this is one of the first times it's been shown so openly on network television especially in a clinic. Granted, Olivia is by no means obligated to tell him anything. Truthfully, we got on a roller-coaster ever Thursday night with our emotions, so I'm good, thanks. 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!" And we dont in fact know where Fitz lives on this issue. It was pretty clear. In the dramatic mid-season finale, Olivia and Fitz's brief time living together in the White House comes to a breaking point. A woman made a choice about her body that she legally has the right to make. Scandal: Will Fitz ever find out about the abortion? - Yahoo 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. What the Fans Want v. What Shonda Wants: During the audience Q&A, a fan asked Shonda if she feels obligated to write for what the fans want or what she wants. But that's still a very big "if" that may never actually come to pass. That shed surrender herself to be a prisoner of the White House and be an appendage of him, that was never going to work. 2 days ago, by Chandler Plante 2023 Cond Nast. It was as if she didn't connect with it at all. 'Scandal': Shonda Rhimes Responds to Abortion Storyline - Variety Rhimes went on to add that Olivia's father, while evil, represents a lot of truth for Olivia. That does not mean she does not love Fitz, and it does not mean that Fitz is not worthy of love. How do you think Fitz, who recently lost his son, would feel about Olivia's abortion? Its a really interesting choice [for them to break up]. 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. Fitz thinks she released the man who killed his son so she wouldn't have to marry him. And we repeat:Stop reading now if you have yet to watch tonights Scandal fall finale. Olivia Has An Abortion On 'Scandal' & The Fact That People - Bustle When Olivia is kidnapped, Quinn, Huck and Jake team up to find her. Now its your turn. There's been a lot of darkness of Huck, but he's trying to be a better person. It was not what I expected with Olivia and Fitz. The episode was notable for featuring a scene in which Olivia Pope has an abortion, . "If you think the debates in the real world are fun, then" is all Washington would tease. Its Me, Margaret, 25 Of Our Favorite Mothers Day Episodes From 'The Golden Girls' to 'Rugrats', Rihanna Is Definitely Going To Impress Her Kids With Her New Movie Role, No, Meghan Markle Isnt Returning To Acting, What Parents Are Talking About Delivered Straight To Your Inbox, By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. But give me a break! So it might be good for him. The answer is YES, in capital letters. 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. 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. All Rights Reserved. I think theres hope. Olitz. I didn't; I just had to absorb it and think about it. The Olivia (Kerry Washington) and Fitz (Tony Goldwyn) storyline is something fans have been waiting to see play out for a couple months. 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. I don't think of it as a product of what's being put out there. Thats what youve seen. So, will he? 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. Look at the fact that Fitz was able to move past that. Glamour may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. FIRST LADY SINGS THE BLUES | Now that Fitz has officially moved her designer duds into the White House, Livs finding her sudden First Lady-like duties a tad tedious. 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. Are we at a point where, OK, we support a woman's "right to choose" but goddamnit, she better feel really bad about that choice or else she's a monster? Olivia's abortion on Scandal shocks the world in a good way But emotionally, we were all silent afterward; like, What just happened?!. The last question of the night was perhaps the most fitting, given that Paleyfest is for the fans. HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS | As the White House staff exchanges gifts (Lizze even pretends to like Susans hideous scarf), we end the episode with a truly shocking Shondland holiday montage: Huck has released Rowan (!) And for Scandalas a whole? Portia de Rossi mentioned that she'd like to get inside Huck's complicated mind. 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Fitz may grow through the experience; I have no idea what Shonda has in mind. Shonda Rhimes political drama: Sex! America So She Could Breastfeed Privately, Michael J. Earlier this season, Kerry Washington's " Scandal " character made the decision to get an abortion on the ABC series. For Olivia, the breaking free of that, while painful, was the first step toward realizing that she was not who she was meant to be. To me, her primary story has been discovery of herself. And when they spiral, they finally tell the truth. Fitz thinks she released the man who killed his son so she wouldnt have to marry him. Scandal was recently renewed for a sixth season, but does Rhimes actually look at that as the final season? Did you guys have questions for Shonda after reading this episode? 2 days ago, by Victoria Edel Huck keeps his wits about him, avoids violence and turns the tables (you are nobodys father), and refuses to give Papa Pope the death he apparently desires. 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'. What would have happened if Olivia had said to Fitz, "I'm pregnant?" Everyone else, you may proceed. Scandal airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. REMEMBER ME, MELLIE? Olivia is on a journey, Rhimes said. But his feelings for Olivia defy logic. All we knew is that she made her choice, and carried it out rather unceremoniously. Not only does he not have a partner, he's utterly alone. At the end of the day, its her body and her right, but its his child. And we dont in fact know where Fitz lives on this issue. I think everything would lead us to believe that Fitz would be ethically pro-life, even if he has a progressive bend like George Bush Sr. But the bigger thing is not a political question; the bigger thing here is the emotional [impact].. We know where it ends and when it ends, Rhimes said, though the question is when. What ever Fitz has done wrong, what ever mistakes Fitz made or overreaching he did, they could have made a go of this. Heres the thing about how I handled my abortion: I was playing a part, even if I didnt realize I was. Its brutal and it ends with Olivia boldly declaring that there is no us; no this; no Vermont; no jam; no future. Will Fitz start dating? But then a weird and telling and amazing thing happens: She never mentions the abortion. And the pressures are intense and to not have anybody that you can share your confidence with, who you know has your back and frankly who understands your frailties, thats a tough place to live in. Thats where shes coming from as a dramatist. A woman made a choice about her body that she legally has the right to make. No other characters, including her live-in boyfriend, were even aware she'd had the procedure (that we know of). Do we need to know that choosing to handle a pregnancy in that way is the heartbreaking conclusion of a tortured decision-making process? . Jock Zonfrillo Dies: 'MasterChef Australia' Judge And Acclaimed, Damar Hamlin's Charity Sponsor, the Giving Back Fund, Embroiled, Even Without Barry, 'Barry' Is Delighted with Its Own Misery, Malaysia's 'Abang Adik' Wins Udine Festival's Golden Mulberry, Editor's Choice: I Purchased This TikTok-Viral Walking Pad and I, TVLine is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Scandal Kerry Washington Abortion - H 2016, [Warning: This story contains spoilers from Thursdays season five finale of ABCs Scandal.]. Its the first time on Scandal that Fitz has revealed which side of the abortion debate hes on.
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