As you may have noticed, it is an election year. And while the real word tries to settle on who will lead this country for the next four years, the world of Scandal is facing a similar decision. While many may say that this election cycle feels like a work of fiction, Scandal goes beyond the real world with murder, back-door deals, and bizarre interpersonal relationships that exceed even what happens in the real Washington D.C. (or at least we hope so)
When Scandal returned from its winter hiatus, we pick up six months following the events of the mid-season finale. Olivia and Fitz are not speaking, several candidates are setting the stage for a presidential run, and there are plenty of scandals. From the NSA to the Secret Service, no branch of government has been above reproach.
The series itself recently had a scandal of its own amongst its loyal fan base. As brought up at a recent PaleyFest panel, Olivia Pope’s abortion admittedly divided viewers. For her part, series creator Shonda Rhimes admits that she is still trying to figure out if she will ever tell Fitz, the presumed father. But she does know how and when the series will end. Rhimes said that each character has their own journey in the series and she is just telling their saga as it comes to her.
Real politics recently entered the world of scandal when Tony Goodwyn, who plays Fitz and voiced Disney’s Tarzan, directed a campaign ad for Hillary Clinton featuring TGIT stars Kerry Washington, How to Get Away With Murder‘s Viola Davis and Grey’s Anatomy‘s Ellen Pompeo, along with Shonda Rhimes. Scott Foley was directing an episode when Hillary Clinton visited the set and mentioned that the candidate and the accompanying secret service were a bit of a distraction.
But when asked how the current election has influenced her, Shonda Rhimes admits that she is more influenced by the musical Hamilton. She says, “I’m obsessed.”
Scandal airs on Thursday nights at 9/8c on ABC.