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. The And Just Like That Trailer Teases Season 2's Release Date & Aidans Return, House Of The Dragon Season 2's Cast Includes 'Slow Horses' & 'Perry Mason' Stars, 'The Mandalorian' Season 4 Is Already In The Works, Everything To Know About 'RHOC' Season 17, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. I havent actually decided, but I wonder sometimes. I don't have an attachment to what it looks like. enter VPSusan Ross to the rescue, who takes over the fight. 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. And we repeat:Stop reading now if you have yet to watch tonights Scandal fall finale. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. 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. What the what? Of course, this storyline instantly became a source of controversy among viewers, which is to be expected when such an important and highly sensitive topic is addressed. It is a giant 180 for the man. (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.). 'Scandal' season 5 winter finale recap: Olivia gets an abortion, breaks She later figures out that the goal is to start a war between the U.S. and West-Angola by kidnapping Olivia and force Fitz to declare a war. Its honestly strange and annoying that TV and movies dont showcase more instances where women are not just ending up without a baby or a man in a sad context, but are choosing to not have a baby, or to not have a man, in the decidedly positive context of her creating the life she wants for herself. If you think the debates youve seen in the real world are fun star Kerry Washington teased coyly. Its the burning question Gladiators have been asking since the Scandal midseason finale: Will Fitz ever find out about Olivias abortion? For Olivia the character, it only highlighted her bravery. To him, it is a sign that Olivia is running away from the relationship. [WATCH] 'Scandal' Season 5 Midseason Premiere: Olivia Makes - Variety 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. Thats what I thought was normal. Meanwhile, Fitz finds out that Olivia aborted his baby. "Second to the death of his son, thats 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," Goldwyn remarked. TGIT returns Feb. 11 on ABC. 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. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, thenView saved stories. That shed surrender herself to be a prisoner of the White House and be an appendage of him, that was never going to work. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day, Inside the business of TV with breaking news, expert analysis and showrunner interviews. 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. ("We've talked about these things," is all Rhimes would elaborate.) At the midway point of the ABC dramas fall finale on Thursday, Olivia was escorted into a private medical room and then underwent an apparent abortion. But I do, and I think when people love each other as primally as these two people do, I think they can come back from anything. Fitz would be positively devastated if he ever discovered what Olivia did. People have very strong and justifiable views on both sides of the question. 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. To me, her primary story has been discovery of herself. Olivia Had An Abortion On 'Scandal,' & It Got So Many Things Right - Romper It was as if she didnt connect with it at all. The answer is YES, in capital letters. Will Abby Reveal Olivia's Abortion On 'Scandal'? She Protected - Romper [Warning: This story contains spoilers from the season five midseason finale, Baby, Its Cold Outside, of ABCs Scandal.]. I don't know how to do it any other way. A fan noted that since Disney has the upcoming Star Wars experience and Universal has Harry Potter, might fans ever get an actual Shondaland? How Shonda Rhimes Is Changing the Dialogue About Abortion on TV, The Couples of Shondaland: 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Private Practice,' 'Scandal', 'Scandal's' Tony Goldwyn: Having It All Has Never Been So Devastating, Viewers veto judges' votes on dj vu-inducing top 12 'American Idol' episode, Ashley Judd reflects on mom Naomi's 'irreplaceable loss' a year after the country star's death, Michael J. 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. Making a splash: A deep dive into the live-action. Hit the comments! Scandal airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. So when I got pregnant, I did all of those things telling my boyfriend, considering what he wanted, breaking my own heart, letting myself take the blame for breaking his; letting my life fall apart a bit afterward because those were the lines on the page. And when they spiral, they finally tell the truth. Hes a Republican but weve never asked that question [on the show]. How do you think Fitz, who recently lost his son, would feel about Olivias abortion? Scandal is known for making bold political statements, and this year's midseason finale proved to be no exception when Olivia decided to have an abortion on Scandal , right in front of an audience who didn't even know that she was pregnant in the first place. And perhaps a great many more women would experience abortion this way if more TV and movies taught them to expect that they might. 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. Rhimes went on to add that Olivia's father, while evil, represents a lot of truth for Olivia. 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? Fitz blasts her as being more manipulative than Mellie. The truth? It was as if she didn't connect with it at all. Shes progressive politically but she really does these things because theyre important to talk about. And of course she's withholding this terrible secret that Fitz has no clue about. Is this breakup something that Olivia and Fitz can come back from? Read More: 'Scandal's' Tony Goldwyn: Having It All Has Never Been So Devastating. Fitz overreached a bit by moving her into the White House prematurely. Do you think theres still a stigma associated with depicting abortion on TV? 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. First Republic Bank's fate in limbo as US regulators consider bids The latter event was a surprise to many, but it was unprecedented and something, thanks to Shonda Rhimes, that will forever go . For a show that has definitely had its groundbreaking moments, Scandal is definitely delivering on the Season 5 midseason finale. ", 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. Do you think hes happy now that he knows that his insane shell of a human father is out of the picture again? Rowan keeps up the verbal assault until Huck finally snaps. THR turned to Goldwyn to break down the revealing episode and preview what to expect when the Shonda Rhimes drama returns Feb. 11 from its winter hiatus. Olivia Has An Abortion On 'Scandal' & The Fact That People - Bustle What was the table read like when the cast got this script? Get the daily inside scoop right in your inbox. My only responsibility is for the story. Jerry Springer's last interview: What he would tell God on 'judgement Shonda Rhimes just dropped some major bombshells about Scandal at the Paley Center for Media's 33rd Annual PaleyFest. Sign up for our Celebrity & Entertainment newsletter. I can't tell you that. Fitz tells Olivia that she never needed his approval. 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. Did you guys have questions for Shonda after reading this episode? Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. But his feelings for Olivia defy logic. My fingers are crossed. But that scene has both points of view pretty firmly in place, which is part of what made it so sad. That abortion blew my mind. But Liv didnt tell Fitz about the abortion during their break-up fight because it wasnt relevant. 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. My question is: Does he need to? Rhimes said at Tuesdays PaleyFest panel. Ive always had the end point in mind.. Shonda talks about the White House being this prison and cage and how horrible it is. Because for Olivia, that's what it was: Her choice, and she didn't justify it. Having the female lead of such a popular show have an abortion on screen was such a powerful, important moment, and even though it just happened, I can see it having a bigger impact on TV in the future. We know where it ends and when it ends, Rhimes said, though the question is when. But he did so kind of from the right place; he was trying to take control of the situation. 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. and drops him off at home, where Jake (!) So it might be good for him. Portia de Rossi mentioned that she'd like to get inside Huck's complicated mind. And more importantly, she didn't have to just like she didn't have to tell Fitz that she was pregnant, which she obviously chose not to do shortly before ending their relationship. The Wonder Years stars Dan Lauria, Alley Mills, Jason Hervey and Olivia Olivia calls Fitz an ineffectual president and believes the White House is a cage. The idea that they were together under the circumstances in which they were together that she was going to move into the White House and become Mellie [Bellamy Young], who was the unhappiest woman weve ever seen was a farce, Rhimes continued. Does this open the door for Mellie to return? But the dream may have been better than the reality if Thursdays midseason finale his any indication. 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. Oscar winning director Roman Polanski poses with his 1977 teenage rape 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!" He has always had a strong polarity in his life. 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. Not only does he not have a partner, hes utterly alone. I think Fitz and Olivia really love each other. Do you think there's still a stigma associated with depicting abortion on TV? The biggest? Will 'Scandal' Season 6 Introduce A Pregnancy Storyline For Olivia? How much more will Scandal explore Planned Parenthood and abortion storyline going forward? 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. None of this is to say that Olivia's abortion was cast in some casual, glowy, unwrinkled-white-hat light. 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? Meanwhile, Fitz finds out that Olivia aborted his baby. | Scandal 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. ("We've talked about these things," is all Rhimes would elaborate.) Olivia still hasn't told Fitz about her abortion, and she may never tell him. What's more, it may have. So he inappropriately rushed things by moving her into the White House when they just needed time. That doesn't mean she doesn't love Fitz, but it means Olivia does not know who she is yet. Shonda Rhimes Reveals Why Scandal's Olivia and Fitz Had to Split I dont understand it. I thought that final scene with me and Kerry, as awful as it was, was very well-written. It was pretty clear. Since that November episode, that storyline has not been touched on and the. [Warning: This story contains spoilers from the season five midseason finale, "Baby, It's Cold Outside," of ABC's Scandal.]. Last nights Scandal mid-season finale featured a scene where Olivia Pope had an abortion. I can only assume he would because of his irrational love for Olivia. Nobody puts this Gladiator in a corner. If you like TVLine, you'll LOVE our email news alerts! In truth, executive producer Shonda Rhimes has not made a decision whether Fitz will discover the truth. That was followed by an epic, seemingly irreparable quarrelbetween Liv and Fitz, after which she moved out of the White House. Hes lost his family; though he has visitation with his kids, he and Mellie are utterly estranged. And those expectations were pretty firmly established by what Id been taught to believe about abortion from Hollywood. 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. According to a December 2015 AP-GfK poll, support for legal abortion rose from 35 to 40 percent among Republicans last year with seven of 10 conservative Republicans opposing abortion rights in most or all cases. Olivia likens herself to a hostage and her time in the White House a sick, twisted punishment, before screaming to Fitz, There is no us! Next thing we know, shes moving out of the White House and back into her apartment. Scandal season 5 return to feature six-month time jump Come on, its difficult; theres a lot of scrutiny but what the hell is Olivia so scared of?! 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. ET on ABC. Is there hope for them down the line or can they only work out once his presidency is over? all while [freaking out].". The reveal would not hurt her, but hurt Fitz both publicly and privately because he does not know. Murder! Really?! Unmistakably, we see Olivia upset after the abortion; rooting around in her cavernous White House closet for the moonshine bequeathed to her by her predecessor, the former First Lady (who spent the entire episode filibustering in opposition of a Congressional budget that would've stripped Planned Parenthood of its funding, because its apparently time to get serious about planting the narrative seeds of Olivia running Mellies inevitable presidential campaign). Goldwyn previously told THRthat Fitz would have a progressive view on the matter. During Thursday's season finale, President Fitzgerald Grant ( Tony Goldwyn) found out that his former flame Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) had a Christmastime abortion. If you think the debates youve seen in the real world are fun star Kerry Washington teased coyly. Everyone else, you may proceed. What did you think of Scandals midseason finale? At all. Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. Olivia believes Fitz is talking about Jake, but the president is talking about a womans right to choose. "I'm just writing what comes out. A woman made a choice about her body that she legally has the right to make. I think she has a lot of work to do on herself. Im happy that you have fallen in love with Fitz, because that is the journey that Olivia went on. ", 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!" 'Scandal': Shonda Rhimes Responds to Abortion Storyline - Variety The only thing more satisfying and more peaceful than getting what you want is recognizing that youll never get what you want, accepting it, and giving up the pursuit of the thing you know you can never have. I'm happy that you have fallen in love with Fitz because that's the journey that Olivia went on. 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!" Hes going to be very lonely. How do you think Fitz, who recently lost his son, would feel about Olivia's abortion? The finale also left viewers to decide if Olivia and Fitz (Tony Goldwyn) got their happy ending and life of jam-making in Vermont. Sound off in the comments, below. Not anymore.. If youre on a TV show and youre having an abortion, youre either the sullied slut whos also probably a drug addict because why not, a rape victim, or the young woman whos making a sad-but-right decision to protect her future but who will be haunted for the rest of her life by her choice and while I suppose all of these representations are accurate portrayals for a small percentage of real women who have abortions, theres a glaring lack of grown-up woman who makes a decision to end a pregnancy, schedules an appointment to do so, goes, leaves, and carries on living her life without falling apart. The latter is exactly what we saw Olivia doing on Scandal, and as weird as it is to think, Finally! Not only did Olivia and Fitz break up, but Olivia got an abortion. 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 (!) 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. When I finally made the appointment and had the procedure (my boyfriend was upset and didnt come with me; my sister did), I spent weeks feeling sad and like my life was falling apart, which it almost did but it didnt need to. I'd say 90 percent. Additionally, the poll found that six of 10 moderate and liberal Republicans supporting the right to choose. "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. Granted, Olivia is by no means obligated to tell him anything. She also mentioned that just like Liv, Fitz is on a journey too. The now-former couple agrees that they rushed into things and werent ready (we tried, they say) and that they were broken going into this. Id say 90 percent. But he is willing to sacrifice anything for her happiness.