Scandal Pace

Mad about all things Scandal.

[bytesthedust]

As someone who is prolife, I’m not upset at all with Olivia’s choice. But my goodness I’m in a case of emotions.

I’m of the Donald Miller school of thought when it comes to this matter. I’m prolife personally, but a prochoice voter…always. So while I would never consider having an abortion unless my life was on the line, I don’t expect everyone else to hold that same view. While I believe life starts at conception, I recognize that in many ways, it’s a philosophical argument. And many disagree. That’s okay. I’m just not sure it should be up the government to be the decider of when life starts. So again, prochoice voter. 

That being said, I think it’s really unfortunate that Olivia didn’t think she could have gone to Fitz and talk to him about her decision before making it. I think it’s unfortunate that prior to the mistress reveal, Fitz and Olivia had better communication with each other. That fact alone is just quite unbelievable because they’ve never been great communicators.(Remember when he was the person she conversed with on the phone before Jake randomly started occupying that role? But I digress)

However, despite their horrendous lack of communication, I don’t think not telling Fitz is betrayal. I think that’s it very selfish, but I also think it’s her body, which is quite honestly the thing she can be the most selfish about. No woman who does not want to be a mother should be a mother. Awful things happen to beautiful babies who deserve better when women who don’t want to mother are forced to mother. That’s reality. Olivia may have been financially stable enough to take care of a child, but mentally? I don’t see it. She’s not depicted as being as being mentally ready (I know the idea of being “ready” is relative. Who is ever ready?) for a child. Plenty of women push past their mental demons and carry children, and raise great ones. But it’s not for everybody. Given what we’ve seen of Olivia’s mindset about love and relationships, seeing what we’ve come to understand as an abusive relationship with her parents, at this point of the show, I’m not sure a pregnancy story line would have felt organic.

However, neither does an abortion story line. It was so unbelievably random.  No scenes of pregnancy scares, no shots of pregnancy tests or nontaken, birth control, barely any sex depicted between them. So I’m confused as to how we got to this place.So so terribly confused…and a bit shocked if I’m honest.

This episode, the abortion scene in particular, is just not going to work for everyone. We’re all bringing our own history, beliefs, judgments, attitudes to the table when we’re watching a show, which influences how we read the narrative. Fitz and Olivia breaking up aside, I can completely understand the viewers who are forever turned off and disappointed by the show. Again for me, I don’t disagree with her choice, but the story line felt inorganic. It felt like a Planned Parenthood after school special. I understand using your platform, but I’m doubtful that this episode is going to change the minds of viewers on the topic of abortion. Americans are pretty entrenched in their beliefs about the matter. This episode isn’t starting a conversation about abortion. We’ve been having a dialogue about it since Roe v. Wade at least. We didn’t see her struggle or contemplate the decision. It just happened. So I’m not sure how effective this story point can or will be. But who knows, I wrote an abortion plot in a fanfic, and got quite a few PMs and reviews stating that my story helped them see abortion in another light, which was so far from my intent. And I’m just writing FF. 

In terms of what this might mean for Fitz and Olivia, I don’t know, and I don’t think it matters. I’m very glad it didn’t come up during their argument because given all that was said between them, every hurtful word, it would have felt a bit too melodramatic, which is saying a lot considering how operatic Scandal is. Their fight also seemed a bit inorganic.They went from zero to sixty so quickly it was hard for me to figure out what was going on. I’m not sure how effective that fight was to be honest. Splitting Fitz and Olivia up is far from the issue for me. It’s that the split felt incredibly rushed. I think the show could have benefited from just one more episode in between where we got to see the extent of Olivia’s frustration in the White House. We literally saw a one minute montage and a one minute conversation with the senator’s wife. It’s not quite enough time for me to believe that Olivia saw a different side to Fitz. We honestly didn’t see the “we tried” part of the story, which is a shame because it would have made their split all the more powerful and less slapdash. We saw Olivia move-in. We saw her get outed as the mistress. We saw her choosing Fitz. We saw him publicly out with her. We saw the beginnings of an impeachment hearing. We saw a failed proposal. We saw her release her father. We saw Fitz move her in. But we did not see them try. Personally, last week’s reveal of Olivia releasing Rowan felt like a more organic “ending” for the two.

Looking at their split from a practical standpoint. I truly don’t think this is the end for Fitz and Olivia. I don’t see her choice as some egregious, heinous action. I see it as a deeply personal, ideological decision, one that so many women make without regret, without a single person knowing. And that is quite okay. We may not like it, but it’s not about Fitz. It’s about her. Period. And that goes for any woman, real or fictional, in a situation like this. If the show never brought up her abortion again, I would not be mad because that’s often the lived experience of women all over the world. If Olivia is written as sharing her decision with Fitz so be it. If not, I think it’s an equally realistic choice. 

In terms of their split, the positive is that it gives them a chance to have a new beginning, one that’s not marred by a sex scandal or spy drama. As a person who likes to write, but does not consider myself a writer, I honestly think the Scandal writers are in a very interesting, creatively fruitful place with Fitz and Olivia. Fundamentally, Fitz and Olivia give the show a lot of heart. But I think the heart of Olitz has been missing since season three because it’s been so fraught between them. I think breaking them up in a mutual way allows them to come back together in a healthier way. The writers have the opportunity to write a slow-build between them if they so choose. Having them mutually split means there’s less animosity. It’s not Defiance 2.0. Having them mutually split means Fitz isn’t pining over her. Having them mutually split means we can potentially see them grow as individuals before coming back together. Having them mutually split means they can become friends. They can work together and have flirty tension, friendly tension, sexual tension. All things that are more enjoyable to watch then them fighting constantly. Kerry and Tony obviously have insanely beautiful chemistry. Their best partner work is with each other…and it’s not even close. I can’t imagine that the writers wouldn’t use that to their advantage. It would be a super silly, missed opportunity. There’s a reason why Fitz and Olivia had phone call after phone call seasons 2 to 4. So much chemistry. Even when it makes no sense for them to be together, the writers find a reason to exploit their chemistry. 

 I think the most powerful and effective thing the writers could do is let the audience see and the characters see why they’re good for each other. These particular set of circumstances just weren’t in their favor. Most of us called them splitting up in some form or fashion after Olivia’s speech on the Truman Balcony in 501. It was the most obvious foreshadowing. We were bound to get to this place. It’s been unnecessarily rocky getting here. But we’re here. 

I completely understand why so many people are simply done with the show after this episode. Scandal is guilty of not paying off story in satisfying ways or just paying off story at all. And this episode is an example of that. In many ways, Scandal’s narrative privileges some characters over others. Mellie makes out as a hero and faces absolutely no consequences for her part in releasing Rowan. But for Olivia, we see a struggle to keep her identity, we see a painful break-up, we see an abortion. Over and over again, Olivia takes Ls. And that’s difficult to watch. The last scene Olivia smiles to herself, staring at a beautiful Christmas tree while sitting on her new couch. I think as a viewer, we were supposed to assume she’s happy, at peace in her solace. But I can’t help, but to think how incredibly lonely that is, how familiar that is. In this set of circumstances, it doesn’t feel like growth. It feels like more of the same. It feels like her putting on the white hat at the end of 222. It feels like the choosing “me” moment at 409 before she was kidnapped. It feels redundant and super sad to me.

Increasingly Scandal has become very bleak and grim-dark. I would imagine that many people tuned in to season five because 422 signaled that some of the fun would be coming back to the show. And in some ways it has. In some ways, Scandal is telling more interesting stories than seasons past. But these past four episodes or so have highlighted the fact that there’s not enough of a balance between the fraught and the fun of this show.

My love/hate of Scandal is so hard do describe. I’m not hate watching at all, but I do not love everything that comes on my screen. Yet, I find Olivia Pope to be a very compelling, watchable character. And her decision tonight makes her even more watchable to me. I don’t know where the show goes from here because so much of the central tension of the show comes from Fitz and Olivia’s relationship. Shipping aside, that’s just an objective fact. As much as I think their break-up provides an opportunity for healthy reconciliation, there was certainly a finality to it…And I’m not sure I’m all that interested in finding where the show goes from here. I’m not sure I’m still interested in watching a super dark show about secondary characters. So until Scandal proves otherwise, I can’t say that I’m into it. 

[1shara]

Seems like I’m still the only one who thinks it would have been a myriad other procedures-  a pap smear/ getting a coil inserted/ tube ligation. Anything but an abortion. Yes. I get that the episode was planned parenthood heavy, I get that abortion/ choice is a topic that has to be discussed more so in a world that still believes women should not have certain rights over their bodies but my oh my, was that examination table scene random or what. So random to the point where I can’t help but feel that the abortion issue  was used more as an instrument of titillation than education.

If indeed it was an abortion,  should she have told Fitz? In my opinion? No. I am yet to come across a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship which has survived this sort of revelation. Men can be be very shady when it comes to some things (rape being another example) it beggars belief therefore, based on this, I would never advise any woman to tell a man, unless you really, really have his number.

“ I think the most powerful and effective thing the writers could do is let the audience see and the characters see why they’re good for each other.”

There is a saying “start the way you mean to go”. Sadly, Olitz was birthed in deceit and a lot of their misfortune is borne from that fact. Granted, they have tried to remedy their situation, unfortunately, they are in too deep…too mired in filth to ever attain sufficient cleaniless. I don’t think there will be any respite for them as long as Olivia remains mother, father, lover and chief strategist to Fitz.

I mean, way back in S1 The writers did let audience/characters  see why the characters were supposedly good for each other. We were treated to an Olivia who seemed to have a good understanding of Fitz the man and Fitz the politician. However, cometh Defiance we began to see them for what they were nevertheless, many in the audience (and Fitz) decided to hold on to the myth that was Olitz.

Olivia knows they are broken, she knows that Fitz doesn’t see her for who she is/ he doesn’t see the world for what it is. He acts as if politics is not a dirty game, he is  interested in what he gets from her and then proceeds to judge her for her underhand ways, never mind that he is the beneficiary. How come he never really questioned her on how she managed to shut down the Inquiry? Instead, we saw him take to the podium to let the masses know that it was back to business as usual. Fitz seems to think that all is well as long as he has Olivia propping up his ineffectual ass, sadly he doesn’t realise that his inability to make decisions at “Olivia pace” reduces her to making decisions for him.

Fitz likes strong women but only when they are bending to his whim. Just like with his relationship with Mellie, the relationship between Olivia and Fitz is such that  the personal and the political are incredibly intertwined, unfortunately, there can be no peace until the two strands are separated and yet what are the chances of that happening? Fitz will always remain Olivia’s favourite pet project to be fixed at every turn and Olivia…well Olivia remains Fitz favourite… everything.

There are many lessons to be learned from this Olivia and Fitz mess for those who are steeped in reality but, for those steeped in fantasy, I say good luck!

[sophiealexan]

You still think it wasn’t an abortion; so what do you think the vacuum was? We saw the doctor flipping the switch and starting it.

[1shara]

Vacuum? What vacuum. Me I don’t know how abortions are conducted,I am the queasy type that can’t even watch such things on TV. All I saw was Olivia lying supine, to me it could have been anything...I’ve been in that position for other things, certainly not an abortion. Yes, initially I thought abortion and then I thought...no, can’t be an abortion, we didn’t even know she was pregnant. So I though pap smear/tube ligation or coil. Anyway news from Folina has confirmed that indeed it was an abortion. So yeah, you guys were right.

I must confess I’m none too pleased at the way it was written. Yes, I can see Olivia getting pregnant but that story line was so rushed it beggars belief. I can’t even. I guess shit happens when folk are rabbiting on the regular. I can’t ...SMDH

[cunt-lyfe]

“Which white boy do you prefer inside your daughter” - Huck

[lennybaby2]

Chile…

[1shara]

Yho! Huck went IN with that monologue Eli almost burst into tears! Pertinent issues about Olivia were raised though and ain’t no one talkin’ about what was said in that monologue.

[the-perks-of-being-black]

“Eritrean-American Haben Girma, who is the first deaf-blind graduate at Harvard Law School’s story is a true inspiration.

Girma’s extraordinary story highlights her courage and determination despite physical challenges, and she is living proof that disability is certainly no barrier to achieving academic excellence.

Girma is an attorney who ‘advocates for the civil rights of persons with disabilities. A celebrated speaker, she provided the introductory remarks for the 25th Anniversary of the ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act] at the White House’.

…Girma appreciates the opportunities she has been offered and ‘the hard won power of the ADA.’” by Arthur Chatora, This is Africa

“Haben Girma is our new hero. The 27-year-old lawyer is the first deaf-blind alumna of Harvard Law School.

After graduating magna cum laude with an undergraduate degree from Lewis & Clark College in 2010, Girma went on to earn her Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Harvard in 2013.

…Haben, who was also on Harvard’s Ballroom Dance Team, is originally from the East African country of Eritrea. Her older brother was also born deaf-blind, and the pair was told their disabilities were ‘…a curse on the family.’

…The budding activist and civil rights attorney currently works for the Disability Rights Advocates law firm in Sacramento helping others fight for their rights under the ADA.

Haben said that her grandmother, who still lives in Eritrea, believes her success is ‘like magic.’ She closed her speech by saying, ‘…People with disabilities succeed not by magic, but from the opportunities afforded by America and the hard-won power of the ADA.’

President Obama then said, ‘Thank you Haben for making sure students with disabilities have access to a world class education just as you have.’ Zon D'Amour, HelloBeautiful/Global Grind

“By the time Girma was born in 1988, six years younger than her brother, her mother had made a refugee’s journey from Eritrea to the United States. And in California, a deaf-blind girl like Girma had a legal right to an education.

In public schools in Oakland, she was educated alongside other students, leaving her mainstream classes for an hour a day to learn Braille.

…In the winter of 1983, Girma’s mother, Saba Gebreyesus, left Eritrea. The war of independence with Ethiopia was going on. It was a two-week trek to Sudan, ‘walking at night to try to avoid the different military groups fighting in that area.’ At one point she slept in a tree surrounded by hungry hyenas.

A Catholic resettlement agency helped Gebreyesus move to the United States.

In the United States, disability civil rights laws provided opportunities to Girma. TheIDEA law says every child with a disability is guaranteed an education, and the ADA bans discrimination based on disability.

…At the White House, Girma talked to the president one on one, telling him ‘that technology can bridge the gap for people with disabilities.’ The president typed on a silver, wireless keyboard, and Girma read the message on a digital Braille device (the technology that enabled us to conduct our phone interview with her). The back-and-forth was instantaneous….

…Today, her brother, Mussie Gebre, travels around California, teaching people with disabilities how to use technology — like the devices that help him and his sister.

‘To all of us here,’ Girma said to the crowd in the East Room at the White House, ‘we know that people with disabilities succeed not by magic but from the opportunities afforded by America and the hard-won power of the ADA.’” by Joseph Shapiro, NPR

[whodoesntloveagoodscandal]

“You liked me unavailable...”

And that right there to me is the death toll for Olitz. Not the lies, or the betrayals, but the fact that Olivia doesn’t want Fitz–not all of him at least. 

You can forgive someone for betraying you, and you can look the other way when they lie but when somebody doesn’t want you, the real you? There’s not coming back from that IMO. 

Olivia has not interest in being Fitz’s First Lady. She has no interest in being his wife or the mother of his children. That is not what she wants from him. She doesn’t want a white picket fence, or jam in Vermont. She wanted a part of Fitz when it was convenient for her and that’s pretty much it. 

The way Shonda (and the writers) broke down Olitz was something of a master piece. I know some people are acting all shocked and surprised that this is happening but Shonda has been planting these seeds since Season 1.  Olivia always ran because Fitz wasn’t what she wanted. She ALWAYS ran. This is not brand new information. The only difference now is that Fitz effectively caged her in almost every imaginable way until she had her back against the wall. At the point she was getting free by any means necessary, first by releasing her father (and removing the need for a wedding), then by the abortion, and finally by breaking things off with Fitz and leaving the White House.

I guess there is always a chance that Olitz could happen down the line, but seriously, why would either one of them want it?  Every suggestion that Fitz ever had for them (marriage, babies, house in Vermont) Olivia shut them down decisively. She doesn’t want it. The question is though, does she simply not want that life or does she just not want it with Fitz? 

[dior-heaux24]

THANK YOU! She never wanted Fitz, she just wanted the secret out to no longer have to carry it on her shoulders, she always hated the fact that she was on love with him and this should have been crystal clear to these fools when she admitted on live television that if she could fall out of love with him, she would. But of course these hoes twisted that situation into something it wasn’t to validate Olivia’s “love” for Fitz.

[ironflowerqueen]

I loved this episode.  It’s what I’ve been feeling for a long time.  Still, I do think Olivia loves Fitz in her way.  They might have a HEA but only after they both grow as people. Right now – I am just glad for the break! YAY!

[sophiealexan]

It’s hard to come back from the things they said to each other. That was a nasty fight.

[1shara]

Some would call it a nasty fight, others may see it as an honest conversation. Me? I think both parties spoke nothing but the truth, and  only an immature person shies away from the truth.

 Fitz has spoken his truth, he thinks they are fit for purpose and he wants Olivia to don the mantle of mother, father, lover and stepford wife. 

Olivia has spoken her truth, they are broken (always have been), he is  ineffectual and she has zero interest in being Martha Stewart- in other words, First Lady? NO. Co-President? Yes.

Olivia’s then proceeded to proudly swan off back to hers.Seems like she knows what she wants. Now, it’s up to Fitz to decide what he wants. I bet you he’s going to make it all about himself, I mean he still thinks Liv worked to release her father in order to get out of the wedding yet, any right thinking person knows that the wedding offered limited immunity, the Inquiry would have still worked around the pair of them and subpoenaed other people to the stand- Cy, members of the intelligence community who were involved in the ransome negotiations etc. Honestly it’s a shame when your man is as dumb as f*ck, Fitz should be grateful that whatever dossier Eli had on file shut down that Inquiry effective immediately and allowed him to get on with the business of governing. There is no way he would have been able to get on with Oval matters what with the drip, drip emanating from stand, the media would have had a field day with him, they would have turned him into a lame duck president, unable to hold his party together and by extension unable to pass legislation. Then again what to expect from a man who says he’s done nothing impeachable. Shame, Olivia is truly too clever for him, always two steps ahead of him on all matters.

[thefrequencyisreal-deactivated2]

I think for Olivia the fantasy was nice, the same fantasy most of us have. The man we want, 2 kids, a nice house with the white picket fence, the american dream. But for many of us its just that a fantasy, Olivia doesn’t and never wanted to first lady, she doesn’t want to be apart of the white house which she’s expressed from the jump thats not who she is. When he was unavailable she didnt have to deal with the “perks” of dating him she didnt have to deal with first lady duties and etc. She never wanted those “perks”. As Long as he’s president I dont think they’ll ever have a real chance.

[1shara]

What fantasy is this some people are talking about? Did Olivia ever really have a fantasy about a life with Fitz? I think Vermont was just a joke and not something necessarily to aspire to. In “ Fluff er she said that in her dream, “....we met, we fell in love and then what?”.

 I think it’s unfair for Fitz to say that she liked him when he was unavailable. I don’t think that was the case per se. I think Olivia was overtaken by circumstances. She accepted their situation for what it was, she never thought she’d be 1st Lady because there was no precedent to support her situation...President’s mistress turned into wife and all that. Based on this, she never made any demands on him because she knew how hard he had worked to get to the Oval. He went on wth his life and she carved out a life for her self, a life which she rather likes. I think it’s unfair for him to now turn around and say she only wanted him when he was unavailable.He needs to be asking himself why he never saw her for who she is. Everybody around her -but him- sees her for who she is- Eli’s ambitious, highly effective, manipulative, independent creation. Dude needs to take off the rose tinted lenses and see Olivia for what she is

[pjamma-sf]

Joshua Malina & Scott Foley talk 'Baby, It's Cold Outside' in 'Folina'

Consider it handled. Each week, Scandal fan favorites Josh Malina and Scott Foley, who play David Rosen and Jake Ballard, respectively, join forces...

SF: For me, the real moment of this episode is a very simple yet poignant scene with Olivia. The abortion scene is so telling, so on point and so in character that just listening to the stage directions being read at the table read was heartbreaking and maybe more importantly, it was powerful. So powerful. The silence in the room at that moment was really telling. That something that has been legal throughout this country for 42 years can still have that effect, just on paper, and to a fictional character, really tells you what an important topic it is. Yeah, so there was that. Also, Jake shot Russell in the face.

[1shara]

Oh well, there goes, definitely an abortion, not a pap smear/ form of contraception being inserted. I get how Olivia would have become pregnant but I loath how Shonda has gone about telling this storyline. Awful, just awful.

[whitleyisa-deactivated20181209]

Mellie & Olivia letting Fitz know he ain’t shit

[pjamma-sf]

@hall70 another example. Both women are telling Fitz about himself. One looks desperate and a bit unstable and the other is more rational. Do you think Mellie is portrayed better in these exchanges?

[imustsoishall]

I read frustration on Mellie’s face instead of desperation or instability.

[1shara]

Me? I see disdain on both their faces. And Mellie truly came into her own, she hit the road to liberty, like a real boss lady. Olivia on the other hand needs to figure out whether she is in or out. She cannot read his arse and then come back to be father, mother, lover and chief strategist to this man-child. She needs to decide whether their relationship is personal or political otherwise she is going to be the loser in all this.

[bytesthedust]

As someone who is prolife, I’m not upset at all with Olivia’s choice. But my goodness I’m in a case of emotions.

I’m of the Donald Miller school of thought when it comes to this matter. I’m prolife personally, but a prochoice voter…always. So while I would never consider having an abortion unless my life was on the line, I don’t expect everyone else to hold that same view. While I believe life starts at conception, I recognize that in many ways, it’s a philosophical argument. And many disagree. That’s okay. I’m just not sure it should be up the government to be the decider of when life starts. So again, prochoice voter. 

That being said, I think it’s really unfortunate that Olivia didn’t think she could have gone to Fitz and talk to him about her decision before making it. I think it’s unfortunate that prior to the mistress reveal, Fitz and Olivia had better communication with each other. That fact alone is just quite unbelievable because they’ve never been great communicators.(Remember when he was the person she conversed with on the phone before Jake randomly started occupying that role? But I digress)

However, despite their horrendous lack of communication, I don’t think not telling Fitz is betrayal. I think that’s it very selfish, but I also think it’s her body, which is quite honestly the thing she can be the most selfish about. No woman who does not want to be a mother should be a mother. Awful things happen to beautiful babies who deserve better when women who don’t want to mother are forced to mother. That’s reality. Olivia may have been financially stable enough to take care of a child, but mentally? I don’t see it. She’s not depicted as being as being mentally ready (I know the idea of being “ready” is relative. Who is ever ready?) for a child. Plenty of women push past their mental demons and carry children, and raise great ones. But it’s not for everybody. Given what we’ve seen of Olivia’s mindset about love and relationships, seeing what we’ve come to understand as an abusive relationship with her parents, at this point of the show, I’m not sure a pregnancy story line would have felt organic.

However, neither does an abortion story line. It was so unbelievably random.  No scenes of pregnancy scares, no shots of pregnancy tests or nontaken, birth control, barely any sex depicted between them. So I’m confused as to how we got to this place.So so terribly confused…and a bit shocked if I’m honest.

This episode, the abortion scene in particular, is just not going to work for everyone. We’re all bringing our own history, beliefs, judgments, attitudes to the table when we’re watching a show, which influences how we read the narrative. Fitz and Olivia breaking up aside, I can completely understand the viewers who are forever turned off and disappointed by the show. Again for me, I don’t disagree with her choice, but the story line felt inorganic. It felt like a Planned Parenthood after school special. I understand using your platform, but I’m doubtful that this episode is going to change the minds of viewers on the topic of abortion. Americans are pretty entrenched in their beliefs about the matter. This episode isn’t starting a conversation about abortion. We’ve been having a dialogue about it since Roe v. Wade at least. We didn’t see her struggle or contemplate the decision. It just happened. So I’m not sure how effective this story point can or will be. But who knows, I wrote an abortion plot in a fanfic, and got quite a few PMs and reviews stating that my story helped them see abortion in another light, which was so far from my intent. And I’m just writing FF. 

In terms of what this might mean for Fitz and Olivia, I don’t know, and I don’t think it matters. I’m very glad it didn’t come up during their argument because given all that was said between them, every hurtful word, it would have felt a bit too melodramatic, which is saying a lot considering how operatic Scandal is. Their fight also seemed a bit inorganic.They went from zero to sixty so quickly it was hard for me to figure out what was going on. I’m not sure how effective that fight was to be honest. Splitting Fitz and Olivia up is far from the issue for me. It’s that the split felt incredibly rushed. I think the show could have benefited from just one more episode in between where we got to see the extent of Olivia’s frustration in the White House. We literally saw a one minute montage and a one minute conversation with the senator’s wife. It’s not quite enough time for me to believe that Olivia saw a different side to Fitz. We honestly didn’t see the “we tried” part of the story, which is a shame because it would have made their split all the more powerful and less slapdash. We saw Olivia move-in. We saw her get outed as the mistress. We saw her choosing Fitz. We saw him publicly out with her. We saw the beginnings of an impeachment hearing. We saw a failed proposal. We saw her release her father. We saw Fitz move her in. But we did not see them try. Personally, last week’s reveal of Olivia releasing Rowan felt like a more organic “ending” for the two.

Looking at their split from a practical standpoint. I truly don’t think this is the end for Fitz and Olivia. I don’t see her choice as some egregious, heinous action. I see it as a deeply personal, ideological decision, one that so many women make without regret, without a single person knowing. And that is quite okay. We may not like it, but it’s not about Fitz. It’s about her. Period. And that goes for any woman, real or fictional, in a situation like this. If the show never brought up her abortion again, I would not be mad because that’s often the lived experience of women all over the world. If Olivia is written as sharing her decision with Fitz so be it. If not, I think it’s an equally realistic choice. 

In terms of their split, the positive is that it gives them a chance to have a new beginning, one that’s not marred by a sex scandal or spy drama. As a person who likes to write, but does not consider myself a writer, I honestly think the Scandal writers are in a very interesting, creatively fruitful place with Fitz and Olivia. Fundamentally, Fitz and Olivia give the show a lot of heart. But I think the heart of Olitz has been missing since season three because it’s been so fraught between them. I think breaking them up in a mutual way allows them to come back together in a healthier way. The writers have the opportunity to write a slow-build between them if they so choose. Having them mutually split means there’s less animosity. It’s not Defiance 2.0. Having them mutually split means Fitz isn’t pining over her. Having them mutually split means we can potentially see them grow as individuals before coming back together. Having them mutually split means they can become friends. They can work together and have flirty tension, friendly tension, sexual tension. All things that are more enjoyable to watch then them fighting constantly. Kerry and Tony obviously have insanely beautiful chemistry. Their best partner work is with each other…and it’s not even close. I can’t imagine that the writers wouldn’t use that to their advantage. It would be a super silly, missed opportunity. There’s a reason why Fitz and Olivia had phone call after phone call seasons 2 to 4. So much chemistry. Even when it makes no sense for them to be together, the writers find a reason to exploit their chemistry. 

 I think the most powerful and effective thing the writers could do is let the audience see and the characters see why they’re good for each other. These particular set of circumstances just weren’t in their favor. Most of us called them splitting up in some form or fashion after Olivia’s speech on the Truman Balcony in 501. It was the most obvious foreshadowing. We were bound to get to this place. It’s been unnecessarily rocky getting here. But we’re here. 

I completely understand why so many people are simply done with the show after this episode. Scandal is guilty of not paying off story in satisfying ways or just paying off story at all. And this episode is an example of that. In many ways, Scandal’s narrative privileges some characters over others. Mellie makes out as a hero and faces absolutely no consequences for her part in releasing Rowan. But for Olivia, we see a struggle to keep her identity, we see a painful break-up, we see an abortion. Over and over again, Olivia takes Ls. And that’s difficult to watch. The last scene Olivia smiles to herself, staring at a beautiful Christmas tree while sitting on her new couch. I think as a viewer, we were supposed to assume she’s happy, at peace in her solace. But I can’t help, but to think how incredibly lonely that is, how familiar that is. In this set of circumstances, it doesn’t feel like growth. It feels like more of the same. It feels like her putting on the white hat at the end of 222. It feels like the choosing “me” moment at 409 before she was kidnapped. It feels redundant and super sad to me.

Increasingly Scandal has become very bleak and grim-dark. I would imagine that many people tuned in to season five because 422 signaled that some of the fun would be coming back to the show. And in some ways it has. In some ways, Scandal is telling more interesting stories than seasons past. But these past four episodes or so have highlighted the fact that there’s not enough of a balance between the fraught and the fun of this show.

My love/hate of Scandal is so hard do describe. I’m not hate watching at all, but I do not love everything that comes on my screen. Yet, I find Olivia Pope to be a very compelling, watchable character. And her decision tonight makes her even more watchable to me. I don’t know where the show goes from here because so much of the central tension of the show comes from Fitz and Olivia’s relationship. Shipping aside, that’s just an objective fact. As much as I think their break-up provides an opportunity for healthy reconciliation, there was certainly a finality to it…And I’m not sure I’m all that interested in finding where the show goes from here. I’m not sure I’m still interested in watching a super dark show about secondary characters. So until Scandal proves otherwise, I can’t say that I’m into it. 

[1shara]

Seems like I’m still the only one who thinks it would have been a myriad other procedures-  a pap smear/ getting a coil inserted/ tube ligation. Anything but an abortion. Yes. I get that the episode was planned parenthood heavy, I get that abortion/ choice is a topic that has to be discussed more so in a world that still believes women should not have certain rights over their bodies but my oh my, was that examination table scene random or what. So random to the point where I can’t help but feel that the abortion issue  was used more as an instrument of titillation than education.

If indeed it was an abortion,  should she have told Fitz? In my opinion? No. I am yet to come across a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship which has survived this sort of revelation. Men can be be very shady when it comes to some things (rape being another example) it beggars belief therefore, based on this, I would never advise any woman to tell a man, unless you really, really have his number.

“ I think the most powerful and effective thing the writers could do is let the audience see and the characters see why they’re good for each other.”

There is a saying “start the way you mean to go”. Sadly, Olitz was birthed in deceit and a lot of their misfortune is borne from that fact. Granted, they have tried to remedy their situation, unfortunately, they are in too deep...too mired in filth to ever attain sufficient cleaniless. I don’t think there will be any respite for them as long as Olivia remains mother, father, lover and chief strategist to Fitz.

I mean, way back in S1 The writers did let audience/characters  see why the characters were supposedly good for each other. We were treated to an Olivia who seemed to have a good understanding of Fitz the man and Fitz the politician. However, cometh Defiance we began to see them for what they were nevertheless, many in the audience (and Fitz) decided to hold on to the myth that was Olitz.

Olivia knows they are broken, she knows that Fitz doesn’t see her for who she is/ he doesn’t see the world for what it is. He acts as if politics is not a dirty game, he is  interested in what he gets from her and then proceeds to judge her for her underhand ways, never mind that he is the beneficiary. How come he never really questioned her on how she managed to shut down the Inquiry? Instead, we saw him take to the podium to let the masses know that it was back to business as usual. Fitz seems to think that all is well as long as he has Olivia propping up his ineffectual ass, sadly he doesn’t realise that his inability to make decisions at “Olivia pace” reduces her to making decisions for him.

Fitz likes strong women but only when they are bending to his whim. Just like with his relationship with Mellie, the relationship between Olivia and Fitz is such that  the personal and the political are incredibly intertwined, unfortunately, there can be no peace until the two strands are separated and yet what are the chances of that happening? Fitz will always remain Olivia’s favourite pet project to be fixed at every turn and Olivia...well Olivia remains Fitz favourite... everything.

There are many lessons to be learned from this Olivia and Fitz mess for those who are steeped in reality but, for those steeped in fantasy, I say good luck!

[dior-heaux24]

PSA to those who are confused as to how Olivia got pregnant in the first place, just know that contraception isn’t 100 percent effective and never has been. The more you know.

[willajbabe1989-deactivated20221]

I think people understand that but if they wanted us to believe that she at least tried, I think that most people wanted some type of indication or proof that she at least tried to be safe. It’s kind of hard to assume things that are not seen.

[dior-heaux24]

I get that but I think the fact that she’s been having unprotected sex on the show for every season is enough of an indication to tell us she was on the pill, I’m sure that was her only form of pregnancy prevention, I never assumed she was getting the men to use condoms anyway. Also, other factors can contribute to the pill being ineffective, including poor diet, taking other medications that alter how your body reacts to it or even accidentally skipping one

[willajbabe1989-deactivated20221]

I think that how Olivia decided to handle the situation and whether or not she had used birth control or contraceptives, is only half of the issue people are having. The other half I think has more to do with the writers choosing to go this route, one thing that people hoped that would never was for Olivia to get pregnant, because most of us know that she will never be ready to have a child, because she’s not that type of person and because Shonda herself said that Scandal is not the type of show to involve kids that being said WHY would they make Olivia get pregnant knowing she wasn’t going to keep it then make her get an abortion which is a very sensitive subject for some people? I just find it kind of tacky.

[1shara]

So we see a woman lying supine on the examination table and we assume she’s having an abortion? We don’t even stop to think that she may be  changing her mode of contraception from pill to coil? 

[dior-heaux24]

LOL you haven’t watched the episode yet have you? She did have an abortion. Planned parenthood on Twitter were talking about it, Kerry was talking about it and Shonda was probably to. Not to mention the whole episode revolved around planned parenthood to begin with

[1shara]

I’ve definitely watched it. And just like everyone else I assumed she was having an abortion however, after some thought I realised she may well have been lying supine on that examination table for a myriad of reasons. Yes, I get that the episode was heavy on Planned Parenthood/Pro-Choice  nevertheless planned parenthood can go either way- abortion or contraception or tube ligation. There were no signs whatsoever that Olivia was pregnant and, I highly doubt if Shonda is going to throw around abortion as the most preferred mode of planned parenthood. I think she left the whole thing rather ambitious and we will all wake up in February to the realisation that Olivia never had an abortion. Wanna bet? In the interim, I’m going to sit back and enjoy  (through gritted teeth) the whole kerfuffle on tumblr. 3 months of hell it’s going to be *sigh*.

[sophiealexan]

??? You’re the only person I’ve even seen who has questioned this. It fits in with the story. She is making decisions about her future with Fitz. It forced her to face the fact that she wants no part of it. There was nothing she could hide behind this time in making that decision; it wasn’t about freeing her father to stop the impeachment proceedings vs marriage. It was a hard look at being tied to Fitz for the rest of her life. This wasn’t a PSA about birth control.

[1shara]

Yes, Sophie dear, I’m the only person you have seen questioning this however, since when did you know me as the type to limit my thinking to the obvious/take on popular views? LOL.

I hear you. I get that Olivia is re-evaluating her life with Fitz. I get that, therefore, I’m not saying that the notion of an abortion under the circumstances would be preposterous, what with all that talk of planned parenthood/good vs bad parenting. Yeah, I can definitely see how an abortion can be woven into all these story lines. My main concern is, we never saw Olivia come to the realisation that she was pregnant...yes, I get she was having crazy sex with all sorts, Fitz in particular however, to have an abortion just thrown in there is a bit much if you ask me. Even on Grey’s at least we got to see Christina railing against the thought of having a child before she trotted Owen off to the abortion clinic. I get that Scandal is not Grey’s neverthess, I’d think it lazy writing for Liv to have an abortion round about the same time planned parenthood is front an centre.Please note: I’m not saying the notion of an abortion is preposterous. if anything I think it verges on the obvious. 

Also, I’d much prefer to imagine that if Shonda is pro-choice then she would go about championing the matter in a more subtle fashion...hence the cliff hanger that leaves the masses arguing as to whether it was an abortion or Olivia obtaining contraception...best believe when I say having a coil inserted is no joke!

At this point, me, I don’t care, I detest Olitz so much (more so that loathsome creature Fitz) that I don’t care if Olivia aborts his spawn or feeds him rat poison or drowns him in brown water everyday so that she can take over the Oval. I careless about Fitz. I’m all about Olivia finding herself, even if it means, she finally realises and gleefully embraces the fact that she’s Eli’s creation/ Eli’s rightful heir at B613. LOL

Does Olivia really love Fitz? I’ve been questioning that since Defiance. After Defiance I realised (in whatever order)

a) they didn’t know each other very well

b) they were not in the habit of having honest conversations

c) For Olivia, Fitz was first and foremost a project. A project that she was heavily invested in and would never be allowed to fail at any cost.

Re: Freeing her father vs the wedding.

First of all RE: The wedding. Olivia is not dumb (mute/slow in the head), she may not say much or engage in verbal fights with all and sundry (Mellie in particular), but that does not mean she is dumb. Olivia realised they (Olitz) were broken a long time ago,  she only chose not to verbalise it instead she opted to gloss over it, she chose not to place demands on Fitz. Now that they have beeen forced to confront issues, she has continuously told Fitz shit needs to change but dude doesn’t seem to hear or even see her. When he looks at her he sees what HE wants to see and hears what he wants to hear. He doesn’t have her number but Liv has his, she has had his number for yonks, she knows he is an ineffectual man-child to be handled in a particular fashion, until he gets out of office and then he can get out of her hair!

Olivia has got his number, she’s been keeping tabs on him- Amanda Tanner,  baby Teddy, when he dumped her on the altar and went back to Mellie, Surveillancegate. Olivia sees him for what he is, she sees their f*cked up relationship for what it is however, she has always had to swallow her pride and contain things in order to uphold her legacy and maintain her hold on power. 

 If she didn’t want to get married, all Olivia had to do was say no/ fall sick/ run away whatever. She freed her father because that was the most effective way to kill that Inquiry. The marriage was only going to offer limited immunity to two parties; herself and Fitz. The Inquiry would have easily worked around them and subpoenaed the whole of DC to the stand. Heck, I bet you some people would have volunteered to  come forward in the hope of currying favour with the next administration (e.g the intelligence officers involved in the ransom negotiations). The Inquiry was out to get Fitz..I mean, look at the way they butchered Mellie on the stand! Fitz would never have been able to withstand the drip...drip from the stand or the constant media reports. He would have become a lame duck president- unable to govern, unable to pass legislation, unable to uphold the standing of the country on the international stage. I mean, so beleaguered was Clinton at the height of the Lewinsky mess that in order to look robust and masculine, large and in charge, he took to bombing Sudan under the guise of smoking out Bin Laden (all this at the behest of fellow Democrats) *SMDH*. So  all this talk about Liv freeing her father in order to dodge the marriage is somehow inaccurate. She freed her father to save Fitz... to spare the Oval further embarrassment...in order to cover a hella of what had gone before...to ensure tht none of them ended up in jail...to protect her legacy. People, you forget that in Fitz, Olivia Pope actually has a legacy, that she has some serious cache from  having made a president!

She was going to go ahead with the wedding even against her better judgement/wishes however, freeing her father TRUMPED all the options on the table, it made the Inquiry and by extension everything else go away and that was fine by her and to that I say atta girl!

[dior-heaux24]

PSA to those who are confused as to how Olivia got pregnant in the first place, just know that contraception isn’t 100 percent effective and never has been. The more you know.

[willajbabe1989-deactivated20221]

I think people understand that but if they wanted us to believe that she at least tried, I think that most people wanted some type of indication or proof that she at least tried to be safe. It’s kind of hard to assume things that are not seen.

[dior-heaux24]

I get that but I think the fact that she’s been having unprotected sex on the show for every season is enough of an indication to tell us she was on the pill, I’m sure that was her only form of pregnancy prevention, I never assumed she was getting the men to use condoms anyway. Also, other factors can contribute to the pill being ineffective, including poor diet, taking other medications that alter how your body reacts to it or even accidentally skipping one

[willajbabe1989-deactivated20221]

I think that how Olivia decided to handle the situation and whether or not she had used birth control or contraceptives, is only half of the issue people are having. The other half I think has more to do with the writers choosing to go this route, one thing that people hoped that would never was for Olivia to get pregnant, because most of us know that she will never be ready to have a child, because she’s not that type of person and because Shonda herself said that Scandal is not the type of show to involve kids that being said WHY would they make Olivia get pregnant knowing she wasn’t going to keep it then make her get an abortion which is a very sensitive subject for some people? I just find it kind of tacky.

[1shara]

So we see a woman lying supine on the examination table and we assume she’s having an abortion? We don’t even stop to think that she may be  changing her mode of contraception from pill to coil? 

[willajbabe1989-deactivated20221]

It was actually confirmed by some of the cast mwmbers including Joe Morton that Olivia did indeed have an abortion.

[1shara]

Gurl, I need receipts- confirmation  the cast members spoke on this abortion malarkey. Cause if it’s true, then amma call Shonda and her team a bunch of lazy writers…I mean come now, there was zero…zilch…nada indication that Olivia was pregnant! 

[willajbabe1989-deactivated20221]

I wish I could show you the tweet but I am a location where I can’t embbed links from Twitter right now, all I know is that Joe Morton tweeted something comparing Papa Pope’s storyline to Olivia’s abortion, I forgot exactly the tweet said but I’m 100% sure the words “Olivia’s abortion” was in his tweet.

[1shara]

Let me know if you find the tweet or whatever else. I get that Shonda is about writing all manner of free and independent women. I get it and I applaud but I’ll be mighty pissed if she wrote in an abortion. I get that the show was all about planned parenthood/pro-choice and the notion of ”ties that bind”/parenting skills (lol did you se Eli’s pained expression when Huck called Olivia a slut who slept her way to the top? Priceless, I tell you, priceless. We need to have that debate. Going back on this abortion issue. Me? I still think that scene was ambiguous but feel free to hit me up if the cast members show up talking abortion. Me? I’d like to imagine Shonda created a cliff hanger to keep us talking (read: fighting) till February. There was no sign Olivia was pregnant, nothing.I’d much rather Olivia was undergoing a different procedure than merely having an abortion.  Don’t get me wrong I’m not against abortion per se, I just think (if at all Olivia had an abortion) this storyline came from nowhere.

[dior-heaux24]

PSA to those who are confused as to how Olivia got pregnant in the first place, just know that contraception isn’t 100 percent effective and never has been. The more you know.

[willajbabe1989-deactivated20221]

I think people understand that but if they wanted us to believe that she at least tried, I think that most people wanted some type of indication or proof that she at least tried to be safe. It’s kind of hard to assume things that are not seen.

[dior-heaux24]

I get that but I think the fact that she’s been having unprotected sex on the show for every season is enough of an indication to tell us she was on the pill, I’m sure that was her only form of pregnancy prevention, I never assumed she was getting the men to use condoms anyway. Also, other factors can contribute to the pill being ineffective, including poor diet, taking other medications that alter how your body reacts to it or even accidentally skipping one

[willajbabe1989-deactivated20221]

I think that how Olivia decided to handle the situation and whether or not she had used birth control or contraceptives, is only half of the issue people are having. The other half I think has more to do with the writers choosing to go this route, one thing that people hoped that would never was for Olivia to get pregnant, because most of us know that she will never be ready to have a child, because she’s not that type of person and because Shonda herself said that Scandal is not the type of show to involve kids that being said WHY would they make Olivia get pregnant knowing she wasn’t going to keep it then make her get an abortion which is a very sensitive subject for some people? I just find it kind of tacky.

[1shara]

So we see a woman lying supine on the examination table and we assume she’s having an abortion? We don’t even stop to think that she may be  changing her mode of contraception from pill to coil? 

[willajbabe1989-deactivated20221]

It was actually confirmed by some of the cast mwmbers including Joe Morton that Olivia did indeed have an abortion.

[1shara]

Gurl, I need receipts- confirmation  the cast members spoke on this abortion malarkey. Cause if it’s true, then amma call Shonda and her team a bunch of lazy writers...I mean come now, there was zero...zilch...nada indication that Olivia was pregnant! 

[dior-heaux24]

PSA to those who are confused as to how Olivia got pregnant in the first place, just know that contraception isn’t 100 percent effective and never has been. The more you know.

[willajbabe1989-deactivated20221]

I think people understand that but if they wanted us to believe that she at least tried, I think that most people wanted some type of indication or proof that she at least tried to be safe. It’s kind of hard to assume things that are not seen.

[dior-heaux24]

I get that but I think the fact that she’s been having unprotected sex on the show for every season is enough of an indication to tell us she was on the pill, I’m sure that was her only form of pregnancy prevention, I never assumed she was getting the men to use condoms anyway. Also, other factors can contribute to the pill being ineffective, including poor diet, taking other medications that alter how your body reacts to it or even accidentally skipping one

[willajbabe1989-deactivated20221]

I think that how Olivia decided to handle the situation and whether or not she had used birth control or contraceptives, is only half of the issue people are having. The other half I think has more to do with the writers choosing to go this route, one thing that people hoped that would never was for Olivia to get pregnant, because most of us know that she will never be ready to have a child, because she’s not that type of person and because Shonda herself said that Scandal is not the type of show to involve kids that being said WHY would they make Olivia get pregnant knowing she wasn’t going to keep it then make her get an abortion which is a very sensitive subject for some people? I just find it kind of tacky.

[1shara]

So we see a woman lying supine on the examination table and we assume she’s having an abortion? We don’t even stop to think that she may be  changing her mode of contraception from pill to coil? 

[dior-heaux24]

LOL you haven’t watched the episode yet have you? She did have an abortion. Planned parenthood on Twitter were talking about it, Kerry was talking about it and Shonda was probably to. Not to mention the whole episode revolved around planned parenthood to begin with

[1shara]

I’ve definitely watched it. And just like everyone else I assumed she was having an abortion however, after some thought I realised she may well have been lying supine on that examination table for a myriad of reasons. Yes, I get that the episode was heavy on Planned Parenthood/Pro-Choice  nevertheless planned parenthood can go either way- abortion or contraception or tube ligation. There were no signs whatsoever that Olivia was pregnant and, I highly doubt if Shonda is going to throw around abortion as the most preferred mode of planned parenthood. I think she left the whole thing rather ambitious and we will all wake up in February to the realisation that Olivia never had an abortion. Wanna bet? In the interim, I’m going to sit back and enjoy  (through gritted teeth) the whole kerfuffle on tumblr. 3 months of hell it’s going to be *sigh*.

[abortstigma]

tonight’s episode of #scandal was pro choice and AMAZING. screencaps from bustle.com

-asha

[1shara]

Sweet mother of God, I’m going to scream if I read one more time that Olivia had an abortion. Just because the show was heavy on Planned Parenthood doesn’t mean that Olivia went on to have an abortion. She may have been having a myriad of other procedures being carried out, for example she may well have been having a coil inserted (after all, a  coil is a much better option for her,what with her busy schedule and all). She may well have been having a cervical smear test. Shonda done spun a cliff hanger with this one.

[dior-heaux24]

PSA to those who are confused as to how Olivia got pregnant in the first place, just know that contraception isn’t 100 percent effective and never has been. The more you know.

[willajbabe1989-deactivated20221]

I think people understand that but if they wanted us to believe that she at least tried, I think that most people wanted some type of indication or proof that she at least tried to be safe. It’s kind of hard to assume things that are not seen.

[dior-heaux24]

I get that but I think the fact that she’s been having unprotected sex on the show for every season is enough of an indication to tell us she was on the pill, I’m sure that was her only form of pregnancy prevention, I never assumed she was getting the men to use condoms anyway. Also, other factors can contribute to the pill being ineffective, including poor diet, taking other medications that alter how your body reacts to it or even accidentally skipping one

[willajbabe1989-deactivated20221]

I think that how Olivia decided to handle the situation and whether or not she had used birth control or contraceptives, is only half of the issue people are having. The other half I think has more to do with the writers choosing to go this route, one thing that people hoped that would never was for Olivia to get pregnant, because most of us know that she will never be ready to have a child, because she’s not that type of person and because Shonda herself said that Scandal is not the type of show to involve kids that being said WHY would they make Olivia get pregnant knowing she wasn’t going to keep it then make her get an abortion which is a very sensitive subject for some people? I just find it kind of tacky.

[1shara]

So we see a woman lying supine on the examination table and we assume she’s having an abortion? We don’t even stop to think that she may be  changing her mode of contraception from pill to coil? 

[pjamma-sf]

This may be the sickest thing I’ve seen on Twitter regarding this episode. I hope they didn’t steal this baby pic from an unknowing person like the other “Olitz children”

[vroomvroomenvelib]

Wtf is wrong with some people ??????? 😠

[dior-heaux24]

“Lia” didn’t even have a functioning brain yet, what the entire fuck?

[1shara]

Why are people assuming Olivia had an abortion? I mean, there are other forms of contraception other than pill or injections, she may well have been having a coil inserted. Or better yet she may well have been have a cervical smear test. Why assume she was having an abortion? Is there something that was said that I missed on my feed?

[pjamma-sf]

She had an abortion on screen.

[1shara]

How do you know it was an abortion? We all know she wasn’t giving birth however, we  shouldn’t assume she was having an abortion just because she was lying supine, maybe all this talk about planned parenthood made her decide to have a coil inserted, or have her tubes tied or maybe she was having a  pap smear. In any event nothing was said, the  resounding silence makes it ambiguous,  it leaves everything up in the air. At this point I say, kudos to Shonda she has the fandom in a tailspin. Cliffhanger much?

[pjamma-sf]

This may be the sickest thing I’ve seen on Twitter regarding this episode. I hope they didn’t steal this baby pic from an unknowing person like the other “Olitz children”

[vroomvroomenvelib]

Wtf is wrong with some people ??????? 😠

[dior-heaux24]

“Lia” didn’t even have a functioning brain yet, what the entire fuck?

[1shara]

Why are people assuming Olivia had an abortion? I mean, there are other forms of contraception other than pill or injections, she may well have been having a coil inserted. Or better yet she may well have been have a cervical smear test. Why assume she was having an abortion? Is there something that was said that I missed on my feed?

[whodoesntloveagoodscandal]

“You liked me unavailable...”

And that right there to me is the death toll for Olitz. Not the lies, or the betrayals, but the fact that Olivia doesn’t want Fitz–not all of him at least. 

You can forgive someone for betraying you, and you can look the other way when they lie but when somebody doesn’t want you, the real you? There’s not coming back from that IMO. 

Olivia has not interest in being Fitz’s First Lady. She has no interest in being his wife or the mother of his children. That is not what she wants from him. She doesn’t want a white picket fence, or jam in Vermont. She wanted a part of Fitz when it was convenient for her and that’s pretty much it. 

The way Shonda (and the writers) broke down Olitz was something of a master piece. I know some people are acting all shocked and surprised that this is happening but Shonda has been planting these seeds since Season 1.  Olivia always ran because Fitz wasn’t what she wanted. She ALWAYS ran. This is not brand new information. The only difference now is that Fitz effectively caged her in almost every imaginable way until she had her back against the wall. At the point she was getting free by any means necessary, first by releasing her father (and removing the need for a wedding), then by the abortion, and finally by breaking things off with Fitz and leaving the White House.

I guess there is always a chance that Olitz could happen down the line, but seriously, why would either one of them want it?  Every suggestion that Fitz ever had for them (marriage, babies, house in Vermont) Olivia shut them down decisively. She doesn’t want it. The question is though, does she simply not want that life or does she just not want it with Fitz? 

[dior-heaux24]

THANK YOU! She never wanted Fitz, she just wanted the secret out to no longer have to carry it on her shoulders, she always hated the fact that she was on love with him and this should have been crystal clear to these fools when she admitted on live television that if she could fall out of love with him, she would. But of course these hoes twisted that situation into something it wasn’t to validate Olivia’s “love” for Fitz.

[ironflowerqueen]

I loved this episode.  It’s what I’ve been feeling for a long time.  Still, I do think Olivia loves Fitz in her way.  They might have a HEA but only after they both grow as people. Right now – I am just glad for the break! YAY!

[sophiealexan]

It’s hard to come back from the things they said to each other. That was a nasty fight.

[1shara]

Some would call it a nasty fight, others may see it as an honest conversation. Me? I think both parties spoke nothing but the truth, and  only an immature person shies away from the truth.

 Fitz has spoken his truth, he thinks they are fit for purpose and he wants Olivia to don the mantle of mother, father, lover and stepford wife. 

Olivia has spoken her truth, they are broken (always have been), he is  ineffectual and she has zero interest in being Martha Stewart- in other words, First Lady? NO. Co-President? Yes.

Olivia’s then proceeded to proudly swan off back to hers.Seems like she knows what she wants. Now, it’s up to Fitz to decide what he wants. I bet you he’s going to make it all about himself, I mean he still thinks Liv worked to release her father in order to get out of the wedding yet, any right thinking person knows that the wedding offered limited immunity, the Inquiry would have still worked around the pair of them and subpoenaed other people to the stand- Cy, members of the intelligence community who were involved in the ransome negotiations etc. Honestly it’s a shame when your man is as dumb as f*ck, Fitz should be grateful that whatever dossier Eli had on file shut down that Inquiry effective immediately and allowed him to get on with the business of governing. There is no way he would have been able to get on with Oval matters what with the drip, drip emanating from stand, the media would have had a field day with him, they would have turned him into a lame duck president, unable to hold his party together and by extension unable to pass legislation. Then again what to expect from a man who says he’s done nothing impeachable. Shame, Olivia is truly too clever for him, always two steps ahead of him on all matters.

[lennybaby2]

Because Olivia is a wealthy, conscious professional with bomb ass health care... So unexpected pregnancy seems unlikely...

[sophiealexan]

It can happen to anyone.

[skidivame]

Anyone….

[lennybaby2]

I know but still…she’s not on birth control?

[manhattansmonalisa]

Exactly, and if she’s been successfully on point with it up until her 30s now you’re gonna tell me she miraculously got lax!?!? About something this important? I see someone like Olivia who knows she doesn’t wanna have a kid right now as someone consistently on BC and even taking additional measures to further reduce the chances. That circumstance doesn’t fit the statistical profile, and it doesn’t gel with what we know about Liv, I totally agree with you. I feel like it was thrown in there and I feel like it also made her look kinda trifling.

[lennybaby2]

This. That’s all I’m saying. I don’t think it makes her trifling… The best explanation I can think of is she wasn’t herself? I can’t call this one.

[sophiealexan]

She’s in her mid to late thirties. I had an unexpected pregnancy in my late thirties, while on the pill. Your hormones start doing weird things as you get older. And, again, no birth control is 100% effective. It happens. I don’t think it makes her trifling or lax. It really happens!

[luvinscandal--6ways2sunday]

Something as simple as taking an antibiotic while on the pill can render it ineffective.  Oops happens.

[sophiealexan]

^^^

[1shara]

Why all this talk about an abortion? Was there something said that I missed? There are other forms of contraception- Olivia may well have been having a coil inserted. I used a coil for 10 years and never had to worry about popping pills or dealing with injections.