This episode was such a timely and important one for Planned Parenthood, and it isn't the first time a Shonda Rhimes series or Scandal itself has featured an abortion. Ive always had the end point in mind.. "I'm just writing what comes out. After a tumultuous few seasons of back-and-forth, Fitz (Tony Goldwyn) and Olivia (Kerry Washington) seemed poised to find happiness. Olivia Pope Had An Abortion On 'Scandal' & It Was A Brave A woman made a choice about her body that she legally has the right to make. 'Scandal' Recap: Olivia Has an Abortion in Season 5 | TVLine From hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person whos on TikTok, even if you arent. All Rights Reserved. Sound off in the comments, below. But that scene has both points of view pretty firmly in place, which is part of what made it so sad. Did you guys have questions for Shonda after reading this episode? shut down the government! IT WAS NICE KNOWING YA, OLITZ! To restate the headline, this time without a spoiler redaction: R.I.P. Director Debate: Scott Foley v. Tony Goldwyn: Now that Foley and Goldwyn have both directed episodes of Scandal, Washington admitted that she's "so horrible when Tony directs. And of course shes withholding this terrible secret that Fitz has no clue about. ", 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. Scandal - "Dead in the Water" Subscribe: http://goo.gl/mo7HqT 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. She sat behind me, and I was like, 'Action!' 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? Thats true. The reveal would not hurt her, but hurt Fitz both publicly and privately because he does not know. 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. But that's still a very big "if" that may never actually come to pass. Goldwyn previously told THRthat Fitz would have a progressive view on the matter. Fitz would be positively devastated if he ever discovered what Olivia did. 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. Fitz is certainly not blameless in this but I think Olivias fear is a huge part of this. Heres how the subtle reveal plays out: Fitz accidentally sees Olivias medical file sitting on the desk of chief of staff Abby (Darby Stanchfield). Its interesting to me that her primary story is a romance. ET on ABC. Smith, who we spoke with just a few weeks ago, said "Marcus is fighting to set the bar, and yet [others] are trying to remove it in a way. "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. Kerry Washington promised us on Twitter that this was the episode you'd want to watch live, and she was absolutely right. Here's everything that happened: Huck's Family Drama: The audience previewed Thursday night's episode, in which Huck must deal with the emotional fallout of not being in his son's life. How much more will Scandal explore Planned Parenthood and abortion storyline going forward? I don't have an attachment to what it looks like. "Three highway patrol men came through and then nine secret service agents and then I saw Huma [Abedin, Clinton's aide], and I was like, 'I know her!' The veteran series also features Addision (Kate Walsh) revealing that she had an abortion after getting pregnant during her affair with Mark (Eric Dane). Do you think there's still a stigma associated with depicting abortion on TV? | 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 just means that Olivia does not know who she is yet. In the dramatic mid-season finale, Olivia and Fitz's brief time living together in the White House comes to a breaking point. An all-new episode of Scandal will air this Thursday night on ABC following Grey's Anatomy. Because make no mistake, Fitz would not take this news well. She fell in love, got the fantasy and she discovered the fantasy was not real. But that scene has both points of view pretty firmly in place, which is part of what made it so sad. Fitz tells Olivia that she never needed his approval. 'Scandal' finale: Take a look back at seven twisty seasons It happened unceremoniously, unexpectedly, and the storyline moved forward quickly in fact, Olivia' abortion only got one minute of airtime. Now its your turn. ), and savors a glass of wine. People have very strong and justifiable views on both sides of the question. Come on, its difficult; theres a lot of scrutiny but what the hell is Olivia so scared of?! Olivia is on a journey, Rhimes said. To me, thats what was so disturbing about that abortion scene: it was so mundane. Come on, it's difficult; there's a lot of scrutiny but what the hell is Olivia so scared of?! I may be alone at this point in thinking that, I don't know (Laughs.) Olivia later goes to Fitz to bless Jake (Scott Foley) as Mellies pick for vice president on her Republican ticket. And we dont in fact know where Fitz lives on this issue. Sure, Olivia couldve talked to Fitz about it if shed wanted to, but to make a tiny assumption, it seems like she was really sure about what she wanted to do, in which case talking to him would only open her up in a really scarily vulnerable way, with her love for him and her now-shattered hopes for their future presenting a giant liability that could potentially lead her to choosing something that she already knew she didnt want. Not once did Olivia say she was pregnant, and we had no idea what she was doing at the clinic until she laid down on the table. Scandal: Will Fitz ever find out about the abortion? Did you guys have questions for Shonda after reading this episode? 2 days ago, by Chandler Plante In possibly related news, a familiar face returns during Thursdays episode, which screened ahead of the panel, that will surely raise some eyebrows. Sometimes it's more difficult since the show is often from Olivia's point of view so I do have to ask Shonda questions in terms of what she has in mind for Fitz. To him, it is a sign that Olivia is running away from the relationship. Thats what I knew to do. When Olivia is kidnapped, Quinn, Huck and Jake team up to find her. What's more, it may have. Boom. Look what hes forgiving her for and what hes overlooked, in terms of her bailing out on this supposed marriage they were going to have by making a deal with the man who murdered his son, with the father who has tormented her her entire life. First, Papa Pope laments his own flock of so many ungrateful children, then quickly turns the tables and goes right for the jugular: He calls Huck an insane shell of a father and then muses whether Hucks own son is actually better off without him. In truth,. By Scandals Republican president may have just revealed his stance on abortion. 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. 'Scandal' abortion Fitz Olivia breakup Tony Goldwyn interview - The The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Fitz is then incredibly nice to Olivia whom he hasnt seen in months after their split and agrees. Shonda Rhimes just dropped some major bombshells about Scandal at the Paley Center for Media's 33rd Annual PaleyFest. I understand as a viewer but if I were her shrink, I would have a lot to say. I'm just telling a story that is there for me. 2 days ago, by Lindsay Kimble To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories. 18 hours ago, by Eden Arielle Gordon I cant tell you that, Rhimes told EW ahead of the panel. So it might be good for him. "I don't know if he can go [without seeing his family]," said Guillermo Diaz. Olivia's abortion on Scandal shocks the world in a good way So it might be good for him. 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. Will Fitz start dating? Olivias frustration with her position in the White House intensified as she watched Sen. Mellie Grant (Bellamy Young) work tirelessly to support Planned Parenthood (in the latest Scandal episode that delivered a timely message). 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. Dan Lauria (Jack Arnold), Alley Mills (Norma Arnold), Jason Hervey (Wayne Arnold) and Olivia d'Abo (Karen Arnold) reunited at the Chiller Theatre Toy, Model & Film Expo held at the Parsippany . But to me, her primary story has been discovering herself. I havent actually decided, but I wonder sometimes. 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. 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. Will Olivia tell Fitz about the abortion? How much pain and suffering? 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. 'Scandal's' Tony Goldwyn on Abortion Storyline, Fitz and Olivia - Yahoo 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. The actor talks with THR about the controversial midseason finale. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. But his feelings for Olivia defy logic. 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. In possibly related news, a familiar face returns during Thursdays episode, which screened ahead of the panel, that will surely raise some eyebrows. Earlier this season, Kerry Washington's " Scandal " character made the decision to get an abortion on the ABC series. Its a really interesting choice [for them to break up]. Thats what youve seen. IMO, Olivia doesn't need to tell Fitz IF she doesn't ever intend to be with him again, (in which case she should stay away from the Oval office and stop offering unsolicited advice) The talk show king was a guest on Channel . Fitz may be in a lot of denial here especially given all the grief he has suffered but he means it.. 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. To me, that's what was so disturbing about that abortion scene: it was so mundane. but the couch is an inanimate object it's a nice couch, and the couch isn't going to make a lot of demands on Olivia. Olivia calls Fitz an ineffectual president and believes the White House is a cage. In truth,. "I think in a way, Huck has grown and is trying to become a better man, but who knows?" 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. Fitz (Tony Goldwyn) tells Olivia (Kerry Washington) to forgive Abby (Darby Stanchfield). I think there's hope. It's interesting to me that it's a romance, that her primary story is a romancethat's what you've seen. Hes very progressive in so many ways and my guess is that Fitz would have a fairly progressive view on the matter, if only to say that it should not be in the hands of the government. Hes a Republican but weve never asked that question [on the show]. But Liv didnt tell Fitz about the abortion during their break-up fight because it wasnt relevant. 2 days ago, by Joely Chilcott 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. And for Scandalas a whole? 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. 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. 'Scandal' season 5 winter finale recap: Olivia gets an abortion, breaks The answer is YES, in capital letters. The 1-minute scene was so flawlessly orchestrated in a way that both refused to strip Olivia of her strength, while also not softening the utterly unpleasant reality of the actual experience of undergoing that procedure. 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 havent actually decided, but I wonder sometimes. I don't really feel like I have that control of her. 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. In the first teaser, released Thursday by ABC, Olivia tells presidential hopeful Mellie . 5 Meanwhile, Fitz finds out that Olivia aborted his baby. 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. The biggest? He's a Republican but we've never asked that question [on the show]. joked Rhimes. Not anymore.. How will we see both Olivia and Fitz deal with the aftermath of their break-up? She didn't even confirm she'd had an abortion or tell Fitz about . My question is: Does he need to? Rhimes said at Tuesdays PaleyFest panel. Scandal was recently renewed for a sixth season, but does Rhimes actually look at that as the final season? It was her decision and hers alone, so Rhimes may not feel it necessary to drudge the whole thing up again. 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. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. 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. All Rights Reserved. "Olivia is on a journey," Rhimes started out. Oscar winning director Roman Polanski poses with his 1977 teenage rape But he somehow understands that Olivia made a very personal choice and he instinctively respects that. She looks happy or freed with a glass of wine, new couch and a Christmas tree, while Fitz is left almost heartbroken. That's where she's coming from as a dramatist. It just means that Olivia does not know who she is yet. Theres always been Mellie and/or Olivia as this other yin and yang. I know what I want. She has that thing where when you run away from a commitment or obligation, there's that initial sense of, "I'm free! Will Olivia tell Fitz about the abortion? Look at the fact that Fitz was able to move past that. Is this breakup something that Olivia and Fitz can come back from? I can't tell you that. 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. I wonder how my own actions and feelings about my abortion mightve been changed had my brain walked into that experience with a different set of expectations.
olivia tells fitz about the abortion