In truth, executive producer Shonda Rhimes has not made a decision whether Fitz will discover the truth. But I think that's what makes it worth talking about. I didn't; I just had to absorb it and think about it. Its not weird to have a favorite abortion scene, especially when most of them are so completely terrible. It is a giant 180 for the man. 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His face would have lit up in a smile and it would be the greatest joy in his life and he'd have embraced her and said, "Oh my God, we're going to start a whole new life together, isn't that fantastic?!" 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. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. In season four of Scandal, a case-of-the-week story features a female Navy officer who is raped and begs Olivia for help getting an abortion. FATHER KNOWS BEST | Still shackled to a chair, an increasingly desperate Rowan decides to play mind games with his captor/potential executioner, Huck. The one where EW follows up with the cast. When Olivia is kidnapped, Quinn, Huck and Jake team up to find her. Of course, abortion is something that has been alluded to on TV before, but this is one of the first times it's been shown so openly on network television especially in a clinic. But that's still a very big "if" that may never actually come to pass. I want her to be whole. HollywoodLife.com got the EXCLUSIVE scoop straight from Tony Goldwyn at Scandal's PaleyFest event about how he thinks . Olivia's Ending: When a fan asked Kerry Washington how she'd want to write her own ending for Scandal, Josh Malinanoting the enormity of the questionblurted out, "Oh snap!" The biggest? Its interesting to me that her primary story is a romance. Thats true. We were all shocked, honestly, at how dark the writers went. "My question is . When I was 20, I had an abortion. 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. Read More: How Shonda Rhimes Is Changing the Dialogue About Abortion on TV, It all set the stage for the most epic fight Scandal has yet to feature between the couple that has long been considered end game. 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. shut down the government! Fitz may grow through the experience; I have no idea what Shonda has in mind. Heres the thing about how I handled my abortion: I was playing a part, even if I didnt realize I was. We talk about it a lot.. It was not what I expected with Olivia and Fitz. Olivia . To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories. Shonda Rhimes political drama: Sex! Washington was quick to add that she'll do just about anything to make fun of Goldwyn. Brief and devoid of dialogue as it was, Scandals presentation of Olivias abortion was my favorite of any Ive seen in TV or movies. The biggest? In the first teaser, released Thursday by ABC, Olivia tells presidential hopeful Mellie . 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'm not thinking of what the fans want to hear," said Rhimes. This isnt what I want. 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. Fitz overreached a bit by moving her into the White House prematurely. But then a weird and telling and amazing thing happens: She never mentions the abortion. [Warning: This story contains spoilers from the season five midseason finale, Baby, Its Cold Outside, of ABCs Scandal.]. I don't understand it. She couldnt have that conversation because to her, that's terror and a ball and chain. It just means that Olivia does not know who she is yet. Fitz blasts her as being more manipulative than Mellie. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. But the dream may have been better than the reality if Thursday's midseason finale his any indication. Offers may be subject to change without notice. (Laughs.). Kerry Washington promised us on Twitter that this was the episode you'd want to watch live, and she was absolutely right. 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. 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By 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 know where it ends and when it ends, Rhimes said, though the question is when. Whats more, it may have revealed Fitzs stance on abortion for the first time in five years. See More: The Couples of Shondaland: 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Private Practice,' 'Scandal'. But there's going to be a tremendous backlash I'm not saying this out of any knowledge of the story, but about life when Olivia has to look in the mirror and realizes that she's pushed away everybody who is close to her life and the man she does love. 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. 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. Hes a Republican but weve never asked that question [on the show]. (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.). "I think in a way, Huck has grown and is trying to become a better man, but who knows?" I can't imagine how Fitz will react when he finds out about the abortion. An abortion is a procedure to end a pregnancy. I feel like she disassociated from it. 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. To feel OK about a woman having an abortion, do we need to see her agonizing over the decision? People have very strong and justifiable views on both sides of the question. | 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. "Second to the death of his son, that's the worst thing that could ever happen to Fitz to find out that Olivia was pregnant with his baby, had an abortion and did not tell him," he says. She went in and did it with no emotion. "She has been on a journey since we started. 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. 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? But I think thats what makes it worth talking about. ("We've talked about these things," is all Rhimes would elaborate.) I think it would be, next to the death of his son, the most gutting news he could get and frankly I dont know how hed recover from that. Scandal - "Dead in the Water" Subscribe: http://goo.gl/mo7HqT Many may think that because of the six-month time jump that the topic will never be broached again. America So She Could Breastfeed Privately, Michael J. But that might be good for Fitz. Fitz finally found out about Olivia's abortion. Olivia told Abby she is not ashamed of her abortion, and she does not care who knows. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. So, will he? The answer is YES, in capital letters. It's a really interesting choice [for them to break up]. And the truth is, neither do most women when they have abortions. If Fitz were smart, he'd stay 100 miles away from her; he should get in another relationship because, really, how much abuse can two people take? 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, The 51 Best Mothers Day Gifts to Buy This Year, 63 No-Fail Gift Ideas for Every Guy on Your List, 53 Genius Gifts for People Who Have Everything. It's interesting to me that it's a romance, that her primary story is a romancethat's what you've seen. She sat behind me, and I was like, 'Action!' But that doesn't mean he won't find out in some way or another, whether she wants him to know about it or not. How much of their breakup do you think was based on Olivia's stress from the pregnancy and feeling cornered as she said, not running with the big dogs? Does this open the door for Mellie to return? Olivia calls Fitz an ineffectual president and believes the White House is a cage. Hes a Republican but weve never asked that question [on the show]. As for Washington's take? What would have happened if Olivia had said to Fitz, "I'm pregnant?" I somehow feel as though his reaction wouldn't be all that understanding. But emotionally, we were all silent afterward; like, What just happened?!. My question is: Does he need to? Rhimes said at Tuesdays PaleyFest panel. He has always had a strong polarity in his life. Well done, Shonda Rhimes! But to me, her primary story has been discovering herself. Shonda doesn't make polemic arguments; she's not sending messages. Do you think theres still a stigma associated with depicting abortion on TV? IT WAS NICE KNOWING YA, OLITZ! 2 days ago, by Chandler Plante But he did so kind of from the right place; he was trying to take control of the situation. Todays biggest stories, from pop culture to politicsdelivered straight to your inbox. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Portia de Rossi mentioned that she'd like to get inside Huck's complicated mind. I somehow feel as though his reaction wouldn't be all that understanding. We talk about it a lot.". Olivias suits! Her father has been saying that, and while he represents evil to a lot of you, he also represents truth., RELATED: The Most Shocking Twists on Scandal, What their future may hold, in other words, is up in the air as is the future of Scandal, as Rhimes reiterated her plans to keepthe political fixer drama as a contained story. We didnt think so. Jerry Springer hinted at his ailing health in his last-ever Australian TV interview before dying from pancreatic cancer at the age of 79 last Thursday. He's 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. What was the table read like when the cast got this script? I dont understand it. "I think in a way, Huck has grown and is trying to become a better man, but who knows?" That's where she's coming from as a dramatist. 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. 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? 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. Not anymore.". Though Fitz and Olivia are done for the time being, Rhimes stressed that Scandal is more than just the Olitz relationship. 'Scandal's' Tony Goldwyn on Abortion Storyline, Fitz and Olivia's Future. The procedure is done by a licensed healthcare professional.. And perhaps a great many more women would experience abortion this way if more TV and movies taught them to expect that they might. I 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. Will there be a time jump when the second half of the season returns? That [Olivia] was going to surrender every piece of who she was to be an appendage of [Fitz] was never going to work. He's lost his family; though he has visitation with his kids, he and Mellie are utterly estranged. It's the only way for me stay creative. 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. 2023 Cond Nast. Shes like, Hey, people, Im putting this on television because this is what is happening in our lives. Shonda doesnt make polemic arguments; shes not sending messages. 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. ", 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. Did you guys have questions for Shonda after reading this episode? 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. 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. For Olivia, the breaking free of that, while painful, was the first step in realizing that's not who she is supposed to be." It happened unceremoniously, unexpectedly, and the storyline moved forward quickly in fact, Olivia' abortion only got one minute of airtime. 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. The last question of the night was perhaps the most fitting, given that Paleyfest is for the fans. To me, that's what was so disturbing about that abortion scene: it was so mundane. 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. I havent actually decided, but I wonder sometimes. I didnt think Fitz could necessarily recover from the revelation that Olivia had been the one who saved her dad and yet Fitz did, albeit in such a dysfunctional way and making a grab at her and putting her in the White House. What the Fans Want v. What Shonda Wants: During the audience Q&A, a fan asked Shonda if she feels obligated to write for what the fans want or what she wants. When Olivia misses an important dinner (she was getting an abortion) Fitz is upset. 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. How will we see both Olivia and Fitz deal with the aftermath of their break-up? Meanwhile, Fitz finds out that Olivia aborted his baby. Does this open the door for Mellie to return? I'm happy that you have fallen in love with Fitz because that's the journey that Olivia went on. There's always been Mellie and/or Olivia as this other yin and yang. Fitz blasts her as being more manipulative than Mellie. Olivia Munn & John Mulaney's Meet Cute 8 Years Ago At A Wedding Is Relatable, Paramount+s 'Fatal Attraction' Series Follows The Movies Alternate Ending, 11 Photos Of The 'Fatal Attraction' TV Cast Vs. Their 1987 Movie Counterparts, How 'Queen Charlotte' Star India Amarteifio Prepped Her Mom For "Steamy" Scenes, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. 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. Abby and Fitz don't really know each other. PMC Entertainment. Its such a divisive issue in our society and sadly has become a real political football. Adding fuel to the fire that Olivia and Fitz really werent 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. He's going to be very lonely. Fitz would be positively devastated if he ever discovered what Olivia did. For. Making a splash: A deep dive into the live-action Little Mermaid with a new generation's Ariel. She feels that Fitz moving her into the White House so suddenly (and without asking) was punishment for releasing Rowan. My mother was even like, 'Why are you acting that way?!" Jock Zonfrillo Dies: 'MasterChef Australia' Judge And Acclaimed, Damar Hamlin's Charity Sponsor, the Giving Back Fund, Embroiled, Even Without Barry, 'Barry' Is Delighted with Its Own Misery, Malaysia's 'Abang Adik' Wins Udine Festival's Golden Mulberry, Editor's Choice: I Purchased This TikTok-Viral Walking Pad and I, TVLine is a part of Penske Media Corporation. We talk about it a lot.. ("We've talked about these things," is all Rhimes would elaborate.)