SCANDAL 2x11, 2x12, 2x13 & 2x14 Reaction! | Kerry Washington | Shonda Rhimes
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Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖President Fitz Grant murders Justice Verna Thornton to prevent her from exposing the election rigging.
- ❖Olivia Pope consciously chooses a life of "painful, devastating, extraordinary love" over a "normal" existence, embracing the chaos of her relationship with the President.
- ❖The "Defiance" election rigging plot involves a secret cabal, including Mellie Grant and Cyrus Beene, who make extreme moral compromises to maintain power.
- ❖David Rosen, the "good guy" prosecutor, is repeatedly thwarted and framed as he attempts to uncover the truth about the election and related crimes.
- ❖The show explores the psychological impact of power and deception, with Fitz turning to alcohol and Olivia grappling with her moral compass.
Insights
1The Corrupting Nature of Power and Secrecy
The hosts note that the show consistently demonstrates how power leads to deceit and violence. Fitz, initially presented as a more honorable figure, commits murder to protect his stolen presidency, illustrating the depths of compromise required to maintain power.
Fitz suffocates Justice Verna Thornton in her hospital bed after she confesses to orchestrating his assassination attempt to expose the election rigging.
2Olivia Pope's Embrace of "Messy" Love and Life
Olivia explicitly rejects a conventional life with Edison, articulating a desire for "painful, devastating, life-changing, extraordinary love," which she finds in her tumultuous relationship with Fitz and her role in the political underworld.
Olivia tells Edison, "I could probably give all this up and live in a country house and have babies and be normal. I could, but I don't want to. I want painful, devastating, life-changing, extraordinary love."
3The "Defiance" Election Rigging Cabal
A core group, including Olivia, Mellie, Cyrus, and Verna Thornton, conspired to rig Fitz's election, and their efforts to cover it up drive much of the season's conflict. This collective guilt and shared secret bind them in a dangerous alliance.
The hosts discuss the "cabal in agreement" to rig the election and later, Verna Thornton's confession to Fitz about the rigging and the involvement of others.
4The Psychological Toll of Deception
Characters like Fitz and Olivia exhibit significant psychological strain from their involvement in the cover-ups. Fitz turns to alcohol and becomes isolated after murdering Verna, while Olivia constantly battles her moral compass.
Fitz is shown drinking heavily and feeling isolated after Verna's death. Olivia struggles with her decision to participate in the cover-up, leading to internal conflict and emotional distress.
5David Rosen's Persistent Pursuit of Justice
Despite being repeatedly framed, undermined, and losing his job, David Rosen remains a steadfast "good guy" attempting to expose the corruption, highlighting the difficulty of fighting systemic deceit.
David is framed for Wendy's murder and his attempts to prosecute Hollis Doyle are thwarted, yet he continues his investigation into election rigging.
Notable Moments
Fitz murders Justice Verna Thornton.
This act marks a significant moral turning point for Fitz, demonstrating the extreme measures he takes to protect his presidency and the secrets surrounding it. It solidifies his transformation into a compromised leader.
Olivia tells Edison she desires "painful, devastating, life-changing, extraordinary love."
This moment defines Olivia's character arc, revealing her conscious choice to embrace the intense, complicated, and often destructive nature of her life and relationships, particularly with Fitz.
Olivia's team (the Gladiators) chooses plausible deniability over hearing the full truth about the election rigging.
This highlights the practical and moral compromises made by Olivia's team, prioritizing their ability to function and protect themselves over knowing the full, legally incriminating truth.
David Rosen is framed for Wendy's murder while investigating election rigging.
This illustrates the ruthlessness of the forces David is up against and the personal cost of pursuing justice in a corrupt political system. It also shows how easily the "good guy" can be manipulated.
Quotes
"I may be petty or whatever else you want to call me, but I'm a winner. And that's something you'll never be."
"People like Fitz, they go down in history. People like us, we create history."
"Justice is for regular people. Justice is for fatties in Ohio folding their laundry and drinking their beers. We are not regular people."
"You are the president. Any call you make is right."
Q&A
Recent Questions
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