The Scandal Roundtable 2.12: “Truth Or Consequences”
T.F.: Great point. It reminds me of the comment in the last roundtable about Mellie’s (grudging) acceptance of Olivia as part of her marriage and relationship with Fitz. You could see that as one piece of this larger dynamic where a whole bunch of people have so much invested in Fitz and his success. They’re doing all this work, not just politically, but also emotionally and psychologically, to make sure he pulls it off–and they’re willing to do whatever it takes. It’s a really disturbing, if necessary, sort of marriage/parenting arrangement (Cyrus calling it “custody” is both apropos and creepy). It’s not so much about Fitz’s well-being as it is about maintaining power they can only access vicariously through Fitz.
Of course, Fitz needs them, too; it’s impossible to do the job he does without this kind of family centered around him–an odd little family where he’s both the leader and has to be babied and hand-held and lied to all at once. The vote-rigging and Mellie’s reliance on Olivia to keep Fitz happy is all a product of this dysfunctional dynamic.
Honestly, I wonder if this isn’t the most realistic part of Scandal’s portrayal of the White House. Having a fleet of largely invisible staffers centered on one super-public figure must make for a strange little world.
Jordan: I was struck by the question of “wife of a senator” or “husband of Olivia Pope?” In the larger question of how their relationship looks to outsiders, how are their power dynamics viewed? The show doesn’t let us see enough of the outside world to be sure. My guess–to DC insiders (who know Liv’s rep) he would be the husband of Olivia Pope to the masses and she’s the wife of the senator.
Jordan: I love Cyrus and his speeches on other people’s delusions. He’s always in fine form when he is laying into Fitz. I was pleased that he called out her “hue.” Sometimes it’s easy to forget we are talking about a Republican president but Cyrus does not pull punches and dumping Mellie and marrying Liv all while staying in the White House as a Republican president is career suicide. Also, can we remember America’s Baby.
Joe: As much as I was all:
at the end of Cyrus’s “this is exactly what is wrong with you” speech, I definitely begrudgingly agreed with him.
Loree: I think it all depends on what your definition of “Fitz getting better” is. I think Fitz’ brain injury has affected him to the point where he doesn’t see the big picture…he sees the here and now, like when he was talking to Cyrus how almost dying really put what’s most important to him into perspective. I completely agree with that statement that human beings should look at life like tomorrow could be your last, but in politics that won’t work. The big picture is what is important in politics. Sacrifices of the heart are a necessary evil.
Jordan: Since when did Fitz start calling her Livvie? Also, this is a question I had last week: does Fitz know Liv? Really know her? Edison goes to her work family to fix things. What does Fitz do?
T.F.: Does Fitz even know or care about Olivia’s work family? I mean, I’m not really that fond of Edison, either, but…when you put it that way, it speaks volumes. Not just to Fitz’s awareness of who else is part of Olivia’s life besides him (and the boyfriend he was spying on), but also to how Olivia has to keep the guy who’s supposedly her great love totally sealed off from the work she does and the people she works with.
Loree: Edison going to Olivia’s work family to fix things may mean he knows how to take care of Liv more than Fitz, but it’s just a different type of relationship. I think bottom line is Olivia’s love for Fitz is obviously deeper than her love for Edison. Edison could turn lead into gold but if those emotions aren’t there…well, there would be more couples than singles and less divorce out there if all we did was look for the right guy instead of listening to our desires. Sigh. How life would be so much easier!
Joe: Preaching to the choir. I would have been married to a nice man from New Bedford, MA, for eight years now. I hope he isn’t reading this. LOL.
Jordan: So, where the hell did Fitz’s kids go?
Zach: I always just assumed boarding school.
Johnathan: I think that’s the question on everyone’s minds. Until that ultrasound, I thought this was their first child.
Joe: Dear television: If you don’t have the budget (or patience) for child actors, do not make your characters have children.
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