By Desiree S. Coleman
Who doesn’t love Kerry Washington’s character, Olivia Polk, who is the centerpiece of the wildly popular television series, Scandal? Olivia is the quintessential image of sophistication and grit. She is a world-class “fixer” who almost effortlessly solves problems and does it with a fierce sense of style and savvy. My Thursday nights are spent glued to my television in anticipation of the next big twist and turn on the show. Olivia, or Liv as she is affectionately called, is a woman in charge and she has a loyal following.
Still, as much as people love Liv, they almost certainly love her on-screen romance with Fitzgerald Grant, the show’s fictitious president, even more. Just ask the twitterverse. Fitz and Liv are a steamy showcase of passion and the masses are enthralled with it. So, were it not for the fact that Fitz is married, you might call their romance a match made in heaven. This brings me to the title of this article: Scandal is Scandalous. I deduced this because the show threatens to alter our attitudes about marriage. Now, before I ignite a feminist debate, let me state my case:
A) Fitz is married.
B) Liv is the other woman.
C) No matter how passion-filled their romance is, it’s still an extra-marital affair.
I concluded that Scandal is scandalous after a recent trip to the salon, when just about everyone recounted their favorite aspects of the show. For some, the political overtures were most appealing. For others, the twists and turns of an ever-evolving plot was most alluring. But for the vast majority, it was the affair between Fitz and Liv that was the best part of the show in their opinion. Their stance didn’t evoke feeling either way for me, until several people in the salon spoke up about how upset they were that Fitz recently recommitted his allegiance to his wife. They felt that his commitment to his marriage could undermine his affair with Olivia and they were upset that the affair might end. At that point, I realized something was terribly wrong. “Nobody likes Millie”, one person griped. “I don’t know why he’s with her”, said another. Perplexed, I asked, “Millie, as in his wife? You don’t like the fact that he pledged his love to his wife?” And to my dismay I was correct. My comrades were rooting for Liv, even though she is Fitz’s mistress.
Last week was National Marriage Week, a time when devotion and lifelong commitment were celebrated. Marriage vows are supposed to symbolize unwavering commitment and unyielding trust. So, while Fitz and Liv share unbridled passion, the institution of marriage is supposed to be preserved for two individuals — not three. Marriage is rooted in fidelity, and passion never justifies adultery. So, in spite of the on-screen chemistry that Fitz and Liz share, be careful not to allow a good storyline to numb our sensitivity toward the sanctity of marriage.
BMWK — Please share your comments below. Do Fitz and Liv had a right to be together because of their shared passion or should his allegiance be only to his wife?
Desiree S. Coleman is a motivational speaker, freelance writer, wife and mother. Find her on Twitter at: @thelovejourney7 and check out her book “Why Dating Sucks & How Courtship Is Better” for an eye-opening take on dating and relationships (available on www.amazon.com).
Niambi says
This is just another ploy of the enemy to take what is ungodly and try to make it look good. This show is glorify an affair and that is unacceptable.
Niambi says
It’s these type of shows that get into the minds of individuals that cause morals in society to decrease and be non existent
Ladybug says
First let me say…I LOVE the show, however, it is just a show!! As a married, woman of faith, I don’t take cues from fictional or nonfiction that goes against my beliefs.
Now as far as the characters, lets remember how these storylines were written: 1. Even in the campaign stage- this was a unhappy in loving couple 2. Fitz and Millie HATE each other 3. The only reason they are still together is because of politics, not because either one what’s to salvage their marriage. Even when Millie tries to be nice, she reminds us that she always has ulterior motives. There’s no reading between the lines, or history! These are not people that live down the street…they are CHARACTERS! Someone writing this for our entertainment.
Ladybug says
Sorry for the typo– 1. Even in the campaign stage- this was a unhappy couple, they were not a loving couple
stephanieb says
So, Fitz and Millie being unhappy justifies the Pres. having an affair, right? So if your husband was unhappy, would he be justified in having an affair? As a “woman of faith” I’m surprised that you would justify something like this.
Desiree says
You bring up some really good points…especially about the dynamics between Fitz and Millie. I agree that they are just characters for our entertainment…but I just hope that others share the same sentiment and the lines between what is socially acceptable don’t get blurred.
nikia says
It’s entertainment. People want to play moralists because a black woman is is having an affair with a white guy on tv. These conversations don’t happen when this is depicted with a black man and white woman. Please.
Yana says
Honestly as much as I like the show (ok love!), the affair between Liv and Fitz is the least interesting part to me. I haven’t felt much chemistry between them since the first season. I like the show because it’s smart and entertaining. I may be alone in this but I root for potus and flotus. I havent been this excited and into a show since the 90210 days back in the early 90’s, so for me it’s just entertainment.
Desiree says
I agree….this is the only show that I run home to watch 🙂 so its great entertainment. But, I was just surprised by how many people were rooting for Liv and Fitz. I’m with you on rooting for potus and flotus….on the show, but especially in real life 😉 I *heart* the love the Obamas share. But, I digress….I just was surprised that the people I spoke with justified the affair b/c of the passion they felt Liv and Fitz shared.
stephanieb says
Sadly, I can’t say that I’m surprised that so many feel that way Desiree. The show was written with this in mind.
Yana says
Desiree, I think the kicker is that a lot of people really find the black woman white man dynamic appealing and different. I can’t think of time I’ve ever seen that played out on tv before. Shonda Rhimes was a genius for knowing what would capture our attention. Guarantee if Liv was a white woman the show wouldn’t have the following that it has, because that story has been done a million times. IMO it’s not the affair that keeps people rooting for Liv and Fitz, it’s the color dynamic. I really do think people like seeing a black woman be the object of love (not just lust) and desire for a white man over his white wife. For so long we’ve seen white women portrayed as the object of love and desire, that having the script flipped is well, a bit titillating. As beautiful and desired as we know we are you don’t typically see it played out like this…..especially with the most powerful man in the world. But because I’m married my natural inclination is to root for po/flotus.
Tonie says
I think what the people are rooting for and so crazy about is a depiction of what we all wish our love looks like. Two people who have almost animalistic attraction and seem like the perfect couple. They complement each other in so many ways and we are all wanting to “fix them up”. What makes scandal such a well written show is the fact that something that should be morally reprehensible becomes “complicated” when you add the factors of the loveless news behind the marriage and the obvious selfishness and power hunger of mellie. It makes the illicit affair palatable and almost desirable. It causes you to really think about the idea of the greater good and what choices are acceptable to sustain it. My unsolicited two cents…(I am married for disclosure’s sake)
-tonie
http://Www.dearautism.wordpress.com
stephanieb says
Good points Tonie. But I also think that it reflects how manipulative shows like this are, whether the love interests are black, white, or whatever. They portray the relationship between Liv and Fitz as desirable because they do have this “animalistic” desire for each other and are so passionate towards each other, nevermind the fact that he is very much married. The writers (obviously) purposely make Millie a witch, with a B, so that the relationship between Liv and Fitz seems more acceptable, because Millie is such a horrible person, and despite the affair, Fitz and Olivia seem to be rather nice people. This makes the viewer root for their affair even though they know, deep down, that it’s just as wrong as it can be. You can say that “it’s just t.v.” all you want, but people would be surprised how much reverse psychology takes place through the media, particularly tv. Think about the word “tv programs”, why do you think they call them programs, hint, because they “program” your mind. You see a commercial advertising a product and pretty soon, you are enticed to purchase that product because it looks so good in the commercials. That is the whole point of commercials and tv really, to entice and appeal to the senses, so you can’t just use the “it’s just tv” argument and that’s it, because that is a straight up excuse to watch what you want to watch. You could easily say, well I watch porno, nothing wrong with that, these people aren’t hurting anyone, they probably aren’t even in a real relationship, but it is affecting the person watching it more than they know because that garbage is entering their minds and eventually over time it creeps into their spirit. People need to remember that the enemy is VERY deceptive and that’s why the Word says we have to mindful of what we watch, what we say, and who we entertain. People don’t take these thing seriously anymore, and then we wonder why there is no morality in society. People basically want to jusify doing what they want to do! And I’d be willing to bet, that if Liv was white, and the majority of the cast was white, we wouldn’t have such a huge interest in this show.
Kimberly Wendella Bradley says
You’re an excellent writer well put
Alicia says
I appreciate your thoughts on the show. Honestly, my Facebook feed is filled up every Thursday evening about this show. And for the life of me, I cannot understand why Christian people are so enthralled with two people violating the covenant of marriage, calling it “passion” when it is really lust. Plain and simple. And it is sad when people have undermined marriages as you said this kind of way. Yet, if this happened to them (like to their spouse), they would be positively livid. We act like the Bible told us to “be true to yourself” and “follow your heart” when it actually told us that the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked…smh
stephanieb says
Exactly, and like you said, I think people REALLY don’t know the difference between LOVE and LUST anymore. Perhaps, what Liv and Fitz have is just good ole’ plain lust, and not some great love. It’s kind of hard to tell the difference anymore.
Yaa Yaa says
I watch Scandal each week and at the end of each episode, I think to myself, this show is so BAD, yet so GOOD! For 60 minutes each Thursday night, I escape the real world where I value marriages and endorse the belief that infidelity is wrong to watch a show where praise is given to the mistress and insults are hurled at the wife. The irony!
I view the show as purely entertainment and I don’t think people who watch the show should be condemned or frowned upon for watching or enjoying the show. How many times have you watched a movie, and you rooted for the Bad Guy to die, or played video game where brutally beat or killed the opponent. When you finished playing the game, did you go kill the next person you saw on the street? Or did you assist someone else commit a murder?
I hope not.
My point is many of us are adult to know what is wrong and what is wrong. We know that infidelity is WRONG and in real life, we will uphold this belief, for the most part anyway.
stephanieb says
So I guess those who do have an affair, even though they are adults, don’t know it’s wrong?? And what rock did they crawl from?
DcdivaCB says
stephanieb said a mouthful and is absolutely right. i dont root for fitz and liv, i root for liv to find what she feels with fitz with an available man because she is a “catch,” on top of her game and a great (character) woman. however, last nights episode was nothing but the truth when she said “stolen moments mean nothing and do not, will not last!” liv is not stupid, she just got caught up, like so many people that enter affairs. which is why, even though i don’t like millie the witch with a b (good one by the way), she is the WIFE and deserves to be respected as such or divorced. but like one of the characters stated last night, lie first, breath second. its a politicians job to lie to the public to obtain their true wish, power! the same underlying reason most people cheat, because they have the power to do so, even if they are wrong all day long. but this on screen battle is why scandal is one of the few shows i allow time for, the rest is just simple-minded garbage that i don’t need trying to re-program what God and my mama already instilled in me!
Starr says
I myself have been convicted in watching the show because I am married do not agree with the extramarital affair between Liv & Fitz or anyone ever. His wife may be conniving, malicious but again she is his wife w/children. Might be t.v., another show on t.v. trying to desensitize us to thinking that this new norm such as the homosexuals in this show, is it reality yes, is it right absolutely not. This another way that satan is attacking marriages. Hopefully, Shonda Rhimes will give Liv a love interest and take the light off affairs. This is not the plan that GOD has for marriages.
Natalie B. says
It is a tv show, period. All of the characters have complex pasts that add to the many plot lines and keep the show interesting. If you want to watch a tv show that mirrors your own values, by all means do so. I am not a viewer of “reality” tv shows for just that reason, but for those who are up in arms about how this show is “glorifying” sin and the like, I certainly hope that you are not watching any show with single mothers, single fathers, sex outside of marriage, shows depicting dysfunctional relationships, or abuse. God isn’t a fan of that behavior either. A fictional show depicting a decisive, independent, successful, professional Black woman whose relationship, albeit improper, isn’t even the focus of the story should be scrutinized to death, but a “reality” show featuring an ex-felon who has gun charges on his rap sheet, who took umpteen years to marry the mother of some of his children and promotes a shallow and materialistic lifestyle gets a pass. I continue to be amazed by what we as a community deem detrimental.
Avastasia says
Love the show! It is real life…Afffairs happen to the best of us when placed in certain situations. We all are weak without God. But for the Grace of God some super spiritual folks my come to know God as a forgiver of Adultry.
Yes I am married!!
SNAPPS says
Good article! I love watching Scandal and I think Olivia Pope’s been wonderful and I can’t get enough. I’ve enjoyed this show since my wife got me hooked and it’s my favorite. I watch this and other primetime favorites once they’ve been recorded while I’m away working at DISH. One thing I’ve always hated is when there are too many shows to record and not enough DVRs. This headache’s a thing of the past for me since I upgraded to the DISH Hopper DVR, which allows me to enable the PrimeTime Anytime feature. I can get the 4 major networks recorded on one TV during primetime hours. I can say good bye to the headaches with conflicting timers and get what I want to watch.
Cherise says
What I’m confused about is why this show and not all the other shows flying in the face of marriage, fidelity, honest, and ask things holy? Soap operas have been doing this for years. Is it because it is an interracial couple this time that people care so much?
Tracy says
Anyone who visualize this wonderful and well written entertainment more than what it is ‘Well Written Entertainment’ as the way they want to mirror their way of life has yet to come full circle with Reality.
We barely have main characters that represent us let alone exceptional and phenomenal black writer’s on the more Popular Network (ABC, NBC, CBS) …. and then we as a community always want to minimize the achievements and opportunities that have been created for us yet we will patronize and yell bravo for the ignorance that is produced through Reality TV such as RHOA, Love and Hip Hop, and Basketball Wive (which no one is married ….that’s a whole other topic).
I like reading this blog because it does provide a wonderful framework for marriage and topics many couples should explore to keep their union afloat; but to knock another person of color down based on her creativity brings me back to the Crabs in A Bucket mentality which we as a community need to rise above.
ShonD says
“I deduced this because the show threatens to alter our attitudes about marriage.” LMAO! Seriously? Is this the first time we’ve ever seen an extramarital affair played out on TV? Why is the show Scandal now the catalyst that will bring on destruction of marriage? LOL.
ShonD says
Could we be honest? Isn’t the real issue with Scandal that a black woman is involved with a white man on prime time television. It is obvious that is love and lust from both parties and this does not sit well with black men(who are they only men that we are supposed to openly claim to desire) and some misguided black women. This moral high ground is just to disguise the hate for this interracial relationship.
Tina F. says
I agree ShonD. I agree wholeheartedly. We all mention that it’s a show however this much ruckus wasn’t given when one of the ladies on Army Wives was having an affair (and her husband is high up in the military hierarchy) and a pass has been given to Marilyn Monroe (which many, many women revere as a model for womanhood) although she supposedly slept with Pres. Kennedy. Men gave Kobe dap for what transpired and women told his wife to make him pay and then proceeded to be happy for her when he put that rock on her finger. Tiger Woods is caught cheating and then women again say make him pay and guys wound up questioning his choice of women when Elin was a gorgeous female. No one liked Eric Benet after the break up with Halle Berry for the same reason because no one could understand why he would cheat on one of the world’s most gorgeous women. Now everyone wants to hop on the denounce Liv and Fitz train and let’s let Mellie (the wife) and Fitz work out their problems and be the healthy, happy couple we know they can be if Liv was out of the picture. However, no one wants to say how Mellie contributed to where their relationship is today. No one wants to speak about how she is using him for a possible platform on which to build her own presidential campaign. No one addresses the fact that she feels as if being married and having children is a small sacrifice in order so she can get higher up in politics. So we’re to gloss over the fact that she helped to commit fraud so her husband (which by proxy means her) can get in office even if he was fine in losing the election? And we’re to gloss over the fact that she was ok with him having an affair with Liv in the first place simply because it kept Fitz happy and again, her in the W.H? Mellie contributes so much to the dynamic of the triangle that it frustrates me to no end that many people are as upset about the extramarital affair between Liv and Fitz. As it has been said time and time again in regards to affairs, what one won’t do another will do. However, the moment it is played out on tv, everyone wants to clutch pearls, shield their eyes and quote bible verses like the apocalypse is coming tomorrow. If we don’t like it, turn the channel during the affair scenes. Better yet, learn from it and don’t commit the same mistakes in your own relationship. It’s as simple as that. Yes, Scandal is scandalous. That’s what it’s about – the things that are not supposed to happen happening. The crusading and the support for the affair isn’t simply because of the loveless relationship between Mellie and Fitz or the excellent chemistry between Liv and Fitz. It’s for love. Pure and simple love or at least the idea of the way love is supposed to look like when it comes to couples. Nothing more, nothing less. In the end, that’s what we all want: an unquenchable love that’s felt by both parties.
ShonD says
Exactly Tina!
Minnie says
I believe that many women, due their own loveless or unbalanced relationships, are championing not for the affair(although that’s the premise of show), but for the forsaking of everything for the woman that he loves. We want our man to be willing to go through hell and high water risking it ALL and forsaking everything and everyone for US!!!
Now the show is written to depict the wife the way most cheating husbands do, as unsupportive, uncaring, and unloving and this view makes it easier to root for the AFFAIR, which has and would crushed most of us…..We would ALL agree that if we were in “Millie’s” shoes we wouldn’t like it(affair).
Thick dime says
I find the Christian attitude rather funny regarding infidelity. Most marriages in the Bible have more than one wife. I guess that they forget that every Sunday when they put on their best clothes and pretend hat nothing is wrong in their world for 2 hours. Nothing on that show is new or different than what goes on in the world around you. If you truly want to make a change then do something in your neighborhood that builds marriages, uplifts youth, covers battered wives, etc. A tv show will not outdo what we can do for each other each and everyday. But you don’t really want to do anything other than complain. Geesh
Superwife says
Anybody who allows ANY television program to alter their sense of wrong and right is a plum fool. It’s just entertainment – especially since its scripted tv – unlike the crazies on “reality” tv shows. Weak minds do what others do – strong minds do what they are purposed to do.
NattiJay says
It is a nighttime soap opera. Soaps have done this for years , and people calling themselves married, saved and Christian watched them FAITHFULLY. I have 4 words for you… IT IS A SHOW! Watch the last episode and you will see Olivia come to the reality about her position as a mistress. Superwife, I loved your comment , by the way !:)
ShonD says
In real life Kanye West is having a baby with a woman who is currently married to another man. A woman famous for having a sex tape. How many of you still bump Kanye in your IPODs watch and/or let your children watch the Kardashians? Did I miss the notice of the boycott?