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).