“Scandal” obsessed

Sweating, escalating heart beats, chest tightening and heavy breathing are not just signs of a looming heart attack; it’s the symptoms of watching an episode of ABC’s hit television series “Scandal,” which returns from a two-month break on Feb. 27 at 10 p.m. Be warned, juicy details and spoilers do follow.

The show’s creator, Shonda Rhimes, who also created the hit show “Grey’s Anatomy,” crafts an emotional journey filled with sex, lies and scandals, leaving fans breathless and wanting more. It’s no wonder the ABC series has made it to season three with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. For those who have yet to join the “Shondaland” roller coaster, here is the skinny on the “Scandal” obsession.
“Scandal” is a political drama starring Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope, the hard-hitting and extremely stylish owner of a Washington D.C. crisis management firm. As the name implies, she fixes all sorts of scandalous issues. If someone significant in town has a major problem they need to cover up, like getting caught with their pants down or having their child stage their own kidnapping, she is the person to call. Her eye for seeing the light at the end of the darkest tunnel makes her a precious commodity in a city filled with corruption.

Olivia works with a team who call themselves Gladiators, one of the most resourceful and manipulative ensembles on television. The group includes the fast-talking lawyer Harrison Wright, played by Columbus Short; ex-assassin and tech guy Huck, played by Guillermo Diaz; naïve newbie Quinn, played by Katie Lowes; and loyal friend Abby, played by Darby Stanchfield. These four have devoted their lives to Olivia, as she has saved each of their lives. They are willing to do whatever Olivia asks of them without question, even if it means breaking the law.

Despite the craziness that goes on around her, Olivia is usually able to keep her composure, except when it comes to Fitzgerald Grant III, the president of the United States played by Tony Goldwyn. Olivia and Fitz met when she was hired to be a part of his campaign team, back when he was Governor Fitz. She aggressively tackled the campaign issues other people on the team were afraid to speak to Fitz about, like the fact that he was obviously unaffectionate towards his wife. Because of Olivia’s honesty, he immediately found her attractive.

For years, Fitz and Olivia met all over the U.S. for secret rendezvous, until his wife, Melody “Mellie” Grant, played by Bellamy Young, found out. She decided that Fitz needed to make a decision: her or Olivia. Shockingly, just a few hours before the ultimatum was up, Fitz showed up at Olivia’s apartment, choosing her over the White House and his wife. This led Mellie to announce on national television that her husband was having an affair, but she didn’t say whom he was cheating on her with. In the meantime, Fitz’s plan on turning his back on the White House was quickly foiled when his Chief of Staff Cyrus Beene, played by Jeff Perry, showed up at Olivia’s house and dragged the President back to the White House to handle the problem he created.

Beene, the president’s right hand man, is one that viewers have to keep an eye on. He is good at what he does. He is ambitious and loyal to the president. However, he is not afraid to get his hands dirty — so much so that he, with a couple members of the then-governor’s trusted team, rigged the national election in a key state, which resulted in Fitz’s winning the presidency. He even arranged to have his own husband James Novak, played by

Dan Bucatinsky, assassinated because he was going to be a witness in the case against him for tampering with the electoral machines. But it’s OK. Breathe. Beene could not go through with killing the love of his life.

This season has been nothing short of amazing as key information about Olivia and her family has been revealed. For 20 years, Olivia believed her mother died in a plane crash. But it turns out her father, Rowan Pope, played by Jeff Morton, has been keeping her imprisoned beneath the city. By the way, her father is the leader of a secret spy group known as B6-13 that operates separately from the government. And the kicker, the person who arranged the plane crash was Rowan and Fitz executed the order, as he was in the military at that time.

The title of the show says it all. This series definitely keeps viewers under its spell and one can only imagine what Shonda and her team are going to come up with next. But whatever it is, it’s sure to give viewer’s heart attack symptoms. Fasten your seatbelts, because this “Scandal” ride is going to throw you for a loop.

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