CliqueClackFitz and Olivia is the least interesting relationship on Scandal
‘Scandal’ focuses a little too much on the relationship between Fitz and Olivia, but the other relationships on the show are so much better.
ABC’s Scandal is having a pretty incredible run. The ratings in its first season were solid, but not spectacular. The second season saw those ratings rise significantly. The season finale had 25% more viewers than the series premiere did. That might not sound like a great deal on paper, but considering how many viewers shows generally lose from the premiere, it is pretty impressive.
I think Scandal succeeds in spite of Olivia/Fitz, not because of them. There are many great relationship dynamics on the show that far outstrip the primary one. I would much rather focus on those.
David and Abby: I have been a big fan of both Josh Malina and Darby Stanchfield since Sportsnight and Jericho respectively, and I absolutely love their characters’ pairing. David’s storyline in particular was excellent last season; his spiral and eventual betrayal of Pope & Associates was a roller coaster of an arc, and their relationship was a central to the “fun.” Considering the amount of (generally misplaced) distrust between the two, I began to wonder if what they had could ever be saved. Fortunately, Abby’s “pervy sexting” saved the day.
Fitz and Millie: The next two are obviously deeply entwined with Olivia/Fitz, but are both considerably more interesting. The President and the First Lady are awesome together; the aforementioned booziness last week serves again as a case in point. Their moment together in this episode, as Millie went from a beautiful evolution of shock, hope, suspicion, realization and anger was easily the best piece of acting all night.
Olivia and Jake: If there was ever proof that relationships with Olivia can be broken and dangerous without being emotionally manipulative and abusive, it is Jake Ballard. I doubt Olivia will ever be able to truly trust someone else, which helps Jake’s case – their relationship started with a massive lie and betrayal. Whereas Fitz has done very little to redeem his transgressions, Jake seems to want to protect Olivia. I don’t mean to define Olivia by talking about Jake’s protective nature, but I think that instinct is preferable to Fitz’s desire to control and, perhaps even own.
I like Scandal; hell, because of our access to screeners and the show’s midseason premiere status, I’ve liked it a great deal longer than most. While the show – and perhaps more importantly the marketing – unfortunately focuses on Fitz and Olivia, Scandal has so much more going for it.
Note: Many would argue that Cyrus and James belong here, and for the most part I’d agree — individually they are both great characters. But while the writers are thankfully ignoring the trials and tribulations the couple went through last year – including the use of an adoption as bribery – I’m less able to. The Cyrus and James of this season is much better than last, but I need more than just a couple of episodes to believe.
12 Comments on “Fitz and Olivia is the least interesting relationship on Scandal”
In an alternate universe maybe….
The person that wrote this story is a nut
Saying that Olivia and Fitz are the least interesting part of the show is like saying Kitt was the least interesting part of Knight Rider. While I understand some people do not like this aspect of the show, it is the biggest draw of the show, so blanket statements like “a great many” fans don’t like is just drivel. YOU don’t like it and that’s fine, but please don’t make blanket statements about it like your statements are facts and then use a single review as the evidence. There should definitely be a balance to how the other characters are used, but I would wager that “a great many” fans like the romance/angst/drama and tune in specifically for that reason. I know I do!
There’s a subtle difference between “least interesting relationship” and “least interesting thing about the show” (For my money, the whole Cyrus and James have a baby was the least interesting arc the show has done to date).
Also, many is far from most. There has been some growing discontent in some quarters. It isn’t the first time I’ve written about it, another one of our writers has weighed in, the Vulture article I linked as well as others I’ve seen, including one from Alan Sepinwall.
But frankly, I AM a hell of a lot more interested in these other relationships. Watching an emotionally and — at times — physically abusive relationship doesn’t want to make me root for either character.
Semantics aside…the show is a soap-y political drama. The angst of the Olivia/Fitz relationship is part and parcel. Again, while I understand some people do not like this aspect, there are just as many people (if not more people) who love it. The trick for the show is to find some balance so other characters are given a chance to shine as well. That’s good story telling in general.
For my two cents though, I’m NOT that interested in any of the other character relationships. None of them have the chemistry that Tony and Kerry have. The Abby/David relationship is…boring. Huck/Quinn is weird. I would prefer to see them bring back Huck/Becky. Harrison NEEDS a relationship, and Cyrus/James is cute to watch, but not integral enough at this point to warrant more story time. I do agree it would be nice to see Mellie/Fitz. I’d like to find out more background on their marriage and how they got to the point where they are now.
My issue with blanket statements like yours and others is it doesn’t take into account the VAST MAJORITY of people who watch the show for Olivia and Fitz. It’s like you want to banish/punish 70% of the audience because you don’t agree with their taste in relationships. Also, if Olivia and Fitz were done and that was that….do you think people would still be watching Scandal? IMO, saying things like “I wish the show would stop focusing on Olivia and Fitz” is like saying I want the show to end ASAP.
Not at all. Actually, if you take the Fitz/Olivia drama out of the show, I think you’ve still got an incredibly well-written and interesting show that doesn’t need to “end ASAP.”
And by saying that there are a “great deal many” (which may or may not be an overstatement, but again many != most) that feel one way about a show isn’t that people who don’t agree with the same sentiment are bad. I’m not sure how saying how I feel equates to anyone needing to be banished or punished.
Each of the relationships you considered interesting are equally emotionally dysfunctional as Olivia and Fitz. The difference I believe that fans are invested are the elements of true love that is displayed on the show between Olivia and Fitz. If Jake relationship with Olivia is compelling to some, it is because it convenient and uncomplicated. I find Americans are more uncomfortable with the level of emotional intensity that is the dynamics of Fitz and Olivia relationship. I believe that given an even playing field Olivia’s and Fitz relationship would run circles around Olivia and Jake’s. Jake is not passionate he is technical, as demonstrated by his kiss in the last episode. Olivia tried to increase the intensity and when she did not get that she was easily distracted. Jake is the fall back guy. Even if they end it together, they will both know that he was never her first choice.
lol…I could possibly be overreacting with the banished and punished statements. My point is there has to be a balance in how all the other relationships are shown, while also keeping in mind that Olivia and Fitz are the MAIN relationship of the show.
Right. And understanding that it IS the main relationship is different from not wanting it to be ;P
I’d be happy if the show was just the Gladiators and their suits
Okay, I see what you did there…lol. For my two cents, while I do enjoy the scandal of the week episodes, I am enthralled by the Olitz drama. I wouldn’t watch the show if that aspect diminished or disappeared. Therein lies the dilemma for the show moving forward and I’ll be curious to see how it’s handled. They cannot do away with the Olivia and Fitz relationship; yet, they also can’t focus on their unhealthy relationship from episode to episode, which means something has to happen to move that dynamic forward.
My final questions for you is there any way for Olivia and Fitz to be shown that you would enjoy or not mind watching? Or would you just prefer she and Fitz have no relationship at all? It does kind of sound like you don’t enjoy their particular relationship because of all the unhealthy aspects, i.e. abusive, overly emotional, etc. Yet, you understand their relationship is the main one on the show. So how would you like to see it?
I agree!
It started off decent enough, but at what point does Olivia Pope finally realize the crazy crap that is going on?!
I agree with you…I actually happened up on this essay looking for whether person believed this. All I see is a sort of one-sided manipulation in relationship between Olivia and Fitz, Olivia who is to be a strong character looses all of that when Fitz says/does wahtever. yet int he other relationships one person has to prove they are dedicated/sorry etc. I do see how the writers need this relationship for the intrigue…or annoyance in my case…that it all brings.
I also love the relationship between James and Cyrus. They are not just the typical gay couple needed for the series. This relationship adds to that of Mellie and Fitz showing the dynamics of two couples, with one person in political power.