Hell hath no fury like a first lady scorned.
During Thursday’s Scandal, Fitz calls what he believes to be Mellie’s (Bellamy Young) bluff after the first lady gives her philandering husband an ultimatum to recommit to their marriage or risk her going public.
What she doesn’t count on, however, is that President Fitzgerald Grant (Tony Goldwyn) winds up taking Cyrus’ words of advice to seize the day — only he ends up seizing more than just the day with Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington). He finally lets his actions do the talking and the duo rekindle their steamy romance as time runs out and Mellie goes public with a national interview with the “new Anderson Cooper” — Cyrus’ husband, James (Dan Bucatinsky).
So what does the first lady’s confession that Fitz had an extramarital affair mean for the president and his apparent upcoming bid for re-election? Are Fitz and Olivia back on for good? Will he revisit divorce? The Hollywood Reporter turned to the Grants
themselves — Goldwyn and Young — to get the scoop.
The Hollywood: Mellie actually went public with news of Fitz’s affair! What was your reaction when you read the script?
Tony Goldwyn: I was pretty shocked. Every time we read the script, something outrageous happens. This time, I got the script earlier since I was directing and had an outline ahead of time to process it. I was really excited because one of the things I love about what Shonda Rhimes is doing is that she makes such big moves and you think to yourself that there’s no way they can get out of this mess. That’s become my favorite thing about Scandal: She paints the story into a corner. The show makes courageous moves, and Mellie pushing a nuclear button is one of them.
THR: Fitz called Mellie on her bluff and she went through with it. How will we see Fitz respond to the news that she went through with it?
Goldwyn: Fitz is willing to take responsibility for it. He had this epiphany after they gave this bulls— interview on television about being the perfect American couple with the false story of how they met. He confronted Mellie about the fact that they’re a politically arranged marriage and asked if she got tired of the lying. She said marriage was all a lie and all pretend and anybody who thinks differently is a fool. Hearing that, Fitz resolved to speak the truth that living this politically manipulative life has led him so far from himself — literally to near death and destruction — and he’s not having it anymore. He calls Mellie’s bluff because he’s going to face the truth. Whatever that is, he’s going to fight; he doesn’t want to go down in flames. He wants Olivia and to operate from a place that is connected to how he always wanted to see himself. Fitz has becomes someone he doesn’t even recognize.
THR: What’s Mellie’s next move now? Continue reading full article
