Scandal is the latest show from Shonda Rhimes, creator and executive producer of Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice. The show was inspired by the life of Judy Smith who was a crisis manager and former aide to President George H.W. Bush. The ensemble cast is lead by Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope a professional crisis manager. After leaving her job as consultant to the President, Pope opens her own firm to start a new chapter in her own life. She is a fixer who trusts her gut and she specializes in eliminating the crisis in her client’s lives.
Washington shines as Pope and the rest of the cast is just as great. Henry Ian Cusick (Lost) as reformed ladies man Stephen Finch, Darby Stanchfield (Mad Men) as fiery investigator Abby Whelan, Guillermo Diaz (Weeds) as former CIA operative and hacker Huck, and Columbus Short (Stomp the Yard) as suave litigator Harrison Wright. New to the team is Quinn, who is the viewer’s stand in on the show. She asks the questions we want to hear the answer to and helps you get up to speed with the crisis at hand.
I was expecting more of a soap opera but what I got was a fast paced, well acted, smart show. Parts of it remind me of The West Wing, one of my all time favorite shows and there are other aspects that remind me of one of my new favorites Revenge. One story line in particular could cause some serious damage to the White House and the President definitely strays into Revenge territory. While some of the plots are a bit predictable, the crisis of the week in particular, thanks to the White House angle it a fun, addictive show and I am looking forward to season 2.
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