Provocative. Sensual. Titillating. Can you guess what network television show I’m describing?
One hint. It’s one of the highest rated shows on TV, and it just so happens that it’s a drama revolving around the life of a political fixer (someone who repairs the lives/careers of political figures) in Washington, DC by the name of Olivia “Liv” Carolyn Pope. The show is Scandal, of course.
Exactly what is so provocative, sensual and titillating about the life a political fixer? Apparently a lot, according to show creator Shonda Rhimes; and if you’ve ever seen the show, you’ll know what I’m talking about.
Since Scandal premiered about two years ago, viewers have been voyeuristically peeking into the action-packed life of a woman who has made it her life mission to fix other people. Despite her ability to successfully run her own business and “fix” the lives/careers of many political figures in DC, she does however struggle to manage her own personal life, which includes distancing herself from the married man that she is in love with.
That married man, by the way, is none other than the President of the United States (Fitzgerald “Fitz” Thomas Grant III), or POTUS as he is referred to on the show. But Olivia’s relationship with the president, which encompasses a torrid love affair, is just the beginning. Nearly every character on Scandal has been the focus of a dramatic love scene, at some point…even the awkward and damaged Pope Associate, Huck. It’s like an obligatory rite of passage for every character at this point, but by far Olivia Pope is the one that gets most of the action.
No More Fade to Black
Every week, Olivia or one of Olivia’s coworkers/colleagues hooks up with another person and the show goes there, leaving little to nothing to the imagination. Well, as much as a major network would allow for a prime time show in the middle of the week. No more fade to black like in the old movies or television shows…suggesting is out, showing is in.
This means that on any given Thursday, you could see more than the usual on screen foreplay which may include someone being undressed by another person. What you’ll see on Scandal is someone strategically lowering themselves in front of someone else as if to imply a sex act. After which, of course, would be followed by a rather suggestive facial expression on the recipient’s face. To what end, you may be wondering. Well, just in case you didn’t have an imagination, the writers want to help you fully realize a complete picture of what is happening.
However, not all of the provocative, sensual and titillating scenes show the characters in the act. Sometimes they just talk about the act instead; which can be just as bold, given how far the show tends to push those boundaries.
Those who can’t Do, Talk
For the sake of keeping things interesting, you’ll notice that Olivia and Fitz, in particular, don’t always get a chance to see each other. When they don’t get to see one another, or can’t, they talk on the phone; and it can get pretty intense. Usually, their conversations start out business related and revolve around B613, including Olivia’s father (current head of B613-elite black ops program), or some other political situation that needs “fixing.” But not long after, usually Fitz will initiate a more personal and intimate conversation. He may first ask her to meet him and if that doesn’t work, he may offer to go to her apartment. If that doesn’t work, he would then go on to describe, in detail, what sexual acts he would like to engage in with her. But, Olivia and Fitz aren’t the only ones having all the fun.
Even Olivia’s current boyfriend, Jake Ballard (former head of B613 and nemesis of Fitz), has also gotten frisky on the phone with Olivia; reminding her, in detail, what he has done and can do for her. And just so you don’t get bored, the other characters, including Olivia’s friends and colleagues have also had their share of provocative, sensual and titillating phone conversations. Some of the more memorable ones include Abby Whelan with her boyfriend at the time Assistant U.S. Attorney David Rosen and White House Chief of Staff Cyrus Beene with both his deceased husband and his current boy toy. No surprise there as you’ll come to know Cyrus is quite a frisky character.