When Scandal Season 5 comes back on television the women of the series will have their hands full sorting out relationships. Will Olivia Pope stay with President Fitzgerald Grant? Can she stay out of Papa Pope's reach? Will Mellie Grant get back into the White House despite the new Chief of Staff, Elizabeth North?
These possibilities when the series returns for Season 5 were opened when last week's finale episode turned out doubly well for Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington). Firstly, she finally got her manipulative father Rowan Pope behind bars and off her back. Secondly, with first lady Mellie Grant booted out of the White House she is all free to keep her relationship with President Fitz.
With her plan to put her own father in prison achieved, Olivia can now happily go on with her life and relationship with President Grant (Tony Goldwyn) without Rowan's disapproving presence. But will her manipulative father stay in jail?
On the other side of the coin is the fate of former first lady Mellie Grant. Even if she was kicked out for her part in the killing of innocent jurors, Bellamy Young, the actress who plays Mellie, believes the presidential couple will stay together.
Young told reporters there is a possibility that the Olivia-Fitz romance will fizzle out once reality sets in. "I think that's probably what Mellie has to hope for in her heart of hearts: that it won't be what he hoped with Olivia, when she's not a taboo sort of 'catch me now or never' sort of fantasy," Young said. Young also disclosed her character Mellie hopes the president will remember she did everything for him and get back together with his wife.
The announced promotion of actress Portia de Rossi who plays Elizabeth North to season regular adds another challenge to Mellie. The character of North has appeared happy to be the president's new right hand woman and out of Mellie's shadow. Apparently North was just getting on the good side of the first lady to land herself a top spot in the administration. Now that Elizabeth is Chief of Staff, she can be a formidable block for Mellie's bid to get back into the White House.
Scandal Season 5 will air this fall on ABC.
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