A Scandal wedding? It’s handled. The 100th episode of Shonda Rhimes’ beloved ABC drama, starring Kerry Washington, will reveal an alternate reality for Olivia Pope.
According to a new release from ABC, the upcoming episode will explore what would have happened eight years ago had Olivia, former First Lady Mellie (Bellamy Young) and Cyrus (Jeff Perry) opted for a fair and free election. Instead, the trio crisis management consultant and her pals rigged the presidential election–and that’s how Fitz became the Leader of the Free World.
Naturally, everything spiraled from there. The crisis management consultant and other repeat characters like Huck (Guillermo Diaz), Abby (Darby Stanchfield), Quinn (Katie Lowe), and David (Joshua Malina) may have enjoyed happier fates. (As fans know, the rigged election mutated into an incredibly bleak and dramatic reality for Pope and Associates.) All will appear in the upcoming episode.
With the ugly truth behind Frankie’s assassination revealed, a torn Olivia wonders how different her life – and the country – would be if she, Mellie and Cyrus had never rigged Fitz’s election. (ABC/Mitch Haaseth)
With the ugly truth behind Frankie’s assassination revealed, a torn Olivia wonders how different her life – and the country – would be if she, Mellie and Cyrus had never rigged Fitz’s election. (ABC/Mitch Haaseth)
Olivia, meanwhile, could have enjoyed a quaint existence in New England with Tony Goldwyn’s “Fitz”—President Fitzgerald Grant—had his ascent to power been democratic. Or, it’s possible that she could have ended up marrying Jake Ballard (Scott Foley), the once-dashing undercover operative who fought with Fitz for Liv’s love.
Scott Foley stars as Jake Ballard on Scandal. (ABC/Scott Everett White)
Regardless, in the 100th episode of Scandal, Olivia Pope is wearing a wedding dress and Quinn is holding a tiara.
Series lead Washington told ABC that she didn’t expect for the series to reach 100 episodes. “I think we’re extraordinarily blessed to be here to do what we do with the people that we love, with the show that we love,” she said. “No, I definitely did not imagine that we’d get here. It’s beyond my wildest dreams.”
While the journey continues, Washington will never forget one of her favorite memories from filming the show. “I remember one of the very last people to be cast in the pilot was Darby Stanchfield in the role of Abby… We had already started rehearsing and then she was brought in,” Washington shared. “I remember kind of cheering her and welcoming her and all of us being really excited that our team was complete… I’ll never forget that feeling. I think we all knew we were starting something extraordinary.”
Scandal’s 100th episode entitled “The Decision” will air on Thursday, April 13, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.
