" Scandal," a drama by the genius producer we all love to hate, Shonda Rhimes, is remarkably entertaining, but also informative. If you haven't watched it yet, plan to clear your social schedule for the next few weeks. If you don't plan on watching it, you're a liar, and I refuse to believe people like you exist. Here are 10 lessons I've learned from "Scandal."
1. I've learned more about the government than I did in high school (sorry Mr. Coss).
It's safe to say that there's a lot to know about American politics and government that can be hard to grasp, especially in a school setting, but put it in a TV show and the tables turn. I had no idea that the vice president had a chief of staff or who Obama's chief of staff is. The White House press secretary? The only one I know of is Abby Whelan. It's a bit of a wakeup call to realize how much I thought I knew when I actually don't know much at all.
2. The government is probably hiding a lot of information from the public.
I mean, honestly, there's probably a cure for cancer and life on Mars. Thanks for letting us know, Obama. Watching "Scandal," we get a behind-the-scenes look at what the government is really doing. While of course, there's Olivia Pope to cover up personal scandals in politics and David Rosen to serve justice, what about the more important issues that go on behind our backs? (cough cough, B613, cough). I've always been skeptical, but thanks to "Scandal," I don't trust the government much at all anymore. I don't know─I'm convinced Shonda actually works for them and is trying to brainwash us.
3. The president is only on a pedestal because of his authority.
We all know the leader of the free world isn't actually the man making the decisions. It's Olivia Pope. No, but seriously, congress is pretty much holding the power. While the president has a say in what goes on, people believe that they're so great or so awful because of their decisions. But little do we know that the final decisions aren't even made by the president. I mean, hello, Mellie's the one who threw Fitz under the bus with East Sudan. He had no choice when the love of his life was kidnapped in order to get him to declare war. WTF is wrong with you, Andrew? Get yourself psychologically tested.
4. Justice is always served.
When I think life isn't fair, I remember that karma exists. Sometimes it doesn't work, so maybe it doesn't exist, but it's just a concept, anyway. Justice is similar, but it can be controlled to an extent. All the illegal crap you do will catch up to you. I'm looking at you, Cyrus and Mellie. Indirect murder, corruption, fraud, deception, and other endless crimes that these two have committed eventually caught up to them. They claimed they just wanted to do what they thought was best for the president, as a means to have the control since their dreams of becoming president were not likely for their future. Cyrus was fired and Mellie, although the new Senator of Virginia, was kicked out of The White House by her husband. The last thing either of them wanted to happen finally did.
5. Nobody has it together all of the time.
If anyone could, it's Olivia Pope. Even as strong and determined as she may be, she still can't handle everything life throws at her. She debatably has the worst parents in the world and no other family. People she loved died, and she's in a love triangle with the president and his former coworker and was kidnapped and tortured at the hands of the vice president. I mean, she still looks flawless in the midst of a mental breakdown, even better than I do on a daily basis. And how does she have time to always look so poised and classy? Teach me your ways, Ms. Pope.
6. Wine and popcorn for dinner is acceptable...sometimes.
Another solid piece of advice from our beloved protagonist. When you've had a stressful day and don't feel like having an actual meal, alcohol and a snack will suffice. It beats having dinner with your conniving snake of a father.
7. You can't run away to avoid your problems.
Whether it's by choice or not, you have to face your problems eventually. Olivia and Jake went to a secluded island to escape the stress of Washington. It was all fun and games for a few months, until Olivia found out that Harrison had died, and she would have to return for only a few days. Those few days turned into the two staying for good, much to Jake's demise. Olivia could've lived the rest of her life on that island with Jake, but life doesn't always give you lemonade. Sometimes it gives you limeade, and limeade sucks.
8. You can't truly trust anyone but yourself.
Okay, I'll be the first one to say this. I have hated basically everyone on this show at least once. Are people actually this awful in real life? Sally killed her husband, Cyrus basically killed his, Mellie let innocent people be murdered to keep her affair under wraps, multiple characters kill people for a living, and Maya can guiltlessly shoot someone to get what she wants. Wow, I'm seeing a pattern here. Everyone you're close to is probably a murderer. Watch your back.
9. Olivia Pope is everything you've ever wanted to be in life.
I think this one is pretty self-explanatory. Just look at her. Absolute perfection inside and out. You keep doing you, girl─we'll all just sit here wishing we were you.
10. You will never be Olivia Pope.
Don't even try. Take off the white hat. It's never going to happen.
There're probably a lot of lessons I'm missing, but the whole show is basically a lesson with Olivia Pope as the professor. In the grand scheme of things, we're all just gladiators.
