Everyone has secrets and Olivia Pope has dedicated her life to protecting and defending the public images of the elite by keeping those secrets under wraps. Pope and her team are at the top of their game when it comes to getting the job done for their clients, but it becomes apparent that these "gladiators in suits," who specialize in fixing the lives of other people, have trouble fixing those closest at hand -- their own.
Everyone has secrets and Olivia Pope has dedicated her life to protecting and defending the public images of the elite by keeping those secrets under wraps. Pope and her team are at the top of their game when it comes to getting the job done for their clients, but it becomes apparent that these "gladiators in suits," who specialize in fixing the lives of other people, have trouble fixing those closest at hand -- their own.
The film consistently critiques systemic government corruption and power abuses, champions a strong Black female protagonist navigating a male-dominated political landscape, and addresses progressive social issues, aligning its dominant themes with left-leaning values.
The television series 'Scandal' exhibits significant DEI by explicitly casting a Black woman in the central, powerful role of a political fixer, a position often traditionally depicted as white. The narrative further reinforces this by frequently portraying traditional power figures, often white males, in morally ambiguous or negative lights, thereby critiquing established power structures.
Scandal offers a largely positive portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters, primarily through Cyrus Beene, a complex gay man whose relationships are given significant dramatic weight. While facing political dangers and personal tragedies, queer identity is depicted with dignity and agency, avoiding stereotypes and affirming the worth of LGBTQ+ lives within its high-stakes narrative.
Scandal consistently portrays Christian adherents, particularly those in political power, as deeply hypocritical. The narrative frequently exposes characters who publicly espouse Christian values while engaging in corruption, deceit, and immoral acts, using their faith as a facade. The show's overall message critiques the moral failings and manipulative use of religion by those in power, without offering significant counterbalancing positive portrayals of the faith itself.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
Scandal is an original television series with all new characters created for the show. There are no pre-existing canonical or historical characters whose gender was altered for this production.
Scandal is an original television series with characters created specifically for the show. There is no prior source material, historical record, or previous adaptation to establish a canonical race for its characters, thus precluding any race swaps.
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources