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‘Scandal’ Season 6 Spoilers: Kerry Washington’s Pregnancy Written Into The Show, Shonda Rhimes Hints ‘More Optimistic’ Episodes Ahead

By Precious Del Valle
Published on: 04:49 PST, May 25, 2016

While fans of Scandal were disappointed that Season 6 will air at a later date following news of Kerry Washington’s second pregnancy, they were at least consoled by the fact that Shonda Rhimes recently revealed that the coming episodes of the hit ABC drama is heading towards a “more optimistic” direction.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Shonda Rhimes hinted that there would be brighter days ahead for Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) come Scandal Season 6.

“I don’t know if you all will notice this — because Olivia beats people to death with chairs and stuff — but I feel like I can see it: There’s an optimism that exists in the work now,” she shared.

Rhimes explained that she tries to inject a bit of positivity in her shows recently, most especially in the recent episodes of Grey’s Anatomy. She shared that she will be using the same approach in Scandal soon.

“On Grey’s, there’s definitely a sense of optimism. And on Scandal, we’re heading some place that’s optimistic.”

Unfortunately, fans will have to wait a bit longer to see what Shonda Rhimes has in store for Olivia Pope in Scandal Season 6. During ABC’s Upfronts presentation last week, the network confirmed that the series will not premiere this fall following Washington’s pregnancy. The producers also agreed to have fewer episodes in Season 6.

Kerry Washington was pregnant with her first baby with husband Nnamdi Asomugha in Season 3. Back then, the Scandal writers felt that it will be best not to incorporate her pregnancy on the show. The number of episodes was also cut from 22 to 18. We still have yet to find out if they will be following the same approach.

In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Tony Goldwyn, who plays President Fitzgerald Grant on the series, shared that his character has always dreamt of starting a family with Olivia Pope. When he found out that she had an abortion last Christmas, Fitz was disheartened but wholeheartedly accepted Olivia’s decision, which definitely surprised Scandal fans. Goldwyn also credited Shonda Rhimes for featuring a pro-choice Republican president.

While Fitz is pro-life, Goldwyn explained that his love for Olivia is what enabled his character to put himself in her shoes, which eventually led to him into understanding and respecting her decision. However, it was clearly not easy given how he has always longed to be a father.

“He cannot reject her no matter what. Part of deeply loving someone is a predisposition to see the world through their eyes and this is a huge moment for Fitz. He was pro-life and, more relevant, he wanted a child with Olivia more than anything in the world. But he somehow understands that Olivia made a very personal choice and he instinctively respects that. It is a giant 180 for the man.”

At the recent Vulture Festival in New York City, via Entertainment Weekly, Shonda Rhimes revealed that she was actually expecting a much stronger reaction from Scandal fans when the abortion episode in November.

The showrunner explained that she has been used to expecting the worse but was glad to be proven wrong.

“I thought the reaction was going to be so much stronger… which is always awesome when it’s not because the fans are always much more enlightened than, you know, the studio lawyers are,” Rhimes said.

Tell us! Should Shonda Rhimes write Kerry Washington’s pregnancy into Olivia Pope’s storyline? Sound off in the comments below.

[Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images]

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