Scandal Review

Network TV dramas seem to be improving and even including more people of color. Ice T in Law and Order: SVU, Tarajii Henson in Persons of Interest. Now you have Kerry Washington in ABC's Thursday night thrilling drama Scandal, currently in its second season.

The main character is Olivia Pope, based on a real attorney. Pope, played by Washington, along with her team of other attorneys and a former assassin, work closely with the President and the White House to fix and cover up various scandals and situations. There is a different one weekly, but they are all intertwined. Each character is multi-dimensional and has a backstory that unravels throughout the series.

I decided to check this out after seeing social media blow up about it from 10pm-11pm every Thursday night. And I was extremely impressed. I still have to catch up on the beginning of this season, and all last season. But I feel engaged thus far. So much that although I DVR the episodes, I don't use the bathroom, get on my phone, or even move when the show is on. It is that intriguing and well written by Shonda Rhimes, one of the minds behind another ABC hit, Grey's Anatomy.

This is not a black show or another clique' crime drama. It is just a good television show period, and is very realistic. However I feel the show's potential is limited being on network television. We can only imagine the storylines and scenes Rhimes could create if the show were on TNT, AMC, or a premium channel.

I have had favorite dramas in the past: The Wire, Friday Night Lights, and the short lived American Dreams. I would put Scandal beside any of those. ABC now needs to realize what they have and promote and nurture it in the same fashion they did Grey's and Lost. Scandal can have a substantial shelf life and be a modern classic if promoted properly. The fanbase is already established and growing.

Therefore I highly encourage anyone not watching Scandal to give one episode a try. If you like it,  catch up on this season and last season via Hulu, Netflix and other outlets available. Quality, buffoon free television does still exist, as evidenced by Scandal.