Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn reunited for an interview to discuss the ending and legacy of the television series “Scandal” [1, 2].
The conversation provides insight into how the lead actors view the resolution of their characters' arcs and the show's lasting influence on television. Because the series dealt with power and politics, the actors' reflections offer a retrospective on the production's cultural footprint.
The interview, streamed on the CNN app, occurred roughly 15 years after the series first began [1]. The show originally aired from 2012 through 2018 [3]. During the discussion, Washington and Goldwyn shared personal thoughts on how the series concluded and commented on the impact it left on viewers [1, 4].
Reflecting on the nature of the characters, Washington said, "We were such bad people" [5]. This comment highlights the moral complexity of the protagonists who drove the plot of the political drama.
Goldwyn also shared his perspective on the narrative arc of the show. He said, "I feel like there's such a beautiful poetry to [the fact] ..." [2]. The actors used the reunion to examine the chemistry and tension that defined the relationship between their characters, Olivia and Fitz.
While the series ended years ago, the reunion serves as a benchmark for the show's endurance in popular culture. Washington said, "We had a few" [4], when discussing specific elements of their experience on set.
The discussion focused on the emotional weight of the finale and whether the conclusion satisfied the expectations of the audience. By revisiting these themes, Washington and Goldwyn bridged the gap between the show's active run and its current status as a legacy program [1, 2].
“"We were such bad people."”
This reunion underscores the enduring popularity of high-stakes political dramas and the tendency for creators to revisit influential works years after their conclusion to recontextualize them for a modern audience.
