Scandal

:

Season 1
  • Network: ABC
  • Series Premiere Date: Apr 5, 2012
Season #: 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 205 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 148 out of 205
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 205
  3. Negative: 42 out of 205
Watch Now

Where To Watch

Stream On
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Expand

Review this tv show

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling

User Reviews

view
per page
  1. All_ButTrU4
    Jan 10, 2022
    6
    Excellent drama and writing. Some of the characters are underdeveloped, but it was just enough to want to know more!! My only criticism is the guy who plays Huck... I believe his character is supposed to be kind of "off." But his acting still isn't good to me. Characters and plot leave a lot to be desired but I find the show strangely satisfying. suspend belief for an hour and you get aExcellent drama and writing. Some of the characters are underdeveloped, but it was just enough to want to know more!! My only criticism is the guy who plays Huck... I believe his character is supposed to be kind of "off." But his acting still isn't good to me. Characters and plot leave a lot to be desired but I find the show strangely satisfying. suspend belief for an hour and you get a fast paced show with some interesting plots. though those plots do have holes. An entertaining minefield of political mishaps and steamy campaigns… Expand
  2. Gladiator1
    Sep 25, 2020
    10
    This show is addictive.Kerry Washington is Olivia Pope.The storylines are right out of the headlines.
  3. jtmason3
    Feb 3, 2018
    1
    How can a show so good have fallen so much in just a couple of years. The Quinn kidnap/death/etc, not only is a rehash of what happened to Huck, its just too damn ridiculous now, and exposes a bigger problem with the writing. It's like they are out of options, and all they can do is make Olivia and her Father the worse people on the planet. The problem with this is that the show wasHow can a show so good have fallen so much in just a couple of years. The Quinn kidnap/death/etc, not only is a rehash of what happened to Huck, its just too damn ridiculous now, and exposes a bigger problem with the writing. It's like they are out of options, and all they can do is make Olivia and her Father the worse people on the planet. The problem with this is that the show was built around Olivia as ultimately the hero, even when she got her hands dirty, but now it's like they want to shred the decency of the Black characters. Wait... is Donald Trump head writer now?!?… Expand
  4. noonesfo
    Oct 26, 2017
    2
    This show used to be good, but has gone downhill the last season and this. They have made Olivia into an easily disliked character; power hungry about who she is, disrespectful to almost anyone, a user. It's gotten to where wondering what is going to happen, often unbelievable stuff, is overwhelmed by dislike for what the show has become.
  5. TheQuietGamer
    Oct 8, 2016
    7
    Scandal gets off to a pretty good start. It's lead Kerry Washington is fantastic. Watching her maneuver her way through every situation with ease is a blast. You almost wonder why she has this team of people in the first place. She is the one coming up with everything after all. All they really do is fetch stuff.

    Mix in the compelling romance she has going with Tony Goldwin's character    Scandal gets off to a pretty good start. It's lead Kerry Washington is fantastic. Watching her maneuver her way through every situation with ease is a blast. You almost wonder why she has this team of people in the first place. She is the one coming up with everything after all. All they really do is fetch stuff.

    Mix in the compelling romance she has going with Tony Goldwin's character and you have a very interesting lady mixed up in some big things. It's a pretty entertaining ride. One rife with, well, scandal. Each episode comes with it's own mini crisis for Washington and crew to overcome with an overall grander plot slowly moving forward all season. It's the bigger overreaching plot that's the most interesting. The individual cases themselves are pretty decent, but not enough to keep you watching on your own.

    That's because there's kind of a goofy element to them. Despite the perhaps darker nature of the cases may have, there's a lighthearted tone to the way the show approaches them. It's kind of like How To Get Away With Murder-lite. It also emphasizes the first season's biggest issue; it fails to make a case for the majority of it's supporting cast.

    Washington, Goldwin, and the rest of the people in government are the interesting ones. The people Washington surrounds herself with in her office? Not so much. Like I said the kind of just fetch stuff and give Washington crap for doing her job. Questioning her every step of the way and whatnot. At best I didn't care about them. At worst I hated them (Darby Stanchfield is just awful). The only one that I had any sort of interest in (Guillermo Diaz) is barely given anything to do.

    So yeah, it's a pretty flawed first season. One that's still worth watching though. Washington is great and the overall bigger scandal and romance at the heart of the show is very entertaining. You have to suffer through some lackluster supporting cast and some meh individual cases to see it, but none of it is bad enough to make it not worth doing. Especially with the promise that season 2 will (hopefully) fix these issues and give us the very enticing political-thriller series it has the potential to be.

    7.5/10    … Expand
  6. Bowimbiri
    Mar 22, 2016
    3
    Bad acting, over acted, Kerry Washington looks like she is going to have an asthma attack every time, most characters are obnoxious. Good plot, good setting but this thing needs better actors ASAP
  7. charlie33
    Aug 20, 2015
    1
    James Perry saves this show with his flawless acting. There are some other good actors but I am so, so sady with how Kerry Washington, one of my favorites, over-acts, has two faces---1. puppy dog eyes and 2. screaming like crazy. And the whole affair with the President is disturbing on many levels. First of all, it is basically ALL the President thinks of...isn't our country worth aJames Perry saves this show with his flawless acting. There are some other good actors but I am so, so sady with how Kerry Washington, one of my favorites, over-acts, has two faces---1. puppy dog eyes and 2. screaming like crazy. And the whole affair with the President is disturbing on many levels. First of all, it is basically ALL the President thinks of...isn't our country worth a thought? Secondly, every single sex scene with them is the same, build up....passionate kiss...push him away....kiss again...then either sex or run away.
    And Gladiators, seriously? All this takes away from some great story lines, like James Perry's.    … Expand
  8. viny
    Jul 27, 2015
    10
    I just love it... The actors are amazng, the characters well developped. The further it goes with the other seasons, the more I fall in love with this TV show... Just PERFECT.
  9. Texassturedman
    Jun 19, 2015
    0
    As with lots of series it starts off great and loses steam each season. To me season 4 loses its way and the writers are out of ideas with filler stories just to have something on. Don't watch past season 2.
  10. Shiftyeyeddog
    Apr 9, 2015
    3
    I can't hack the utterly ridiculous self-righteous and overheated speeches being spouted every five seconds. They are beyond tiresome and my eyes started to hurt from excessive rolling. I think they are going for a comic book, Justice League-with-lawyers-style here, but the lectures are just too long and too frequent. Superheroes take action, they don't sermonize.
  11. goins1119
    Nov 16, 2014
    10
    Oh my goodness. I love this show. Olivia is in big trouble!! She has made her daddy made...lol. I have to admit that I am addicted to this show. This show keeps me on the edge of my seat..
  12. mythruth
    Nov 11, 2014
    0
    I do not even know where to start. Does anybody in the cast know how to act? Or is the director simply craycray. The script is ridiculous, seriously, make it real, when we watch a show we want to immerse in it and do not even notice if its acting or reality, they just do not get it, the dumb repetition, the completely long and fake monologues, just a minute makes you feel lime you areI do not even know where to start. Does anybody in the cast know how to act? Or is the director simply craycray. The script is ridiculous, seriously, make it real, when we watch a show we want to immerse in it and do not even notice if its acting or reality, they just do not get it, the dumb repetition, the completely long and fake monologues, just a minute makes you feel lime you are watching a 7th grade drama project. And what is going on with the way they speak, paused and like they are on meth. I. WILL. SOLVE. THIS. THIS. IS. MY. FAULT. KILLING. IS. GOOD. ITS. WHO. I. AM. Really? I usually watch these series to see what happens with the dialogues, whit the actors, maybe to see some improvement but Scandal was a burden to watch, i could not make it after season 3, enough is enough. I do not recommend it even if you are looking for something dull to see. The characters are very bad, nonsensical, the plot is even worse, the acting (if you can call it that) makes me want to cry, Kerry Washington should seriously consider another career.… Expand
  13. darianstier
    Oct 13, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Scandal is a political thriller that premiered on April 5, 2012 and continues its fourth season as of September 25, 2014. This show uncovers the scandals going on in the government to the highest authority. The main character Olivia Pope is an independent African American woman who is hard working as well as hard headed, striving for success and always going with her gut feeling. She’s truly inspiring. Olivia is a former white house staff member living in Washington D.C. who worked on the presidential campaign. She works with a group of associates that help her to “fix problems.” These problems include getting people out of situations to where they might be charged with murder or assault. Olivia Pope and Associates (OPA) consists of Olivia, Harrison, Abby, Huck, and Stephen. Pope and Associates can also be described as a crisis management team. They’re “gladiators in suits,” which is said frequently throughout the series. The show’s characters all talk at a very fast pace and makes you interested because they know exactly what they’re talking about down the smallest detail. Some people can’t keep up with the pace, but I don’t think it would be the same if they were any different. I think very highly of this show, coming from a person who isn’t very interested in politics but can watch this show for hours on end.
    The season starts by introducing us to Quinn Perkins. Harrison walks up to Quinn in a bar, and begins making conversation. Quinn, thinking this is a blind date, declines Harrison and begins to walk away. Harrison states that this is an interview and she should really stay. As soon as he tells her who he works for, it quickly grabs her attention. She knew exactly who Olivia Pope is and what she does. Quinn is baffled, but quickly accepts his offer and becomes a part of OPA. Shortly into the season, Stephen leaves OPA to further his career elsewhere. The thing about OPA is that it’s not a law firm, or people working for the common good; they’re all people who have problems themselves that need or have needed fixing. Olivia has pulled them all out of their bad situations. They owe their lives to Olivia. She is their savior; not many of us have someone that we owe everything to. They will do anything with no questions asked. Olivia still does small work for the white house because she still has many connections; including a very close friend Cyrus Beene, who is the president’s chief of staff. Quinn is trying to piece together why she is at OPA and finds herself in a tragic situation.
    As season two begins, OPA does their duty and works on getting Quinn get out of her situation. Shortly after, they start to find out who she really is. They realize that this is a bigger scandal than they thought, and goes up higher than they imagined. David Rogen, who is a U.S. attorney, finds evidence linking to voter tampering for the presidential election. David is the kind of guy who is always seeking justice, no matter what. As the president’s 50th birthday arises, they throw a huge party. Walking up the event, there is a shooting killing one and injuring few. Olivia comes back to the white house for the remaining time while they look for the shooter and while some are fighting for their lives. Secrets keep pouring out as we find out about Huck’s past along with Olivia being the president’s mistress. The twists and turns just don’t stop here, they uncover more and more every episode. At some points it’s completely jaw dropping.
    Season three starts by continuing the president’s mistress scandal. Olivia’s name is leaked to the media and her personal life soon becomes public. You see throughout the whole series so far that Olivia and the President can’t keep their hands off each other. Even though the president is married, he still can’t get over the fact that Olivia is the one for him. Personally, I love the romance conflicts and the emotional involvement because as much as she may not want to admit it, she loves the President. Season three also brings about a new government secret. We learn about B613, which is basically like the CIA but with super-spies who kill people to keep the government’s top secret information, a secret. The command of B613 turns out to be none other than Rowan (Olivia’s father). Here, we are introduced to Jake Ballard whom works for B613 and is under the orders of Rowan to keep her safe. Olivia’s mother has been out of the picture since she was young. Her father told her that she had died in a plane crash. Looking into it further, she discovers that her mother may not have died that day. There was another reason she was on that plane, and Olivia can’t let it go. She looks into it further, endangering herself as well as her team. Olivia works with Jake and others to try to take out B613 for good later in the season. This leads to many other conflicts including the death of a husband of a white house official.    … Expand
  14. emperorpenguin
    Oct 8, 2014
    9
    There are so many mysteries and secrets that make this show really addictive. The first season is a little bit too procedural for me, but still a great way to start a show. I think the first season is just an introduction of what's coming next (which will get even better). Acting-wise, sometimes i find the actors overact the scene (i think it's because of the fast-paced things of thisThere are so many mysteries and secrets that make this show really addictive. The first season is a little bit too procedural for me, but still a great way to start a show. I think the first season is just an introduction of what's coming next (which will get even better). Acting-wise, sometimes i find the actors overact the scene (i think it's because of the fast-paced things of this show), this makes the acting a bit unnatural for me. Overall, this show is really really addictive. If it's not really your cup of tea, just give it a little time. It works for me.… Expand
  15. sanrus1958
    Sep 21, 2014
    0
    Well first, the show is a bad reflection and demeaning of US politics. Second Olivia Pope Played by Kerry Washington has sex with multiple men (a slut with no moral , she watches her dad kill, she knows that Jake is sicko Jake serial killer and has sex and hangs out with him and the creepy Huck the psycho dude who is having sex in the streets and open places with Quinn. Cyrus is a reallyWell first, the show is a bad reflection and demeaning of US politics. Second Olivia Pope Played by Kerry Washington has sex with multiple men (a slut with no moral , she watches her dad kill, she knows that Jake is sicko Jake serial killer and has sex and hangs out with him and the creepy Huck the psycho dude who is having sex in the streets and open places with Quinn. Cyrus is a really creepy psycho dude to. Blow to morality in the United States!… Expand
  16. Irishknight
    Sep 4, 2014
    1
    I've just finished the first season and for every episode I thought how pathetic is this show. Kerry Washington is beautiful but her acting is fake. How can be possible she was nominated at the last Emmys?!?
  17. marievanden
    May 10, 2014
    9
    I have already seen the first season and I really love it. It's an American political thriller serie, but love is also part of the story. It's about Olivia Pope and her associates who protect and defend the nation's elite. They are always trying to solve important people's reputation. There is a lot of plot and you always want to know what's happening after, so you can't stop watching.
  18. OSU07
    Apr 29, 2014
    10
    I love this show! Every week i can't wait to see what's gonna happen next, always keeps you guessing and surprised at just how scandalous and juicy the story can get!
  19. Bruce722
    Apr 7, 2014
    8
    Season 1 is relatively short but the acting and dialogue make this show worth watching. Kerry Washington is gold and the rest of the cast delivers as well.
  20. Patrick94
    Apr 1, 2014
    0
    So I've only watched the first episode of the first season, and I am really disappointed. It's a miracle it even has a score higher than 6/10. It just throws a whole bunch of stuff in your face and expects you to sit back and enjoy it. I don't get it. It's an irritating show, with irritating characters, and a ridiculous over-the-top plot that somehow manages to be boring. I'm going toSo I've only watched the first episode of the first season, and I am really disappointed. It's a miracle it even has a score higher than 6/10. It just throws a whole bunch of stuff in your face and expects you to sit back and enjoy it. I don't get it. It's an irritating show, with irritating characters, and a ridiculous over-the-top plot that somehow manages to be boring. I'm going to watch the second episode, and if I don't like that either, I'm done with this show.… Expand
  21. aprice6
    Mar 29, 2014
    1
    The acting by the major characters is absolutely terrible, the worst culprit being the lead character, "Olivia Pope," who seems to think acrobatic facial twitches while yelling at people is acting. The main characters are unlikable. The President is a putz and the aforementioned lead character is a moron. The supporting characters are great, but they have too much idiocy to overcome. IThe acting by the major characters is absolutely terrible, the worst culprit being the lead character, "Olivia Pope," who seems to think acrobatic facial twitches while yelling at people is acting. The main characters are unlikable. The President is a putz and the aforementioned lead character is a moron. The supporting characters are great, but they have too much idiocy to overcome. I powered through 6 shows because this was recommended to me and I thought there must be more to it. I can pretty safely say I tried. Don't waste precious hours of your life on this.… Expand
  22. otstrel
    Mar 23, 2014
    0
    Kerry Washington totally ruins this otherwise pretty good series. I don't think I ever saw such poor acting anywhere else. Every single scene she plays is overacted and fake.
  23. AyHy
    Nov 30, 2013
    3
    Scandal would be more appropriately titled "The Adventures of Mary Sue." Olivia Pope is the worst Mary Sue character since Wesley Crusher. But in this show, it's worse, because she's not some minor character--she's in the starring role. Pope is so brilliant that she's semi-psychic and can immediately deduce whether someone is telling the truth. She's so beautiful and charming that theScandal would be more appropriately titled "The Adventures of Mary Sue." Olivia Pope is the worst Mary Sue character since Wesley Crusher. But in this show, it's worse, because she's not some minor character--she's in the starring role. Pope is so brilliant that she's semi-psychic and can immediately deduce whether someone is telling the truth. She's so beautiful and charming that the President of the United States falls in love with her literally within five minutes of meeting her. People threaten to quit their jobs if she's mistreated. She can bully the U.S. Attorney General around and he'll still call her his friend at the end of the day.

    It's not in the show, but I'm pretty sure she also has nine Olympic gold medals and once saved some orphans by knocking out a grizzly bear with an uppercut to its testicles.

    The Mary Sue problem destroys the show. It makes it borderline unwatchable. There can be no genuine conflict in a show centered around the idea of "Look how AMAZING this woman is!! No, seriously, keep watching, we're going to keep telling you she's BRILLIANT AND SEXY AND PERFECT."    … Expand
  24. raviopatra
    Nov 17, 2013
    7
    The first season is a little bit shaky. Understandable, since the plot is quite complicated. The show's got potential, big ones, and Shonda Rhimes is usually the person to trust when it comes to good drama. Apparently, she's not only good at medical shows, but also political ones.
  25. albuddha
    Nov 12, 2013
    8
    Decent show. Olivia's dad intriguing, cy is fun. smart writing. interesting enough to continue forward, prefer back to back episodes to get deeper. the photo click scene changes get annoying! love the assassin. decent tv
  26. PipePVelasco
    Oct 27, 2013
    10
    Amazing. Since the beginning of the show in the trailer. Shonda Rhimes carry us to DC. Shonda Rhimes give us material every week in order to put us addictively fans of the show. Kerry Washington makes a perfect work in the pilot. And Bellamy Young, Jeff Perry and Guillermo Diaz make notable works. It's so twisty, and well written show. 10 of 10. Excellent. The new hit.
  27. muntingprinsipe
    Oct 19, 2013
    10
    I don't know why people keep on comparing this with Grey's anatomy. I don't know other people's standards but watching the first season, this is one hell lot of a TV show! Good casting, incredible acting, US-TV show standard twists and entertainingly addictive. This is even better than Suits!
  28. bigweezey
    Jul 12, 2013
    10
    This is the best show on television right now and I have watched a lot of shows recently. Kerry Washington does a really good job of taking the seriousness of this show and mixing it with pleasure. The acting and writing for this show is extraordinary. It is a show that you have got to keep up with because it is a fast-paced show dealing with the white house and other things around that. IThis is the best show on television right now and I have watched a lot of shows recently. Kerry Washington does a really good job of taking the seriousness of this show and mixing it with pleasure. The acting and writing for this show is extraordinary. It is a show that you have got to keep up with because it is a fast-paced show dealing with the white house and other things around that. I hope this show stays on for many more seasons to come.… Expand
  29. sdhanani3
    Jun 29, 2013
    7
    Scandal is a political drama that has Olivia Pope as the protagonist. She is literally superwoman, which wins a viewer almost immediately because she isn't just a damsel, or a confused girl, or a trusty sidekick. She is the fixer. Kerry Washington plays the part so well and viewers become entangled in the web of political secrets and conspiracy. There is a love story in the background butScandal is a political drama that has Olivia Pope as the protagonist. She is literally superwoman, which wins a viewer almost immediately because she isn't just a damsel, or a confused girl, or a trusty sidekick. She is the fixer. Kerry Washington plays the part so well and viewers become entangled in the web of political secrets and conspiracy. There is a love story in the background but that gets old really quickly, and unfortunately it is a major part of the plot lines. Otherwise, its a great show with extremely memorable characters.… Expand
  30. lajor
    Jun 19, 2013
    8
    This show is the best of it's genre of the moment. Scandal is intriguing, the love between Olivia (Kerry W.) and Fitz (Tony G.) is intense and you just get them and want to see them again and again. Frankly this show is a great show that you should definitely check out and I can assure you, you will get hook to it and will start dreaming about it. I didn't give it a 10 because I thinkThis show is the best of it's genre of the moment. Scandal is intriguing, the love between Olivia (Kerry W.) and Fitz (Tony G.) is intense and you just get them and want to see them again and again. Frankly this show is a great show that you should definitely check out and I can assure you, you will get hook to it and will start dreaming about it. I didn't give it a 10 because I think Shonda Rhimes can still take the show to a all new level.… Expand
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

74
#74 Best TV Season of 2012
13
#13 Most Discussed TV Season of 2012
3
#3 Most Shared TV Season of 2012

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 29
  3. Negative: 1 out of 29
  1. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Matt Zoller Seitz
    Apr 9, 2012
    60
    It's the new Revenge, but so much goofier and more shameless that it makes Revenge look comparatively measured.
    Read full review
  2. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Nancy DeWolf Smith
    Apr 6, 2012
    70
    It's still a fun, fast ride, with lots of twists and turns, murder and menace, and after only a few episodes we know enough back story about most of the main characters to care what happens to them.
    Read full review
  3. Slate
    Reviewed by: Troy Patterson
    Apr 5, 2012
    70
    Rhimes hustles the audience into episodes in the middle of things. Pope and her colleagues speak at a clip suggesting years of study at the West Wing School of Elocution and Composition. In the rush, I scarcely had time to scoff at the over-the-top content of the pilot.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »