Olivia Pope is back, but can she handle one of the toughest scandals in gladiator history?
Shonda Rhimes has tapped into an issue in the African -American community that has not yet been discussed on primetime television–Police brutality.
1. Olivia Pope should be resting or talking to someone after her kidnapping organized by the vice president, but like we all know, gladiators don’t quit. She is called by the chief of police to the scene of a shooting in a predominately black neighborhood. Brandon Parker, a 17-year-old black male, was shot and killed by Officer Newtown, a white cop, after charging and allegedly pulling a knife out on the officer.
2. In an effort to find out who killed his son, the slain teens’ father, Mr. Parker, comes out of his home with a shotgun and demands answers. Sound familiar?! He chooses to stand his ground, holding his shotgun close until all of his demands are met. He was even given a lawn chair to sit while he waits for a local activist in the community, Marcus Walker.
3. Olivia officially met her match when Marcus Walker challenged her reason for being at the crime scene. He even tells Olivia that her black card is not going to be granted access just because she is “trying” to help diffuse the situation. **sips tea**
4. Why was it ok for the police to allow the coroner’s office to take almost 30 minutes to come get that young man’s body off the street?
5. Fitz, the ‘President of The United States’, should have taken a stance and said something. The crime happened just a few blocks from the White House so why not show the people how much you care about them and go to the scene and try to help? It was a nice gesture at the end of the show for him to meet with the Mr. Parker.
6. After sleeping with the Vice President to get the information needed to help save Olivia, Mellie was concerned that Fitz was not going to hold up his end of the deal they made. Much to her surprise, Fitz honored his word.
7. Officer Newtown’s breakdown in front of Olivia is one for the books! It’s a major problem for him to think killing an unarmed man, planting a weapon on him and releasing an actually criminal is ok.
This was seriously an eye opener for anyone and everyone! Many have screamed for the rights of our people when an issue occurs, yet the moment a distraction occurs, all media coverage and minds are deterred from the serious situation. Taking into consideration all of the things that went on in this episode, do you think Shonda Rhimes depicted the issues accurately? What can we do as a community to show more support?
Natalee J. Langley (@_naturallynat)
