“Day 101” was the definition of filler. I know this will sound harsh, but Scandal wasted an hour this week. Instead of keeping the momentum going, we backtracked to learn about Fitz’s story during Mellie’s first 100 days in office. His quiet life – the one we were always told he would live once he wasn’t in the White House – perfectly sums up my thoughts of the episode. It was peaceful, it was slow, and it was all about Fitz. And, furthermore, it was a plot that didn’t need an hour to be told.
A simple one line stating that he lived a normal life in Vermont would cover the entire plot of the third episode. We didn’t need to see him arguing with Marcus, cooking for himself, or adjusting to using credit cards. These are all plot devices we would assume happen off-screen regardless. Though, let’s take a second for this….how did Fitz forget the bare essentials? Sure, he couldn’t have a credit card because he was President; however, he had a regular life BEFORE the elections. He would know how to cook some food, set up a card and keep himself preoccupied in his daily life. Fitz is a smart and resourceful man. I don’t think the writers give him enough credit.
Fitz, on the other hand, is also a terrible person. He is entitled, smug and stubborn to the point that he will push to get his way all the time. We’ve seen Fitz at his worst throughout the affair with Olivia, his decisions in the White House, and generally how he treats people. “Day 101” was all of Fitz, particularly the bad side of him. I won’t deny that this was a hard episode to watch. There’s only so much you can take of watching this once-powerful character sit around and do nothing OR him treating Marcus terribly with his smug attitude. I didn’t like it during the first six seasons of Scandal. I don’t like it now.
Also, how dare Fitz marginalize Olivia’s contribution! She successfully got him into the White House (TWICE!), looked after his career and family, became the First Girlfriend of the United States, and so many other achievements. She was an essential part to his career and an important person in his life. Fitz is a petty person. I’m so happy Eli told Fitz off! The major problem I have with Fitz is that he never realizes the effect he has on other people; he usually only thinks about himself. Olivia was affected by him and vice versa. He can’t ignore this fact because they’re not together anymore.
The character of Marcus needs a new direction. Similar to his story on “Day 101”, the character doesn’t have fulfillment or knows what he wants to be. As much as I detest how Fitz treated him, Marcus needed to hear the reality (similar to how Eli talked some sense into Fitz).
I can’t wait to see them both back in Washington. They’re both stronger characters when they’re interacting with the others and when they have something to do in the busy city of Washington, DC. Plus, there’s a chance for Marcus and Mellie to be together again! You could feel the longing they had when they were talking on the phone together. My heart couldn’t handle the feelings.
“Day 101” was a light episode in terms of plot. We didn’t learn anything new except for the fact that Fitz and Marcus wanted to go back to Washington. We didn’t need to see this backstory. The quiet life away from the main drama was felt in the pace – it was slow. Hopefully now that the characters are heading back to the main city, the momentum will pick right back up to where it should be.
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