Scandal and Alias spoilers are in this post.
Do not read if you are more than a few weeks behind in Scandal!
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| Whatever the problem, Olivia handles it. |
...what's the deal with quinn...
...i can't believe olivia allows fitz to eat her face like that...
...mellie is the best....
The show is poppy, it's fresh, and it finds surprisingly interesting ways to introduce plot twists without feeling tired or try-hard. Plus, it's hella fun.
In case you don't watch the show but are still reading this article, the series follows Olivia Pope and her merry band of Gladiators as they squash scandals both large and small, all while having sexy liaisons with a variety of politicians, soldiers, and terrorists (cyber, destructive, and emotional). In Season 2, we all had the opportunity to meet Olivia's mysterious father, which meant that Season 3 introduced Mama Pope, the supposedly dead matriarch of the Pope clan. And not only is she alive, but she's also a crazy, dead-eyed terrorist. So, obviously, I thought of my other favorite series where someone's mother turns out to be a crazy, dead-eyed terrorist: Alias. Over five seasons, Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) had to take down a never-ending cavalcade of money-and-power-hungry terrorists and thugs, but there was nothing more difficult for her to deal with than her parents, two super-powerful, morally ambiguous super spies with both love and heartache to give in spades. She's Olivia Pope but with amazing wigs. Or, rather, Olivia Pope is turning into Sydney Bristow but with a more enviable wardrobe and wine collection. So, let's take a look at the many ways Sydney and Olivia are totally sisters from another mister, including a look at their signature looks, family travails, and bangs:
| Character | OLIVIA POPE | SYDNEY BRISTOW |
|---|---|---|
| Played by | Kerry Washington | Jennifer Garner |
| Series | Scandal | Alias |
| Number of Seasons | Almost 3 (So Far) | 5! |
| Profession | Secret Fixer/Handler | Secret Agent |
| Government Affiliation? |
Executive Branch | CIA |
| Main Female Enemy/Enemies |
Herself, Mellie Grant, Her Mother | Lauren Reed, Anna Espinosa, Her Mother |
| Main Male Enemy/Enemies | Cyrus Beane, President Grant, Her Father | Arvin Sloane, Julian Sark, Her Father (emotionally) |
| Good at Compartmentalizing? |
Pretty Good, but Prone to Emotional Outbursts in Times of Distress. |
Great, but Prone to Emotional Outbursts in Times of Distress, Usually around Arvin Sloane. |
| The real-life pregnancy of actress was... |
hidden with handbags, coats, and peplums. |
written into the show/ |
| Occasionally Rocks some Sweet Bangs? |
Heavy Bangs in Flashback, Side-Swoop Occasionally  |
Bang-a-Palooza in Seasons 3 and 4  |
| Stern Father that's Secretly Super Powerful? |
Yep | Yep |
| and he pretends to be a(n)... |
Smithsonian Curator | Airplane Parts Supplier |
| but really he's... | the former head of a shadow, pseud-gov't organization (B-613). |
an ex-CIA Agent, then a part of a shadow terrorist cell (SD-6), then a super spy. |
| Long-Dead Mother Secretly Alive? |
Yep | Yep |
| Everyone knew her as... | Maya Lewis (Mama Pope) | Laura Bristow |
| but really her name is... | Marie Wallace | Irina Derevko |
| and she's clearly... | a super-skilled terrorist. | a super-skilled terrorist. |
| So, Mother Issues? | Oh yeah. | Understatement of the century. |
| Susceptible to Crying Jags that Don't Undercut but Rather Reinforce Her Femininity and Power? |
Yeah, but usually in private.  |
I mean, that's a loaded question, but yes  |
| What Makes Her Cry? | The President, Her Family, Helplessness |
Arvin Sloane, Her Family, Helplessness |
| Alcohol of Choice? | Red Wine | Tequila |
| Snack of Choice? | Popcorn | Ice Cream, but don't give any coffee ice cream to Francie. |
| Strange Sartorial Choice in the Home: |
All-White, Diaphanous Loungewear |
Comfy Sweaters, Turtlenecks. and Sleeveless Turtlenecks |
| Strange Sartorial Choice in the Office: |
Indoor Winter Coats | Wigs! Burkas! Overly Complex and Revealing Costumes! |
| Love Triangle? | Prez Fitzgerald Grant /Jake Ballard |
Michael Vaughn/Will Tippin |
| Trying to Do Good? | Mmmhmm | Oh, yeah. Big Time |
Maybe they're not twins, but they are two incredibly strong female character who are allowed to have faults without compromising their strength, who both gain and lose power through the influence (both direct and tangential) of their parents. And, until the conclusion of this story arc, it'll be difficult to know just how similar Olivia really is to Sydney. Still, as soon as Mama Pope helps deliver Olivia's baby in a closed bank while being held at gunpoint, though, I'll be the one triumphantly shouting "TWINSSSS" out my window. Listen for the whispers.
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| I can't even tell them apart anymore. #TrueDetectiveSeason2 |
