Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Christopher Closeup

Home
Catholic
Religious Music & Entertainment
What “Scandal’s” Olivia Pope Could Learn from Joan of Arcadia

What “Scandal’s” Olivia Pope Could Learn from Joan of Arcadia

Last updated on: November 24, 2015 at 9:47 am by Tony Rossi

What “Scandal’s” Olivia Pope Could Learn from Joan of Arcadia 2015-11-24T09:47:23-05:00 Tony Rossi

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Despite its popularity, I’ve never been tempted to watch an episode of “Scandal” because the show sounds too dark and cynical for my tastes. But I do read about the show. It’s hard not to because it garners so much press coverage and adulation.

That’s been especially true recently because last week’s episode ended with lead character Olivia Pope’s abortion while “Silent Night” played in the background. Many people denounced show creator Shonda Rimes for basically giving the middle finger to pro-life Christians, while others believe the blowback is an overreaction because Olivia is a fictional character.

At National Review, Kathryn Jean Lopez analyzes what the episode says about our culture and its attitude toward the real meaning of Christmas. She also points out that the abortion scene didn’t just include “Silent Night,” but a voiceover about love and family by Olivia’s father Eli. He said:

“Family is a burden . . . a pressure point, soft tissue, an illness, an antidote to greatness. You think you’re better off with people who rely on you, depend on you, but you’re wrong, because you will inevitably end up needing them, which makes you weak, pliable. Family doesn’t complete you. It destroys you.”

Talk about dark and cynical. If that’s your father’s attitude toward family, is it any wonder that respect for the child in the womb isn’t a top priority?

Contrast that idea with a scene from another TV show: “Joan of Arcadia,” about a teen who could see and have conversations with God in the form of different people. Though it’s been off the air for over 10 years, I still remember it fondly – and not just because the pilot won a Christopher Award.

Olivia Pope’s father calling loving relationships destructive is the opposite of a scene from my favorite “Joan” episode entitled “Death Be Not Whatever.” Joan laments the pain of losing a friend to a terminal disease and wonders if she would be better off not forming relationships at all.

God responds, “It hurts because you feel it, Joan. Because you are alive. You love people, that generates a lot of power, a lot of energy. The same kind of energy that binds atoms together. We’ve all seen what happens when you try to pry them apart…It’s in your nature to get attached to people. I put that into the recipe. It’s when you guys try to ignore that, when you try to go it alone, that’s when it gets ugly. It’s hell.”

Joan then asks God if He means “Hell hell.” But He doesn’t directly answer her. Nevertheless, He left Joan (and viewers) with plenty of food for thought.

While capital “H” Hell is the choice to eternally separate ourselves from the love of God, we can create hell on earth by choosing to separate ourselves from the love of other people, who are reflections of God’s eternal love. Family certainly falls into that category.

God’s words to Joan are the antithesis of Eli Pope’s lesson to his daughter. I don’t know about you, but I think Olivia is taking advice from the wrong father.

Previous Post

November 23, 2015

On Thanksgiving, the Gospel of Happiness, and Finding the Good in Darth Vader

Next Post

December 1, 2015 Father Jonathan Morris on How You Can Support the Work of The Christophers

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Act One American Idol Andy Griffith Show Audrey Assad Baseball Bible Books Catholic Charities Christmas Christopher Awards Christopher Closeup Christopher News Notes Current Events Down syndrome Education Father Jonathan Morris Father Keller Films Forgiveness Fringe Government Hallmark History Holidays Humor Inspiration Leadership Lost Marriage Media Medical Military Movies Music NY Med Once Upon a Time Once Upon a Time Parenting Patheos Movie Club Person of Interest Politics Pope Francis Prayer Pro Life Saints Senior Citizens Signed Sealed Delivered Special Needs Sports Three Minutes a Day TV Uncategorized Volunteering Women Youth

Select a Month March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What is the main theme of Galatians?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Church discipline Justification by faith Love above faith Spiritual gifts