The Illusion of Love: Olivia Pope, Fitz, and the Power Dynamics of Scandal

Olivia Pope’s relationship with President Fitzgerald Grant was one of the most talked-about romances in television history, yet beneath the grand speeches and stolen moments lay a toxic dynamic built on power, escapism, and self-delusion. Their affair, spanning nearly eight years, was less about love and more about control—Olivia’s need to feel indispensable and Fitz’s desire to rebel against the life forced upon him. While fans of Scandal were initially swept up in their passionate encounters, a closer examination reveals that their relationship was not only destructive but fundamentally unsustainable. Fitz may have loved Olivia in his own way, but their connection was rooted in fantasy, not reality. By the series’ end, Olivia walked away from both Fitz and Jake Ballard, not because she found true happiness, but because she finally recognized that neither man could give her what she truly wanted: absolute power on her own terms.

Fitz and Olivia: A Love Story or a Power Play?

From the beginning, Fitz and Olivia’s relationship was entangled with politics, ambition, and personal rebellion. Fitz’s marriage to Mellie was never about love—it was a strategic alliance, orchestrated by his father to secure the presidency. In his own words, Fitz admitted that his father disapproved of the women he was naturally drawn to (implied to be Black women) and deliberately introduced him to Mellie because of her "suitable" lineage. This detail is crucial—it frames Fitz’s attraction to Olivia as not just romantic, but as an act of defiance. Olivia, a confident, powerful Black woman, represented everything his father and political dynasty rejected.

But was Olivia truly in love with Fitz, or was she in love with the idea of having the most powerful man in the world obsessed with her? Their dynamic was never equal. Fitz chased Olivia relentlessly, often at the expense of his presidency and marriage, while Olivia held the power to walk away—and frequently did. She enjoyed being the one woman Fitz couldn’t fully possess, the elusive prize he would destroy everything to obtain. This imbalance suggests that Olivia was drawn less to Fitz himself and more to the validation his obsession provided.

Mellie’s Suffering and the Moral Bankruptcy of the Affair

One of the most damning aspects of Fitz and Olivia’s relationship was its impact on Mellie Grant. Mellie, though flawed, sacrificed everything for Fitz’s career—enduring humiliation, suppressing her ambitions, and even suffering sexual assault to protect his political future. Yet, Fitz dismissed her pain, treating her as an obstacle rather than a partner. Olivia, despite her self-proclaimed moral code, participated in this betrayal for years, only occasionally expressing guilt before returning to Fitz’s arms.

This hypocrisy undermines Olivia’s "white hat" persona. She claimed to stand for justice and doing the "right thing," yet she actively contributed to the destruction of a woman who had already endured so much. Even when she briefly stepped away from the affair, her eventual returns proved that her principles were flexible when it came to her own desires.

The Jake Factor: A More Honest, Yet Doomed Connection

While Fitz and Olivia’s relationship was built on fantasy, her connection with Jake Ballard was far more raw and honest. Jake, a fellow product of B613’s brutality, understood Olivia in ways Fitz never could. Their chemistry was undeniable—more intense, more visceral, and free from the performative grand gestures that defined Olivia and Fitz. Jake saw through Olivia’s facades, calling her out on her manipulations, which is ultimately why they couldn’t last.

Olivia claimed to want transparency and truth, but when confronted with her own flaws, she recoiled. Jake’s refusal to idolize her—unlike Fitz—made him a threat. In the end, Olivia couldn’t fully commit to Jake because he represented a mirror, not an escape.

The Final Betrayal: Olivia’s Ultimate Choice—Power Over Love

By the series finale, Olivia had the chance to choose Fitz once and for all. He was finally free from the presidency, free from Mellie, and ready to be with her openly. Yet, she didn’t take it. Instead, she returned to her apartment alone, signaling that Fitz was no longer useful to her.

This ending speaks volumes: Olivia never truly wanted Fitz—she wanted the power he represented. When he was president, being his secret obsession gave her influence and status. Once he was just another man, the allure faded. Fitz may have loved her, but Olivia loved control more.

It was also very telling that in one of the so-called lies that she had to tell Jake to get him to marry his wife after her father told her to make sure Jake doesn't pull out of his wedding or else he would be in danger, one of the lies that she tells him so he won't back out was that she loved Fitz and not him. So that right there is her admitting that she truly does love Jake more than fits otherwise she would not have brought up his name in her fake lies. 

Conclusion: The Tragic Truth of Olivia Pope’s Relationships

Olivia Pope’s romantic entanglements were never about love in its purest form—they were about power, validation, and rebellion. Fitz was her escape into a fantasy where she was the most important person in the room; Jake was the harsh reality check she couldn’t fully embrace. In the end, she walked away from both because what she truly desired was sovereignty over her own life, unshackled from the men who claimed to love her.

Their story is a cautionary tale about the difference between love and obsession, between partnership and possession. And while Scandal framed their romance as epic, the truth is far more tragic: Fitz and Olivia were never meant to be, because their love was never really love at all. It was a power play.