Cassie got me on to Scandal this season, so I've been watching it eagerly. Starting at Series 2. Took me a few episodes to get up to speed, but then I figured out the basics.
I have now gone back to Series 1.
I don't buy it. Fitz is a sleazy, domineering jerk. He bullies Olivia every time she tries to pull out of the affair. And she's held up as this strong female character, and she's putty in his hands. I find her incredibly irritating - forever barking out orders and never smiling. And then a quivering heap of vulnerability when in the arms of the philandering president. I kinda bought it as a 'true love' thing in the middle of a marriage of convenience. But I have now found out that in Season 1, he had ANOTHER affair, between affairs with Olivia. With a young staffer (played by Paris, from Gilmore Girls). Now he's just a jerk. I already suspected as much but I have him a little more credit.
The show is ok because of some of the more fleshed out minor characters; Huck, the red-head lady, Cyrus and even Mellie. Oh, and I like the navy guy (the actor from Felicity).
But the two main characters are awful. Irredeemable, which would be ok, but I think they're supposed to be the heart of the show and they're supposed to be sympathetic.
Nevertheless, I will continue to watch. But I do protest the poor quality. Not quite sure why it gets Emmy and Golden Globe attention. Olivia is portrayed as constantly on the edge of proud tears or spitefully assertive or pathetically vulnerable. I don't know how that two-toned performance gets critical acclaim. She honestly has not relaxed or smiled once so far this season. I know that's supposed to be a character point, but it's dumb. People that serious all the time are boring.
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On a lighter note, I got a 1kg bag of roasted cashew nuts today for $10, down from $20. An oddly huge discount for Countdown (and yet they are not about to expire).
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On another note, I have discovered an odd shop in Queensgate. Mirrou. Looks cheap and tacky (and may well be) but had nice layering tops for under $10 each (with viscose, a very nicely draping fabric). Even if they only last a few washes before losing all shape, that's not a bad investment.
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And I am slightly addicted to Pinterest.
