Scandal tackles abortion and Planned Parenthood defunding in winter finale with Kerry Washington's Olivia making a life-changing decision
Scandal's winter finale took on the subjects of abortion and Planned Parenthood defunding during the shocking Thursday episode.
The ABC show earned praise from Planned Parenthood while getting blasted by the Media Research Council, a conservative watchdog group.
In the dramatic episode, the main character, Olivia Pope, gets an abortion while the song, 'Silent night,' plays in the background.
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Drama: Scandal's winter finale took on the subject of Planned Parenthood defunding during the shocking Thursday episode, with its main character, Olivia Pope, getting an abortion
During the Baby, It's Cold Outside episode, Republican senator Mellie Grant, played by Bellamy Young, finds out Planned Parenthood funding may get pulled, after it gets placed in the discretionary column.
She filibustered for 16 hours and even recited items that the government doesn't list in the discretionary column, meaning it is safe from losing funding, according toEW.com.
Mellie's filibuster worked, and funding for Planned Parenthood remained, with her saying: 'All of you who stuck with me to the bitter end should be proud because of your sacrifice, millions of women across this nation get to enjoy their holidays without having to worry if they will have access to proper care in the coming year.'
Fight: Republican senator Mellie Grant, played by Bellamy Young, finds out Planned Parenthood funding may get pulled, and filibusters for 16 hours; Bellamy in the pivotal scene on the Senate floor
Planned Parenthood's President, Cecil Richards, applauded the show and creator, Shonda Rhimes, in a statement to E! News.
Richards wrote: 'Tonight, the millions of people who tune into Scandal every Thursday night learned that our rights to reproductive health care are under attack.'
It was added: 'Never one to shy away from critical issues, Shonda Rhimes used her platform to tell the world that if Planned Parenthood lost funding or contraception counseling, STI testing, cancer screenings, and safe, legal abortion--millions of people would suffer.'
Shonda took to Twitter, writing: 'The #Scandal writers did their research--every budget item Mellie recites is actually real #TGIT.'
TV talk: Shonda took to Twitter after Mellie lists items not in the discretionary column, including a study of hangry people, which cost $331,000 as well as a travel stipend for the 'Alabama watermelon queen'
Kerry Washington, who plays Olivia, tweeted: '#IStandWithMellie #IStandWithPlannedParenthood.'
The MRC had a different take, saying: 'Hollywood's liberal values permeate movies and television. Last night's episode of ABC's Scandal was pretty much an hour-long advertisement for Planned Parenthood,' EW.com reports.
Adding: 'In the most disturbing scene, the main character has an abortion to 'Silent night' (a hymn celebrating the birth of Jesus) playing in the background. This is Hollywood's moral depravity on full display.'
Her take: Kerry Washington, who plays Olivia, tweeted her support during the episode
Praise: Planned Parenthood's Cecil Richards applauded the show and creator, Shonda Rhimes, in a statement to E! News; Shonda pictured at them November 14 MaxMara & Allura Celebrate ABC's #TGIT in Beverly Hills
After Olivia's abortion, she returned to the White House and was greeted by an upset President Fitzgerald 'Fitz' Grant.
Fitz, who didn't know about her secret pregnancy or her abortion she just had, was mad she didn't make it to a cabinet dinner.
The couple had a huge fight and broke up, with Olivia saying: 'There is no us. there is no Vermont, there is no jam, there is no future, not anymore,' according to E!
Bellamy wrote on Twitter: 'Masterful, heart wrenching scene @kerrywashington @tonygoldwyn I'll never get over it. Such vulnerability, such trust--such beautiful work.'
Scandal returns on February 11, 2016 with the second half of season five.
Support: Bellamy tweeted her love to cast mates Kerry and Tony Goldwyn after their characters broke up
Bated breath: Scandal returns on February 11, 2016 with the second half of season five; pictured is Tony as President Fitzgerald Grant and Kerry as Olivia
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