Whether or not you watched her shows, it’s very safe to say that Shonda Rhimes has left an indelible mark on the television landscape. By creating compelling and well-rounded roles for women — particularly women of color — Rhimes created a powerhouse block of television that redefined the evening soap. Scandal, the troublemaking middle child of Shondaland, aired its final episode tonight, closing the book on Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington), her complicated love life, and her magnificent coats.
Please, spare me the expected “that show is STILL on?” spiel. The fans are in deep mourning. The Gladiators have donned their white hats for the final time, and Twitter isn’t sure how to cope. Love triangles were resolved, some people went to jail, and the Vice President of the United States straight up murdered someone, so Scandal left the arena in style. The general consensus online is mostly positive, but the fans have stuck with these characters for seven seasons. That’s no small amount of time.
https://twitter.com/ira/status/987152533847068672
I'm rather bereft over here. #scandal
— Linda Holmes thisislindaholmes.com (@lindaholmes) April 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/e_alexjung/status/987158880235999233
The Olitz music is playing #scandal pic.twitter.com/2L2H1gh2lc
— Annomenia (@Annomenia) April 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/sabrinabrowne_/status/987161198474027008
Ok so is Cyrus gonna find his way into a body bag or nah #ScandalFinale
— Winston NATIONAL CHAMP🏆🌹〽️ (@ayeWinston) April 20, 2018
@ScandalABC ..Here comes the last 10 mins!!
Say it isn't so😭😭😭#ScandalFinale#Gladiators— Carrie Langworthy (@MsBroncoFan) April 20, 2018
the first black female lead on a network television ending her run by walking by the first national museum dedicated to the contributions of african-americans 😭😩🙌🏾💁🏾♀️ #scandal #scandalfinale
— me (@tv_jessica_) April 20, 2018
My goodness. Thank you @ShondaRhimes for creating the great uniter that is @ScandalABC. Thank you @kerrywashington for making us fall in love with Olivia Pope. Thanks to the entire team behind this show. It’s been an amazing run! 😍 #Scandal
— Luvvie (@Luvvie) April 20, 2018
This is supposed to end happily, Shonda! #Scandal pic.twitter.com/eQKHTKC8EG
— joshua henry jenkins (@joshjenks) April 20, 2018
me now that #scandal is over forever pic.twitter.com/cBeuDbrsha
— andrea ★ (@messykindbway) April 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/MlLEYONCE/status/987164884398936064
Liv been killing folk for 6 years and today she decided enough is enough. Okay, sis. #Scandal #ScandalFinale #TGIT pic.twitter.com/95UguW7c9W
— GirlTyler (@sheistyler) April 20, 2018
Act now, cry later. Ain't this every woman's motto?#Scandal
— Sgt. Lincoln Osiris’ Wife (@rogue_teacher1) April 20, 2018
Y’all have 4 minutes to put Liv and Fitz on the next flight to Vermont #ScandalFinale pic.twitter.com/e5eWXqLB2M
— Whitney (@FiercelyGlam) April 20, 2018
Wait…. so Cyrus is just going to get a pass #TheFinalScandal #scandalfinale pic.twitter.com/tPiUZlcFvG
— 👑 (@Muslimahfiya) April 20, 2018
Scandal really was one of the first TV shows that made live tweeting a thing. #NeverForget #ScandalFinale pic.twitter.com/Xs3BRzVL52
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) April 20, 2018
Nothing but respect for MY president. #ScandalFinale #TheFinalScandal pic.twitter.com/2xPTL2cMPf
— Kimberly Eaton (@tweetdeguerre) April 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/crissles/status/987160410674683904
Me realizing I have no more Scandal Thursdays to look forward to #ScandalFinale pic.twitter.com/PhtXsiZ7Zr
— E (@michelle9ohwell) April 20, 2018
It’s always bittersweet when your favorite show ends, even if it isn’t quite what it once was. Scandal bowed out before it went too off the rails, and it certainly leaves quite a legacy of love with its fans.