President Fitzgerald Grant (Tony Goldwyn) is saving his entire self for Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) until they get back together when the hit ABC series "Scandal" returns from its winter break.
When Fitz decided to uproot Liv from her place and install her at the White House, their relationship slowly went down the drain. Liv felt caged and tied down, unable to enjoy the freedom she had been accustomed with before her affair with the President of the United States was discovered. Her every move was monitored and this scared the life out of her. Liv wanted her independence back, even though it meant leaving Fitz. While it was obvious she loved him to bits, the arrangement was just not working out for her.
For his part, Fitz knew beforehand that it was a mistake to force his mistress to live in the White House. Goldwyn told TV Line that it was extreme of the POTUS to put Liv in a box and let her twiddle her thumb. The woman has been used to being in command of her life and expecting her to suddenly change her personality was ill-advised indeed. But the actor said his character was desperate and thought he could "bring her around." Viewers now know that is not the case. Liv left Fitz and she even had their child aborted.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Goldwyn said that his character was in a very bad place at the moment. The POTUS has lost the love of his life, and he has also realized that his loyal friends are not so devoted after all. He particularly thought that right-hand man Cyrus Beene (Jeff Perry) has changed his allegiance, which was not surprising, considering how power-hungry the man has become. The actor said that although Fitz and Cyrus' relationship has been patched up, things would not be returning to normal between the two.
As for dating a new woman now that Liv has officially gone missing in action, Goldwyn was not so forthcoming with his answer. He believed his character and Liv would eventually find their way back to each other. Going out with others or even considering opening his doors to Mellie (Bellamy Young) was out of the question.
"I think Fitz and Olivia really love each other... I think when people love each other as primally as these two people do, I think they can come back from anything," he said.
"Scandal" season 5 will return on Feb. 11 at 9 p.m. EST on ABC.
