TV Review: Scandal

Shonda Rhimes has done it again.

Thursday night, ABC debuted "Scandal" in its "Private Practice" slot following the Golden Child, otherwise known as "Grey's Anatomy."

The show "Scandal" steps away from the medical field, and introduces us instead to the world of crisis management. More specifically, the world of Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington), a super-tough crisis manager who runs a tight ship filled with "strays" as one of Olivia's employees tells newbie Quinn Perkins (Katie Lowes) on her first day.

This cast of "strays" include; Stephen Finch (Henry Ian Cusick), a cad lawyer that Olivia deems needs to have a "normal life." Harrison Wright (Columbus Short), the self-appointed regal "gladiator in a suit." Abby Whelan (Darby Stanchfield), the no-nonsense private investigator, and Huck (Guillero Diaz), a computer genius who once worked for the CIA.

When introducing a large group of people to an audience, the first episode is generally a mish-mash of scenes that is short of plot substance and quick on trying to explain what---is what. This episode of "Scandal" was no exception.

In short order, we had a suspected murderer introduced and sentenced to spend the rest of the episode in a closed office. We had some kind of subplot with a kidnapped baby kept in a file box (???) that is ultimately rescued from the Russian Mob when a $3 million dollar ransom is paid, and perhaps more importantly, we learn that Olivia once had an affair with the President of the United States and appears to still have a thing for him despite the small fact that he is married.

It's often hard to judge a first episode when it is fast-paced. Since Rhimes is at the helm of this speed cruiser, we'll have to give the show some time to develop. Can it reach "Grey's Anatomy" success, or is it a watered-down version of Private Practice? If you're a fan of the other two, you couldn't help but see some similarities between Olivia and Addison. You might have wondered if Quinn is the new Meredith or is she just another Amelia Shepherd?

In other words, switching from Seattle Grace and the Oceanside Wellness Center to a lofty law office in Washington DC may take a bit of getting use to, but it should also be interesting to watch.