‘Scandal’ Season Finale Features Lots of Explosions

The third-season finale of “Scandal” was full of explosions: physical and emotional ones.

Thursday’s episode of the ABC hit opened with a bomb going off inside a church, an attack that President Fitzgerald Grant III (Tony Goldwyn) was able to avoid. But his political rival, Sally Langston (Kate Burton), was nearby and tended to the wounded, bringing her a groundswell of support and undercutting Fitz’s re-election chances.

That did not just happen! #ScandalFinale pic.twitter.com/PKtiPbK4co

— Scandal (@ScandalABC) April 18, 2014

With the election looming, Fitz professed his love to Olivia (Kerry Washington), discussing his plans to move away with her to Vermont and having two kids. Aww. But reluctantly, Olivia revealed a major secret Fitz’s wife, Mellie (Bellamy Young), had been keeping from him.

I know.

Later, as tensions flared after a shocking death, Olivia decided to leave Washington.

“I’m the scandal,” she said. “And the best way to deal with a scandal is to shut it down.”

That line right there! #ScandalFinale I'm the Scandal. pic.twitter.com/zsjHge1Wei

— Scandal (@ScandalABC) April 18, 2014

Will Olivia return? Can she really leave Washington behind? The show’s devoted fans, nicknamed “The Gladiators,” will have to wait and find out. Show creator Shonda Rhimes isn’t ready to discuss any Season 4 details yet.

But Rhimes took Jimmy Kimmel “Behind the Scandalabra” on a special episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live” Thursday, explaining how the scandalous masterminds develop their story lines.

“There’s a lot of yelling and fighting in the writer’s room. A lot of people have strong feelings,” Rhimes said. “I’m the tie-breaker. It’s my show, and I get to decide. But really it’s about the best idea. If someone can convince me their idea is better, I’ll go with it.”

Rhimes also discussed the decision to kill off a character in the season finale.

“It’s never easy to say goodbye to a character. … it’s about the story,” Rhimes said.

“You’re like the grim reaper,” Kimmel responded.

“I feel like the grim reaper sometimes,” she said.