The Scandal Brolivia Pope Theory: Who is Harrison?
Two seasons into Scandal and the only person that still feels as mysterious as Olivia Pope is Harrison, the Gooning Gladiator in Gingham. Actually, I feel like we know him even less than we know Liv. We know nothing about his background, his hobbies, his home, and all that. At least we know Liv loves wine, white and wide-leg pants. All we know about Harrison is that he loves gingham and suspenders.
Also, Harrison is the only main character who hasn’t been linked to anyone romantically. WHY CAN’T HARRISON’S SEGZY SELF GET SOME?!? Although I might be jealous when I finally see him with someone because CoYUMbus is my boo.
I mentioned it in my season 2 finale recap and I think Harrison’s being called Brolivia Pope is more than just a nickname.
We were calling him Brolivia Pope because he’s so protective of her and besides Huck, he’s the other Gladiator who is blindly loyal to her. No questions asked.
Harrison will follow Liv to the ends of the Earth and fly off a cliff if she asks him to without a second thought. And there are times when this even confuses Liv. He is SO passionate about being a Gladiator and at first, I was wondering what she did to earn it. Besides the fact that she got his insider trading case dropped. He be so ready to GOON for her at any moment.
Methinks Harrison is REALLY Olivia’s brother, and his fierce loyalty to her is a product of that. And what had me thinking this was that in the season 2 finale episode, Harrison was pretty lowkey, and the times we saw him, he wasn’t in gingham! Like WHAAAA?!? And THAT felt so glaring. The last time we saw him in a solid color shirt was in episode 2 or 3 of season 1.
And then when Liv gets pulled into the limo, saw Rowan and said “Dad?” I was like AW SHIT! Could it be?
Stay with my random logic here. But what if the reason Harrison wasn’t in gingham was because he felt that he failed as a gladiator? Because the episode before, he read Liv for filth and told her SHE should be their client because of her torrid affair with the President of the United States. He hit her with the “you’re the problem!” line and when liv was NOT hearing it, he felt the only way he could protect her was to go higher up. To the only person who could handle this. ROWAN, the phantom goon.
How would Harrison know about Rowan? IF HE WAS HIS SON!
ANDDDD… the last scene we saw with Harrison in season 2, he was looking all shifty-eyed and not like his usual cocky self. I think he was just ashamed because he knew what he did was necessary but still a betrayal to Liv, whose love for Fitz was gon shake EVERY table. And he couldn’t rock his gingham with pride.
Now here’s the other kicker I’ma throw in: Liv doesn’t know Harrison is her brother. OOOOOOOOO!!! Because seems to me that once Rowan chose B613 over his original family and they lost touch, he could easily have gone to procreate somewhere else. So it’s possible, right?
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t want every Black person on Scandal to be related, which is why I initially dismissed the thought that Rowan would be Olivia’s dad but wouldn’t this be a good twist?
I even wrote a short piece in the September issue of Essence Magazine about it (on page 74).
You can go pick it up on newsstands now! *hits my dougie*
Chile, I don’t know if I’m off and doing too much but consider it. And you know BET’s Scandal marathon continues tomorrow (Saturday, August 17) from 8am-10pm EST. They’ll finish airing the complete second season on Wednesday, August 21 at 9pm EST. That’s when they will show the last two episodes. Which means you can watch and try to pick up some clues that might prove me wrong or right. And when you tweet those eps, use the #ScandalBET hashtag.
I’ma be watching to see every move Harrison makes in every scene (because I really do have a Scandal problem).
We gon see though. I know Shonda and her people are hella unpredictable so I might be more wrong than some of Harrison’s gingham shirt and paisley tie combinations. We shall see. I’m looking forward to learning more about Harrison in season 3.
So what do my fellow Gladiators think of my theory? Is it possible or nah? Gladiators ROAR (in the comments)!
———-
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by BET but the opinions expressed are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of BET (aka don’t get it twisted. This post was ALL ME, SON. You know I love me some Scandal)!
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71 Comments
OH SNAP!! I hadn’t pieced that maybe Harrison was behind the leak but I did notice that whole shifty eye thang! Methinks you is on to sumfin, Luvvie!! WHY ISN’T SCANDAL BACK ON YET!! AAAUUUUUGGGGHHHHH! *rockin bagginfoaf talmbout ‘ten-o-three*
Girl October 3 can’t come soon enough!
We are SOO on the same page. I’ve been telling folks that the Gingham Gladiator is her brother for a minute now.
But now that the speculation is there, Shonda may just flip the script one mo’ `gain on us and cause yet another head spin.
You are RIGHT! I was thinking that since so many people think this, Shonda might decide to dropkick all our theories thru the goalposts of life.
First. I love your gif selection. They’re always on point. That straw sip LOL
I think given all the twists and turns of the last two seasons it’s possible. After all I was on the Rowan being her daddy is just way too easy thought process and it happened.
However there’s something about spill the black prone on the site being related that didn’t sit well with me. If another random black person is introduced then I believe the brotherhood theory 100%
Thanks for the GIF love!
*All not spill
Luvvie,
YAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSS!!!! I agree with alllllll of the above. I have been saying that is Livvie’s brother on the LOW. Rowan so dirty he prolly got a dozen chirrens we know nothing of, YET!
Listen I said the same thing, however I think Olivia knows Harrison is her brother…but keeping it a secret from him. But little does Olivia know..Harrison knows she is his sister.(Thats what I think…and Thats why we have to wait till season three to get his back story cause Shonda had to introduce Olivia’s pappy cause thats Harrison’s father too)
SNAP! I think Olivia is all protective of Harrison knowing he is her brother but she don’t know that he knows and he grassed her out to their daddy.
It’s possible! IF Harrison is not Olivia’s brother than he’s a first cousin who slept in the top bunk when they were kids. Or, he’s the neighbor who was always picked on for talking too much and she looked out for him. His loyalties definitely go further back than his 3 day jail stint. Harrison and Huck know everything that’s going on but loyalty keeps their mouth shut TIGHT. When Jake brought Liv back to the office, Harrison stepped into the doorway and said “ish just got real” Hmmmm I don’t recall him ever meeting Jake so how did he know his presence with Liv meant something serious? Who and what was in that black folder? Daddy Rowan’s secret cell number? Chiiiiile you know I sleuth hard and here you go handing me a new magnifying glass. Thank ya kindly. I’ll be tweeting with you on tomorrah
OMG SanTara you are right!! How did Harrison know Jake being their was serious? He knows about B613!!! Why is Scandal not coming back until October??!!! All of this speculation is going to drive me crazy!!
This post has me having heart palpitations all over again!! Ever since they started filming the third season, I have been searching the internets far and wide looking for clues as to what is going to happen. Since the beginning, I have thought that Olivia and Harrison were at least cousins. There has to be some relation in there because Harrison is fiercely loyal.
I’ve been thinking that Harrison is Olivia’s brother for quite some time now. They act just alike. Shonda is really good at adding subtle things to her characters. Olivia and Harrison both act alike when they are thinking about their next moves, they both seem to be several steps ahead of everyone else at OPA (watch they way they spin their phones around in their hands, the way they handle people is very similar also. I do think that Olivia knows that Harrison is her brother though, it’s why she made him second in command and gave him those sealed (break in case of emergency) files when she though she was about to me outed as Fitz’s mistress. I think she keeps that to herself because he’s the only family she has around her and she fears that he may leave her if he knows that they are family (lady has serious abandonment issues). I think in her own way she’s built OPA not just for herself but also for Harrison because she wants to give him something because their father probably didn’t give him anything (at least that’s what she thinks). Harrison may know that they are siblings too, that would be a great twist if he knows too and has been ordered by their father to keep it to himself. The whole getting him out of jail could have been a set up for Rowan to bring them together so that they could take care of each other and so that Harrison could watch out for Olivia. Rowan may not have been the best father but I think he knows how fragile Olivia is despite her attempts at keeping it together at all times. Remember the episode when Harrison asked Olivia why she came down to the jail and sat with him for hours in a holding cell? He hadn’t called a lawyer, she just showed up. She said she did it because it was her job and he said “I am not your job, I am your family, I am your gladiator and that is not a job to me.” (SHONDA HINT!!!)
O.O…Why did you get me started Luvvie?! *slides off bed*
I love this theory. This needs to be an episode starting with how thye both found out they were related and their decisions to keep it from each other. Come on October be here already!
This theory could definitely work! And I’m so glad BET is reairing all the eps because you know Shonda an’ em like to drop clues throughout the series.
If Harrison turns out to be her brother I will be extremely shocked. I don’t think Shonda Rhimes is going to go there. Besides, you’re just as likely to be betrayed by a relative as by a friend. In fact, more likely to be betrayed by famiily. “…a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.”
Well Jesus. It is possible, and if so, I officially will be no more good. Scandal already has me sliding down walls and humming negro spirituals. Methinks my heart could not take it if Liv & Brolivia were siblings. *reaches for church fan*
THIS!!! Lawd…
I TOTALLY AGREE!!! That’s been my theory for a while…. There was no sexual tension between them. I’m on the fence about whether they know or not. I can’t wait for the Harrison backstory, it’s been a loooooooong time coming.
I’ve never believed Liv and Harrison had ANY sexual undertones. There’s none. They feel more like bro and sis than anything else.
Luvvie, you are getting closer and closer to being the official Scandal Recap blog. *whisper* I just know’d it, guhl!
When you hit that big time, don’t forget about us fans on the verge of being Scandal sycophants!
Speak on it, Roz!!! And girl STAHP! Yall are coming with me.
no shonda no…next youre going to tell me olivia and harrison used to roller skate in front of security guard morris grandmama house…
im not here for all the black people being related…but i cant argue with your fashion logic…
Yeah Deja. I’d PREFER if all the Black folks weren’t related so maybe she can throw in another black character who ain’t got any ties to Liv?
Welp! After all of your theories & conjectures and whatnots…..Jesus be a Maury paternity test on Rowan & Harrison! *wall slides* October 3rd can’t come soon ENUF, Lawd!
We gon be so parched by then!
I been on twitter begging Shonda like pookie the crackhead for a better Harrison storyline. I mean even boring Quinn got a little something going on.
He was the ONLY actor that had a part WRITTEN for HIM, but he’s the LEAST utilized character in the WHOLE show. I just don’t unnastan (understand). Shonda needs to COME WITH IT as far as Harrison is concerned.
I’m going to keep begging on twitter though…I asked Shonda if she was waiting for a leap year before she gave us the goods…maybe she ain’t like that. LOL
Well I like that Shonda left the Harrison story up in the air. She can’t give us everything all at once. I think season 3 is when we gon get to know him much better.
Gooning Gladiator in Gingham
Brilliant!
Harrison could easily be her brother. Or first cousin. I agree that he has to be something more than a good lawyer who found himself in some mess. Besides being her brother, what/who could be so loyal and devoted to Olivia like that? What type of association causes that type of devotion.
That’s how Shonda Rhimes makes us think. We have to look at all angles.
ALL angles.
Hmmmmm, I could see it. My theory for next season is that they position Jake as her man to deflect the Fitz-Olivia talk, and leak the sex tape to prove it. I can’t see them keeping Jake off the show, and he’s gotta get out of the hole.
They said Jake will be a regular in season 3, I think. So he’s def getting out the hole.
The actor is so afraid of giving away spoilers, I saw him on an interview and he was all, “hamma namma namma.” twisting in his seat.
Hit that nail right on the head !!!! #BOOM #YOUWON
I agree. I was thinking this for a minute now. We shall see what this season brings. It would be awesome if this was accurate.
it’s possible, Luvvie, and you’re crAZY!! Your little “movies” are in the right place too. where do you find them? hi-larious
I find the GIFs I use all over the web! I got a collection of 2,000 of them.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Harrison was LIv’s half sib and the only one who knows that is Harrison & Rowan. I’d love to see who would be cast as Liv’s mom and who would be cast as Harrison. I vote Diahanne Carrol as Liv’s mother and Jasmine Guy for Harrison because of course the second wife was younger
I think Lynn Whitfield would be great as Olivia’s mom.
What if… he’s a part of B613 and is a plant? Not for any devious measures, just to look out for Liv? I can see the brother angle, but I kinda don’t want it.
I kinda see that. Like at first he wasn’t there to look out for Liv, but when she saved him and Rowan found out who it was that saved Harrison, he instructed Harrison that crazy stuff might go down and it was his job to protect Liv no matter what, and not to tell Live they are kin.
I think I’m gonna watch the last two episodes again to see if I can pick up anything. But knowing Shonda and the team, she’ll hit us with something so far out of left field, we’ll be wall-sliding for weeks. Lol!
This is true too. Those twists and turns just be hitting us all in the chest.
This makes some sense.
Harrison doesn’t read B613 to me. He’s a charmer, not a killer.
I thought I was the only one who thinks that Harrison is Olivia’s brother. My friends all think I’m crazy! I would LOVE for them to be siblings!
I think Harrison is Olivia’s brother too. I’m not crazy after all either! lol
Next season is going to be so interesting. I can’t wait!
If you do you want to catch up I’ve been watching all the episodes on http://tvxstream.net/watch-scandal/
Harrison’s devotion and loyalty to Liv comes from his drive, his passion, his strength of character, and his ambition and willingness to commit all to the cause! We got a glimpse of who he is in the monologue with Huck. He does not need to be a relative to have that kind of loyalty, he’s a Gladiator!
I’m with you Luvvie. On the one hand I’m shocked that Harrison isn’t getting any but on the other hand, I don’t want to see it. Maybe he can just casually mention it in conversation that he has a lady friend. We’ve seen Steven, Abby, Quinn and Huck get some so Harrison is long overdue. I am ready for his back story.
You might be right but I don’t think Harrison called her dad on her because Liv’s dad always knew about the relationship. He sent Jake specifically to break up Olitz – that’s how I figured he was her dad. I wondered why he was so bent on breaking them up. That’s why her dad also made Cy show Fitz the tape. I think everything Phantom Goon did, he did on his own.
We’ll see though. Can’t wait to see what season 3 has in store for us. Congrats on being featured in Essence!
Onakachi.blogspot.com
Wait one dang minute. Olivia has a uniform, Brolivia has a uniform. White, wide legs, & gingham. That’s a wrap….they’re kinfolk.
I missed this when it first was posted.
Luvvie,
please..
I’m missing Scandal..
Need more Scandal-related posts..
anything you can come up with, I’ll appreciate.
I just saw the promo for Season 3 and there’s a scene where Liv charges into the office and screams at the Gladiators “What. Did. You. Do.”? Could be she was saying that to Harrison? Also Cyrus wants to start a “kill file” on Olivia. JEEEZ! Oh, and Mellie threatens to air all their dirty laundry. If you haven’t seen it, catch it here:
http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/08/29/scandal-season-3-promo-battle/
Scandal’ season 3 promo: The battle begins — EXCLUSIVE
By Sandra Gonzalez on Aug 29, 2013 at 2:56PM
Gladiators rejoice!
Scandal‘s return is just around the corner and by the looks of it, all hell has broken loose in Washington. And rightly so.
At the end of last season, someone told the press that Olivia Pope had an affair with the president. True as it may be, this was never supposed to happen. And the fallout is huge.
In the exclusive promo below, which touts the Oct. 3 premiere, you can see exactly what we’re talking about. Tease: Mellie is pissed, Olivia is shocked and Cyrus wants to “start a kill folder on Olivia Pope.” Gulp.
http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/08/29/scandal-season-3-promo-battle/
This is my 3rd time binging on Season 2 on Netflix. If you check season 2 episode 6, Harrison actually mentioned he is Liv’s family. Remember when he came into her office and got mad that Liv called him her job.
Harrison: …that night you came and sat with me in my cell….I owe you
Liv: It was my job
Harrison don’t insult me by calling me your job because I am not your job.I’m your family, I’m your gladiator,and that is not a job to me.That’s who I am. And right now you need me, so…..
I mean, it cld be a hint.
I don’t know u but I love your brain.. Seriously.. I considered that brother theory in my head as well. At first, I thought at times he was loyal because he liked her (Olivia), but I quickly pushed that out my head. Shonda was being too evasive about his background for a reason, so I figured that HAD to be it, but I was assuming that if it was her brother, then Olivia and He both know about it but are keeping it from everyone else.. Your theory makes more sense to me though.
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I’ve long said this…. I’ve been called many names because I believe this. When my theirynis proven, imma give those tricks the Claire Huxtable side eye!
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[…] * The Brolivia Pope Theory: Who is Harrison? * The 5 Stages of Watching Scandal * Guide to Scandal Character Nicknames […]
Just started watching SCANDAL 2 weeks ago and I’m all caught up! Just saw Ep 8 of season 3 when I was supposed to be sleeping! Now catching up on your SCANDAL posts! HILARIOUS! Knew you were Naij-American, but did NOT know you were a Yoruba chickster! (Just saw your last name in the ESSENSE pic!) Loves it! Keep it up! I was mad that AFTER staying up until 4am this morning to finish the episode, I then stayed up reading your recap! Clearly I have issues! THANK YOU for the laughs!
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