So, You Finished Binge-Watching Scandal, Now What?

I won’t lie to you…seeing a badass woman on my flat screen who knows the power she possesses and wields it like a hammer is a sure way to give my feminine ego a boost and invigorate me, all from the comfort of my couch. While yes, I may have consumed well past the allotted serving size of Oreos (3!? Really!?) and I may be a lump of old pajamas that I’ve re-worn 3 times while I watch said flat screen, on the inside these characters truly make me feel powerful.

But even more so than the trope of the strong lead woman, I love the evolution of the woman that blurs the lines between right and wrong to get where she’s going, because life has screwed her over one too many times so it’s her turn to screw life over…usually with a few casualties along the way. This chaotic-good, anti-hero persona speaks to the person inside me that wants to be dangerous and ruthless to get to the top. Kind of like a lot of men have been doing for ages, right? I’m constantly on the search for new shows and movies that embody this kind of female energy.

And since this is Women’s History Month, I figure this viewing recommendation could not be more on-theme. So, without further ado, here it is:

So, you finished binge-watching Scandal, now what?

For those of you who don’t know what Scandal is, stop reading this immediately, go to your Netflix account, and watch it. Kidding, but seriously, it’s a good one. The story about hotshot lawyer Olivia Pope, who has a shady skeleton in her closet in the shape of the fictional, and very attractive POTUS, pulls you in immediately with its fast-paced plot and wit, and captivates your attention the whole way through.

Pope, played by the astonishing Kerry Washington, is a born-leader and a fierce opponent. While you can’t help but love her, no, want to be her from the very beginning, you learn throughout the series that her morals aren’t always unwavering, and her ambition often takes the form of a metaphorical devil perched on her shoulder.

Like me, after watching all seven seasons of the show, you might have felt lost and longing for more. Well, I have compiled the solution to your problem into a short list:

3 Shows and Movies to Watch if You LOVED Scandal

1. I Care A Lot (2020 – Thriller/Comedy)

I just recently watched this one as a random friend recommendation when I was bored one night, and WOW, was I blown away. The downright scary lead in this movie runs a business of state-appointed “legal guardians” to senior citizens who can no longer take care of themselves, and, more importantly to our main gal, their assets. It’s not long at all before you realize morality doesn’t exactly play a role in her take on her job description. The problem begins when the lead lady, Marla Grayson, gets herself appointed to an elderly woman that has some very dangerous friends in high places. But trust me, this woman won’t go down without a fight that is fun as hell to watch. While you can’t decide throughout the movie whether you should root for Marla or not, you can’t deny she’s got the chops to make this list.

2. The Queen’s Gambit (2020 – Coming-of-age Period Drama)

A fan favorite recently on Netflix, The Queen’s Gambit will have you bingeing on girl-power all night, so maybe pick a weekend to hunker down for this one. The show follows the story of orphan Beth Harmon from a young age to young adulthood, while she learns and quickly becomes a chess prodigy. Set in the 1950s-60s, being a female prodigy in a male-led game, well, in a man’s world really, is a natural attractor of attention. And as Beth Harmon battles her inner and past demons, as well as her male opponents around the world, you find yourself rooting for the girl-turned-woman as if she were your sister-in-arms against the world.

3. Ginny & Georgia (2021 – Drama/Comedy)

Okay, quick confession, I aspire to be Georgia, minus all the baggage she has following her around. This is another fairly new fan-favorite show on Netflix about a mother-daughter duo just trying to navigate life in a new town. Sounds pretty unassuming, right? Wrong. The viewer soon learns that Georgia, the mother counterpart to the said mother-daughter duo, is not only incredibly beautiful, smart, and protective of her own, but on the flipside very manipulative, secretive, and dangerous. This show will keep you on your toes begging the question: what is this mother-to-beat hiding? Meanwhile, Ginny, the snarky, social justice seeking yet still-a-normal-angsty-teen daughter, finds herself navigating the perilous halls of yet another high school complete with racist teachers, cute boys, and treacherous friends. It’s fun, it’s addictive, it’s empowering as hell. And another plus, with a shocking cliff-hanger at the end, there is sure to be a second season coming soon.

These shows and movies have it all, so grab your Oreos and pajamas and get ready to embrace your inner badass.