The season revolves around the central tension between Olivia Pope and President Fitzgerald Grant (Fitz). While Olivia is introduced as a "fixer" who can solve any problem for the elite, she is fundamentally unable to "fix" her own heart.
: Early episodes utilize a "case-of-the-week" format—like clearing a war hero of murder—to mirror Olivia's own internal struggles with secrecy and forbidden love .
: The show establishes that everyone in Olivia's office "needs fixing." They are outcasts and "stray dogs" who find purpose in her light, often performing morally questionable acts to protect their clients.