Scandal Season 4 may have seen several characters improve a lot but it is still Joe Morton's Rowan Pope who owns most of the spotlight. The father of show's main protagonist Olivia (Kerry Washington) has taken his manipulations and evilness into another level. Morton's acting has been superb, earning him multiple recognition from different award giving bodies.
One aspect of Morton's improved portrayal of Rowan Pope in Scandal Season 4 are his flawless and powerful monologues. These are mostly aimed at Jake Ballard (Scott Foley), one his former men at B316, US President Fitz (Tony Goldwyn) or his daughter Olivia.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, the Scandal Season 4 breakout star explained that he gets to make Mr. Pope deliver those long awesome monologues because that is how a powerful man should be, like Rowan.
"To be anyone that has that power, there has to be a tremendous ego to fill that power," he says.
"That seems to be the way things go. If you're the president of the United States, your ego is supporting and filling in all the blanks to why you would even think you're smart enough, clever enough, witty enough, articulate enough to hold that kind of position. That's who I think Rowan is."
One of defining moments of Rowan Pope in Scandal TV series
While Rowan's means are outright wrong, Morton said that it is all for the good reasons. He just wants to protect her daughter and the government of the United States.
"It's a constant trying to take care of his daughter and protect the republic all at the same time," he says. "Which of course, because she's connected to Fitz and Jake, come into direct conflict sometimes."
There is a lot to expect from Rowan Pope in Scandal Season 4, or in the new seasons to come if he will stay alive. Morton also does not think there is someone who can stop him. In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter back in November, Morton said there is no one form Olivia's league has the capability to outsmart his Papa Pope.
"[Not] unless Rowan has a teacher because he taught Jake how to be Command; he taught Huck everything about B613," Morton says. "So unless someone comes along who thinks much the way Rowan does and can beat him to the punch - outmaneuver him in this chess match - that would be the only way."
Scandal Season 4 will resume on January 29 after more than two months of break.
