Why Anatomy Of A Scandal's Finale Twist Was So Controversial (& Unethical)
Warning! Contains major spoilers for Anatomy of a Scandal.
The finale of Anatomy of a Scandal features a plot twist that left some viewers unsettled because of its controversial implications and because it fell short of expectations, but it may be the unethical way that justice was served that truly sits wrong. With a heavy focus on issues of consent, privilege, power, and intent, the subject matter of Anatomy of a Scandal and its finale is not for the faint of heart, especially those that are sensitive to content about sexual assault. In addition, the ultimate outcome of the dramatic courtroom showdown has felt tainted to some viewers due to the illegal and unethical methods used to attain justice.
The British Netflix political drama Anatomy of a Scandal places MP James Whitehouse (Rupert Friend) and his elite, privileged cronies in the hot seat after he is accused of rape by Olivia (Naomi Scott), a woman with whom he'd had a consensual affair. But the true focus of the series is the three women, seemingly on opposing sides, who help to unravel the truth. Kate Woodcroft (Michelle Dockery) is the prosecutor of the case, while Sienna Miller plays Whitehouse's wife, Sophie. By the end of the series, viewers learn that Kate once went by the name Holly Berry, a young woman who knew Sophie at Oxford. Their friendship ended abruptly when Holly left the school after being raped by James — a crime that went uninvestigated at the time.
Related: Anatomy Of A Scandal Fact Check: How Accurate Its UK Courtroom Really Is
It's possible that the scandal referred to in the title of the series isn't meant to be either of the two sexual assaults or the fact that James' connections to the Libertines in Anatomy of a Scandal set him free
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