Dick Wolf's Pro-Abortion Bash Parade Continues

This time it's pharmacists -- oh, and children who are conceived under extreme circumstances.

The episode starts with a woman asking a pharmacist for the morning-after pill. Well, the pharmacist behind the counter looks a bit annoyed but then says plainly (I would actually say in a somewhat sensitive way):

"Have you talked to your doctor about emergency contraception?... It's best if you see your doctor first."

Goodness gracious! How dare she push her beliefs on this poor woman who is obviously distraught?!

Did you miss it? So did I. Where is the pushing of beliefs in those words?

Maybe it was the next thing the character said, "Have you considered adoption?"

Ok, not really the usual role of a pharmacist to offer this suggestion, but since the woman was not going to see a physician... Wouldn't the physician have offered this alternative? Continuing a pregnancy and choosing adoption is an alternative to taking a drug that has been the cause of several deaths. Is that pushing beliefs?

Well then of course the show takes it usual melodramatic turn and the concerned pharmacist becomes a pariah as she scolds the woman (who went ballistic and grabbed her) for letting someone "get in her pants." Then when it's revealed the woman was a rape victim, the evil pharmacist still wants to press charges for the assault. How heartless! She doesn't care about women!

So then comes the inordinate charge from the usually loveable Didi Conn (!) as the nurse who examines the victim -- after the detective says that "the rapist really worked her over."

"So did that pharmacist," Frenchie says. "Too many of them think they have the right to push their beliefs on their patients."

"Maybe if they had been raped they'd be more compassionate," the detective adds.

That's right. Asking a woman if she has talked to a doctor, recommending that it's best to talk to a doctor first, and suggesting the option of adoption is akin to a brutal act of rape.

And of course that's not the only element of this episode drawing my ire. The first victim and another both spit out the words "his baby" in reference to children conceived during acts of rape.

Why oh why must we perpetuate the belief that these children are somehow demon seeds -- that they are not worthy of drawing a breath because of who their "fathers" are?

Why -- in our heartfelt desire to provide the compassion and support that rape victims so richly deserve -- must we continue to allow the victims to direct their need for peace of mind, to somehow wrap their minds around what has happened to them and begin to deal with how it has changed them forever -- why does their child have to be obliterated as part of that process?

It is the woman's child growing inside her. They are both victims. Why must her child take the fall when they both have done nothing wrong? Why do we allow the victims to think that another act of violence is justified?

Another character -- a D.A. who pursued a murder charge against a battered woman who escaped her custody, embarrassing her, and making it harder for that D.A. to keep her position in a field dominated by men -- later says:

"I was trying so hard to become one of the boys, I forgot why I became a lawyer."

This episode was written by a man, but was produced and directed by women. I gather they, too, in trying to be one of the boys, have forgotten that every innocent life has value.

Maybe if they had been the product of a rape, they'd be more compassionate.

Comments

[Jack]

This is a late response, but I just happened to watch a replay of the show. I tend to disagree with you slightly, because Dick Wolf, a Republican, would not write a plot completely supporting abortion. In this episode, when the woman talked about her need for an abortion as her reasoning for escaping prison, she was found guilty for that charge. Also, even though she was going to stay out of jail, her husband left her because of her abortion, since he wanted to have a child and she took away his chance (implying the selfishness of abortions). Also, in the on-going plot of Law and Order: SVU, Detective Benson's mother was raped and she was the child of the rape. So the show in general stars a born child of rape, spending her life protecting women and protecting life. So I know what you are saying, but I wouldn't give Dick Wolf too hard of a time.

[Colette Moran]

I am always grateful that folks take the time to read what I have to say, and esp'ly grateful when they take the time to respond -- even more so when it's done civilly! :)

It was a thoughtful reply, and I must disagree.

I am surprised to hear that Wolf is a Republican -- that doesn't mean he is necessarily pro-life or conservative. Just look at what he did in the previous episode I wrote about.

Wolf *has* done a lot to advance the causes of women who have been victims of rape and other acts of violence -- and I do think that the character of Olivia is sympathized and presented as an example that good can come from such horrible circumstances. (It is also my understanding that Mariska Hargitay often encounters fans who have been victimized and she treats them very respectfully and tries to help them. She even has a foundation that helps rape victims, which is truly admirable.)

But it seems that time and again on all the L&O shows, *choice* is presented as pre-eminent over life.

Wolf may argue that he is accurately portraying the attitudes that probably prevail in the characters he gives a voice to, and the general population, but he is giving those attitudes credence in my opinion and therefore perpetuating the beliefs that ultimately harm women more.

I still love watching his shows, as they are very well-written, relevant and compelling.