NBC takes another shot at Palin (and pro-lifers and religion and...)

Well, so much for staying away from writing for awhile -- a simple viewing of my favorite detective show pulls me back in...

Apparently ratings are down for Law and Order: SVU, and last night's episode (11/11/08) seemed to be another desperate attempt to remain relevant. Which is a shame for a show that has often done great deeds in exposing the latest dangers that arise, especially for children.

In this episode, it turns out that four friends at a Catholic high school are pregnant -- one belonged to a chastity club with her boyfriend, but got pregnant with a fling, and then convinced her best friends to follow suit.

The show's detective, Olivia Benson, questions the girls in a montage, and one of the first comments is, "What's the big deal? That vice-president lady's daughter is gonna have a baby."

That's when the alarm went off in my brain and I could see where this circus was headed. (I'm only listing the half of it.)

Another teen lets loose with a barrage of disrespect hurled at the officer about her ticking biological clock (while the parents stand by mute). Olivia fires back:

"...You [should] be petrified about your future. Do you know the odds of a teen mom finishing high school? Forget college or any other dream you might have... If you see [your friends] it might be in line waiting for food stamps or all of you going to the doctor trying to get an appointment at the free clinic."

After a short protestation from the girl and her father (the mother, still mute) Olivia continues with a laundry list of health risks for babies born to teen moms. When the father tells Olivia not to blame his daughter, since she is only a child, Olivia replies:

"That's my point exactly."

Yes, they're not a child if they want contraception or an abortion, but...

Then there's the stereotypical white trash New York mom who at first throws a fit about the pregnancy, and lashes out at the friend who started it all and tries to drive her to commit suicide. But when she calms down and becomes the only parent who decides to happily welcome the new addition, she is portrayed as a dimwit who brags about becoming a "GILF."

And oh, that poor young girl is found dead -- but it turned out not to be suicide. The sole responsible young adult in this episode -- the boyfriend who kept his chastity promise -- choked her to death in a fit of rage.

"I ask for forgiveness every night, and God doesn't answer me. He says nothing," he tells the detective. "I'm the one who kept my promise. I'm not the bad one. Why won't He answer me?"

Ah, but at the very end, one of the grandfathers-to-be tells one of the girls that she won't have to go to foster care, and he will take care of her and his grandchild.

"It's not about the past," he tells her. "It's about right now."

There -- does that happy ending make up for this farce?

ARGH! So I probably don't have to explain to you all why I have such a problem with almost the entire show. But I'm sure NBC is clueless, so I penned this letter to them:

To the producers and writers of Law and Order: SVU --

The 11/11/08 episode of SVU offended me in so many ways, but I will try to limit myself to the most egregious.

Why do you find it necessary to take a serious topic that needs addressing -- the cavalier attitude of some teens toward sexuality and parenthood -- and turn it into a methodical bashing of the chastity movement, Catholicism, and pro-life advocates?

When I heard the dig at Gov. Sarah Palin's daughter, the writing on the wall was clear for this episode. But what should I expect from a network that has gone so far out of its way to disparage the governor, from Tina Fey's witless caricature to the daily rantings of your "journalists"?

You then have a character depict teen motherhood as a hopeless dead end to clueless young women, and also portray stereotypes of parents who are either obnoxious or apparently have next to nothing to say.

Do you see how irresponsible this is? Certainly, statistics for young women in this situation don't look good. But as long as society perpetuates the idea that there is no future for these teens, that is what society will give them.

Why not instead sincerely promote the caring option of adoption -- not just have the token pro-lifer spout off a couple off dispassionate phrases?

Or for those who choose to keep their babies, why not demonstrate the available support that they can have to pursue a better life for themselves and their children? Why must you play a part in condemning them to a lesser life?

Instead of positive messages, your show cannot resist the opportunity to scoff at chastity and religion, and turn the sole responsible teen into a murderer who seems to have a misplaced faith in God.

The happy little ending cannot make up for the gross onslaught and the disservice you performed for young women -- and young men -- who may find themselves in a serious situation.

I will monitor your show -- as it has often performed a great service in exposing new dangers -- but I will not patronize the sponsors of last night's episode.

 

If you feel so inclined, you may copy any or all of that letter, and send your own email to NBC. The site to send comments is found at http://www.nbc.com/Footer/Contact_Us

Comments

[Loren Christie]

Hi there,
I usually watch that show, and there have been other times when I've cringed at the subliminal political commentary. This is a well written post, and I like your letter very much. I agree. By the way, Did you know that Olivia Benson's character is supposedly the product of a rape? Her difficult relationship with her mother is sometimes mentioned in episodes.