Looking at both sides of abortion on 'Law & Order'
Photo credit: NBC Universal, Inc./Will Hart | Lius Roache as Michael Cutter in "Law & Order's" "Dignity" episode.
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THE SHOW "Law & Order"
WHEN | WHERE Friday at 8 p.m. on NBC/4
REASON TO WATCH An episode that deals with abortion, with surprises. One of them - a starring role by Richard "John-Boy Walton" Thomas.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT In the opening scene, a man is greeting parishioners at a church, and when he enters the church alone, the camera reveals he is hiding a gun under his belt. Moments later, he takes a seat when - bang - he's dead. Someone has come up from behind and shot him.
The man turns out to be an abortion doctor - someone who specializes in late-term abortions, to be exact. Could the killer be among the opponents of abortion who have picketed his practice? Or perhaps the anxious father who tried to prevent his daughter from aborting her fetus that has a rare but possibly fatal genetic disease? This is an episode where "moral dilemma" is writ large - even larger than usual.
BOTTOM LINE Abortion-rights advocate or opponent of abortion? What position would you expect someone like Det. Kevin Bernard (Anthony Anderson) take? How about assistant district attorney Connie Rubirosa (Alana De La Garza), or her superior, Michael Cutter (Linus Roache)? Or, how about you? This is an episode where the characters reveal their own inner turmoil on the question. The episode, "Dignity," can be a bit preachy and speech-y, but it's also surprisingly emotional. Meanwhile, whether you're an abortion-rights advocate or an opponent - at least the late-term debate gets an intelligent hearing.
GRADEA-
