EDITOR’S NOTE: “LAW AND ORDER SVU” IS NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE
BY GABRIELLE CABANES PHOTO BY PROVIDED
The show “Law and Order SVU” originally came out in 1999 and has a whopping 26 seasons to its name. The show follows the story of detective Olivia Benson and her fellow detectives in the pursuit in finding justice for special victims in Manhattan. The plots of past episodes have usually revolved around victims of rape or kidnapping. This show has, in many ways, been a fundamental part of my upbringing from middle school onward. I wouldn’t consider myself a true crime fanatic or even someone particularly interested in the criminal justice field. However, being an avid fan of the show since the age of 14 or 15, I have found myself learning more and more about the intricacies of the law and criminal justice, despite the show being highly dramatized. In addition, as a young woman, this show has definitely helped me stay decently aware of my surroundings when walking home alone at night or from a party. Although I wouldn’t necessarily call this show educational, I believe I have learned a lesson or two from these episodes about how to stay vigilant.
However, more recent episodes have revolved more and more around the internet and social media. Although I understand the importance of teaching audiences the importance of being aware of what you put on the internet, the plot of these episodes have often fallen flat, leaving me dissatisfied as a fan. The episodes can sometimes appear boring with a lack of plot and a lack of action. It’s as though in ways, the show is trying to hide the realities of living in the 21st century in order to not further traumatize an audience or get in trouble for portraying the wrong thing. In many ways, I feel as though this show is a safe way for audiences to understand these dangers and be more aware. I hope the network goes back to episodes that portray realities a little better and produce episodes that teach audiences about law and criminal justice once again.
