Out of the Half-Light
From The Law & Order Wiki
| "Out of the Half-Light" | ||
|---|---|---|
| ← | L&O, Episode 1.11 | → |
| Production number: 66202 First aired: 11 December 1990 | ||
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| Written By Michael Duggan Directed By E.W. Swackhamer | ||
Max Greevey and Mike Logan's investigation into a black teenager's claim that she was raped by white policemen is hampered by a publicity hungry, black politician who will not grant the detectives access to the victim.
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[edit] Plot
A 16-year-old African-American girl claims that two white policemen raped her. Greevey and Logan's investigation causes difficulty for the accuser, while Stone and Robinette discover the truth about the young girl's allegations, which proves difficult when an African-American Congressman puts the spin machine in full overdrive, using the girl's allegations to discredit white policemen and turn her into a martyr.
[edit] Cast
[edit] Main cast
- George Dzundza as Sergeant Max Greevey
- Chris Noth as Detective Mike Logan
- Dann Florek as Captain Donald Cragen
- Michael Moriarty as Executive A.D.A. Benjamin Stone
- Richard Brooks as A.D.A. Paul Robinette
- Steven Hill as D.A. Adam Schiff
[edit] Guest cast
- Rosanna Carter as Mrs. Jackson
- Graham Brown as Father Warren
- Frankie Faison as Lester Crawford
- John Fiore as Detective Tony Profaci
- Verna Hampton as Mrs. Evans
- Kisha Miller as Astrea Crawford
- Billie Neal as Angela Wilkes
- J.A. Preston as Congressman Ronald Eaton
- Sandra Reaves-Phillips as Mrs. Thelma Crawford
- Ruben Santiago-Hudson as Mr. Gaines
- Novella Nelson as Judge Gloria Crutcher
- Harold Perrineau as Jordan Hill
- Adina Porter as Woman Neighbor
- David L. King as Reporter
- Kelly Cinnante as Policewoman
- Tichina Arnold as Leona
- Murray Rubinstein as Resident
- Juney Smith as Reporter #1
- Elizabeth Swackhamer as Reporter #2
- Charles Weldon as Westbrook
[edit] References
References
[edit] Quotes
"You think I sold out?"
"Does it matter what I think? If it does I'll tell you, but it's something you got to decide for yourself."
"You got a 'shave yourself in the morning' speech?"
"Maybe. Do you think of yourself as a black lawyer, or a lawyer who's black?"
"Depends on the context."
"You make a decision based on something from within. You live with it, you examine it, it’s all you got."
"You think by morning I'll come to love it?"
"No, but I don't think you'll have any problem with the guy in the mirror. See you tomorrow."
- - Paul Robinette and Benjamin Stone
"You look me in the eye and you tell me this system is just. This system is equal."
"At times the system stinks, Eaton. I know that as well as you do. But don’t for one damn minute tell me that your self-aggrandizing polarization is going to solve the problem. Don’t tell me that tearing down a 200-year old justice system, no matter how flawed, is going to alter the consciousness of a society. Now, we’re past the separate drinking-fountain stage. We’re past legal discrimination. We’re at the hearts and minds stage. And believe me, there’s no quick fix."
- - Ronald Eaton and Paul Robinette
"Another zombified soul casts his vote for order rather than justice. Negative peace over positive peace."
"Paraphrazing Martin Luther King's thoughts won't lend credence to yours. King walked with the angels...you'd slide in slime on your belly to get what you want."
- - Ronald Eaton and Paul Robinette
[edit] Background information and notes
- This episode was based on the Tawana Brawley case. In 1987 at age 15, she received national media attention in the US for accusing six white men of rape, some of whom were police officers. After hearing evidence, a grand jury concluded in October 1988 that Brawley had not been the victim of a forcible sexual assault and that she herself may have created the appearance of an attack. Brawley's family has maintained that the allegations were true. (Source: Tawana Brawley rape allegations at Wikipedia)
| Previous episode: "Prisoner of Love" | "Out of the Half-Light" Law & Order Season 1 | Next episode: "Life Choice" |
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