Melissa Gilbert portrayed a tortured victim helping others who were in her position at one time. She showed determination, motivation, and support to all women. I actually felt her pain when she relived through therapy the abuse suffered from her parents. I particularly hated her mother who actually did nothing to prevent her husband from sexually abusing her. She was a B----! I simply wanted to kill her, strangle her, scream at her, whatever!!!! She was supposed to be a social worker helping people with family problems. And also, she was supposed to be a mother who is supposed to be nurturing and supportive and she WAS NOT. She gives motherhood a bad name. Her father definitely was NO saint!!! He, too, was a b------! However, I could NOT hate him like I did the mother for some reason. Melissa Gilbert's character was forceful and motivated. She did NOT give up or give in. She took a bad situation, her own inner childhood pain and torment, and turned it into a productive project of helping other young women. She is to be admired. Her performance was believable, that I rooted for her! Yay, Shari Karney!!!
Shattered Trust: The Shari Karney Story
(1993 TV Movie)
Heart-wrenching but forceful and definitely true!
9 April 2003