Damaged

The premise of this show is that Down's Syndrome kids while they are challenged intellectually that has nothing to do with sex drives. Having some among my family and my brother's in-laws I can testify to that in my own experience.

The sister of a mentally retarded girl who is being mainstreamed in the public school system shoots at some teens who return fire and a teacher is hit.

These three boys are real winners taking advantage of a retarded kid, but the issue is can she give consent? Judge Ron McLarty is dubious about the whole case.

Credit goes to Lauren Ambrose for a fine performance as Down's Syndrome teen. She steals the episode.

'Damaged' is an episode that consistently makes "Best Of" L&O lists and for good reason. Your primary scumbags are high school punks who sexually take advantage of a mentally handicapped person. However before we even arrive at that discovery there's a shooting by the upset sister of the victim and the wounding of an innocent teacher. Another female student acted as a "pimp" by setting this up all in the name of being popular. You'd think that'd be enough, but no. Judge Wright (Ron McLarty) who'd go on to have another memorable appearance in 'Gunshow' is here to reek havoc on any semblance of justice.

Usually this would be the time I'd outline the story going on, but I already did that. This episode works because it pulls - and pulls hard - at your emotions. With an IQ of 65, she doesn't have the ability to know what's going on is wrong. She's being used, laughed about and McCoy (Sam Waterston) has to be the voice of common sense. The young lady Valerie played by actress Lauren Ambrose deserves a lot of the acclaim this tale received. Lastly I've never hated a judge as much as Wright in the show's run. He easily goes in a top ten list of villains in the L&O universe for me.

The final kicker is the subplot revolving Det. Briscoe's (Jerry Orbach) daughter Cathy (Jennifer Estlin) who we saw earlier in the season in trouble with the law involving drugs and her boyfriend. Her turning witness leads to the usual cool, detached Lenny who usually has a deadpan quip ready to go at another low point. Maybe the lowest. 'Damaged' is a fine episode worth the glory it gets and while I never lost track I was being manipulated for entertainment - it was at least for positive reasons.

I feel angry but it's because I felt bad for the characters in the show Vs the injustice the faced in the "justice" system. Good episode ,and I feel for Lennie so much my heart hurts

The story on paper does sound hard hitting and powerful. Stories featuring victims with disabilities is not novel territory for the 'Law and Order' franchise either before and especially since, but for me originality has seldom been a problem (especially when it is a theme, like this, that needs addressing) and the overall execution of every element has mattered to me a lot more. This type of story tends to be done very well on the whole, though not always completely tactful.

"Damaged" is one of the best episodes of the franchise or of any show to have this type of story. It is one of the most harrowing, most moving but also most tactful episodes featuring victims with disabilities. As someone who is disabled myself, that was appreciated. With no outdated terminology that makes one wince and the victim is treated sympathetically and not with contempt. Season 8 was a solid season for 'Law and Order' and at its best brilliant, "Damaged" is one of its best episodes in my mind.

What immediately stands out about "Damaged" is the performance of Lauren Ambrose, who is truly powerful in a poignant way as a character that hit home with me. Jerry Orbach once again shows conflicted anguish beautifully, really felt for Briscoe (always one of my favourite 'Law and Order' characters and the show wasn't the same without him after Orbach's death) in his heart-rending subplot.

Story-wise, "Damaged" pulls no punches but also treats the subject sympathetically with no taking of sides or treating anybody with too much contempt. On paper, it sounds typical with it as said not the first or last episode in the show or franchise to have a crime centered heavily on victims with disabilities. But again as said this is one of the more perceptive, more tasteful and poignant episodes to take on this kind of story for reasons already given. It is a story that makes one feel saddened (with the victim being so relatable) and angered (particularly the irritatingly biased judge, but people like him are not unheard of in the legal system and it was good that the episode showed that without being cartoonish).

As to be expected, the script is thought-probing and taut. The moral dilemmas that come with the subject and the case, as well as with Briscoe, pack a punch but are also handled sensitively. The rest of the acting is excellent, but not quite on the same level as Orbach and especially Ambrose. Photography and such as usual are fully professional, the slickness still remaining. The music is used sparingly and is haunting and non-overwrought when it is used, and it's mainly used when a crucial revelation or plot development is revealed. The direction has some nice tension while keeping things steady, without going too far the other way.

Fantastic episode and one of Season 8's best. 10/10.