Of all the episodes of Season 17, "Transgender Bridge" has one of the most difficult and most bold subject matters and it is one that was relevant back then and is even more so now. So regardless of the execution, there still would have been admiration for the episode for even daring to tackle such a subject. The episode stayed with me for quite a while on first watch, having been very moved and interested by it while also being in two minds on the ending.
This is a controversial episode within the fandom, one of the season's most divisive and it is an episode that may strongly divide the LGBTQ community. Lots found the episode heart breaking and thought provoking. Just as many others found it preachy and that portraying the perpetrator as remorseful trivialised hate crime. Count me in as someone that mostly belongs in the former category, while completely seeing both sides and feeling that more could have been done in examining the subject. Also liked the episode a good deal more on first watch.
Am going to begin with what didn't come over so well. Lindstrom did not add much to the episode and his argument was not a strong one and also not really true, considering that the perpetrator will know right and wrong at a mature enough age. Did not buy at all how the others involved got off so lightly, especially considering that they showed no remorse unlike the perpetrator who was tried.
For me too, "Transgender Bridge" could have been more tactful in its intended exploring of anti-LGBTQ bullying when actually it didn't really do that, they did make Darius too sympathetic in my view and considering the actions (which technically still counts as hate crime) that was a mistake.
However, a lot is great. The production values are slick and have a subtle grit, with an intimacy to the photography without being too claustrophobic. The music isn't used too much and doesn't get too melodramatic. The direction has enough taut urgency when needed while giving the case breathing space. The script is incredibly thought provoking.
It was appreciated too that it did try to show more than one side of the argument and do it in a way where all viewpoints were worth pondering on. The story is very heart breaking, especially the consequences of the hate crime (which reduced me to tears on first watch and still does) and the whole debate regarding the punishment if convicted and delving into the characters' mind. Really understood and appreciated Avery's parents' dignified and surprisingly understanding attitudes.
Some may be infuriated by the denouement (and it was the aspect that sparked the most debate as well as the charge), to me it was understandable after a lot of thinking on rewatch (was not sure on first watch). The reasoning for the decision was not bisased and shouldn't be swept under the rug. The remorse was very clear and clearly genuine, but what happened is something that shouldn't be gotten away with or trivialised. The regulars are all very good, but the supporting cast are even better. Notably the brave and moving performances for Avery and Darius, Avery being one of the latter seasons' most rootable victims.
Concluding, a lot worth admiring here and actually still really liked it on the whole but doesn't reach greatness. If anybody that liked it even more disagrees fair enough. 7/10.
