Dr. Olivet accuses an esteemed gynecologist of rape. However, when she loses her case, the DA's office resorts to a new strategy to bring the doctor to justice.Dr. Olivet accuses an esteemed gynecologist of rape. However, when she loses her case, the DA's office resorts to a new strategy to bring the doctor to justice.Dr. Olivet accuses an esteemed gynecologist of rape. However, when she loses her case, the DA's office resorts to a new strategy to bring the doctor to justice.
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- TriviaWhen Captain Don Cragen says that Dr. Merritt belongs to the "Marquis" club, he is referring to the Marquis de Sade, who was a nobleman, politician, philosopher, and writer in 18th century France. De Sade was a "libertin." A libertine was considered devoid of moral and sexual restraints. Libertines did not believe in morals or the law. Libertinism is a extreme form of hedonism. Libertines believed that the pursuit of physical pleasure was the only worthwhile thing in life: they felt that they were entitled to do whatever they wanted, to whomever they wanted, whenever they wanted. De Sade's name is the basis for the term "sadist." He is best known for his extremely graphic and highly controversial pornographic novel "The 120 Days of Sodom." It tells the story of four wealthy male libertines who resolve to experience ultimate sexual gratification in orgies. To do this, they seal themselves away for four months in an inaccessible castle in the heart of the Black Forest with a group of 36 victims, mostly male and female teenagers that they abducted from local villages. They engage four female brothel keepers to tell the stories of their lives and adventures. The women's narratives serve as an inspiration for the sexual abuse and torture of the victims, which gradually mount in intensity and end in the victims' slaughter. Due to its extremely graphic content, the novel went unpublished for almost 200 years, and it is still banned in a number of countries. A film based on the book was made in the 1960's, but it wasn't released at the time because it was deemed "too shocking" to be published by the government of the country it was made in. It remained banned until the early 2000's.
- GoofsSince Miriam Gregg is not a registered nurse she is either a LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) or a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), so she should not be filling syringes or preparing any type of medication. Only doctors, certified physician assistants (PA-C), nurse practitioners (NP), pharmacists and registered nurses can prepare medications (prepare meaning measuring dosage like when filling a syringe or an IV bag, or mixing a oral solution). A LPN can administer a intravenous medication if it has been prepared by a physician, PA-C, NP, pharmacist or a RN and can start IV's but they cannot prepare medication and can only administer it under supervision. A CNA cannot handle medications or start IV's under any circumstances.
- Quotes
Paul Robinette: [to Logan] Liz. Is she all right?
Mike Logan: She's a psychologist. If anybody's trained to handle it, she is.
Paul Robinette: Nobody trains you to be a victim.
- ConnectionsRemade as Law & Order: UK: Alesha (2009)
Featured review
Bearing witness
The previous Season 3 episodes of 'Law and Order' were of a very promising standard. Was a little disappointed by the opener "Skin Deep", but all five of the previous episodes of the season were good to brilliant. "The Corporate Veil" and "Wedded Bliss" were particularly good and as good as Seasons 1 and 2 at their best, which is a big compliment to give as they were solid seasons too and their best episodes were outstanding in either almost every or absolutely every category.
Outstanding Season 3's sixth episode "Helpless" falls short of being. It is definitely worth watching and interesting still and has a lot to recommend, all the episodes of Season 3 and of the previous two episodes do and that continued all the way throughout the show's run. For me though, "Helpless" is a lesser episode of Season 3, as well as of the early seasons and a contender for the weakest up to this still relatively early stage. Just felt that it could have handled its subject more tactfully. Very disappointing considering that it followed on from a season high-point.
"Helpless" looks typically slick, it is not an audacious episode perhaps but it's well made and the quality continues to improve. The music is used appropriately and didn't come over as overbearing, while the direction has force but not heavy-handedness. Can't fault the acting, which is very good. Especially from movingly vulnerable Carolyn McCormick and chillingly vile Paul Hecht who really does give the chills.
Michael Moriarty gives his usual fine performance and has great chemistry with also solid Richard Brooks. The legal parts of the story are compelling and quite creative, that rise "Helpless" from being potentially lacklustre to above average. Schiff's description of the judge is one of my favourite character moments of his. The writing in the legal scenes is thought provoking.
On the other hand, the first half for my tastes was a little on the dull and routine side. It's also, and actually this applies for the episode in general, pretty contrivance-heavy.
Particularly hard to swallow was Olivet's extreme unprofessionalism, even for a rape victim. The subject is a harrowing and important one to address could generally have been handled with more tact and taste, the sleaziness for my tastes went overboard.
Bottom line, "Helpless" is an above average episode but considering the high standard of the show at this point it could have been better. 6/10
Outstanding Season 3's sixth episode "Helpless" falls short of being. It is definitely worth watching and interesting still and has a lot to recommend, all the episodes of Season 3 and of the previous two episodes do and that continued all the way throughout the show's run. For me though, "Helpless" is a lesser episode of Season 3, as well as of the early seasons and a contender for the weakest up to this still relatively early stage. Just felt that it could have handled its subject more tactfully. Very disappointing considering that it followed on from a season high-point.
"Helpless" looks typically slick, it is not an audacious episode perhaps but it's well made and the quality continues to improve. The music is used appropriately and didn't come over as overbearing, while the direction has force but not heavy-handedness. Can't fault the acting, which is very good. Especially from movingly vulnerable Carolyn McCormick and chillingly vile Paul Hecht who really does give the chills.
Michael Moriarty gives his usual fine performance and has great chemistry with also solid Richard Brooks. The legal parts of the story are compelling and quite creative, that rise "Helpless" from being potentially lacklustre to above average. Schiff's description of the judge is one of my favourite character moments of his. The writing in the legal scenes is thought provoking.
On the other hand, the first half for my tastes was a little on the dull and routine side. It's also, and actually this applies for the episode in general, pretty contrivance-heavy.
Particularly hard to swallow was Olivet's extreme unprofessionalism, even for a rape victim. The subject is a harrowing and important one to address could generally have been handled with more tact and taste, the sleaziness for my tastes went overboard.
Bottom line, "Helpless" is an above average episode but considering the high standard of the show at this point it could have been better. 6/10
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- TheLittleSongbird
- Jun 24, 2020
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