As I re-watch ABC's American Crime on Hulu, it again occurred to me why this show did not last on ABC. Had this been an HBO original, I believe it would still be running today. It's true - ABC pushed the bounds of what could be shown on network television. This show was too heavy for its targeted audience on ABC, and therefore did not last. The directing style, the acting, the writing - it was all uncharacteristic of ABC, but that doesn't make it a bad show by any means. It was just at the wrong place at the wrong time.
This episode is truly hard to watch. The opening poem is perhaps the most poignant writing found in this entire series. It was like watching for the first time. I found myself glued to the television, in disbelief of what I was hearing. I have never heard such a painfully true representation of sexual assault. The delivery of this speech was impeccable. It only made it that much more painful to hear.
The overwhelming nature of American society holds the sentiment that males cannot be sexually assaulted, and this a view held at large.
This leads to my next point . . . Corruption. It is everywhere in season two of "American Crime." The exchange between Leslie and Dan . . . The correspondence between Leland's legal counsel and administrative faculty . . .
Eric grappling with the reality of his actions. The interaction with his father and his fight with his brother. The fear in his eyes when he succumbs to his suicidal ideations, and makes an attempt by overdose. The disgust in Coach Dan's eyes when he realizes that the event was premeditated.
The Leland administrative board speaking about the event with such disdain after learning that the event was premeditated, but not without knowing all of the details first, despite already carrying so much doubt about the accusations made against Eric.
There is so much about this episode that hits close to home. It goes to show that this show focuses not on the crime itself, but how everything unravels in the wake crime.
I give "American Crime" #2.4 a 9.7/10.
This episode is truly hard to watch. The opening poem is perhaps the most poignant writing found in this entire series. It was like watching for the first time. I found myself glued to the television, in disbelief of what I was hearing. I have never heard such a painfully true representation of sexual assault. The delivery of this speech was impeccable. It only made it that much more painful to hear.
The overwhelming nature of American society holds the sentiment that males cannot be sexually assaulted, and this a view held at large.
This leads to my next point . . . Corruption. It is everywhere in season two of "American Crime." The exchange between Leslie and Dan . . . The correspondence between Leland's legal counsel and administrative faculty . . .
Eric grappling with the reality of his actions. The interaction with his father and his fight with his brother. The fear in his eyes when he succumbs to his suicidal ideations, and makes an attempt by overdose. The disgust in Coach Dan's eyes when he realizes that the event was premeditated.
The Leland administrative board speaking about the event with such disdain after learning that the event was premeditated, but not without knowing all of the details first, despite already carrying so much doubt about the accusations made against Eric.
There is so much about this episode that hits close to home. It goes to show that this show focuses not on the crime itself, but how everything unravels in the wake crime.
I give "American Crime" #2.4 a 9.7/10.
