Law & Order: SVU - TV-14

Grisly crimes often perpetrated against kids.

TV Rating: TV-14 Network: NBC Cast: Christopher Meloni, Mariska Hargitay, Richard Belzer Genre: Drama
Available on: DVDDownload

Common Sense Note

Parents should know that this is the most sensational of the Law & Order franchises. Sensational crimes often target young girls and boys, thus making this potentially upsetting for younger teens coming into their own sexually.

Families who do watch can discuss the natures of the crimes. They can reassure their children that these crimes, while very real, probably won't happen to them. But families can also discuss the psychological consequences of some of the show's frequent themes -- rape, prostitution, incest.

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Liz Perle

This is the most disturbing of the NBC Law & Order franchises as it centers on "the elite squad of detectives who investigate sexually based crimes" -- known as the Special Victims Unit of the New York Police Department.

Now entering its seventh season, this show is often more popular with younger kids because of the sensationalistic nature of the crimes involved. This show ramps up the natures of the crimes -- rapes, incest, dead infants -- and therefore is not for the faint at heart or the young.

Detective Elliot Stabler (played with barely restrained anger by Christopher Meloni) is the seasoned cop whose role is the tough-outside, tender-inside hero. His partner is Detective Olivia Benson (played brilliantly and sympathetically by Mariska Hargitay). One or the other always becomes emotionally involved with the hideous crime at hand.

Captain Donald Cragen, (Dann Florek, reprising the role he played on the first three seasons of Law & Order 1990-93) is the department chief overseeing the sardonic Detective John Munch, (Richard Belzer). Munch's partner, Detective Odafin "Fin" Tutuola (played by rapper Ice-T), adds a percentage of "street cred" to the show (and, not incidentally, is a draw for younger teens who know his music).

Of course there's an Assistant District Attorney. In this case it's Casey Novak (Diane Neal) who is never allowed a humorous moment. The cast is rounded out by the talented B.D. Wong, who plays the forensic psychiatrist, George Huang and by the acerbic but charming Medical Examiner Melinda Warner (Tamara Tunie) who is always on hand to help uncover forensic clues.

Fans of the show may also enjoy CSI and Shark, starring James Woods.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Rape, incest, mutilation. All matters of sex crimes perpetrated against women, kids, you name it. Not for the faint of heart.
Violence Sex paired with graphic violence. Guns. Kinky dangerous crimes.
Language A few "damns," "asses," and "bastards."
Message
	Social Behavior Really bad people doing really horrid things. But good often triumphs over evil.
	Commercialism Mercifully free of products.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Drugs often figure prominently into the plotlines.