This is the probably the best episode of Season 7 - indeed it's one of the best episodes of the shows entire run.
The episode shows the horrifying impact of 'date' rape, a subject very rarely shown on 1980s TV. What gives the episode its power in this case we know the victim - Det Christine Cagney. Christine is the victim of a terrifying ordeal at the hands of her date for the evening - after a dinner date, she declines to bring him into her flat for a nightcap - he returns shortly afterwards with some excuse and quickly overpowers Christine. The audience does not see this scene, but rather we hear Sharon Gless recounting it to Tyne Daly. Her delivery is amazing, and conveys the horror and violation. Tyne Daly is also excellent as she struggles to find the right words to support her best friend and partner. The episode does not pull any punches as it shows in stark reality the cold, clinical experience rape victims could expect at that time as they undergo forensic examination, before being subjected to personal, invasive and humiliating questions from the two (male) detectives assigned to her case. Throughout the episode, everyone around Christine imply that either they don't believe her, or that she would be better not pursuing the matter - all except Mary Beth who doggedly encourages Christine to stick to her guns and pursue the rapist. Eventually they are able to pursuade the DA to take the case forward and use the rapist's own lies to trip him up.
All in all a powerful performance from both leads, and a strong insight into a difficult and painful subject.
The episode shows the horrifying impact of 'date' rape, a subject very rarely shown on 1980s TV. What gives the episode its power in this case we know the victim - Det Christine Cagney. Christine is the victim of a terrifying ordeal at the hands of her date for the evening - after a dinner date, she declines to bring him into her flat for a nightcap - he returns shortly afterwards with some excuse and quickly overpowers Christine. The audience does not see this scene, but rather we hear Sharon Gless recounting it to Tyne Daly. Her delivery is amazing, and conveys the horror and violation. Tyne Daly is also excellent as she struggles to find the right words to support her best friend and partner. The episode does not pull any punches as it shows in stark reality the cold, clinical experience rape victims could expect at that time as they undergo forensic examination, before being subjected to personal, invasive and humiliating questions from the two (male) detectives assigned to her case. Throughout the episode, everyone around Christine imply that either they don't believe her, or that she would be better not pursuing the matter - all except Mary Beth who doggedly encourages Christine to stick to her guns and pursue the rapist. Eventually they are able to pursuade the DA to take the case forward and use the rapist's own lies to trip him up.
All in all a powerful performance from both leads, and a strong insight into a difficult and painful subject.
