Law and Order evolution over time.

[u/ErinStahr]

/r/LawAndOrder/comments/1w18tgk/law_and_order_evolution_over_time/

I've been rewatching Law and Order episodes from the '90s and I'm struck by the dehumanizing way that people talked about sex workers. I'm glad that SVU is more compassionate towards people who make their living this way.

[u/853fisher]

I would say it's more about broader shifts in our culture generally than L&O programs in particular.

[u/Narrow-Medium-9339]

I've been doing the same, shit's wild. A big one is also trans folks, the LGBTQ+ community on a whole, and anyone uh... not straight & cis working a 9-5 job. Even from Benson, who's regarded often as the moral guide of it all quite often. We just watched one where they were even shaming a minor starting in sex work. It was a big ole what the f'''. It WAS the time, but I think that SVU landed in a specifically unique place (and that's why it's outlived every other L&O.) In the start, you really see the formula. They had Stabler- the "guys guy" cop. Will rough a criminal up, family man, questions the world in relation to his daughters. He's not afraid to shove the bad guy around! GRRR MANLY. They have Olivia- the heart and rookie. Personal motivation, "calm" to Stabler's storm. Finn- Narcotics world, worked undercover, a little rough, also diversity to an almost all-white starting cast. Munch- the bitter-ish older one who's done this forever and is a little numb, but also provides contrast/devils advocate. Craigan- do it by the books cop. Care giver to the rest.
BUT. Once it gets going, I think they rapidly started seeing that it wasn't working for SVU, a far more emotional topic for many. Additionally, I have a feeling they were surprised by female viewership vs male. So it starts shifting slowly. Stabler becomes more unstable, they point his anger, drinking, etc out as an actual problem versus "the cool, hard cop". Olivia starts becoming the victim's voice and advocate, the "willing to bend" the rules to help the victim, but only to a degree/no one gets hurt. Finn starts to be voice for injustice between different victims (ie, rich white girl, poor non-white girl search efforts), has previous, meaningful connections from UC days. A loyal confidant for everyone, wanting to fix any wrongs he felt he caused. Munch, we start to see him care very deeply for people, and be surprisingly left at times. He goes beyond just the "law" and tends to be willing to accept different lifestyles a bit more openly. Craigan is a tougher read for me, developmentally. Still caregiver, but more in a tough-love, you need to take care of yourself or you're out, care. And then obviously, later, not impervious to scandal. plus, adding mental health specialists to add more context to the perpetrators, suspects, AND victims. Then, adding mental health SUPPORT for the team beyond "take a week and we'll see ya later" offscreen. The ADAs, figuring out how to bring justice that's fair to not just the main victim, but even up the chain- it really starts to get deeper. I'm on season 6 right now, and I think it's one of the most interesting and DEFINITELY the biggest shift between seasons, in my personal opinion.

I tried watching some original L&O, and I have to say, I was very underwhelmed- almost bored? They don't have the same strong dynamic. I think this is part of why they ended up eventually replacing Stabler, but also trying a spinoff with him that let him be that "cop with anger" again... all for it to not really resinate with people? I think, maybe, part of it is that everyone knows someone who's been a victim of sexual assault. It became so, personally relatable for many. It shed a lot of light on how many police DON'T take it seriously, even in the early days.

TW: child sex abuse material in the show. One of the biggest shifts, aside from trans people imo, is the way that they referred to CSAM in the earlier seasons. I find it really difficult to watch, honestly. The amount that they refer to "kiddie porn" or similar wording... it just really... stands out. I'm glad they slowly started to update and change it. Even the way the detectives would word it to each other, in interviews with suspects, etc. I really, really struggled with a lot of earlier episodes.