Remember the Stanford swimmer who was convicted of sexual assault after witnesses saw him having sex with a passed out woman, and then the judge sentenced him to only 6 months (which resulted in the judge being recalled)?This episode does not recreate that case, but is inspired by was inspired by the underlying crime. Provides a nice opportunity for viewers to have conversations about consent. Plus it has Anthony Edwards of ER fame.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series)
Rape Interrupted (2016)
User Reviews
Review this title12 Reviews
Amazing Case
max-siqueira-11892 July 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The plotline is amazing
We have a witness, a man who admite the girl passout during sex. this is RAPE. We have pics of the victim passout all over the internet and the rapist changing his guilt not guilt all the time.
We have a witness, a man who admite the girl passout during sex. this is RAPE. We have pics of the victim passout all over the internet and the rapist changing his guilt not guilt all the time.
Man hater Benson
amarjitmaan25 December 2020
Man hater Benson burns a kid who didn't even get it out lol How many times have kids had sex. This is another 1that's close to call but everybody's a victim in Benson's eyes This show has gone down the shoot since Hagarty took over it.
Out of ideas
TheLittleSongbird25 October 2022
While the subject is important to address, it is one that has been done a number of times on 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' and felt tired long before this episode was made and aired. It is one of those subjects too that could have been executed either way, either hard hitting and powerful or sleazy and exploitative. With the exception of the decent first episode, Season 18 was very disappointing up to this point and was really hoping that this would be an improvement.
That was not to be. The fourth disappointing episode in a row and the third weak one in a row, "Rape Interrupted" is one of the worst of a generally underwhelming Season 18 and doesn't execute the subject very well at all. It is another episode where a very good guest star turn is much better than the episode and deserved better, and another one where everything that didn't work on first watch still doesn't and fares worse while with further shortcomings. This is being said with regret as someone who actually loved the show in its early seasons and its mid period also had fantastic episodes.
By all means there are good things. The best thing about it is Anthony Edwards, who brings authority and class to his role. Also did like his chemistry with Mariska Hargitay, also on game form despite disliking Olivia.
Moreover, the production values are slick, gritty and professional. The music is haunting while not spelling out the emotions too much.
However, the case is very thin and predictable. As well as one sided and repetitive, due to the show revisiting the same theme too often with too little variation. There has been more of a show running out of ideas vibe that gets stronger with each season post-Olivia promotion primarily. Olivias attitude has really infuriated me this season and has contradicted everything she stood for in the early seasons, really hate how since her promotion how judgemental, sanctimonious and self-righteous she's become (not the steely yet sympathetic person she was).
As for the rest of the cast, they are little more than window dressing. None of the supporting cast were worth investing in, ended up not caring about the case while the outcome is yet another anger inducing one. Once again, the dialogue is ham handed and the pace dull.
Overall, weak. 3/10.
That was not to be. The fourth disappointing episode in a row and the third weak one in a row, "Rape Interrupted" is one of the worst of a generally underwhelming Season 18 and doesn't execute the subject very well at all. It is another episode where a very good guest star turn is much better than the episode and deserved better, and another one where everything that didn't work on first watch still doesn't and fares worse while with further shortcomings. This is being said with regret as someone who actually loved the show in its early seasons and its mid period also had fantastic episodes.
By all means there are good things. The best thing about it is Anthony Edwards, who brings authority and class to his role. Also did like his chemistry with Mariska Hargitay, also on game form despite disliking Olivia.
Moreover, the production values are slick, gritty and professional. The music is haunting while not spelling out the emotions too much.
However, the case is very thin and predictable. As well as one sided and repetitive, due to the show revisiting the same theme too often with too little variation. There has been more of a show running out of ideas vibe that gets stronger with each season post-Olivia promotion primarily. Olivias attitude has really infuriated me this season and has contradicted everything she stood for in the early seasons, really hate how since her promotion how judgemental, sanctimonious and self-righteous she's become (not the steely yet sympathetic person she was).
As for the rest of the cast, they are little more than window dressing. None of the supporting cast were worth investing in, ended up not caring about the case while the outcome is yet another anger inducing one. Once again, the dialogue is ham handed and the pace dull.
Overall, weak. 3/10.
Obcene. Law and Order's hit a new low
wolfpup329 October 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I used to be a big fan of this show-and in fact the previous episode was basically like an old episode, and quite good. It used to raise important issues, and the "hero cops" used to behave how you'd want the police to behave in real life.
Increasingly I've been noticing they have the (alleged) protagonists behaving astonishingly immorally. Going after suspects based on flimsy evidence, and not even expressing any doubt.
This episode though hit a new low. Throughout most of the episode there is literally NO evidence presented that any crime had even taken place.
We have an eye witness that saw SOMETHING. We know from research that eye witnesses are near worthless, and in this case, on top of that, it's dark and he's 20 feet away, and what he saw isn't even inconsistent with what the alleged perpetrator said.
Then we have the alleged perpetrator claiming one thing-which OTHER witnesses pretty much backed up-and an alleged victim who can't even remember the crime taking place, much less whether or not she'd given consent. Even if she DID remember, and WAS claiming a rape happened, it's EXTREMELY important for people to remember that our justice system is supposed to have a presumption of innocence, with strong evidence needed to demonstrate guilt.
At the very end we have a twist that she actually WAS unconscious and hadn't given consent.
The problem is, that doesn't excuse the rest of the episode. The Olivia character and the prosecutor act astonishingly immorally, zealously pursuing a case with zero evidence. That's an obscene abuse of power. Olivia repeatedly claims "there's overwhelming evidence!" when in fact the episode had literally presented NO evidence to that point.
Issues of consent are very real issues that would be excellent to build an episode around (and I'm sure SVU has successfully done that before)-but this story doesn't do that. This story says we should prosecute people without evidence, we should assume they're guilty, even before a crime has been established, much less any evidence discovered to indicate guilt.
The reality is, guilty people will get away with crimes in a properly functioning system, because the burden of proof is supposed to be on the prosecution. I know in real life it's FAR from perfect, but a show like this used to present these characters as idealized versions of how our system works-not criminals abusing their positions of power.
This isn't the first time in recent memory that SVU has gotten the morality of a situation shockingly wrong, where the protagonists are actually the antagonists, but this is the most egregious IMO.
I don't watch Chicago PD because it's morality is screwed up too. The protagonist basically beats suspects at the end of every episode until they confess (at least in the dozen or so episodes I suffered through). SVU is getting to the point where it's no better. I want to see the police doing investigative work and actually trying to do the right thing based on actual evidence.
I think that's important for our nation to see too. I think it's obscene and irresponsible to present what this episode does. I'm terrified of people who may not have a strong civics background seeing this sort of thing, and thinking this is okay.
After more than a decade of watching SVU (and I used to watch Law and Order: Prime, Criminal Intent, and Trial by Jury too), I'm VERY close to canning this series. (Not like I don't have plenty of other shows to watch...including police procedural where the cops are the actual good guys, trying to do the right thing.)
I'm on the fence at the moment, but this may be my final episode of SVU. If this is what they choose to present, this shouldn't be on the air IMO.
Increasingly I've been noticing they have the (alleged) protagonists behaving astonishingly immorally. Going after suspects based on flimsy evidence, and not even expressing any doubt.
This episode though hit a new low. Throughout most of the episode there is literally NO evidence presented that any crime had even taken place.
We have an eye witness that saw SOMETHING. We know from research that eye witnesses are near worthless, and in this case, on top of that, it's dark and he's 20 feet away, and what he saw isn't even inconsistent with what the alleged perpetrator said.
Then we have the alleged perpetrator claiming one thing-which OTHER witnesses pretty much backed up-and an alleged victim who can't even remember the crime taking place, much less whether or not she'd given consent. Even if she DID remember, and WAS claiming a rape happened, it's EXTREMELY important for people to remember that our justice system is supposed to have a presumption of innocence, with strong evidence needed to demonstrate guilt.
At the very end we have a twist that she actually WAS unconscious and hadn't given consent.
The problem is, that doesn't excuse the rest of the episode. The Olivia character and the prosecutor act astonishingly immorally, zealously pursuing a case with zero evidence. That's an obscene abuse of power. Olivia repeatedly claims "there's overwhelming evidence!" when in fact the episode had literally presented NO evidence to that point.
Issues of consent are very real issues that would be excellent to build an episode around (and I'm sure SVU has successfully done that before)-but this story doesn't do that. This story says we should prosecute people without evidence, we should assume they're guilty, even before a crime has been established, much less any evidence discovered to indicate guilt.
The reality is, guilty people will get away with crimes in a properly functioning system, because the burden of proof is supposed to be on the prosecution. I know in real life it's FAR from perfect, but a show like this used to present these characters as idealized versions of how our system works-not criminals abusing their positions of power.
This isn't the first time in recent memory that SVU has gotten the morality of a situation shockingly wrong, where the protagonists are actually the antagonists, but this is the most egregious IMO.
I don't watch Chicago PD because it's morality is screwed up too. The protagonist basically beats suspects at the end of every episode until they confess (at least in the dozen or so episodes I suffered through). SVU is getting to the point where it's no better. I want to see the police doing investigative work and actually trying to do the right thing based on actual evidence.
I think that's important for our nation to see too. I think it's obscene and irresponsible to present what this episode does. I'm terrified of people who may not have a strong civics background seeing this sort of thing, and thinking this is okay.
After more than a decade of watching SVU (and I used to watch Law and Order: Prime, Criminal Intent, and Trial by Jury too), I'm VERY close to canning this series. (Not like I don't have plenty of other shows to watch...including police procedural where the cops are the actual good guys, trying to do the right thing.)
I'm on the fence at the moment, but this may be my final episode of SVU. If this is what they choose to present, this shouldn't be on the air IMO.
Disappointing episode
shahla_selena12 October 2021
Ideology before reason destroys the 4th wall.
russelcoight21 November 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Background:
This episode starts off with an interesting premise. The focus is initially on a young male, who is characterized with solid family ties, and on the path to a very successful white collar career. This male ends up at a Halloween party, where he gets the attention of a young female. The two constantly flirt and have a good time, lots of alcohol present. This culminates with some form of drunken sex. Seems like a plain concept, until the show cuts forward, revealing the drunken sex is not all it seemed.
The dilemma of this plot hinges on the female allegedly passing out at some point before, after or during sex with the young male, then suffering from alcohol induced amnesia. The female recalls nothing from the night. Importantly, the female doesn't remember giving consent. Thus it becomes necessary for SUV to investigate a possible rape.
Plot line failure:
The investigation poses reasonable evidence from both sides. Witnesses give conflicting reports. Party goers say the female was all over the male, and the actions definitely seemed consensual at the time. Another witness attests that the male was "on top of" an unconscious female, thus supporting the counter argument. The case eventually proceeds towards a court session. However, the female, unwilling to personally testify, forces the prosecution to offer the defendant a deal. The deal would lead to no jail time, but would require the defendant to register on the sex offender list, likely to the detriment of his career. He strongly considers the offer, but at the 11th hour changes his mind citing "he cannot accept guilt because he knows he didn't rape her". The case progresses towards a jury, with the evidence starting to favor the defendant, albeit with a bit of interference from the defendants police officer father. Then, just as the suspense is built, the producers absolutely tear down the 4th wall. Out of nowhere, the defendant abruptly announces he is "guilty" and that he did "rape her". This is totally at odds with the defendants established character, the progression of the court case, and even with any believable reality. The defendant, who couldn't accept a plea deal out of conviction of innocence, suddenly confesses....... Then, the show forces a cheesy all-sex-is-rape / SJW ideologue onto the viewer in the form of a victim statement from the girl (who supposedly was too anxious to testify). The show never effectively resolves the conflict. It made no sense, and was a really terrible way to resolve an otherwise unexplored point of conflict.
Summary:
This episode was the ultimate bait and switch. Something the producers have been pulling on the viewer with increased frequency lately. The plot instilled a lot of doubt as to whether the sexual event ever could constitute rape. Yet at the same time, the SUV team seemed very aggressive in charging the defendant. This created a genuine belief that the case was not cut and dry, and that perhaps the SUV team had some information yet to be revealed. Astonishingly, the producers suspended all belief, and rammed through the result they wanted, seemingly to justify a lame, preachy ideologue. I used to be a massive fan of the SUV series. However, like many people, the series has certainly lost its charm over the past few seasons. Most of the newer episodes seem to be a soap box for the producers to impose their own ideology on to the viewer.
Viewers should avoid this episode. It is a total waste of your time. You can read the blog of a radical feminist if you want the shorter version of this show.
This episode starts off with an interesting premise. The focus is initially on a young male, who is characterized with solid family ties, and on the path to a very successful white collar career. This male ends up at a Halloween party, where he gets the attention of a young female. The two constantly flirt and have a good time, lots of alcohol present. This culminates with some form of drunken sex. Seems like a plain concept, until the show cuts forward, revealing the drunken sex is not all it seemed.
The dilemma of this plot hinges on the female allegedly passing out at some point before, after or during sex with the young male, then suffering from alcohol induced amnesia. The female recalls nothing from the night. Importantly, the female doesn't remember giving consent. Thus it becomes necessary for SUV to investigate a possible rape.
Plot line failure:
The investigation poses reasonable evidence from both sides. Witnesses give conflicting reports. Party goers say the female was all over the male, and the actions definitely seemed consensual at the time. Another witness attests that the male was "on top of" an unconscious female, thus supporting the counter argument. The case eventually proceeds towards a court session. However, the female, unwilling to personally testify, forces the prosecution to offer the defendant a deal. The deal would lead to no jail time, but would require the defendant to register on the sex offender list, likely to the detriment of his career. He strongly considers the offer, but at the 11th hour changes his mind citing "he cannot accept guilt because he knows he didn't rape her". The case progresses towards a jury, with the evidence starting to favor the defendant, albeit with a bit of interference from the defendants police officer father. Then, just as the suspense is built, the producers absolutely tear down the 4th wall. Out of nowhere, the defendant abruptly announces he is "guilty" and that he did "rape her". This is totally at odds with the defendants established character, the progression of the court case, and even with any believable reality. The defendant, who couldn't accept a plea deal out of conviction of innocence, suddenly confesses....... Then, the show forces a cheesy all-sex-is-rape / SJW ideologue onto the viewer in the form of a victim statement from the girl (who supposedly was too anxious to testify). The show never effectively resolves the conflict. It made no sense, and was a really terrible way to resolve an otherwise unexplored point of conflict.
Summary:
This episode was the ultimate bait and switch. Something the producers have been pulling on the viewer with increased frequency lately. The plot instilled a lot of doubt as to whether the sexual event ever could constitute rape. Yet at the same time, the SUV team seemed very aggressive in charging the defendant. This created a genuine belief that the case was not cut and dry, and that perhaps the SUV team had some information yet to be revealed. Astonishingly, the producers suspended all belief, and rammed through the result they wanted, seemingly to justify a lame, preachy ideologue. I used to be a massive fan of the SUV series. However, like many people, the series has certainly lost its charm over the past few seasons. Most of the newer episodes seem to be a soap box for the producers to impose their own ideology on to the viewer.
Viewers should avoid this episode. It is a total waste of your time. You can read the blog of a radical feminist if you want the shorter version of this show.
Low Blow SVU
katlegends1 March 2021
Total joke
graceevatrends13 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This was a real waste of time. A total joke. No real evidence, victim only cried rape after she saw a video of herself had circulated, the defence lawyer had a more solid defence.
Only for the accused swapping no jail time for 2 years in prison (by moving his day of confession) very laughable.
In reality the defence should have won this case
Only for the accused swapping no jail time for 2 years in prison (by moving his day of confession) very laughable.
In reality the defence should have won this case
SVU disobeyed the rule of law
liyuan-2867815 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The story of this episode was very awful.
Personally, I believe that Ellis had sex with the girl without her consent. But SVU and DA didn't have enough evidence to prove it.
All the evidences they had were: 1. Rape kit, which only proved that they had sex; 2. A witness, who was 20 feet away in the dark; 3. Statement of the supposed victim.
I know little about the law of New York State. But I really know, the defendant would not be pronounced guilty, and even not be charged with so few evidences in my homeland China, a so- called "police-state".
If Ellis is guilty, a guy who has sex with a girl, will be guilty if the girl claim that she passed out, and every citizen who had sex with someone will have to face the threat of rape charge from the government, and the government will become a terrible monster against the freedom.
So in my opinion, this episode was really really terrible, ignorant, and even dangerous!
Personally, I believe that Ellis had sex with the girl without her consent. But SVU and DA didn't have enough evidence to prove it.
All the evidences they had were: 1. Rape kit, which only proved that they had sex; 2. A witness, who was 20 feet away in the dark; 3. Statement of the supposed victim.
I know little about the law of New York State. But I really know, the defendant would not be pronounced guilty, and even not be charged with so few evidences in my homeland China, a so- called "police-state".
If Ellis is guilty, a guy who has sex with a girl, will be guilty if the girl claim that she passed out, and every citizen who had sex with someone will have to face the threat of rape charge from the government, and the government will become a terrible monster against the freedom.
So in my opinion, this episode was really really terrible, ignorant, and even dangerous!
No case at all
bkoganbing1 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Even in liberal New York City there was not enough evidence to prove that Anna
Osceola was raped by Corey Cott. Both of them were quite drunk, she may or
may not have been passed out, they had sex indeed but no evidence of any kind
it was forced.
Still rape charges are brought and then Mariska Hargitay finds that Cott is the son of her first partner and training officer Anthony Edwards. And we learn back in the day Edwards perjured himself to save her from a bad jackpot courtesy of Internal Affairs. Now he figures the time is right for payback.
The story centers more on Edwards and what he figures Olivia Benson owes him. Still charges brought here should have been dismissed or never have been brought.
One of the worst SVU stories in their history.
Still rape charges are brought and then Mariska Hargitay finds that Cott is the son of her first partner and training officer Anthony Edwards. And we learn back in the day Edwards perjured himself to save her from a bad jackpot courtesy of Internal Affairs. Now he figures the time is right for payback.
The story centers more on Edwards and what he figures Olivia Benson owes him. Still charges brought here should have been dismissed or never have been brought.
One of the worst SVU stories in their history.
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