Very disappointed in Harry’s Law & NBC

[William769]

The episode which aired October 12,2011 dealt with cyber bullying, Harry (Kathy Bates) defends Sela (Sarah Steele), a high school teen who outed lesbian classmate Hannah via her blog Sela is charged with negligent homicide after Hannah commits suicide.

Camryn Manheim guest stars as ADA Kim Mendelsohn, who refuses to reduce the charge; the DA wants to make a statement about the seriousness of gay bashing and cyber bullying. Harry's defense is that Hannah's suicide was driven by homophobia in society, not Sela's blog.

Yes I know this is only a television show (but it’s one with a national audience), cyber bullying has become a big problem today & from what I gathered from the show (I have watched it three times) is that it’s ok to cyber bully because the blogger's opinion also reflects her world's opinion — being LGBT still is a target for hate and discrimination. Well guess what we have to start somewhere, lets start with individuals like Sela.

It’s safe to assume that I did not like this episode to the point I will not watch the show again, I am very disappointed in Kathy Bates for being part of this show I am also disappointed in NBC for airing the show.

I very well could be in a small group that took this show the wrong way, but to have a court case involving cyber bullying in this day where the defendant is guilty & to get off with no ramifications is just wrong.

http://www.gay.billking.net/blog.html

[aintitfunny]

1. I saw the show

I have a slightly different take on it, but I can see your point. I found its focus was directed at hate speech and the prevalent use of cruelty as entertainment. One scene had Nancy Grace lambasting Harry and the defense of the teenage hatemonger and in Harry's defense wrap up to the jury, she referred to "snarky" journalism - including the Huffington Post - a little odd.

The show clearly identified the evil of gay bashing and pointed out the general evil of teen/cyber bullying. The defense of the bad teen was that she had been an outsider and had once, herself, been a victim of teasing and bullying (primarily because she was a bit plain/homely - I think). She started the blog as a means of expression and the uglier she got in her attacks on other kids, the more popular she became. So the love of snark fed her abuse.

This was my take on it - the defense that murder was an excessive charge, but the girl but was not excused for her behavior that was a factor in the gay teens death.

I am just providing a different perspective, not calling your view wrong or mistaken.

[William769]

2. No problem.

I know we all won't agree on this & I suspect that some in the GLBT Community won't agree with me either. I just felt that this show could have went in another direction & showed that bullying will not be tolerated under any circumstance & unfortunately that was not the case in this episode.

[mitchtv]

3. I thought is was quite good

they tried , at least. I think the DA over reached. Didn't like hearing KO in the same sentence as Gl.enn Beck. and they Got Nancy Grace right

[dsc]

4. I actually think they did a good job for the most part

I admit it was disappointing to see her get off but the DA had way overcharged. I think the general point that the mainstream press has become nearly as bad as some of the more odious blogs. It should be noted Dan Savage constantly makes the point in Tyler Clementi's case there was clearly something going on besides just the exposure since the other guy didn't kill himself.

[GodlessBiker]

5. What did you want the defendant's defense to be? It's a legal show, no?