Law & Order Season 22 Episode 19 Review: Private Lives

For the first time in a long time, Law & Order Season 22 Episode 19, “Private Lives,” proves that it can be compelling from start to finish. There isn’t a single moment during this episode where viewers feel pulled to look away. 

Even Cosgrove and Shaw change how they view the issue at hand throughout the investigation. Seeing growth like that is a fun treat, considering how infrequently it occurs. 

And while the subject matter of this episode is bound to alienate a few viewers — as transgender care and trans rights usually do — I am hopeful that some people learned a thing or two.

It Comes Down to Morals or Justice

By the end of this episode of Law & Order, Congresswoman Bartell is seen having a few choice words for Price — and we can’t honestly blame her. The man who murders her husband gets off with a lesser sentence in exchange for allowing the trans teen to avoid testifying. 

While Price’s choice to plead the case out has nothing to do with how the courtroom battle was going, it has everything to do with Price’s moral standing. No one in good faith could look at the emotional upheaval the case has on the Myers family and say Taylor testifying is better than giving her dad a lesser sentence.

Coming to this decision is something even Price struggles with because, for the majority of the trial, he believes that a 13-year-old can’t decide their gender. It takes a heartfelt conversation with Maroun to change his mind.

This begs the question, how is Maroun knowledgeable and understanding of Taylor’s headspace? Does she have experience with knowing someone who has transitioned or even questioned their sexuality? 

It might’ve been interesting to see Maroun dive into her connection to the case. She has always been a more empathetic and compassionate ADA than Price, but this case seems to sit deeper with her than others.

In the end, Bartell makes a good point that the decisions made in this case leaned more toward political and moral than toward true justice and upholding the law. Price rarely allows his humanity to overtake his logic, but Taylor convinces him that compassion will always be greater than any legal victory.

Ripped From the Headlines

While the outcome is entirely understandable, there is still the bigger picture of the episode that needs to be taken into consideration. Law & Order is infamous for ripping stories straight from the headlines. 

“Private Lives” is no different, which can be seen as a good thing or a bad thing. It all depends on which side of trans rights you fall into. Even some trans rights supporters might see this episode as being too preachy.

There is going about teaching people to open their hearts to complex issues subtly, and then there is this episode. From the moment it is revealed that the victim’s wife is a conservative Congresswoman who votes against trans care for minors, it’s clear the writers’ agenda.

Again, having this positive stance on gender-affirming care is fine, but only if you aren’t too heavy-handed with it. Dr. Bartell could have simply been presented as a doctor who provides gender-affirming care to teens in need without all the morality of potentially doing it against parental consent.

Finding out Taylor’s mom consented to her daughter’s care behind her husband’s back is an emotionally poignant moment on the episode, but it isn’t necessary. Without that added element, there is enough motive, anger, and teaching on the issue.

The way Law & Order presents this case isn’t going to open people’s hearts and minds because it plays right into what conservatives have been preaching against all along — pushing a subject on an audience. Again, it’s not wrong to present a trans-positive story — especially in today’s climate — however, hitting people over the head with it doesn’t help.

In fact, at times, the heaviness of this subject matter takes us out of the story the episode is trying to tell.

 

What did you think of this episode of Law & Order? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Law & Order airs Thursdays at 8/7c on NBC.

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