January 13, 2005
Sapphic Serena Southerlyn's Sign-Off
Dick Wolf, you sly, sly dog. Who knew that Elisabeth "Lumberyard 'cause I'm So Wooden" Rohm's last episode of Law & Order would be so memorable? District Attorney Arthur Branch basically fired ADA Serena Southerlyn's ass because she was too passionate and not enough fact-focused. As Southerlyn, Rohm looked as shocked as she could, and then said, "Is this because I'm a lesbian?" Hello! Gothamist was sort of hoping that Southerlyn would be killed, but L&O can probably never do that again, so instead, they served up this suckerpunch. Game on.
The forums at Television Without Pity are all a-twitter ("Someone needs to get GLAAD involved in this"). And the new ADA, Annie Parisse, playing Alexandra Borgia, has her bio up on the L&O site - Gothamist has already started thinking about her exit strategies.
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It wasn't because her character is a lesbian, it's because she's a TERRIBLE actress. I'm sure she's a lovely person, but I'm glad to see her character go.
And what was he going to say to, "Is this becasue I'm a lesbian?" Especially after giving her a five minute speech about the various reasons she was fired. "Well, you got me. I just can't stand dirty, dirty lesbos in my office. Now scoot!"
Serena was a lesbian? Where have I been? When did this become part of the storyline?
They only had Serena mention the lesbian thing at the very last moment. And then after Branch said, "No, of course not," she just said, "Good" and tried to look teary...then fade to black, end credits.
I'm not a big fan of Serena's character (and have been gleefully hoping she would be bumped off), but that was the worst ending ever. The whole lesbian thing was so out of no where. Up until that "Is this because I'm a lesbian" line, the scene was great.
Maybe Claire will come out of her coma and start practicing law again...
If Claire came back I would even forgive the hiring of that AWFUL Dennis Farina and start watching the new episodes again. Thank God I can get my fix 24/7 on TNT and there's enough old stuff to keep me going through the next ice age.
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They thought Outing her charater would be Shocking??
How far the Mighty have fallen...
Who says L&O has no character development? Way to grab the limelight on your way out the door.
Still picking my jaw up off the floor.
That's what L&O does...we learn like one fact about a character's personal life a season. And it wasn't homophobic or offensive or even shocking. The assumption was that everyone but the viewers knew, and it was no big deal.
I agree with MT, Farina is awful. And this whole Serena-lesbian thing was stupid. The L&O writers better get back on the ball. It's quickly going downhill. Now for a good show, watch L&O: SVU. It's one of the best shows on TV at the moment.
An ironic yet appropriate ending for Serena Southerlyn. Overall I'd have to say that the reasons for previous L&O attorneys moving on have always seemed appropriate, from Ben Stone's guilt over a dead witness to Abbie Carmichael's departure for a more ambitious federal prosecutor job. Saddest of all was Claire Kincaid. Of all ADAs, she least deserved to get killed.
And is SVU actually good these days? That would be news to me.
I... always... thought... Rohm... sounded... like... she... was... reading... her... lines... not... saying... them. I had picked up on Southerlyn's increasing frustration/ dissatisfaction with her job as ADA. But the whole lesbian thing seemed to come out of left field. Didn't she have some scenes where she flirted with a male federal attorney that she knew to help advance a case somewhere along the line? Anyway, I loved how Arthur Branch went Donald Trump on her. You're fired. I just hope The Donald doesn't try to sue Dick Wolf for copyright infringment. Maybe that could actually serve as an "Apprentice" promo.
there actually was some lesbian subtext a couple of months back, when jack tried to take down a gay marriage (b/c a murderer was using it to shield himself- by not having his lover/husband testify.) serena was very opposed, and they had quite a few arguments and staring matches. booya!
Hey Jake, I remember that episode now, but instead of "methinks she doth protest too much," at the time I simply though it was another example of the classic "left good; right bad" mantra the Serena character invoked each week.
Wow!!! I had no idea! Is she available?? ;)
"Is this because I'm a lesbian?" is my new favorite catchphrase. TWoP has renamed the L&O, Original Series thread with the subtitle, "Is this because I'm a lesbian?"
Actually I think CSI: Miami is my new favorite show (Of new episodes. Nothing will ever beat classic L&O). What can I say? It's just not the same without Lenny.
P.S. I think you just started a new trend Callavere. I'm so going to use "Is this because I'm a lesbian?" and see what happens. That's freakin' HYSTERICAL!
The show may be in decline, but as long as Jack McCoy is around, it will remain the best thing on television.
this might be controversial to say around these jerry-loving parts -- and let me say that i think i do think lennie briscoe is one of the classic nyc characters of all time -- but i think the show has gotten better since the introduction of dennis farina. the writing is a bit less formulaic -- come on, 'the wisecrack' is even a bit in the tnt mid-show rerun recaps! -- and watching the chemistry develop between farina and jesse l. martin has been a lot of fun. i'm hoping that the addition of annie parisse will similarly shake up the second half-hour, which is still lacking. but i think ditching branch will be the only way to *really* make that part better.
(also, did no one see the irony inherent in southerlyn's being fired for being TOO EMOTIONAL??? i mean, can one wring emotion out of freshly polished wood, which her face resembled in that final close-up?)
I am SOOOO glad to see Elizabeth Rohm go. She is the WORST actress on tv next to Emily Proctor on CSI Miami. I quit watching Law and Order because it was too painful to watch her try to act. I just knew she had to be doing Dick Wolf to have stayed on the show for as long as she did and have NO talent. When I saw she was leaving the show I celebrated, now hopefully it will be back to the great show it was before Serena got there.
Hey ..love the new site!!! Keep up the good work. I'll send you text sometime. If you're home at any time we'll have to meet up for a pint in the Crown again. Have a good one
Hey ..love the new site!!! Keep up the good work. I'll send you text sometime. If you're home at any time we'll have to meet up for a pint in the Crown again. Have a good one