Law & Order: SVU Character Review: Katriona “Kat” Tamin

*This will be my last character review for Law & Order SVU. The next group of characters I will be reviewing is….you will have to come back next week.

*Warning: This post contains spoilers about the characters from the television series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Read at your own risk if you have not watched the show.

There is something to be said about a well written, human character. They leap off the page and speak to us as if they were right in front of us, as flesh and blood human beings, instead of fictional creations.

In this series of weekly blog posts, I will examine character using the characters from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit to explore how writers can create fully dimensional, human characters that audiences and readers can relate to.

There is a certain advantage to being the youngest and the newest employee. Unlike an employee who is experienced both in the job and within the company, this new employee may have an energy and an enthusiasm that overtakes their lack of experience.

On Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, the new detective on the squad is Katriona “Kat” Tamin (Jamie Gray Hyder). A transfer from Vice, Kat is young, eager and takes her job seriously. Her first case is going undercover as a young actress who is nearly assaulted by Tobias Moore (Ian McShane).

As dedicated as she is to her job, she understands that a little delicacy is sometimes needed. When a transgender woman comes forward with a rape accusation, Kat gently pushes the victim to provide the information needed to close the case.

To sum it up: To be young and enthusiastic about work is a unique experience that only comes during a certain time in our lives. Though we may become dejected or cynical later in life, it is this time that teaches us about the workplace. As a character, Kat stands out because of her youth, her energy and her dedication to her job. It is a lesson about work that should not fade, regardless of how long we are in the working world.

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Vox Book Review

In an ideal world, men and women would be equal. But we don’t live in an ideal world.

Christina Dalcher’s debut novel, Vox, is set in a dystopian world in which women are silenced. American women are forced to wear a bracelet of sorts that monitors the words they say. If they speak more than 100 words a day, they can expect to be penalized. Young girls are denied even the most basic of educational opportunities. Adult women have been thrown out of the workplace.

Dr. Jean McClellan is a respected scientist. In shock that she is a second class citizen, she is initially numb to her new normal. Then she is given an opportunity to fight for her rights, her daughter’s rights and the rights of every American female.

I loved the concept of this book. In setting the narrative in our era, the author is able to create a narrative that is visceral and extremely scary. I felt like I could touch and feel the world that Jean lives in.

My only issue with this book is that the ending felt a little rushed. Other than that, this book is incredible and a must-read. It is also a not so subtle reminder that women still have a long way to go before we are truly equal.

Do I recommend it? I am leaning toward yes.

Did T.I. Check if His Sons Are Still Virgins?

The inclination of a good parent is to protect their child from the evils of the world. But, at a certain point, protecting one’s child should be replaced by trusting that child and being able to have an honest conversation about difficult topics.

In music news, rapper T.I. has admitted that he goes to the gynecologist with his eighteen-year-old daughter to confirm that her hymen is still intact. In other words, he is checking if she is still a virgin. According to medical experts, having an intact hymen (or lack thereof) is not an indication of whether one is still a virgin.

There are so many things that are wrong with this story. Granted, his daughter is young and he is looking out for her. However, this story smacks of the idea that she is not a flesh and blood human being with dreams, faults, and ambitions. She is a thing to be owned. What also bothers me is that the two female hosts of the program did not call out T.I. on his sexist remarks.

I have to wonder if he took his sons to the doctor to confirm the same information. But then again, a boy’s sexuality is never questioned in the same way that a girl’s sexuality is questioned.

I’m not a parent, but I know enough to understand the difference between a concerned parent and a parent who crosses boundaries. This is clearly a case of crossing boundaries.

Throwback Thursday-Batman: The Movie (1966)

Batman has been part of our popular culture since his introduction to the public in the late 1930’s. Every generation, in its own way, has reinterpreted the Batman story to fit their era.

In 1966 Batman: The Movie was released. A spinoff of the television series, it is another fight against those would happily destroy the world as it exists. Batman (Adam West) and Robin (Burt Ward) must find a way to stop the United Underworld from holding humanity ransom via humans that have been turned into crystals.

Like the television show, it’s out there, to say the least. It is colorful, over the top and much lighter than the more recent adaptations of the Batman story. However, given the period, this film fits right in and has a sense of humor that later adaptations do not.

Do I recommend it? Why not?