What do you get when you mix together an abusive love affair between two pop stars, a leaked photo of the victim’s face and the media blitz that surrounds it? Perhaps, a story that sounds all too familiar. ‘Law and Order: SVU’ ripped this familiar tale straight from the headlines basing their newly released episode, “Funny Valentine” on the infamous assault between Chris Brown and Rihanna that occurred in 2009. The episode offered many references to the abuse scandal, mimicking everything from Chris Brown’s initials to the restraining order and, to no surprise, a reconciliation between the two lovers. But love hurts right? Well so does criticism, and the franchise seems to be raking in plenty of mixed reviews for ending the episode with the faux Chris Brown murdering his girlfriend after the couple decides to reconcile their relationship.   

It is no secret that ‘Law and Order’ is a franchise known for taking risks, often using circumstantial situations to influence their episodes. But will the franchise be ripped to shreds for its so-called “ripped from the headlines” stories? Well, if the franchise does receive any flak it probably won’t be from a courtroom as although there were many similarities that braided the two love tales together, there were also a handful of fictional events and elements that set the dramas apart. Yet, some are still suggesting that this episode of ‘Law and Order’ was ethically out of order. Questions are beginning to surface asking whether crime shows like ‘Law and Order’ cross the line when using actual incidents as inspiration for their episodes.

 This is certainly not the first episode that the franchise has taken from the headlines debuting episodes inspired by Bill O’Reilly’s sexual harassment allegations, Princess Diana’s death and even the infamous "pregnancy pact." While the portrayal may make some viewers uncomfortable, ‘Law and Order: SVU’ has no plans to limit their headline-ripping episodes, as the drama will soon take on a sensitive topic that has impacted Americans nationwide. In April, the NBC drama is set to air an episode about troubled youths, a plot sparked from the violent shootings in Aurora, Colorado and Newtown, Connecticut. According to TV Guide, the show will not depict any of the mass shootings explicitly, but will rather explore in detail the conflicts and consequences of a violent teenager who doesn’t receive the help needed.   

Despite the controversy surrounded by the episodes, ‘Law and Order’ may be on the verge of redefining crime shows, suggesting that the most controversial shows are the best rated. These ripped-from-the-headlines stories have become the franchise’s secret ingredient to sustaining viewership. Viewers today are more interested in watching dramas that have unfolded in real life rather than figments of a writer’s imagination. While the transition has washed up soap operas, ‘Law and Order’ has managed to stay afloat in sea full of reality television and social networks. From a Chris Brown and Rihanna love scandal to the tragic violent shootings of Newtown, the tragedies that captivate your life could undoubtedly end up on the next ‘Law and Order: SVU’.

Reach Staff Reporter Rachel Scott here. Follow her on Twitter here.