I'd feel better if every American watched and felt this episode of Heat of the Night. In this series I suspect Carrol O'Conner gets to act out his actual life values.
This in contrast to his excellent portrayal of bigoted racist Archie Bunker in the series All In The Family. That character, ahead of its time in TV, was meant to satirically teach Americans the destructive mental health of such a man as Archie. That is why it is in the form of rich Comedy.
Sadly these decades later we find many Americans admire such a character. Apparently it was taken as a man who speaks his mind, lives his prejudices and bigotry openly like a 'tough guy.'
Such TV shows in the 60s and 70s did much to bring America's dark side into the open with such episodes as this rape of a school teacher. And we are still trying to come to terms with those same issues in 2022. I'm not content that presently heralded emotional TV series have the creativity or will to deal with such ethical issues as these older programs did.
This episode is surely not out of date. It is done not only creatively but I think with rich psychological and spiritual insight. Reading the plot can be a reminder but watching the presentation( try YouTube) is an experience I wish all adults might have or have again.
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