Ep 16. Date Rape

Cagney & Lacey season 2 episode 16 is titled "Date Rape" and follows Detectives Christine Cagney and Mary Beth Lacey as they investigate a case involving a college student who claims she was raped by a man she went out on a date with.

The episode begins with the victim, Lisa, reporting the rape to the police. She tells Cagney and Lacey that she met the man, named Tom, at a party and they exchanged phone numbers. They went out on a date and had a few drinks, but Lisa says she doesn't remember much after that. She woke up the next morning with bruises on her body and no recollection of what happened.

The detectives start their investigation by interviewing Lisa's friends and other people who were at the party. They also reach out to Tom, who denies any wrongdoing and claims that everything that happened between him and Lisa was consensual.

Cagney and Lacey soon learn that Lisa had been drinking heavily that night and that Tom had taken advantage of her. They gather evidence, including witness statements and physical evidence, to build a case against him.

As the investigation continues, the detectives also discover that Lisa is not the only woman who has accused Tom of sexual assault. They reach out to the other victims and encourage them to come forward and testify against him.

The case ultimately goes to trial, where Cagney and Lacey testify about their findings and the other victims testify against Tom. The jury finds him guilty of rape and he is sentenced to many years in prison.

Throughout the episode, Cagney and Lacey struggle with their own emotions about the case, particularly Lacey who has a daughter around the same age as Lisa. They also deal with the frustrating reality of rape cases and how difficult they can be to prosecute.

Overall, "Date Rape" is a powerful and impactful episode of Cagney & Lacey that tackles the important issue of sexual assault and the importance of believing victims.