Ep 2. Harassment

Lou Grant season 4 episode 2, titled "Harassment," follows the staff of the fictional Los Angeles Tribune as they report on a controversial story about sexual harassment. During an editorial meeting, the team discusses a local celebrity accused of harassment by a number of women. Lou takes charge of the story, assigning Billie to cover it and insisting that they report on it carefully and professionally.

As Billie begins to investigate, she discovers that the story is more complicated than she originally thought. She interviews a number of women who accuse the celebrity of inappropriate behavior, but also finds that some of the accusations may be motivated by personal grievances. Billie interviews the celebrity and his lawyers, but finds them evasive and uncooperative.

Meanwhile, Rossi investigates a story about a schoolteacher who is accused of molesting a student. As he looks into the case, he discovers that the school district has a history of ignoring reports of sexual harassment and assault by staff members. Rossi confronts the school board, but is stonewalled by their lawyers.

Back at the Tribune, Lou is pressed by the publisher to drop the celebrity harassment story, as the newspaper has received a number of complaints from readers who believe that the paper is sensationalizing the accusations. Lou refuses to back down, however, and insists that the Tribune has a responsibility to report on sexual harassment in order to start a conversation about the issue.

As the episode draws to a close, Billie finishes her report on the celebrity harassment case and the newspaper prepares to publish it. Meanwhile, Rossi's story about the schoolteacher is picked up by a rival newspaper, leading to public outrage and calls for reform in the school district. Lou is proud of his team's work, but understands that there is still a lot of work to be done in the fight against sexual harassment and assault.

Overall, Lou Grant season 4 episode 2 is a thoughtful exploration of a timely issue, weaving together multiple storylines to create a nuanced and complex portrait of sexual harassment and assault. The show handles the subject matter with sensitivity and intelligence, showing the impact of these crimes on both victims and perpetrators, while also highlighting the role of the media in holding powerful figures accountable. So, the episode is a must-watch for both fans of the series and those interested in exploring the topic of sexual harassment.