Lou Grant Season 5 Episode 12 Review

In Lou Grant season 5 episode 12, titled "Review," the focus is on art criticism and the power of the press. The episode opens with a scene at an art exhibit where the critic, Dan Russo, is being fawned over by several people while he snaps shots of the artwork with his camera. Lou Grant and his colleagues at the Los Angeles Tribune are discussing the latest work of art that has gotten attention from the LA Times. It’s a controversial piece that shows a nude woman with a face of clay. The Tribune’s editor suggests that they have their own critic go and look at the exhibit and write about it to generate some buzz.

Enter Dr. Anna Lund, a feminist art historian who has written a book on women in art. She is initially reluctant to take on the assignment, but Lou convinces her to give it a try. Dr. Lund visits the exhibit and writes a scathing review of the piece, calling it demeaning and misogynistic. She further suggests that the artist’s work should be removed from the exhibit. When news of the review is published, the backlash is swift. The artists’ supporters express outrage, and soon the Tribune receives letters, phone calls and threats.

The Times joins the fray and publishes a scathing editorial against the Tribune and Dr. Lund, accusing them of censorship and being anti-art. An already polarizing exhibit becomes the center of a heated debate on free speech and artistic expression. Lou stands by Dr. Lund and the Tribune’s decision to publish her review, but he also begins to understand the anger and frustration of the artists’ supporters.

As the controversy continues to brew, Lou and his colleagues are confronted with another ethical dilemma. An artist, who has been directly impacted by Dr. Lund’s review, comes to the Tribune to request a response. Lou agrees to allow the artist to write a counterpoint to the review, but the paper quickly realizes that the artist’s work includes pornographic images of underage girls. Suddenly, the controversy expands beyond the review of a single piece of art. The Tribune must grapple with the question of whether they should publish this artist’s response, when it promotes child pornography.

This episode explores complex issues of freedom of speech, art, and journalistic ethics. It showcases the competing interests of artists, journalists, and the public and raises important questions about the responsibility of the press to be objective and ethical. Throughout the episode, Lou and his colleagues struggle with their roles as journalists, and the impact their words and actions can have on the world around them.

In the end, Lou and the Tribune staff make a courageous decision about how they will handle the artists’ response, and the controversy finally dies down. Though there is no clear resolution to the debate over the artwork, the show leaves viewers with much to ponder about the power of the press and the role of artists in society.