This article contains mentions of sexual abuse.
Law & Order True Crimeportrayed Lyle and Erik Menendez’s story far better than Netflix’sMonsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Storyseven years prior. Since Ryan Murphy’s explosive portrayal of the Menendez brothers inseason 2 ofMonsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,the show has been widely debated on the accuracy and creative liberties Murphy has taken. There areseveral details thatMonsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Storygets wrongabout what really happened, suggesting that Ryan Murphy was not interested in portraying an accurate depiction.
Furthermore,theMonstersseason 2 controversy was so significant that the real Menendez brothers voiced their disapprovalof Ryan Murphy’s portrayal of the story. The show is filled with inaccuracies, sensationalized theories, and the sexualization of abuse victims. However,Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Storyis not the only TV show to cover the tragedy. In 2017,the first season ofLaw & Order True Crimedebuted, featuring their own interpretation of the Menendez brothers. Although this show still contains some inaccuracies, it is ultimately the better adaptation.
Law & Order: True Crime Was A More Accurate Version Of The Menendez Brothers' Story Than Netflix
Law & Order: True Crime Depicted Accurate Events Without Sensationalizing Absurd Theories & Exploiting The Brothers
Law & Order True Crimeis one of the many spinoffs in theLaw & Orderfranchise, but it is the onlyLaw & Ordershow dedicated to covering real-life cases, ideally one per season. The only season ofLaw & Order True Crimeportrays the devastating story of the Menendez brothers, capturing their parents' deaths, the brothers' arrests, and the heart-wrenching truth of the sexual abuse they endured. WhileMonstersseason 2 also depicts the true story of the Menendez brothers, it is quite clear thatLaw & Order True Crimeis the more accurate portrayal.
Netflix’s documentaryThe Menendez Brothersillustrates that Murphy is largely not interested in portraying accuracy. Not only isLaw & Order True Crime’s depiction of the Menendez brothers more accurate, but it is also more authentic. The writers did not sensationalize the brothers or sexualize their abuse claims.The show did not portray the sexual abuse as fictional or create illusions of incest. WhileLaw & Order True Crimestill has some inaccuracies, most involve convenience in making the show. It is still the superior fictionalized version of the Menendez brothers.
Edie Falco As Leslie Abramson Made The Show Feel Like A Documentary
While the acting performances inMonstersseason 2 are great, none compare to Edie Falco’s extraordinary performance as criminal defense attorney Leslie Abramson. Ari Graynor also did an excellent job, but it is difficult to live up to Edie Falco. AlthoughLaw & Order True Crimeis a fictionalized version of the events,Edie Falco’s portrayal of Leslie Abramson is so believable that it mimics real footage from the courtroom in a documentary. After watching bothMonstersandLaw & Order True Crime, it is clear Edie Falco’s Leslie Abramson is the superior version.
Why Didn’t Law & Order: True Crime Season 2 Happen?
Law & Orderexecutives haddiscussed a potential second season forLaw & Order True Crimeeven before the first episode had aired. In August 2017, it was reported that Dick Wolf already had several ideas for further seasons ofLaw & Order True Crime(viaDeadline). Wolf had cited the Oklahoma City bombing,David Berkowitz and the Son of Sam, andRichard Ramirez, also known as the Night Stalker. Notably, Netflix already has documentaries on the latter two cases, so ifLaw & Order True Crimewere to cover these crimes, it would be another fascinating juxtaposition.
There is no concrete reason as to why the conversations forLaw & Order True Crimeseason 2 fell flat—similarly to the show, they fell off the radar.
However,as of July 2018, there are no plans for further seasons ofLaw & Order True Crime, despite initial conversations. There is no concrete reason why the conversations forLaw & Order True Crimeseason 2 fell flat—similarly to the show, they fell off the radar.Law & Order True Crimewas an amazing opportunity to portray criminal cases in a fictionalized show while integrating critical factors about the events.
Every Law & Order Franchise Character Not Returning In 2024
The Law & Order franchise is losing several characters and actors ahead of the 2024-2025 season, with each show making changes to its cast.
It is disappointing to learn thatLaw & Order True Crimehas no plans for further seasons, especially since it is an excellent fictionalized portrayal of well-known criminal cases thus far. Ryan Murphy has garnered a lot of criticism forleaving out critical details about the true story of Jeffrey Dahmer inMonstersseason 1. While there was a clear opportunity to adjust the criticism forMonstersseason 2, Murphy continued to dramatize aspects that did not happen and sensationalize serious subjects such as sexual abuse and murder. Hopefully, Ryan Murphy will learn from his mistakes forMonsterseason 3.
Law & Order True Crime
Cast
Law & Order True Crime is an anthology series focusing on the intricate details of a crime, the involved parties, and the surrounding media frenzy. Released in 2017, it explores the courtroom struggles and uncovers hidden truths beyond the public eye.
