Greetings,
One of the things I like best about Law & Order is how it tends to depict the female characters as being very strong women. Not cold or callous, but more than capable and also full of heart. Still, if I had to call any of the ladies of the show a full on "tough chick", I would go with Abbie Carmichael. By the way, I am using that as a term of endearment, because I consider it a compliment. But while she may have seemed that way on the outside, she was no one-dimensional character.
Abbie Carmichael was portrayed by Angie Harmon from 1998 to 2001. Right off the bat, I liked her. Maybe it was the awesomely, husky voice or the raven hair, but she kind of reminded me of Claire Kincaid at first. That was rather comforting. Although, once we move passed the vocal and...I guess, follicle similarities, these two ladies were rather different from one another. Abbie was a very ardent Conservative. She was pro-life, opposed gun control, had no problem with the death penalty and believed that prison was meant to be a punishment and nothing else. Needless to say, this caused some occasional headbutting between her and McCoy...and Adam Schiff...and later, Nora Lewin. Okay, she knew how to ruffle feathers, but she also knew how to stand up for herself. Hence, why I find her so resilient. Still, I liked her best when we saw both sides of her as a person, because I always saw her as a bit of a gentle soul deep down, even a bit wounded. But a survivor, nonetheless.
There were a few episodes wherein Abbie ended up being a central figure, which lead to us getting to know her better. In Season 9, she had to prosecute a woman for killing the corrections officer she said was abusing her. For some reason, Abbie had almost a vendetta against her, wanting the woman to get life in prison. Even though she was always passionate about her work, there was something quite different about her with this case, like she was pushing away something that she didn't want to face. Or didn't want to face again. In the end, we find out a pretty dark secret from her past. It was nothing she did, but rather something that was done to her. Since this was her first year, I think it was the moment when everyone welcomed her in completely. It sure made me want to give her a hug. And, since it was Jack McCoy in whom she confided, you could see that she was easing her way into what ended up being a good friendship. Another time, we see Abbie's vulnerability when a friend of hers is killed. For someone who seems to set aside emotions a lot, she didn't here.
Still, within the walls of all that angst, don't think that we couldn't get some lightheartedness from Abbie. For example, there were a few times when the cops and the EADA came to blows, trying to prove who was tougher by, of course, acting a bit immature. Because boys. Oh, she reigned them in alright. don't you worry. And I just can't forget the moment when this kind of sleazy defense attorney thought it would be a good idea to hit on her. The look she gave him was priceless. Listen up, guys. Do not pull your crap around Abbie. She WILL put you in your place.
Eventually, Abbie did depart from the District Attorney's office, in order to work at the U.S. Attorney's office. I'm pretty sure that's a promotion. And when she left, it was on a rather high note. Angie Harmon, apparently, wanted Abbie to be killed off in some big to-do, but, after certain similar events that had happened before, everyone else thought it would be too much for the audience, not to mention poor Jack McCoy. Agree. Now, I have heard that Angie Harmon said she was getting discontented with the schedule of the show, and she wanted to do some different roles. Allegedly, she was even up for a part in Charlie's Angels. No offense, but I've seen that movie. I kind of think she dodged a bullet on that one. Just my opinion. Still, I see where she was coming from. As an artist, you don't want to get stuck, and moving on to different things is only natural. I have seen her in different things, by the way, and she is brilliant.
Honestly, Abbie Carmichael is one of my all-time favorite characters from Law & Order. I just love the way she was. I love how she carried herself, and the way that Angie played her made her, I think, one of the most inspirational female characters of all time. So, Mamas, if your babies want to grow up to be Abbie Carmichael, or Angie Harmon for that matter, let them.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
