ABC's medical soap Private Practice is usually pretty light fare, but tonight's episode—"Did You Hear What Happened to Charlotte King?"—is devoted to the aftermath of Charlotte's (KaDee Strickland) rape by Xander Harris Nicholas Brendon. And there's at least one reason you should brave what's obviously going to be a very possibly depressing hour of television:
On a show that has had its narrative ups and downs, this episode, written by executive producer Shonda Rhimes, looks to be rock-solid, buttressed by an extensive collaboration with Tori Amos' acclaimed antiviolence advocacy group RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network).
As you can see in the clip above, wherein Kate Walsh's Dr. Addison Montgomery assists with the forensic examination of her friend and colleague, rape victim Dr. King, viewers will experience the aftermath of a rape in carefully executed and educational detail.
We also have five other sneak peeks below.
Will you watch this ep to learn more about the tragedy and terror of rape, and to support real-life rape survivors everywhere? Or are you more intrigued to see what KaDee and Kate do with this rich dramatic material?
Take our poll below and weigh in on tonight's complicated episode.
Private Practice Poll
Private Practice airs Thursday at 10 p.m. on ABC.