‘Silence’ Rings With Compelling Drama
Chances are you’ve heard about the rape-crisis center in your community. If you’re fortunate, you’ve never known it as a client.
CBS’ “Sins of Silence” at 9 explains the importance of these safe havens when the director of a rape-counseling facility (Lindsay Wagner) faces a tough choice: She must surrender her files to the lawyer defending an accused rapist or go to jail.
The 1996 TV-movie isn’t a dramatization of a specific case, but it is based on similar fights that have gone on coast to coast when judges have ruled that rape counselors do not enjoy the same privileges of confidentiality given to doctors, licensed therapists and clergy.
Holly Marie Combs (“Picket Fences”) plays a high-school student raped by the son of a rich factory owner. Her personal conversations with rape-crisis center director Molly McKinley (Wagner) reveal unsavory aspects about her background unrelated to the attack. One particular secret would prove explosive in the courtroom.
This compelling story is made stronger by McKinley’s own secret past, which is the basis of the title. She’s a former nun haunted by a wrong turn she once took.
Aside from one really dumb prison scene involving a sneering lesbian guard right out of the worst kind of women-in-prison B movie, “Sins” treats its subject well.
If only these stories ended so well in the real world.
Highlights
“Generation X” (1996), FOX at 8: If you haven’t read “The X-Men” comic books or watched the FOX animated series, you may be baffled by this live-action version of the science-fiction adventure.
Matt Frewer plays a corporate maniac the “X” team attempts to stop from imposing his powerful mind-control technology.
Jubilee, Skin, Refrax, White Queen, Banshee, Mondo, Buff and M are the superheroes. The special effects are better than the acting.
“New Hampshire Primary Coverage,” CBS at 8: Get an early jump on primary results from CBS and CNN. CNN’s “Larry King Live” analyzes voter trends at 6. KSPS plans coverage at 10, and ABC’s “Nightline” has a wrap-up at 11:35.
“Wings,” NBC at 8: A minor complication for Helen and Joe (Crystal Bernard, Tim Daly): She forgot to tell her former fiance (Mark Harelik) that she was breaking their engagement. He’s been incommunicado, under house arrest in Rangoon. Now he’s coming home with no idea she’s married.
“Dateline NBC,” NBC at 10: Maria Shriver interviews boxer Tommy Morrison, who last week confirmed he has tested positive for the AIDS virus.
“3rd Rock From the Sun,” NBC at 8:30: French Stewart, who plays Harry, has been an added surprise in this riotous romp. Tonight he gets a make-over from a personal image consultant played by always-funny Phil Hartman.
“Home Improvement,” ABC at 9: Tim (Tim Allen) has to deal with Delores’ (Shirley Prestia) decision to work at the hardware store. Also, country star Alan Jackson sings on Tim’s “Tool Time.”
“NYPD Blue,” ABC at 10: Simone and Sipowicz (Jimmy Smits, Dennis Franz) hunt for the psychopath believed responsible for the murder of a young woman. Back at the station, the relationship between Martinez and Lesniak (Nicholas Turturro, Justine Miceli) has everyone buzzing.
Cable Calls
“Pillow Talk” (1959), AMC at 5 and 9: If it’s a dose of nostalgia you’re longing for, tune in the Doris Day-Rock Hudson romance. Be warned, however, that dated “Pillow Talk” might put you to sleep.
“Escape From New York” (1981), TNT at 8: Manhattan is an island prison in this average futuristic thriller starring Kurt Russell as a criminal recruited to save a kidnapped president.
Talk Time
“Tonight,” NBC at 11:35: Actor-comedian Adam Sandler, actress Ann-Margret and singer Willie Nelson & the Supersuckers.
“Late Show With David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: Actress Julia Roberts, singer James Brown and actor John Michael Higgins (who plays Letterman in HBO’s “The Late Shift,” Feb. 24).
“Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35 a.m.: Martin Scorsese, Richard Belzer (“Homicide: Life on the Street”) and singer Lisa Loeb.