The problem with the whole Law and Order series is most of the cases are too simple and black and white. Criminal Intent tends to be a little better, but there is usually to simple a motive, especially SVU which plays on an emotional destatation of sexual crimes. Of course rape and child molestation are horrible. They really can't be justified but too often the offenders end up being painted with too dark a brush that they are not realistic. It's not that the offender should be made a saint, but he should be made realistic. It takes a truly good writer to create a realistic character. Like J.K. Rowling's books, which I just finished reading.
1. Snape--a very complex man and my favourite character. In love with Harry's mother from childhood, but turned for a while to the dark side until Lord Voldermort killed Lilly Potter. Snape was responsible though he did not mean for that to happen--but he caused it. He felt guilty his whole life and despite his feelings against Harry because he did not like Harry's father he always deep down cared for Harry because of Harry's mother.
2. Voldermort or Tom Riddle--an outright psychopath but as we go on he is not just some simple great villain, but an orphan who we see as a sociopath from when he goes to Hogwarts, but who never chooses to feel love or remorse. So he never has any real friends but only followers who blindly think he is their solution. But he kills Snape, who he thinks was a good servant, because he wants Snape wand which he thinks will give him power. He does not know Snape was always serving Dumbledore after Voldermort killed the woman he loved but he kills him anyway, just because he loves power more than loyalty.
3. Dumbledore--who appears an image of wisdom and goodness, but whose human side we see in the last book. We see Dumbledore admit his pride and ambition, and how it led to so many evil things he regrets. Harry sees that though he is not as intelligent as Dumbledore, that he is the wiser and more virtuous one because he is willing to accept death, face it for his friends and the world's good, etc.
Rowling created real characters. Even Voldermort you pity and I always liked Snape. When I finally saw how love drove him and how complex he was I liked him even more. Even the Malfloys are complex. Draco is not a real villain, and even his parents want to save their son before serving Voldermort.
