Ep 17. Cruel and Unusual

The show Crossing Jordan season 2 episode 17, named Cruel and Unusual, follows the medical examiner Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh and her team as they investigate the death of a young girl who was serving time in a juvenile detention center. They soon find that the case is more complex and that the girl's death may not have been an accident.

Dr. Cavanaugh and the team find that the victim had been locked up in isolation for 23 hours a day for weeks, which they believe may have caused her death. They discover that the detention center staff had been using solitary confinement as a punishment method, a practice that is considered cruel and unusual. The team must navigate through the bureaucracy of the detention center and the legal system to find out what happened to the young girl and bring those responsible to justice.

As they delve deeper into the case, Dr. Cavanaugh and her team uncover a web of corruption and cover-ups, including evidence tampering and intimidation of witnesses. They face challenges from both the detention center staff and the local authorities, who are more focused on protecting their reputation than finding out the truth.

Meanwhile, Dr. Cavanaugh's personal life also takes a hit as she faces a health scare that could affect her ability to continue her job. Her colleague Dr. Nigel Townsend tries to help her cope, but the situation becomes more complicated as their relationship deepens.

The episode is an emotional rollercoaster, addressing serious social issues such as juvenile detention and the abuse of power, while also highlighting the personal challenges that the main characters face. The show's strong writing and excellent performances from the cast make for a captivating and thought-provoking episode.