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"Episode Four" is the number episode of season two of the ABC television series American Crime. It was written by executive producer John Ridley and Kirk A. Moore and directed by Julie Herbert.

Plot
Season 2, episode 4, of American Crime begins with a poetry reading about the trauma of reporting rape to officials, especially when it is a male making the accusation. This episode follows the frantic Leyland school administration as they attempt to defend the school against the rape accusation made by Anne Blaine in episode 1. Leslie Graham points out the truth is coming out, and that they need to give the police a name otherwise there will be DNA testing. Coach Dan warns his players the police are wanting answers, so someone better start explaining what went on during that party. Parents of Leyland students continue to do whatever they can to look out for their children, whether that means being selfish, in the LaCroix’s case, or hopelessly fighting, in the Tanner’s case. Leslie and her boyfriend talk about how this rape case will affect Leslie’s well being, because it is taking a large toll on her social life. Her boyfriend begins to make comments about his daughter who went through a similar case, and Leslie says “how strong she is now”. After countless days of fear and frustration with the Leyland school, Anne Blaine transfers Taylor to Marshall, the public school. Kevin makes an official statement about his whereabouts during the party. It is scripted for him by his parents and lawyer. A fight breaks out at Marshall, when Principal Dixon responds to the situation. Principal Dixon reacts rashly and suspends Mateo. Eric’s fear consumes him and he takes it out on his brother Peter by violently attacking him. After his conversation with Peter, the audience sees Eric in the bathroom swallowing copious amounts of pills followed by drinking beer. He fights to keep it down, and then we realize he is attempting suicide. Next, Eric is in the hospital where his parents are frantically trying to comprehend what has lead their son to suicide. Coach Dan visits Eric in the hospital and the conversation goes from asking about Eric’s well being to what did he do to that boy (Taylor). Eric confesses to the sexual act but says that Taylor was asking for it. Eric reveals that they had planned the night out. Text messages between the two are surfacing. The truth is out, now everyone knows that Eric and Taylor are gay. Anne is crushed and can’t believe that Taylor has lied to her. She confronts Taylor in front of Evy, and more confusing details are beginning to surface. When Anne asks if Taylor went there with intentions of hooking up with Eric he responds with “I didn’t go there to get attacked.” Evy storms out and leaves behind a distraught mother and son. The final scene of this episode is damage control at the Leyland school. Leslie voices how people will see how Leyland “conspired against the young man on financial aid who was constantly bullied”. Leslie calls the sexual act consensual because of the emails, it’s “the truth that people need to believe.”

Perspective on Rape Culture
Rape culture is explored in episode four of American Crime by identifying hyper-masculinity’s effect on homophobia and the "blurred" line of consent. Hyper-masculinity is portrayed in Eric himself, his family, and their friends. In the book Transforming a Rape Culture, Michael Kimmel writes, “…. Four traditional rules of American manhood; (1) No sissy stuff. Men can never do anything that even remotely suggests femininity. Manhood is a relentless repudiation and devaluation of the feminine. (2) Be a big wheel. Manhood is measured by power, wealth, and success. Whoever has the most toys when he dies, wins. (3) Be a sturdy oak. Manhood depends on emotional reserve. Dependability in a crisis requires that men not reveal their feelings. And (4) Give ‘em hell. Exude an aura of manly daring and aggression. Go for it. Take Risks.” Eric and his brother Peter show these four rules of manhood during their conversation in the bedroom. Eric takes out his emotions in violence and aggression towards his brother. He yells out “why are you acting like a little bitch” using the term ‘bitch’ as an insult of femininity. Peter explains he wants to move to Miami, Florida with a new car and live the dream out there, he says “we be hitting that all the time” when referring to the women in Florida. Peter is exploring the rule of power, wealth, and success. Success being: hittin on those women and living the dream in Miami. This theme continually affects how people think about gay men in this episode.

Hyper-masculinity has a large impact on homophobia. “Homophobia—which appears to be the fear of homosexual men but is really the fear of other men.” In this episode it is revealed that Eric and Taylor are gay, but only one of them had came out by choice. Eric, a basketball player at Leyland, is constantly surrounded by his teammates who encourage degrading chatter about girls at their school. Eric has tried to mask his sexuality mostly because of the fear of how others, especially his peers, will respond to it. Taylor has consistently been bullied throughout the episode about his accusation of rape. This could only make it more difficult for Eric to bring forth his true self because of how Taylor was treated. “The prevalence of this homophobic bullying, teasing, and violence is staggering. Probably the most common put-down in America’s high schools and middle schools today is “that’s so gay.” And as we’ve seen, it has less to do with sexual orientation than it does with gender. Boys act as the gender police, making sure that other boys stay in line.” Eric’s fear of being harassed for being gay resulted in an attempted suicide. Another survivor in the book We Believe You, states that “This is too difficult and I can’t take it”. Although Eric is not a victim of rape, he is a victim of this theme of rape culture. When Coach Dan came to visit Eric in the hospital after his attempted suicide Coach Dan asked why he didn’t come forward with the texts and emails. Eric responded with “then everyone would know I’m gay”(AC). Eric’s fear was so great that he would rather end his life then live the way he secretly desired.

Lastly, the “blurred” lines of consent is illustrated with the messages released between Taylor and Eric. “Consent can be conveyed effectively by moans, gestures, movements, eye contact, and facial expressions… If we as a society, actually expect people to be 100 percent certain they had enthusiastic consent from all sexual partners, then we might not be so quick to accept “She wanted it” as a defense”. After Eric admitted to having sex with Taylor, he states that Taylor “wanted it, and liked it rough”. Eric stated that they had previously talked about hooking up through text messaging. Even if Taylor had all intentions of having sex with Eric that night, he can change his mind at any point. As Taylor stated, he “didn’t go there to get attacked”. “But rape culture tells us that “real” victims don’t get confused, misspeak, or tell white lies alongside the description of a true attack. “Real” victims don’t make stupid mistakes, have crappy families, or stay with abusive men.”. As seen in this episode, Taylor is a real victim, yet he does come from a broken family and he does tell a white lie. These “blurred” lines of consent make it harder for individuals to report a rape because consent can be withdrawn at any moment, which is a statement that only some believe.

Broadcast and reception
Sarene Leeds, in Entertainment Weekly, writes a review about Eric’s truth of being gay.“Why is Eric’s truth such a dangerous concept? Because he feels if people knew he was gay, then any chance of a basketball scholarship — which is his only hope for getting into college, owing to his financially strapped divorced parents — will be snatched away.” Leeds's shows, once again, how because of homophobia and hyper-masculinity, Eric is afraid that because of who he is, he will not be successful in his life.

Sarene Leeds, in Entertainment Weekly, writes “But it’s Taylor’s words of, you guessed it, the truth, that deliver the most upsetting blow to everyone present: “I didn’t go there to get attacked,” he says, thereby confirming his intentions with Eric, but still keeping the criminal element of the case open.” The plan to hook up may have been true, but consent can be withdrawn at any point during the sexual encounter. Rape culture gives a murky definition of what consent actually means. Leeds writes about how, yes, the hookup may have been planned but consent was withdrawn. As far as what the viewers understand, this is still a rape case.

Brian Tallerico, a writer for Vulture, writes “Kevin and Eric are both captains, but they live very different lives. One is rich, one is not. One is black, one is white. Eric was suspended, but Kevin is the one being slandered in the press. Terri is brutal and cold throughout the scene. Just as Curt begins to explain why he can't afford a lawyer, she suddenly takes a call”. This relates to the mix of social class and how it affects the validity of statements. The rich, upper class family has the opportunity to have successful lawyers to help out their family, as Eric’s family cannot afford to get any help.

Pilot Viruet, in AV Club, writes "Withdrawn consent can be tough cases to prove, and I know DA’s personally who are afraid to go to trial with them" This statement is the epitome of the struggle that survivors go through for the support of the justice system. In American Crime, Taylor’s case didn’t progress as fast as it should have. People could not, or would not, believe that this could have happened. Instead of trying to help Taylor, people were trying to prove he was wrong.