TV REVIEW : ‘Broken Pledges’: A Mother’s Crusade

The true story of a mother’s unflagging crusade against hazing rituals in college fraternities, NBC’s “Moment of Truth: Broken Pledges” aims to illustrate the extraordinary and positive impact an ordinary person can have on society.

When we first meet Eileen Stevens (Linda Gray), she’s an unassuming homemaker from suburban New York. But this all changes after her son Chuck (David Lipper) dies from acute alcohol poisoning during a particularly brutal fraternity initiation. She refuses to rest until state legislation is passed against such irresponsible and sometimes lethal campus activity.

On this front, “Broken Pledges” is an occasionally moving and inspiring story about one woman’s sense of moral conviction and perseverance.

Nevertheless, Gray probably wasn’t the best choice to portray Eileen. At times Gray adequately expresses the heartache and frustration of a mother struggling to come to terms with her son’s death, while simultaneously trying to penetrate an often unyielding government bureaucracy.

But the former star of the “Dallas” TV series doesn’t always effectively convey her character’s obsessive drive. As a result, the tension that’s supposed to exist between Eileen and the family she neglects never reaches the proper crackling point.

This conventionally constructed TV movie also fails to capitalize on its potential as a social critique. A number of opportunities to really examine the attitudes and values behind the more reckless college fraternities are missed entirely.

Instead, “Broken Pledges” dances around the tougher social and psychological issues that might have illuminated the insecurities and desires that caused Chuck--who is portrayed in almost angelic terms--to pledge his allegiance to one of the rowdiest houses on campus.

* “Moment of Truth: Broken Pledges” airs at 9 tonight on NBC (Channels 4, 36 and 39).