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Episode Recap: "Blinded"
I really like how this one started. I think the cops looking for the missing girl in the car impound was different and dramatic. Smashing the windows to open the trunks fast was great TV.
I've never had the cops show up at my home (not that I'd admit it here), but if one of them did ask to use my bathroom, the first thing I would think is that they want to snoop around. Since Picard knew they would find nothing, I guess he wouldn’t mind. Crazy or not, best not to look suspicious. (Note to self: Let the police use my toilet if they ask. Flee later).
Who else remembers Ayre Gross as one of the original cast members on Ellen DeGeneres’ sitcom? He was pretty charming and funny on that show and I was sorry when he left. Truth be told, I stopped watching soon after, as I didn’t like Jeremy Piven or the other additions nearly as well. He was also great in Minority Report as the man who didn't murder his wife. This guy is an unappreciated character actor. In this episode alone he made us feel bad for a serial child rapist. That, my friends, is talent.
Another question: Where are Sabrina’s parents? No sign of them at the hospital. Did I miss something?
Oh, and Picard’s book was a total rip-off of Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who. Damn child molester ripping off Seuss. That’s just wrong.
I wish Stabler hadn't gone blind after being shot. I think that premise has been overused on other shows. His head getting smashed into the window was well done and believable; his guard was down and the guy was cuffed. Also, until Picard saw the billboard telling him to escape, he was pretty docile.
They sure are tarting up Novak a lot more this season. What’s with the Farrah Fawcett hair? Aside from Ayre Gross, this was really Diane Neal’s episode. We got that backstory on her. But how did Olivia know that Novak would have a photo of her "schizo ex-boyfriend" in that desk drawer? That was a little lame.
So now it's official: Sam Waterston is the new DA. Since Law & Order hasn’t debuted yet this season, SVU gets to announce his promotion.
And please... McCoy lecturing a lawyer on ethics? I remember McCoy also doing "the defense attorney’s job." A few years ago he helped that drunk driver get a lesser sentence because he thought it was the right thing to do. And that’s not the only time.
So they aren’t going to milk Stabler’s blindness. Good. Meloni isn’t going anywhere and it would be a drag to sideline his character. (I believe I predicted a speedy recovery last week.)
All and all, one of the best episodes this year. Hope you all agree.
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Nov 14, 2007 2:07 AM
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I haven't watched SVU in quite a while, but I love Ayre Gross - yeah, I ditched Ellen soon after he left too! - so I figured I'd give it a try.
The entire story really revolved around whether it was right or wrong to prosecute the mentally ill. Ayre's character, a schizophrenic children's writer who skips his meds and ends up raping children, was overtly mentally ill. His performance was terrific and completely believable.
The entire fight between Olivia and Diane Neal's character was sooooo contrived and unbelievable. And I don't for a second believe Jack, or most other DAs, would fight to prosecute someone who is clearly, obviously suffering from schizophrenia. I'm also getting tired of L&O's idea of jurisdictions fighting to try a suspect: I'm not buying that every time there's a question of jurisdiction, they're willing to fighting it out tooth and nail. Were that the case, the criminal justice system would grind to a halt while states, municipalities, and feds argued over who got to prosecute first.
Oh, I used to like this show. Now I'm bored by its contrivances and unrealistic dramas.
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Nov 14, 2007 4:21 AM
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What about that look Liv gave Elliott in the hospital? Was that the look of love or what?
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Nov 14, 2007 7:48 AM
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I thought this was a terrific episode...and glad to see Jack McCoy! Any idea WHEN the original L&O will premier?
To answer your question about Sabrina's parents. You could see them in the background in the hospital room with their daughter (when Olivia was outside the room).
All in all, great episode...terrific acting...GIVE MELONI AN EMMY!
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Nov 14, 2007 8:00 AM
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Not a great episode. Stabler's blindness was hyped big-time, but it ended up not being that crucial of an issue. Although it did lead to perhaps a little soul-searching as he prepares to become a father. Again.
The fight over Elliot was weak, though Novak did sandbag him. A good DA would never do that to a cop.
Arye Gross was good, but the episode bogged down when it focused in on his psychiatric issues.
Another squad room debate over crime and punishment. This is getting tired, the whole political debate element that pops up every third SVU, with half the cast taking one side of an issue and half the cast on the other.
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Nov 14, 2007 8:33 AM
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I thought the episode was great. Regarding the photo, I remember an episode (I think it was last year) in which Casey pulled out the photo of her ex-boyfriend. I think in that episode she talked about how they met in college and ran track together (??).
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Nov 14, 2007 8:58 AM
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I think Olivia knew about the schizo boyfriend because there was an episode can't remember this one where Casey talked about him (maybe even used that picture?) so i found it believable that Olivia would look for his picture in her drawer
I liked the episode for all the 'El' and 'Liv' moments its pretty much the only reason I watch SVU these days. And what happened to Munch he appeared for 2 seconds and last week he wasn't even on.
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Nov 14, 2007 9:16 AM
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Thank you-you saved me from calling cross-country to find out what happened to Elliot! (5:30 am came too early to watch last night!).
Just the previews alone whetted my appetite for this episode-and I can hardly wait to see how Waterston handles his "new" job. Thanks for the
heads-up!
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Nov 14, 2007 10:35 AM
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I blinked and Stabler could see again! They made that WAY more exciting in the previews then it really was. Maybe there will be some risidual? side affects next epi.
Casey is looking very big in those skirts she wears - they make her hips look huge!
And it made me feel weird when I was sympathizing with the rapist! But I didn't understand how at 17 he let his 11 year old sister get raped and didn't try to stop it! Were the guys raping her supposed to be his 17 year old friends or her 11 year old friends??? Very confused.
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Nov 14, 2007 10:37 AM
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Can I just lodge a complaint about a certain spoiler and then the writing of the episode about Stabler's blindness. Okay, when the did the scene from his point of view, a commercial followed, so I slipped off my glasses. Low and behold, the same vision. Yes I have horrible eyesight, but I am no where near being blind or even legal blindness. And then on another note, Olivia being a hypocrite. She actively breaks the law last season to help her new found brother and gets all pissed off when people get mad at her for it. Casey does not actually break the law, but tries to keep jurisdiction to do what she wants with her case (prosecutors do far worse to do the same thing) and she gets the holier than thou speech from McCoy when Olivia rats her out. I am quite annoyed at Olivia right now, her mistakes last night with calling the feds would do nothing to her, but she feels she can risk Casey's job? B@#%$
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Nov 14, 2007 11:01 AM
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I totally agree with you, kate2777. When I saw how Elliot was "blind" I thought, "Wait, that's how I see when I don't have my contacts in!" But I suppose for someone who has had 20/20 vision all thier life, that would almost seem like being blind!
And I also agree that Jack McCoy should have nothing to say about questionable ethics! I almost laughed out loud when I heard him lecturing Casey!
I disagree though, with everyone's opinion on Casey's look this year. I really like it, and I think her hair and clothing really suits her- especially since I remember some of the terrible things the show made her wear in her first season!
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Nov 14, 2007 11:19 AM
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Is it just me, or is Casey lookin' a little preggers?
PUT OLIVA AND ELLIOT TOGETHER ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Nov 14, 2007 11:20 AM
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Casey does look preggers or else she has gained a ton of weight! But her hair looks good, so do the newer outifits.
Yes a vagualy remember an episode where she confided in Liv about her schizophrenic boyfriend. The little game of tattle tale was very contrived though, where was the Captain in all of that? He usually steps in when Liv is being like that. Jack was funny! I guess he is straightening up!
Adam Lake(?) is like a moral compass, they didn't start these moral debates until he got on the show. I like his character but I can do with alot less preaching.
The guy playing the rapist was a great actor, it was weird feeling sorry for him though.
Next week looks interesting too.
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Nov 14, 2007 11:57 AM
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I'm not loving this ep and Lord knows I love my SVU!! First order of business, don't EVER pair up Elliot & Olivia...EVER!
Anyhoo, the blindless thing was a little lame!! I mean he wasn't totally blind first of all. Second, it went away after a 'commercial break'. LOL! C'mon...at least have him stay blind a wee bit longer!!
Another weak moment(IMHO) was the non-confrontation b/w Liv & Casey (I swear Diane Neal has to be preggers). If I just found out my "friend" ratted me out to my boss, I would be royally PO'ed. Why wasn't Casey?? I would've strangled Liv! LOL! Seriously, I expected SOMETHING more than a right away "I'm sorry, you were right".
Always great to see Jack but we had the same 'intro' as we had with Alex in "Conviction". We KNOW why Jack is the new DA but c'mon, a little back story here. Lame, lame!!!
Not liking Adam Beach here either. Nothing against the actor but the character seems kinda pointless at times. I don't buy it. I really don't. Unless they do an ep in which he sees the horrors of SVU and he finally GETS it, I don't see him being a part of this show for long.
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Nov 14, 2007 12:25 PM
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isembard, actually prosecutors seek to try schizophrenics and other mentally ill defendants all the time. Especially if they're violent. The biggest medical expense in most states' departments of corrections, aside from prisoner on prisoner violence, is mental health care.
Prosecutors know that the violent mentally ill will be released from involuntary commitment the minute they are no longer a danger to themselves or others. Once they're released and stop taking their meds, they're back in the system. Better to try and hope to convict them and leave it up to their defense attorneys to try to get them off. But it's a fact that our prisons have a sizeable population of schizos.
The thing I didn't buy was the idea that you could sentence someone to die for raping, but not killing, a 12 yr old. I'm pretty sure the Supreme Court has reserved the death penalty for capital murder. But jurisdictions feud all the time about who will prosecute someone first. Usually the state with the swiftest and most severe potential punishment goes first, as was the case with sniper in the DC area a few years back. But it really doesn't matter, since once one jurisdiction has prosecuted, the defendant is shipped off to whichever jurisdiction is next in line. It's not like he's going to be released in the event of acquittal.
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Nov 14, 2007 12:41 PM
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Hi Fellow SVU Fans,
I just wanted to let you guys know I resigned from the blog last week. The bosses at TV Guide want me to take on fewer responsibilities so I had to let it go.
Thanks for all your support. I am sure the great web guys are looking for a suitable replacement as we speak.
Cheers
Thank you for the information on Richard Belzer's episodes being cut. I was very irritated over the situation, since I really miss seeing Sgt. Munch and want him back on the show ASAP. On ALL the episodes.
I'm starting a letter campaign, encouraging all Belzer (John Munch) fans to write in and voice their wish for him to be included in every episode.
Please send your letters to:
Wolf & Baer
SVU
Chelsey Piers
Pier 62/Suite 305
New York, NY 10011
To further show Belz how much we miss him on the show, please e-mail a copy of your letter to his manager:
Eric Gardner
Panacea Entertainment
Juno@panacea-ent.com
Many thanks for taking the time to write! Let's bring Belz back to SVU!
If you want to write to the magazine re: Richard Belzer or anything else for that matter.
TV Guide
Radnor, PA
19088
or
letters@tvguide.com
Include your name address and phone number.
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