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Christopher Meloni, Diana Scarwid (Jackie Madden), Mariska Hargitay in “Head”
Reviewing the Case:
A hidden camera in a toilet captures a young boy being raped and leads detectives to a woman with no history of such incidents—but who has started having sudden sexual urges. A medical condition appears to prevent her from being responsible for her actions, including the molestation, but Novak is unconvinced. A deal is struck, but in a soap-opera twist, there’s even one more indignity for everyone in the case.
A hidden camera in a toilet captures a young boy being raped and leads detectives to a woman with no history of such incidents—but who has started having sudden sexual urges. A medical condition appears to prevent her from being responsible for her actions, including the molestation, but Novak is unconvinced. A deal is struck, but in a soap-opera twist, there’s even one more indignity for everyone in the case.
Noteworthy Discoveries:
The “porn queen” is played by Coco (a.k.a. Nicole Austin), who married Ice-T in 2004. Comedienne Amy Sedaris (sister of memoirist/comedian David Sedaris) makes a brief appearance.
SEASON SIXThe “porn queen” is played by Coco (a.k.a. Nicole Austin), who married Ice-T in 2004. Comedienne Amy Sedaris (sister of memoirist/comedian David Sedaris) makes a brief appearance.
September 2004−May 2005
Regular Cast:
Christopher Meloni (Det. Elliot Stabler), Mariska Hargitay (Det. Olivia Benson), Richard Belzer (Det. John Munch), Ice-T (Det. Odafin “Fin” Tutuola), Dann Florek (Capt. Donald Cragen), Stephanie March (ADA Alexandra Cabot), Tamara Tunie (M.E. Melinda Warner), and B.D. Wong (Dr. George Huang)
Christopher Meloni (Det. Elliot Stabler), Mariska Hargitay (Det. Olivia Benson), Richard Belzer (Det. John Munch), Ice-T (Det. Odafin “Fin” Tutuola), Dann Florek (Capt. Donald Cragen), Stephanie March (ADA Alexandra Cabot), Tamara Tunie (M.E. Melinda Warner), and B.D. Wong (Dr. George Huang)
Recurring Cast:
Judith Light (SVU Bureau Chief Elizabeth Donnelly), Isabel Gillies (Kathy Stabler), Jeffrey Scaperrotta (Dickie Stabler), Patricia Cook (Elizabeth Stabler), Erin Broderick (Maureen Stabler), Allison Siko (Kathleen Stabler), Daniel Sunjata (CSU Tech Burt Trevor), Lou Carbonneau (CSU Tech), Welly Yang (CSU Tech Georgie), Jordan Gelber (CSU Tech Layton), Sheila Tousey (Judge Danielle Larson), Harvey Atkin (Judge Alan Ridenour), Tom O’Rourke (Judge Mark Seligman), Joanna Merlin (Judge Lena Petrovsky), Philip Bosco (Judge Joseph P. Terhune), Joel de la Fuente (TARU Tech Ruben Morales), Caren Browning (CSU Capt. Judith Siper), Peter Hermann (Trevor Langan), Ned Eisenberg (Roger Kressler), Mike Doyle (Forensics Tech Ryan O’Halloran)
Judith Light (SVU Bureau Chief Elizabeth Donnelly), Isabel Gillies (Kathy Stabler), Jeffrey Scaperrotta (Dickie Stabler), Patricia Cook (Elizabeth Stabler), Erin Broderick (Maureen Stabler), Allison Siko (Kathleen Stabler), Daniel Sunjata (CSU Tech Burt Trevor), Lou Carbonneau (CSU Tech), Welly Yang (CSU Tech Georgie), Jordan Gelber (CSU Tech Layton), Sheila Tousey (Judge Danielle Larson), Harvey Atkin (Judge Alan Ridenour), Tom O’Rourke (Judge Mark Seligman), Joanna Merlin (Judge Lena Petrovsky), Philip Bosco (Judge Joseph P. Terhune), Joel de la Fuente (TARU Tech Ruben Morales), Caren Browning (CSU Capt. Judith Siper), Peter Hermann (Trevor Langan), Ned Eisenberg (Roger Kressler), Mike Doyle (Forensics Tech Ryan O’Halloran)
SEASON SIX OVERVIEW:
The
SVU
gang is still chasing after serial abuse, contemporary sexual practices among high schoolers, child abductions, false accusations of rape, and mothers from hell. And Dr. Huang is still coming up with a wide range of psychological explanations for why the warped perps do what they do. Through it all, as usual, the detectives take turns becoming rattled by their difficult work.
The
SVU
gang is still chasing after serial abuse, contemporary sexual practices among high schoolers, child abductions, false accusations of rape, and mothers from hell. And Dr. Huang is still coming up with a wide range of psychological explanations for why the warped perps do what they do. Through it all, as usual, the detectives take turns becoming rattled by their difficult work.
There’s a crossover episode with the short-lived and under-appreciated
Law & Order: Trial by Jury
, with the formidable star power of Angela Lansbury, a role for which she receives an Emmy nomination. In various episodes, Martin Short, Alfred Molina, Matthew Modine, and John Savage all seem to enjoy portraying truly despicable human beings. This is the kind of program that welcomes such descents.
Law & Order: Trial by Jury
, with the formidable star power of Angela Lansbury, a role for which she receives an Emmy nomination. In various episodes, Martin Short, Alfred Molina, Matthew Modine, and John Savage all seem to enjoy portraying truly despicable human beings. This is the kind of program that welcomes such descents.
Ratings Recap for Season:
8.3 rating / 14 share / 12,070,000 viewers
EPISODE DESCRIPTIONS8.3 rating / 14 share / 12,070,000 viewers
Episode 117: Birthright
Original Air Date
:
September 21, 2004
:
September 21, 2004
Teleplay by Jonathan Greene, directed by Arthur W. Forney
Addiitional Cast:
Abigail Breslin (Patty Branson), Lea Thompson (Michele Osborne), Peter McRobbie (Judge Walter Bradley), Viola Davis (Donna Emmett), Beau Gravitte (Matt Branson), Camilla Scott (Sarah Branson), Tobias Segal (Kenny Pratt), Ned Bellamy (Peter Carson), Gibson Frazier (CSU Tech Fisher), David Forsythe (Dr. Stanley Norton), Leslie J. Frye (Mrs. Molina)
Abigail Breslin (Patty Branson), Lea Thompson (Michele Osborne), Peter McRobbie (Judge Walter Bradley), Viola Davis (Donna Emmett), Beau Gravitte (Matt Branson), Camilla Scott (Sarah Branson), Tobias Segal (Kenny Pratt), Ned Bellamy (Peter Carson), Gibson Frazier (CSU Tech Fisher), David Forsythe (Dr. Stanley Norton), Leslie J. Frye (Mrs. Molina)
Reviewing the Case:
What initially seems to be a typical case of child abduction by predators turns into a far thornier situation. Although her biological mother’s name is Michele, six-year-old Patty was born to parents Sarah and Matt by virtue of an in-vitro fertilization clinic’s unethical practices. While the detectives and prosecutors struggle with this fuzzy area of the law, Michele keeps trying to kidnap the daughter who calls someone else “Mommy.”
What initially seems to be a typical case of child abduction by predators turns into a far thornier situation. Although her biological mother’s name is Michele, six-year-old Patty was born to parents Sarah and Matt by virtue of an in-vitro fertilization clinic’s unethical practices. While the detectives and prosecutors struggle with this fuzzy area of the law, Michele keeps trying to kidnap the daughter who calls someone else “Mommy.”
Noteworthy Discoveries:
Abigail Breslin would go on to gain wide attention and acclaim as a beauty-pageant wannabe in
Little Miss Sunshine
(2006). Before Michele’s DNA links her to Patty, Dr. Huang theorizes that she is tormented by “a single fixed illusion.”
Abigail Breslin would go on to gain wide attention and acclaim as a beauty-pageant wannabe in
Little Miss Sunshine
(2006). Before Michele’s DNA links her to Patty, Dr. Huang theorizes that she is tormented by “a single fixed illusion.”
Relevant Testimony:
“(Abigail Breslin’s) mother told me, ‘She can cry with her left eye or her right, whichever you want.’ When Mariska asked how she learned to cry on cue like that, Abigail said, ‘Family fights.’ The girl was unbelievable. I’d never seen that in a child actor before.”—Arthur Forney
Episode 118: Debt“(Abigail Breslin’s) mother told me, ‘She can cry with her left eye or her right, whichever you want.’ When Mariska asked how she learned to cry on cue like that, Abigail said, ‘Family fights.’ The girl was unbelievable. I’d never seen that in a child actor before.”—Arthur Forney
Original Air Date
:
September 28, 2004
:
September 28, 2004
Teleplay by Amanda Green, directed by David Platt
Additional Cast:
Ming-Na (Li Mei Wu), Loren Dean (Roger Baker), Jack Yang (Ricky Yao), Aaron Yoo (Tommy), James Hong (Laundry Supervisor), Donnetta Lavinia Grays (Off. Ramirez), Elizabeth Flax (Nurse), Jenny Wong (Ping Wu), Kim Chan (Mr. Zhang), Gene Canfield (Det. D’Allesandro), Craig Walker (Howard Kendall), Sabrina Jiang (Hannah Wu), Jake Robards (Assistant Medical Examiner Cardillo), Margaret Reed (Felicia Chatham), Karen Tsen Lee (Penny Chen), Cindy Lee Moon (Jade) Helen Palladino (Mrs. Armita), Andrew T. Lee (Charlie Ping)
Ming-Na (Li Mei Wu), Loren Dean (Roger Baker), Jack Yang (Ricky Yao), Aaron Yoo (Tommy), James Hong (Laundry Supervisor), Donnetta Lavinia Grays (Off. Ramirez), Elizabeth Flax (Nurse), Jenny Wong (Ping Wu), Kim Chan (Mr. Zhang), Gene Canfield (Det. D’Allesandro), Craig Walker (Howard Kendall), Sabrina Jiang (Hannah Wu), Jake Robards (Assistant Medical Examiner Cardillo), Margaret Reed (Felicia Chatham), Karen Tsen Lee (Penny Chen), Cindy Lee Moon (Jade) Helen Palladino (Mrs. Armita), Andrew T. Lee (Charlie Ping)
Reviewing the Case:
In a departure from the typical black or Hispanic diversity seen on
SVU
, this episode presents a fascinating glimpse of New York’s Chinese community. When the mother of two little girls disappears, the detectives confront a nasty underworld filled with people who prey on undocumented refugees. The sister of the missing woman is torn between helping the police and fearing for her family’s safety if she cooperates. Dr. Huang is a key player, both as translator and undercover operative.
In a departure from the typical black or Hispanic diversity seen on
SVU
, this episode presents a fascinating glimpse of New York’s Chinese community. When the mother of two little girls disappears, the detectives confront a nasty underworld filled with people who prey on undocumented refugees. The sister of the missing woman is torn between helping the police and fearing for her family’s safety if she cooperates. Dr. Huang is a key player, both as translator and undercover operative.
Noteworthy Discoveries:
Benson poses as a well-heeled shopper hunting for bargains, specifically a Hermes bag, in a marketplace known for illegal knockoffs. Stabler runs afoul of the IAB yet again.
Benson poses as a well-heeled shopper hunting for bargains, specifically a Hermes bag, in a marketplace known for illegal knockoffs. Stabler runs afoul of the IAB yet again.
Relevant Testimony:
“(This episode) required not the traditional actors you normally see on TV. Early on I had developed an extensive database so I had in mind some actors of Asian ethnicity—but not enough of them. We also held auditions in L.A., a rare thing. There, I found Jack Yang, who portrays the suave, charismatic villain. I probably had the most trouble so far in the series finding characters for that episode.”—Jonathan Strauss, casting director
Episode 119: Obscene“(This episode) required not the traditional actors you normally see on TV. Early on I had developed an extensive database so I had in mind some actors of Asian ethnicity—but not enough of them. We also held auditions in L.A., a rare thing. There, I found Jack Yang, who portrays the suave, charismatic villain. I probably had the most trouble so far in the series finding characters for that episode.”—Jonathan Strauss, casting director
Original Air Date
:
October 12, 2004
:
October 12, 2004
Teleplay by Jose Molina, directed by Constantine Makris
Additional Cast:
Dana Delany (Carolyn Spencer), Lewis Black (B.J. Cameron), Maggie Grace (Jessie Dawning), Nestor Serrano (Franco Marquez), Lauren Velez (Stephanie Jameau), Ricky Ullman (Danny Spencer), Michael Boatman (Dave Seaver), Jason Antoon (B.J.’s Producer), Joseph E. Murray (EMT Olson), Jesse Marchant (Trip Willis), Josh Tower (Vijay), Jane Kim (Susie Yen), David Gerald (Jim Willoughby), Tessa Auberjonois (Dr. Payne)
Dana Delany (Carolyn Spencer), Lewis Black (B.J. Cameron), Maggie Grace (Jessie Dawning), Nestor Serrano (Franco Marquez), Lauren Velez (Stephanie Jameau), Ricky Ullman (Danny Spencer), Michael Boatman (Dave Seaver), Jason Antoon (B.J.’s Producer), Joseph E. Murray (EMT Olson), Jesse Marchant (Trip Willis), Josh Tower (Vijay), Jane Kim (Susie Yen), David Gerald (Jim Willoughby), Tessa Auberjonois (Dr. Payne)
Reviewing the Case:
Jessie, the sixteen-year-old star of a controversial TV show, has been raped in her trailer. The program’s middle-aged producer is ruled out as a suspect when detectives learn he’s married to the preternaturally mature actress. Meanwhile, an activist who sees Jessie’s sexually provocative performance as a bad role model for girls clashes with a radio shock-jock. There are very few nice characters in this dynamic episode, which weighs free speech against the valid concerns of parents.
Jessie, the sixteen-year-old star of a controversial TV show, has been raped in her trailer. The program’s middle-aged producer is ruled out as a suspect when detectives learn he’s married to the preternaturally mature actress. Meanwhile, an activist who sees Jessie’s sexually provocative performance as a bad role model for girls clashes with a radio shock-jock. There are very few nice characters in this dynamic episode, which weighs free speech against the valid concerns of parents.
Noteworthy Discoveries:
Dana Delany was the star of
China Beach
(1988-91), an ABC show on which
SVU
showrunner Neal Baer once worked. Lewis Black goes on to gain fame as a
Daily Show
comic on Comedy Central. Maggie Grace later does not fare well as a marooned plane crash survivor on ABC’s
Lost.
Episode 120: ScavengerDana Delany was the star of
China Beach
(1988-91), an ABC show on which
SVU
showrunner Neal Baer once worked. Lewis Black goes on to gain fame as a
Daily Show
comic on Comedy Central. Maggie Grace later does not fare well as a marooned plane crash survivor on ABC’s
Lost.
Original Air Date
:
October 19, 2004
:
October 19, 2004
Teleplay by Dawn DeNoon and Lisa Marie Petersen, directed by Daniel Sackheim
Additional Cast:
Anne Meara (Ida Becker), Doug Hutchison (Humphrey Becker), Elizabeth Franz (Jeannette Henley), Kent Cassella (Uniform Officer), Remy Auberjonois (Eric Liebert), Paul Harman (Bernie), Roxane Barlow (Red Watts), Alex Wipf (Clive Bremsler), Oliver Wadsworth (Rupert Daniel Kilmore), Rony Clanton (Heroin Addict), Madison Arnold (Morty Graf)
Anne Meara (Ida Becker), Doug Hutchison (Humphrey Becker), Elizabeth Franz (Jeannette Henley), Kent Cassella (Uniform Officer), Remy Auberjonois (Eric Liebert), Paul Harman (Bernie), Roxane Barlow (Red Watts), Alex Wipf (Clive Bremsler), Oliver Wadsworth (Rupert Daniel Kilmore), Rony Clanton (Heroin Addict), Madison Arnold (Morty Graf)
Reviewing the Case:
Serial killers invariably are portrayed as clever masterminds who devise intricate clues to baffle the police. The perp in “Scavenger” leaves little poems at each crime scene, so he appears to have a lot of time on his hands—the detectives even first suspect an innocent clockmaker. This guy might be a copycat patterning his murders on the work of a maniac from more than two decades earlier, but the significant difference is that the contemporary victims are mothers. Is he Oedipal?
Episode 121: OutcrySerial killers invariably are portrayed as clever masterminds who devise intricate clues to baffle the police. The perp in “Scavenger” leaves little poems at each crime scene, so he appears to have a lot of time on his hands—the detectives even first suspect an innocent clockmaker. This guy might be a copycat patterning his murders on the work of a maniac from more than two decades earlier, but the significant difference is that the contemporary victims are mothers. Is he Oedipal?
Original Air Date
:
October 26, 2004
:
October 26, 2004
Teleplay by Patrick Harbinson, directed by Constantine Makris
Additional Cast:
Michael O’Keefe (Ronald McCain), Blair Brown (Lynne Riff), Amanda Seyfried (Tandi McCain), Joseph Lyle Taylor (Jamie Barrigan), John Bedford Lloyd (Mike Tucker), Jim Coleman (Rico), Stewart J. Zully (Jeff ), Sewell Whitney (Dr. Lyne), Gordon Joseph Weiss (Fred), Neal Lerner (Lawrence Ullman), Jake Mosser (Luke Delvecchio), Emma Bell (Allison Luhan), Christopher Moccia (Larry O’Connor), Keith Jamal Downing (Joseph Eglee), Jarrett Willis (Tony Storr), Cady McClain (Alice McCain), John Schuck (Chief of Detectives)
Michael O’Keefe (Ronald McCain), Blair Brown (Lynne Riff), Amanda Seyfried (Tandi McCain), Joseph Lyle Taylor (Jamie Barrigan), John Bedford Lloyd (Mike Tucker), Jim Coleman (Rico), Stewart J. Zully (Jeff ), Sewell Whitney (Dr. Lyne), Gordon Joseph Weiss (Fred), Neal Lerner (Lawrence Ullman), Jake Mosser (Luke Delvecchio), Emma Bell (Allison Luhan), Christopher Moccia (Larry O’Connor), Keith Jamal Downing (Joseph Eglee), Jarrett Willis (Tony Storr), Cady McClain (Alice McCain), John Schuck (Chief of Detectives)
Reviewing the Case:
Detectives have trouble investigating the kidnapping and rape of a teenager who has been missing for days after attending a college party. She accuses three military cadets before changing her story several times—lies that lead to unforeseen tragedy. The episode contends that the girl’s behavior has been prompted by a noble if misguided attempt to protect her family. Even so, this knowledge doesn’t engender much sympathy for her choices.
Detectives have trouble investigating the kidnapping and rape of a teenager who has been missing for days after attending a college party. She accuses three military cadets before changing her story several times—lies that lead to unforeseen tragedy. The episode contends that the girl’s behavior has been prompted by a noble if misguided attempt to protect her family. Even so, this knowledge doesn’t engender much sympathy for her choices.
Relevant Testimony:
“This was inspired by the Tawana Brawley case (upstate New York, 1987). We wanted to look at how the media handles these things. As a storyteller, how am I going to show this girl lying, lying, lying?”—Patrick Harbinson
Episode 122: Conscience“This was inspired by the Tawana Brawley case (upstate New York, 1987). We wanted to look at how the media handles these things. As a storyteller, how am I going to show this girl lying, lying, lying?”—Patrick Harbinson
Original Air Date
:
November 9, 2004
:
November 9, 2004
Teleplay by Roger Wolfson and Robert Nathan, directed by David Platt
Additional Cast:
Kyle MacLachlan (Dr. Brett Morton), Peter Riegert (Zierko), Jordan Garrett (Jake O’Hara), Johanna Day (Leslie O’Hara), Novella Nelson (Judge Anne Sciola), Jill Marie Lawrence (Cleo Conrad), Audrie J. Neenan (Judge Lois Preston), Ian Bedford (Off. Bamford), P.J. Brown (Billy Turner), Bruce Kirkpatrick (Malcolm Wolinsky), Kathleen McNenny (Mrs. Morton), Jeff Gurner (Dr. Burt Gleason), Wiley Moore (SOMU Det. Monahan), Mark Aldrich (Jeffrey Jackson), Brendan McVeigh (Theo Morton), Michael Iles (Henry Morton)
Kyle MacLachlan (Dr. Brett Morton), Peter Riegert (Zierko), Jordan Garrett (Jake O’Hara), Johanna Day (Leslie O’Hara), Novella Nelson (Judge Anne Sciola), Jill Marie Lawrence (Cleo Conrad), Audrie J. Neenan (Judge Lois Preston), Ian Bedford (Off. Bamford), P.J. Brown (Billy Turner), Bruce Kirkpatrick (Malcolm Wolinsky), Kathleen McNenny (Mrs. Morton), Jeff Gurner (Dr. Burt Gleason), Wiley Moore (SOMU Det. Monahan), Mark Aldrich (Jeffrey Jackson), Brendan McVeigh (Theo Morton), Michael Iles (Henry Morton)
Reviewing the Case:
Although not necessarily recognized in law, sometimes denial can be as much of a crime as homicide. When his son is murdered, a psychiatrist blames the system for failing the tormented thirteen-year-old killer, who he had once recommended attend a tough-love camp. The kid’s mother lives in her own world of rationalizations. The boy with blood on his hands is smarter than both of these adults.
Episode 123: CharismaAlthough not necessarily recognized in law, sometimes denial can be as much of a crime as homicide. When his son is murdered, a psychiatrist blames the system for failing the tormented thirteen-year-old killer, who he had once recommended attend a tough-love camp. The kid’s mother lives in her own world of rationalizations. The boy with blood on his hands is smarter than both of these adults.
Original Air Date
:
November 16, 2004
:
November 16, 2004
Teleplay by Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters, directed by Arthur W. Forney
Additional Cast:
Holliston Coleman (Melanie Cramer), Jeff Kober (Eugene Hoff), Shannon Cochran (Cindy Cramer), Peter Maloney (Geoffrey Downs), Bruce Norris (Reg), William H. Burns (Off. Robbins), Margaret Reed (Sarah’s Attorney), Ali Reza (Dr. Mehta), Christopher Durham (Carl Buchman), Laura Sametz (Simone Buchman), Michael Cullen (Det. Stu MacKenzie), Munson Hicks (Rev. Tucker), Emilio Del Pozo (Duty Capt. Claros)
Holliston Coleman (Melanie Cramer), Jeff Kober (Eugene Hoff), Shannon Cochran (Cindy Cramer), Peter Maloney (Geoffrey Downs), Bruce Norris (Reg), William H. Burns (Off. Robbins), Margaret Reed (Sarah’s Attorney), Ali Reza (Dr. Mehta), Christopher Durham (Carl Buchman), Laura Sametz (Simone Buchman), Michael Cullen (Det. Stu MacKenzie), Munson Hicks (Rev. Tucker), Emilio Del Pozo (Duty Capt. Claros)
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