Greetings,
I am going to do something on the this occasion for the first time, but not the last. Instead of discussing a main character on Law & Order, I will be discussing a recurring character. Of course, in this case, that's a relative term instead of a literal one. She should have been considered a main character, but never truly was. She did get her name randomly thrown up at the end of the beginning credits sometimes with the words "also starring", sans a picture. I guess they liked to adhere to that "only six main characters at a time" rule. Or maybe she wasn't pretty enough. If you've seen this woman, you will understand the sarcasm of that statement. And if you haven't guessed by now, or haven't read the title of this post, we are talking about Dr. Elizabeth Olivet.
Elizabeth Olivet was portrayed by Carolyn McCormick, on and off, for about eighteen years. Yeah, that's right. All that time and still just recurring. But if she's not bitter, then neither am I. Anyway, Dr. Olivet is clinical psychologist who does consulting work for the NYPD. So, in short, her job is to decide if a criminal is legally sane or not. She first came on the show as a grief counselor after Max Greevey died in order to help Mike Logan through this difficult time. One guess as to how he reacted toward her attempts to help. Very good. You've been paying attention. They did become close after a while. Very close, allegedly. And over the years, most of the cops and lawyers came to respect her. With good reason.
In time, we see that Dr. Olivet is very by the book when she practices, and she is quite an expert at seeing when someone is trying to fake a disorder to benefit themselves. People do that a lot, it would seem. She does not shy away from giving a truthful diagnosis, refusing to sway in favor of the prosecutors wishes. This, sometimes, makes them get frustrated with her. If anyone can get these grown-ups to act like they are an inch away from a legit temper tantrum, it's Olivet. She is also very compassionate to those who she believes are troubled for real, often wanting them to be institutionalized, not imprisoned. That also has the potential to frustrate her colleagues. Still, she sticks to her guns.
Though, as I said, she was never technically a regular cast member, Dr. Olivet did have an episode centered around her in Season Three, "Helpless". What transpired there was something that left her with some serious scars, but, as devastating as the experience was, she got through it. She would always come across as a very strong woman and this just proved it.
I must say, I always loved it when I saw Carolyn McCormick's name in the credits. She never disappointed, even in the smallest of tasks she was called upon to perform. And that goes for every leg of the Law & Order franchise, all of which she has appeared in. Sometimes, characters like this can become quite generic, and it takes a gifted actress to bring them to life. Carolyn McCormick certainly fulfilled that duty.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Law & Order Character Profile: Phil Cerreta
Greetings,
Much like I called Max Greevey legendary for being the first cast regular of Law & Order to exit the show, so will I call Phil Cerreta legendary for being the first cast regular to enter the already established show. Considering that this was the first time they were pulling the soon-to-be customary switcheroo, it was important to get someone good with whom we could be comfortable, but also respect as quickly as possible. And, boy, did they ever get that someone.
Phil Cerreta was portrayed by Paul Sorvino from 1991 to 1992. Yeah, you heard me. The great and powerful, Paul Sorvino. That's right, Show, you keep'em coming. Anyway, Cerreta came in at a very difficult time, and his first duty was investigate the murder of Greevey. As if that wasn't tough enough, he also was forced to deal with Mike Logan, who, as you may recall, could be a tad petulant. To be fair, he just really want to catch the killer, and Cerreta was being seen by him as an interference and help that he didn't think was needed. But, once that all had passed, the two became partners and eventually friends.
In the brief that we had with Phil Cerreta, we actually did not learn a ton of things about him. He's Italian -duh!- and Catholic, with a wife named Elaine and about five kids. We did get to meet the missus, but none of the kids, as per usual. And, like many of the gentlemen on this show, he had a military background before becoming a police officer, a job he held for over twenty years. One thing I liked about him was that he always seemed to be quite endearing when it came to dealing with people involved in his investigations. I suppose he was all for that "catch more flies with honey that with vinegar" thing. His technique did provide us with a nice balance, especially when compared to the techniques of others. Yes, others. You know who you are.
Phil Cerreta's departure came, like his predecessor, by way of gunshot wound. I'm starting to think Logan is bad luck. Thankfully, Cerreta did not pass away, suffering a shot to the stomach, which was an accident. Well, accident-ish. I mean, it was a drug dealer, so we're probably not going to give him too much leeway. Anyway, he ended up suffering nerve damage and had to abandon his partner as a street cop and take a desk job. Off camera, the reason why Paul Sorvino decided to leave had to do with the stress of doing an hour long drama. I can understand that. To say those actors have to work long days is a massive understatement, so I understand. Also, he apparently wanted to maintain the quality of his vocal chords, so he could continue to pursue his opera singing. And if you've ever heard him sing, you'll know why that amazing voice deserves the utmost care. And, yes, he is one of the cast members who makes me wish they did the occasional musical episode.
I just love Paul Sorvino so much. I have a ton of respect for him as an actor, but, on a more superficial note, I also think he probably gives great hugs. That's not weird, is it? Sadly, I may never find out if this is true. Unless...hmmm. @MiraSorvino 'Does your dad give good hugs? Thank you'. Kidding aside, I truly enjoyed what he brought to the series, and he was the first actor to remind us that, if you get the best people you can, the show can and will go on.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Much like I called Max Greevey legendary for being the first cast regular of Law & Order to exit the show, so will I call Phil Cerreta legendary for being the first cast regular to enter the already established show. Considering that this was the first time they were pulling the soon-to-be customary switcheroo, it was important to get someone good with whom we could be comfortable, but also respect as quickly as possible. And, boy, did they ever get that someone.
Phil Cerreta was portrayed by Paul Sorvino from 1991 to 1992. Yeah, you heard me. The great and powerful, Paul Sorvino. That's right, Show, you keep'em coming. Anyway, Cerreta came in at a very difficult time, and his first duty was investigate the murder of Greevey. As if that wasn't tough enough, he also was forced to deal with Mike Logan, who, as you may recall, could be a tad petulant. To be fair, he just really want to catch the killer, and Cerreta was being seen by him as an interference and help that he didn't think was needed. But, once that all had passed, the two became partners and eventually friends.
In the brief that we had with Phil Cerreta, we actually did not learn a ton of things about him. He's Italian -duh!- and Catholic, with a wife named Elaine and about five kids. We did get to meet the missus, but none of the kids, as per usual. And, like many of the gentlemen on this show, he had a military background before becoming a police officer, a job he held for over twenty years. One thing I liked about him was that he always seemed to be quite endearing when it came to dealing with people involved in his investigations. I suppose he was all for that "catch more flies with honey that with vinegar" thing. His technique did provide us with a nice balance, especially when compared to the techniques of others. Yes, others. You know who you are.
Phil Cerreta's departure came, like his predecessor, by way of gunshot wound. I'm starting to think Logan is bad luck. Thankfully, Cerreta did not pass away, suffering a shot to the stomach, which was an accident. Well, accident-ish. I mean, it was a drug dealer, so we're probably not going to give him too much leeway. Anyway, he ended up suffering nerve damage and had to abandon his partner as a street cop and take a desk job. Off camera, the reason why Paul Sorvino decided to leave had to do with the stress of doing an hour long drama. I can understand that. To say those actors have to work long days is a massive understatement, so I understand. Also, he apparently wanted to maintain the quality of his vocal chords, so he could continue to pursue his opera singing. And if you've ever heard him sing, you'll know why that amazing voice deserves the utmost care. And, yes, he is one of the cast members who makes me wish they did the occasional musical episode.
I just love Paul Sorvino so much. I have a ton of respect for him as an actor, but, on a more superficial note, I also think he probably gives great hugs. That's not weird, is it? Sadly, I may never find out if this is true. Unless...hmmm. @MiraSorvino 'Does your dad give good hugs? Thank you'. Kidding aside, I truly enjoyed what he brought to the series, and he was the first actor to remind us that, if you get the best people you can, the show can and will go on.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Law & Order Character Profile: Adam Schiff
Greetings,
Ever known someone who had been at a job for so long that they sometimes come off as being over it, even jaded, perhaps, or just had an aura of ...whatever about things. Well, that's kind of the impression I got from District Attorney Adam Schiff when I watched him on Law & Order. Most episodes, I watched and waited for him to throw out the obligatory "Just put a deal on the table, and get it over with!" Maybe it was all in the delivery. Or maybe it's my perception. Anyway, let's talk about this guy.
Adam Schiff was portrayed by Steven Hill for the first ten seasons of Law & Order. Yeah, ten whole years. Of all the people from the first season, he was the one who lasted the longest. That makes sense. From the beginning, though everyone was good and had varying degrees of experience, he clearly brought the longest resume and most legitimacy to the series. And art certainly imitated life where that was concerned.
I'm not sure how long Schiff had been working in the world of law and whatnot at the start of the show, but it was obviously a very long time. No doubt, he always sounded like he knew what he was talking about more than anyone. That's probably why he knew when to fight and when to count your losses and move on. Oh, and we've got another one for the Democrat side here, and he sometimes fell victim to having those political party blinders on. Still, whatever side you're own, there will be criticism. Schiff, at this point, pretty much just let it all roll off his back. He was smart enough to know that sometimes you aren't going to be able to change people's minds. Interestingly enough, politics seemed to be set aside when it came to which of his subordinates he got along with best. He seemed more concerned with technique there. He appeared to get along with Ben Stone quite well, as Stone was usually very "by the book" when it came to prosecuting. Jack McCoy was always more the type to bend the rules and have no problem with it, which sometimes caused a bad reflection of Schiff. Yeah, McCoy heard quite a bit of "Dude, you're making me look bad! Knock it off!" Okay, MAYBE he never called him...ya know...dude.
Adam Schiff was quite known for being friends or acquaintances with several political figures and members of the hierarchy in law and business. Of course, that would be a for better or worse situation since - SURPRISE! - some of them ended up being corrupt. I know, right? What are the odds in this series? So, we did get a few or more episodes where that caused some problems. But it made for some compelling stories.
As far as personal life goes, Schiff was married and had a son. Now, if you watch this show, you know that it is a very procedural crime drama, and they don't often delve deeply into the lives of the character. Sure, we know things, but it's mostly in passing. So, when we did get a good look into their personal lives, it was always handled extremely well and ended up giving us some of the best moments of the series. Case in point, Schiff's wife had a stoke in 1997, and since she was in a vegetative state, he decided to pull her off of life support. That scene was so heartbreaking. It was quiet and real, and you felt it so much, especially with Steven Hill's acting. I always loved how they cared enough to perfect these moments since we got so few of them.
I think the best thing about casting Steven Hill as Adam Schiff was how the real man and the fictional man were both so seasoned in the respective crafts. You couldn't help but see all that experience melding itself together. God bless that Steven Hill. He was and always will be one of the great pieces of foundation for this show.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Ever known someone who had been at a job for so long that they sometimes come off as being over it, even jaded, perhaps, or just had an aura of ...whatever about things. Well, that's kind of the impression I got from District Attorney Adam Schiff when I watched him on Law & Order. Most episodes, I watched and waited for him to throw out the obligatory "Just put a deal on the table, and get it over with!" Maybe it was all in the delivery. Or maybe it's my perception. Anyway, let's talk about this guy.
Adam Schiff was portrayed by Steven Hill for the first ten seasons of Law & Order. Yeah, ten whole years. Of all the people from the first season, he was the one who lasted the longest. That makes sense. From the beginning, though everyone was good and had varying degrees of experience, he clearly brought the longest resume and most legitimacy to the series. And art certainly imitated life where that was concerned.
I'm not sure how long Schiff had been working in the world of law and whatnot at the start of the show, but it was obviously a very long time. No doubt, he always sounded like he knew what he was talking about more than anyone. That's probably why he knew when to fight and when to count your losses and move on. Oh, and we've got another one for the Democrat side here, and he sometimes fell victim to having those political party blinders on. Still, whatever side you're own, there will be criticism. Schiff, at this point, pretty much just let it all roll off his back. He was smart enough to know that sometimes you aren't going to be able to change people's minds. Interestingly enough, politics seemed to be set aside when it came to which of his subordinates he got along with best. He seemed more concerned with technique there. He appeared to get along with Ben Stone quite well, as Stone was usually very "by the book" when it came to prosecuting. Jack McCoy was always more the type to bend the rules and have no problem with it, which sometimes caused a bad reflection of Schiff. Yeah, McCoy heard quite a bit of "Dude, you're making me look bad! Knock it off!" Okay, MAYBE he never called him...ya know...dude.
Adam Schiff was quite known for being friends or acquaintances with several political figures and members of the hierarchy in law and business. Of course, that would be a for better or worse situation since - SURPRISE! - some of them ended up being corrupt. I know, right? What are the odds in this series? So, we did get a few or more episodes where that caused some problems. But it made for some compelling stories.
As far as personal life goes, Schiff was married and had a son. Now, if you watch this show, you know that it is a very procedural crime drama, and they don't often delve deeply into the lives of the character. Sure, we know things, but it's mostly in passing. So, when we did get a good look into their personal lives, it was always handled extremely well and ended up giving us some of the best moments of the series. Case in point, Schiff's wife had a stoke in 1997, and since she was in a vegetative state, he decided to pull her off of life support. That scene was so heartbreaking. It was quiet and real, and you felt it so much, especially with Steven Hill's acting. I always loved how they cared enough to perfect these moments since we got so few of them.
I think the best thing about casting Steven Hill as Adam Schiff was how the real man and the fictional man were both so seasoned in the respective crafts. You couldn't help but see all that experience melding itself together. God bless that Steven Hill. He was and always will be one of the great pieces of foundation for this show.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Law & Order Character Profile: Paul Robinette
Greetings,
In the fourth season of Law & Order, a trend began. That trend was that the Executive ADA always had a female ADA working for him. They were practically this show's version of Bond girls, or so I've heard some people say. But what of the three previous seasons? Well, for those, we had the extreme pleasure of Paul Robinette, the first and only male ADA. What the heck is up with that?
Paul Robinette was portrayed by Richard Brooks from 1990 to 1993. He started working for the Manhattan DA's office at a young age, and soon found a mentor in Ben Stone. They do disagree, usually on methods of prosecution, but there is much respect between them. Actually, this admiration for Stone may have been amplified after a cop who mentored him as a teenager turned out to be corrupt. Still, I think it would have happened regardless.
During his time on the show, Robinette often conveyed his support for racial equality, through treatment as well as punishment. Okay, look, race is a touchy subject, and it is a subject from which Law & Order never shied away. As far as I noticed, the only time a main character's race was brought up was when it was a central topic of an episode, especially when that race happened to be not white. Otherwise, every person was just a person, no more, no less. At least, that's how I saw it. However, when it had to be discussed, Robinette was always very passionate in his beliefs. He was never afraid to stand up for what was right, even if it conflicted with others. It was that intensity that made him one of the strongest characters.
We initially do not get an explanation as to why Paul Robinette left the DA's office, but we later find out that he has become a defense attorney, apparently, at a Park Avenue law firm. Sweet. He returned for three episodes in 1996, 2005 and 2006 in his new legal role. In each one of those appearances, race is an issue. Turns out, when he started working for the defense, he began to see things differently, and his perspective on race and what it had to do with the law changed. His hopes for equality seemed to diminish because it became so much harder to believe in. Of course, it did. You can't go from one side to the other and not start looking at everything in a different light. He was, quite literally, having to see it all from a completely new angle. What I loved most about these times he came back is that the core of his character hadn't changed at all. As fervently as he tried to prosecute people that he thought were guilty, he acted just the same when it came to people he thought were not guilty. So, even though his views changed, his overwhelming willingness to stand up for what he believed in had not. Love that.
In conclusion, Paul Robinette is also something of a legend of sorts in this series. He was, as I said, the only guy ADA, but he was also an amazing character. He made us think about things that, perhaps, we did not want to, and he was an example for us to be people willing to change by looking at everything with open eyes.
Oh, and I hate to do this right after what I just said, but can I be shallow and superficial for one moment and say that I LOVE this guy's voice? Yeah, I am a voice person, and just...wow. I don't know if Richard Brooks ever did voice over work, but he should.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
In the fourth season of Law & Order, a trend began. That trend was that the Executive ADA always had a female ADA working for him. They were practically this show's version of Bond girls, or so I've heard some people say. But what of the three previous seasons? Well, for those, we had the extreme pleasure of Paul Robinette, the first and only male ADA. What the heck is up with that?
Paul Robinette was portrayed by Richard Brooks from 1990 to 1993. He started working for the Manhattan DA's office at a young age, and soon found a mentor in Ben Stone. They do disagree, usually on methods of prosecution, but there is much respect between them. Actually, this admiration for Stone may have been amplified after a cop who mentored him as a teenager turned out to be corrupt. Still, I think it would have happened regardless.
During his time on the show, Robinette often conveyed his support for racial equality, through treatment as well as punishment. Okay, look, race is a touchy subject, and it is a subject from which Law & Order never shied away. As far as I noticed, the only time a main character's race was brought up was when it was a central topic of an episode, especially when that race happened to be not white. Otherwise, every person was just a person, no more, no less. At least, that's how I saw it. However, when it had to be discussed, Robinette was always very passionate in his beliefs. He was never afraid to stand up for what was right, even if it conflicted with others. It was that intensity that made him one of the strongest characters.
We initially do not get an explanation as to why Paul Robinette left the DA's office, but we later find out that he has become a defense attorney, apparently, at a Park Avenue law firm. Sweet. He returned for three episodes in 1996, 2005 and 2006 in his new legal role. In each one of those appearances, race is an issue. Turns out, when he started working for the defense, he began to see things differently, and his perspective on race and what it had to do with the law changed. His hopes for equality seemed to diminish because it became so much harder to believe in. Of course, it did. You can't go from one side to the other and not start looking at everything in a different light. He was, quite literally, having to see it all from a completely new angle. What I loved most about these times he came back is that the core of his character hadn't changed at all. As fervently as he tried to prosecute people that he thought were guilty, he acted just the same when it came to people he thought were not guilty. So, even though his views changed, his overwhelming willingness to stand up for what he believed in had not. Love that.
In conclusion, Paul Robinette is also something of a legend of sorts in this series. He was, as I said, the only guy ADA, but he was also an amazing character. He made us think about things that, perhaps, we did not want to, and he was an example for us to be people willing to change by looking at everything with open eyes.
Oh, and I hate to do this right after what I just said, but can I be shallow and superficial for one moment and say that I LOVE this guy's voice? Yeah, I am a voice person, and just...wow. I don't know if Richard Brooks ever did voice over work, but he should.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Monday, October 6, 2014
Law & Order Character Profile: Ben Stone
Greetings,
In recent years, I have come to feel really bad for the character of Ben Stone. I think it's because, outside of hardcore Law & Order fans, he sometimes is forgotten. At least, with some people I've spoken to. Even though, he was there in the beginning and for four seasons, it's hard to compete with one's successor who got to last four times as long. Especially when he clearly gets more rerun opportunities. And even if you ask someone who isn't a huge fan of the show, they tend to still know about certain characters. In my experiences, however, Ben Stone isn't often one of them. And that makes me really mad, because he deserves so much better. So, let's talk about him.
Ben Stone was portrayed by Michael Moriarty from 1990 to 1994, and he was the first Executive Assistant DA we got on the show. He was yet another Catholic, another Conservative, another Irishman and another man haunted by alcoholism. In his case, it was that of his father. Stone was pro-life, opposed to the death penalty, and he had a history of being very much involved in the Civil Rights Movement. He was always compassionate towards people who had disadvantages in life, believing that if he could help, he should. But if they used this as an excuse for criminal behavior, he did not stand for it. As far as his personal life goes, he was divorced and had a daughter, who we never saw. So all we can say about her and the ex-wife is that they existed.
Now, in case you couldn't tell by what I already said, Ben Stone was kind of complex as a character. I saw that as a good balance. He was quite strict and stuck to his guns when it came to his profession, which some people thought made him difficult to work with I, personally, find that to be a wonderful quality of someone in charge. At least, stuff gets done that way. He was also very passionate, yet it was conveyed in usually a very calm and even respectful way. Well, seemingly respectful. His use of the word "sir" could be a bit on the sarcastic side, and that's just another reason to love him.
When it came to Stone's departure from the show, he resigned as Executive ADA. He did so after a witness was killed under his watch, and it had a harsh effect on him. I can see how that might make a person guilt-ridden. He was mentioned in subsequent episodes, letting us know that he was apparently traveling in Europe for a while, but he didn't appear again. Now, I have heard some stories as to why Michael Moriarty left the show, and I don't really want go there with any speculation. I just heard that things may have been messy, and those things may or may not have been resolved, forgotten or forgiven over the years. So, since I admire and respect the parties that may or may not be involved, I'd like to not give it too much thought. I just hope everything worked out for everyone.
Bottom line, I liked Ben Stone and I really liked Michael Moriarty's performance. There was an authenticity to everything he did, and considering how little I see of that nowadays, I can go back and appreciate so much of it. And I am directing that to both the character and the actor.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
In recent years, I have come to feel really bad for the character of Ben Stone. I think it's because, outside of hardcore Law & Order fans, he sometimes is forgotten. At least, with some people I've spoken to. Even though, he was there in the beginning and for four seasons, it's hard to compete with one's successor who got to last four times as long. Especially when he clearly gets more rerun opportunities. And even if you ask someone who isn't a huge fan of the show, they tend to still know about certain characters. In my experiences, however, Ben Stone isn't often one of them. And that makes me really mad, because he deserves so much better. So, let's talk about him.
Ben Stone was portrayed by Michael Moriarty from 1990 to 1994, and he was the first Executive Assistant DA we got on the show. He was yet another Catholic, another Conservative, another Irishman and another man haunted by alcoholism. In his case, it was that of his father. Stone was pro-life, opposed to the death penalty, and he had a history of being very much involved in the Civil Rights Movement. He was always compassionate towards people who had disadvantages in life, believing that if he could help, he should. But if they used this as an excuse for criminal behavior, he did not stand for it. As far as his personal life goes, he was divorced and had a daughter, who we never saw. So all we can say about her and the ex-wife is that they existed.
Now, in case you couldn't tell by what I already said, Ben Stone was kind of complex as a character. I saw that as a good balance. He was quite strict and stuck to his guns when it came to his profession, which some people thought made him difficult to work with I, personally, find that to be a wonderful quality of someone in charge. At least, stuff gets done that way. He was also very passionate, yet it was conveyed in usually a very calm and even respectful way. Well, seemingly respectful. His use of the word "sir" could be a bit on the sarcastic side, and that's just another reason to love him.
When it came to Stone's departure from the show, he resigned as Executive ADA. He did so after a witness was killed under his watch, and it had a harsh effect on him. I can see how that might make a person guilt-ridden. He was mentioned in subsequent episodes, letting us know that he was apparently traveling in Europe for a while, but he didn't appear again. Now, I have heard some stories as to why Michael Moriarty left the show, and I don't really want go there with any speculation. I just heard that things may have been messy, and those things may or may not have been resolved, forgotten or forgiven over the years. So, since I admire and respect the parties that may or may not be involved, I'd like to not give it too much thought. I just hope everything worked out for everyone.
Bottom line, I liked Ben Stone and I really liked Michael Moriarty's performance. There was an authenticity to everything he did, and considering how little I see of that nowadays, I can go back and appreciate so much of it. And I am directing that to both the character and the actor.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Top 100 Law & Order Episodes: 90-81
Greetings,
Welcome back to the Top 100 countdown of Law & Order episodes. Get ready for Numbers 90-81. Off we go.
#90. "Invaders" (Season 16) - This is an episode that almost made me cry. You think you're over something that happened ten seasons earlier, until you get reminded of it by way of a similar situation. So, this was the final appearance of Alex Borgia, extremely final, if you know what I mean. I have to say, though, I do enjoy episodes when something hits home where one of the main characters is concerned. The actors get a chance to go further when their jobs have to get more personal.
#89. "Empire" (Season 9) - Most of the time, an actor cannot become uber-famous without gaining a whole lot of haters. Such is the case with Julia Roberts. A lot of people like her, but apparently, some people do not. My pendulum tends to swing to the more favorable side when it comes to her, and I've never really had an issue with her as an actress. She does have a infectious laugh, I must say, which came in handy for her comedic work. But if you ever doubted her range, just watch this episode. She was a total "B" in this thing, even to her boyfriend-at-the-time, Benjamin Bratt. As far as I'm concerned, Julia getting to stretch her acting legs here is what won her that Oscar. That's my theory, and I'm sticking to it.
#88. "Flaw" (Season 16) - As I recall, I did a whole post about my issues with crossovers. I am not always a fan, and Law & Order had their share. This episode is the Part 2 of an SVU episode called "Design" in which Lynda Carter and Estella Warren play a mother/daughter con team. If you don't think that you'll be able to buy Wonder Woman as a bad guy, think again. Ms. Carter totally sold it. And let's not forget about Estella Warren. Holy smokes, she was fantastic. I don't how she could convincingly go from "Boo-hoo, I'm a victim" to "By the way, I have no soul" in about half a second. She blew me away in the last scene, so much that it gives me another reason to dislike Hollywood. This woman is better than most people getting big movie roles, so, for crying out loud, give her something major!
#87. "Deadbeat" (Season 7) - I think we can all agree that deadbeat parents are awful. Sure, the spouse or ex-spouse suffers a lot, but it's the children who have to go through it through it the most. In this episode, we see how a parent not doing the right thing can lead to problems for the whole family and beyond, and how desperation can drive you to do the unthinkable. Although, what they are desperate for may come as a surprise.
#86. "Untitled" (Season 10) - I am very much a supporter of all things artistic, and I certainly support real artists. However, I will be one of the first people to call someone out on being pretentious or doing something with shock value just to get attention. I even call myself out on that. Some folks, though, do not like certain kinds of art or "art" at all. So, what is a logical and not insane thing to do when you feel that way? Write a bad review or an angry letter? Protest? Ask anyone who will listen 'whatever happened to real art'? Not in this case. On Law & Order, people just go directly to straight up murder. Seriously? That just feels like so much more of an effort.
#85. "Embedded" (Season 14) - Remember what I said about my being a supporter of the arts, but that some of the "artists" I have problems with? Well, I am also a supporter of the first amendment and all that, especially in journalism. But there may be a few idiots in that business, too. Yeah, a few. This episode is great because of Nick Chinlund, who plays this obnoxious and publicity-hungry reporter that gets shot after having put some soldiers in danger. Anyway, one thing leads to another, and McCoy ends up charging him with treason. Is he guilty? Beats me. When McCoy pulls charges like this out of left field, I have no idea if he's being serious about it or not.
#84. "Damaged" (Season 8) - I really hate it when people take advantage of a special needs person because they think they can. I'm actually disgusted by it, and I have seen it firsthand. That's what this one is all about. Lauren Ambrose does a superb job of playing a teenager assaulted by three boys, who are trying to say she wanted it. Sadly, this girl so desperately wanted to be thought of as "normal" that she refuses to admit what really happened. It's one of those heartbreaking, tear-jerker episodes, and that includes a tragic and powerful subplot with Briscoe. Hats off to you, too, Mr. Orbach,
#83. "Out of the Half Light" (Season 1) - This is one of those episodes that is very hard to watch. The plot is basically that a young African- American girl says she was raped by two white police officers. The cops start investigating, but maybe not quickly or zealously enough. Then, everything turns into a big mess, to say the least, and this poor girl is stuck in the middle. It's pretty awful, but it does make you feel something, which is great. Oh, and look out for Frankie Faison, who you may know as Barney from all the Hannibal Lector movies. Good times, indeed.
#82. "Just a Girl in the World" (Season 20) - Women. Nothing but trouble. I know. I am one. And guys? Are they stupid or what? Making our jobs a lot easier, if you ask me. Okay, kidding aside, in this episode, a woman claims to have been attacked by a cab driver, but, turns out, she's a big liar. She's actually a criminal, kind of a con-woman. And between her status of victim and villain, Lupo decides to get involved with her, if you know what I mean. Really, dude? Look, I don't know if hooking up with the victim of a crime you're investigating is a full on "Thou Shalt Not" in the NYPD, but I'm pretty darn sure it's frowned upon. Yeah, there were many people frowning at him.
#81. "Loco Parentis" (Season 10) - I am not a fan of bullies, nor am I a fan of terrible parents. Well, thanks a pantload, Show! You gave me both this time! This is another tough subject having to do with kids and I just have no idea what you can tell them about defending themselves against bullies. I'd like to think it wouldn't involve weapons, certainly not ones given to them by said parents, but these days, they probably think they have no choice. It's another of those stories where no one knows who to blame, so you just point the finger wherever and hope it lands in the right place.
Join me next time.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Welcome back to the Top 100 countdown of Law & Order episodes. Get ready for Numbers 90-81. Off we go.
#90. "Invaders" (Season 16) - This is an episode that almost made me cry. You think you're over something that happened ten seasons earlier, until you get reminded of it by way of a similar situation. So, this was the final appearance of Alex Borgia, extremely final, if you know what I mean. I have to say, though, I do enjoy episodes when something hits home where one of the main characters is concerned. The actors get a chance to go further when their jobs have to get more personal.
#89. "Empire" (Season 9) - Most of the time, an actor cannot become uber-famous without gaining a whole lot of haters. Such is the case with Julia Roberts. A lot of people like her, but apparently, some people do not. My pendulum tends to swing to the more favorable side when it comes to her, and I've never really had an issue with her as an actress. She does have a infectious laugh, I must say, which came in handy for her comedic work. But if you ever doubted her range, just watch this episode. She was a total "B" in this thing, even to her boyfriend-at-the-time, Benjamin Bratt. As far as I'm concerned, Julia getting to stretch her acting legs here is what won her that Oscar. That's my theory, and I'm sticking to it.
#88. "Flaw" (Season 16) - As I recall, I did a whole post about my issues with crossovers. I am not always a fan, and Law & Order had their share. This episode is the Part 2 of an SVU episode called "Design" in which Lynda Carter and Estella Warren play a mother/daughter con team. If you don't think that you'll be able to buy Wonder Woman as a bad guy, think again. Ms. Carter totally sold it. And let's not forget about Estella Warren. Holy smokes, she was fantastic. I don't how she could convincingly go from "Boo-hoo, I'm a victim" to "By the way, I have no soul" in about half a second. She blew me away in the last scene, so much that it gives me another reason to dislike Hollywood. This woman is better than most people getting big movie roles, so, for crying out loud, give her something major!
#87. "Deadbeat" (Season 7) - I think we can all agree that deadbeat parents are awful. Sure, the spouse or ex-spouse suffers a lot, but it's the children who have to go through it through it the most. In this episode, we see how a parent not doing the right thing can lead to problems for the whole family and beyond, and how desperation can drive you to do the unthinkable. Although, what they are desperate for may come as a surprise.
#86. "Untitled" (Season 10) - I am very much a supporter of all things artistic, and I certainly support real artists. However, I will be one of the first people to call someone out on being pretentious or doing something with shock value just to get attention. I even call myself out on that. Some folks, though, do not like certain kinds of art or "art" at all. So, what is a logical and not insane thing to do when you feel that way? Write a bad review or an angry letter? Protest? Ask anyone who will listen 'whatever happened to real art'? Not in this case. On Law & Order, people just go directly to straight up murder. Seriously? That just feels like so much more of an effort.
#85. "Embedded" (Season 14) - Remember what I said about my being a supporter of the arts, but that some of the "artists" I have problems with? Well, I am also a supporter of the first amendment and all that, especially in journalism. But there may be a few idiots in that business, too. Yeah, a few. This episode is great because of Nick Chinlund, who plays this obnoxious and publicity-hungry reporter that gets shot after having put some soldiers in danger. Anyway, one thing leads to another, and McCoy ends up charging him with treason. Is he guilty? Beats me. When McCoy pulls charges like this out of left field, I have no idea if he's being serious about it or not.
#84. "Damaged" (Season 8) - I really hate it when people take advantage of a special needs person because they think they can. I'm actually disgusted by it, and I have seen it firsthand. That's what this one is all about. Lauren Ambrose does a superb job of playing a teenager assaulted by three boys, who are trying to say she wanted it. Sadly, this girl so desperately wanted to be thought of as "normal" that she refuses to admit what really happened. It's one of those heartbreaking, tear-jerker episodes, and that includes a tragic and powerful subplot with Briscoe. Hats off to you, too, Mr. Orbach,
#83. "Out of the Half Light" (Season 1) - This is one of those episodes that is very hard to watch. The plot is basically that a young African- American girl says she was raped by two white police officers. The cops start investigating, but maybe not quickly or zealously enough. Then, everything turns into a big mess, to say the least, and this poor girl is stuck in the middle. It's pretty awful, but it does make you feel something, which is great. Oh, and look out for Frankie Faison, who you may know as Barney from all the Hannibal Lector movies. Good times, indeed.
#82. "Just a Girl in the World" (Season 20) - Women. Nothing but trouble. I know. I am one. And guys? Are they stupid or what? Making our jobs a lot easier, if you ask me. Okay, kidding aside, in this episode, a woman claims to have been attacked by a cab driver, but, turns out, she's a big liar. She's actually a criminal, kind of a con-woman. And between her status of victim and villain, Lupo decides to get involved with her, if you know what I mean. Really, dude? Look, I don't know if hooking up with the victim of a crime you're investigating is a full on "Thou Shalt Not" in the NYPD, but I'm pretty darn sure it's frowned upon. Yeah, there were many people frowning at him.
#81. "Loco Parentis" (Season 10) - I am not a fan of bullies, nor am I a fan of terrible parents. Well, thanks a pantload, Show! You gave me both this time! This is another tough subject having to do with kids and I just have no idea what you can tell them about defending themselves against bullies. I'd like to think it wouldn't involve weapons, certainly not ones given to them by said parents, but these days, they probably think they have no choice. It's another of those stories where no one knows who to blame, so you just point the finger wherever and hope it lands in the right place.
Join me next time.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Law & Order Character Profile: Don Cragen
Greetings,
I heard a rumor that, of all the Law & Order shows, Special Victims Unit has been the most successful. Maybe. If any of you have been more into that one than the original, you probably recognize the name Don Cragen, as in Captain Cragen. Yes, he was the captain of SVU for a good long while, but in the Law & Order world, he was born and bred on the original. So, take that.
Don Cragen has been portrayed by Dann Florek for nearly twenty years, only three of which were on original Law & Order. We've got another Irish-Catholic with this guy, and also, he's an alcoholic. Yep, he's Irish and alcoholic. Really, Show? You really went there? Well, I guess it's kind of okay, because he has sobered up and gotten his act together. In fact, it was his former partner, Max Greevey, who convinced him, or forced him, to go into AA. Whatever happened or how it happened, it was a good thing for him. I also liked the way that they showed the struggles of an alcoholic. It wasn't as though because he got sober, everything's grand. In fact, he often spoke of how he had to make it through every day, one at a time. He was a good example, but even the best examples can struggle so hard that they fall.
Cragen left Law & Order after three seasons. Much happened between that time and when he showed up on SVU. Apparently, it was a back story, sort of, that was created by Florek and the producers. I suppose they wanted to give his character some more layers. Anyway, during his television absence, Cragen worked for the Anti-Corruption Task Force, and he also, sadly, lost his wife, Marge, in a plane crash. This caused him to start drinking again and really lose a lot of control in his life. Coming back to work in the Special Victims Unit was his way of getting his life in order again. Can I say that I love that they did this? They could have just had him come back to the franchise without a thought, but clearly, the producers and Dann Florek cared enough about the character to give him more motivation, not to mention scars, that would define him in a new way. As a writer, I can tell you that a lot of what the reader sees on the page, or in this case, what the audience sees on the screen, is not all that there is to the characters we create.
Also, Don Cragen is a Mets fan. I don't really know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. I suppose it depends on which random New Yorker you ask.
Anyway, I loved Cragen on Law & Order, and I think when he came back for SVU, it was almost a comfort. He was a familiar face that led us by hand into a somewhat recognizable yet still darker world. I mean, sure, I personally had Belzer/Munch from Homicide: Life on the Street for that, too, but this was a Law & Order alum. And, frankly, I could not have thought of anyone better to be a part of the first spin off. Cragen was a good leader. Flawed, wounded, but still a good man. And having such a great actor giving us this role made it that much better.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
I heard a rumor that, of all the Law & Order shows, Special Victims Unit has been the most successful. Maybe. If any of you have been more into that one than the original, you probably recognize the name Don Cragen, as in Captain Cragen. Yes, he was the captain of SVU for a good long while, but in the Law & Order world, he was born and bred on the original. So, take that.
Don Cragen has been portrayed by Dann Florek for nearly twenty years, only three of which were on original Law & Order. We've got another Irish-Catholic with this guy, and also, he's an alcoholic. Yep, he's Irish and alcoholic. Really, Show? You really went there? Well, I guess it's kind of okay, because he has sobered up and gotten his act together. In fact, it was his former partner, Max Greevey, who convinced him, or forced him, to go into AA. Whatever happened or how it happened, it was a good thing for him. I also liked the way that they showed the struggles of an alcoholic. It wasn't as though because he got sober, everything's grand. In fact, he often spoke of how he had to make it through every day, one at a time. He was a good example, but even the best examples can struggle so hard that they fall.
Cragen left Law & Order after three seasons. Much happened between that time and when he showed up on SVU. Apparently, it was a back story, sort of, that was created by Florek and the producers. I suppose they wanted to give his character some more layers. Anyway, during his television absence, Cragen worked for the Anti-Corruption Task Force, and he also, sadly, lost his wife, Marge, in a plane crash. This caused him to start drinking again and really lose a lot of control in his life. Coming back to work in the Special Victims Unit was his way of getting his life in order again. Can I say that I love that they did this? They could have just had him come back to the franchise without a thought, but clearly, the producers and Dann Florek cared enough about the character to give him more motivation, not to mention scars, that would define him in a new way. As a writer, I can tell you that a lot of what the reader sees on the page, or in this case, what the audience sees on the screen, is not all that there is to the characters we create.
Also, Don Cragen is a Mets fan. I don't really know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. I suppose it depends on which random New Yorker you ask.
Anyway, I loved Cragen on Law & Order, and I think when he came back for SVU, it was almost a comfort. He was a familiar face that led us by hand into a somewhat recognizable yet still darker world. I mean, sure, I personally had Belzer/Munch from Homicide: Life on the Street for that, too, but this was a Law & Order alum. And, frankly, I could not have thought of anyone better to be a part of the first spin off. Cragen was a good leader. Flawed, wounded, but still a good man. And having such a great actor giving us this role made it that much better.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
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