I have no clue how this episode got an overall rating above 8. It could have been a decent episode but for the myriad of disappointing writing and production blunders. First, I could not agree more with a previous reviewer who commented on the mother: the exaggerated NY accent combined with some kind of speech impediment, all of which was distracting from what was a barely believeable story to begin with. Let me be absolutely clear, no offense meant in ANY WAY to persons with speech impediments. She "kidnaps" a boy who might pass as a replacement for her own son who died in an accident caused by his drunken parents yet nobody seems to miss the kidnapped "replacement" child. A teacher, a neighbor, ANYONE could easily tell the difference yet nobody seems to. A six year old kid (maybe not a 1 or 2 year old) would be old and astute enough to enough to know and realize that something was wrong, remember his sister and ailing mother, for sure. I could go on and on about the poor quality of the characters, the plot, the whole boring premise but enough said. I love L&O:SVU but this is by far one of the cheesiest, most poorly executed episodes I can remember. Booooo!!! SVU can and does produce MUCH MUCH better material!
