Really admired Season 9's fourth episode "Savant" for introducing me to a condition as rare as Williams Syndrome and on further research since first watch portraying it so sensitively. 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' is no stranger to having episodes portraying disabilities and conditions, both rare and common, with "Compentence" and "Clock" being previous examples, but did somewhat vary throughout its run on portraying them in terms of research and tact.
In terms of research and tact, "Savant" is one of the finer examples. As an episode of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' or for anything, "Savant" is exceptional. It is by far the best episode of Season 9 up to this very early point (despite the higher rating, "Alternate" was for me a case of the guest performance being better than the overall episode), the only outstanding one, and overall it is one of the best and few exceptional episodes of Season 9.
"Savant" works in every way. All the regulars are on top form. Especially Christopher Meloni and Diane Neal, who have the meatiest material. It is a case though of the guest performances being even better, here the major standouts being Aidan Quinn and Paulina Gerzon. Quinn expertly makes one unsure of whether he is capable of something so terrible or not. Even better is the revelation that is Gerzon, one of the show's best ever child performance. She is both adorable and very moving.
Katie as a character is very cute and very relatable, as well as inspirational as it is always wonderful to see people that have struggles also have wonderful abilities. Something that resonates with me, being someone that struggles with a number of things but excels (apparently) in music.
There are a few particularly fantastic scenes. Namely the heart-breaking ending and the hilarious part with Lake (in one the few episodes where there were no issues to be found with him) and Fin in the waiting room. Those two also gel so much better in this scene alone than they did in the whole of Season 8's "Outsider".
Moreover, the story is very powerful and the script is taut and intelligent. The production values are slick and have a subtle grit, with an intimacy to the photography without being too claustrophobic. The music isn't used too much and doesn't get too melodramatic. The direction has momentum while being accommodating.
Overall, brilliant episode and one of the very inconsistent Season 9's best. 10/10.
In terms of research and tact, "Savant" is one of the finer examples. As an episode of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' or for anything, "Savant" is exceptional. It is by far the best episode of Season 9 up to this very early point (despite the higher rating, "Alternate" was for me a case of the guest performance being better than the overall episode), the only outstanding one, and overall it is one of the best and few exceptional episodes of Season 9.
"Savant" works in every way. All the regulars are on top form. Especially Christopher Meloni and Diane Neal, who have the meatiest material. It is a case though of the guest performances being even better, here the major standouts being Aidan Quinn and Paulina Gerzon. Quinn expertly makes one unsure of whether he is capable of something so terrible or not. Even better is the revelation that is Gerzon, one of the show's best ever child performance. She is both adorable and very moving.
Katie as a character is very cute and very relatable, as well as inspirational as it is always wonderful to see people that have struggles also have wonderful abilities. Something that resonates with me, being someone that struggles with a number of things but excels (apparently) in music.
There are a few particularly fantastic scenes. Namely the heart-breaking ending and the hilarious part with Lake (in one the few episodes where there were no issues to be found with him) and Fin in the waiting room. Those two also gel so much better in this scene alone than they did in the whole of Season 8's "Outsider".
Moreover, the story is very powerful and the script is taut and intelligent. The production values are slick and have a subtle grit, with an intimacy to the photography without being too claustrophobic. The music isn't used too much and doesn't get too melodramatic. The direction has momentum while being accommodating.
Overall, brilliant episode and one of the very inconsistent Season 9's best. 10/10.