The death of a con-man who tried to call Olivia Benson just before he was murdered brings Olivia and Fin to the assistance of Fontana and Green, and leads to a slippery mother/daughter team.The death of a con-man who tried to call Olivia Benson just before he was murdered brings Olivia and Fin to the assistance of Fontana and Green, and leads to a slippery mother/daughter team.The death of a con-man who tried to call Olivia Benson just before he was murdered brings Olivia and Fin to the assistance of Fontana and Green, and leads to a slippery mother/daughter team.
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- DA Arthur Branch
- (as Fred Dalton Thompson)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaYet another instance of an actor, having made an appearance as one character, being brought into the L&O series as a regular cast member. Milena Govich plays "Geneva" and went on to later join the series as Detective Nina Cassady.
- Quotes
Olivia Benson: So what have we got?
Detective Ed Green: We're not sure. Now, you didn't get any strange phone calls last night? Any messages, anything logged in as a missed call?
Olivia Benson: No. And you're certain that your vic was trying to call me?
Detective Joe Fontana: His life flashed before his eyes. You were the star player.
Olivia Benson: And you say his name is Patrick Sullivan?
Detective Ed Green: Ring any bells?
Olivia Benson: None.
Detective Joe Fontana: Maybe his face will.
Olivia Benson: [Green pulls back the sheet over the victim] Never seen him before in my life.
Detective Joe Fontana: Which begs the question...
Olivia Benson: Why did he die trying to call me?
- ConnectionsReferences Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Design (2005)
Those high expectations luckily were very much met. "Flaw" may not be quite as good or as consistently riveting as "Design", but it is very nearly as great and has many fantastic things. All of them pretty much the same as those in "Design". It does nothing to waste Lorraine and April, instead it makes the absolute most of them and made them fully dimensional and deliciously amoral (more so than in "Design") characters that evoke strong feelings.
Maybe it is occasionally on the over-stuffed side, but there is very little to criticise here in "Flaw".
As good, the great things are many. The slick, subtly gritty and intimate production values are still present, while not going too far on the intimacy that it becomes too drab and closed up. The music lets the writing do all the talking without over-emphasising the emotions, while the direction is subtle without being bland or leaden.
Furthermore, the script is tightly structured and intelligent, conveying a wide range of emotions, especially in the latter stages when the complexity comes in. The story is full of clever twists and turns and is hugely entertaining and also very suspenseful. It is suitably complex, especially it comes to trial where things get very difficult for McCoy, with the entire truth not being what one expects at all. The conclusion is very satisfying and doesn't make one feel cheated.
Characterisation is spot on, especially Lorraine and April who are as cold blooded and amoral as they are in "Design", even more so in fact. Olivia fits well and despite it concluding from a 'Special Victims Unit' episode it is very 'Law and Order' without feeling too far apart in feel. The acting is excellent from all the regulars, and even better are the scorching turns of Lynda Carter and Estella Warren (the latter in particular being a knockout).
Overall, wonderful and near flawless. 9/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Aug 15, 2022