User Reviews

Nearly every Law And Order episode is taken from some headline somewhere if not within New York City itself. But this early episode came with a disclaimer at the end pointing out the very specific differences between the infamous Lisa Steinberg homicide and this episode.

A little girl is found in school unconscious and she's taken to the hospital and dies eventually. Investigation by George Dzundza and Chris Noth leads to the arrest of both parents played by David Groh and Marcia Jean Kurtz.

Groh is one evil monster in this episode. Hard to believe that the love of Rhoda Morgenstern's life could be the same guy. In real life Steinberg was a lawyer, here he's a snake oil psychologist. The better to control and manipulate his family.

But the real heart of the episode is the performance of Kurtz as the perfect battered spouse and probably participant in the child abuse. She's frightening in both her docility and the fact she's also incredibly narcissistic. Not two dual emotions to get easily, but Kurtz pulls it off.

Michael Moriarty was probably his most outraged best in prosecuting these two. Nicely done all around.

With the Briscoe (though not the very early episodes, more from Season 7 onwards) and post-Briscoe episodes tending to be aired much more, hence there is more familiarity with them, it is very easy to underrate or forget 'Law and Order's' pre-Season 7 years and especially the first three seasons. Although they are hardly prime-'Law and Order', they still shouldn't be forgotten, with there being a lot of great things, interesting cases and good handling of very heavy subjects.

"Indifference" is not one of those episodes to be indifferent to. In my mind actually, it is one of Season 1's best episodes, the first truly outstanding one and the best since the very first episode "Prescription for Death", even better than that actually. Here the pace is tighter than the previous episodes and the characterisation is some of the season's meatiest, and in this case especially in support with the defendants. It also has one of Season 1's most powerful stories, regardless of the beginning disclaimer, and two of its (and the early seasons' too for that matter) best guest turns.

As with the previous episodes, "Indifference" is well made in the production values. Slickly photographed throughout, a perfect match for the gritty tone, and New York looks both striking and atmosphere-filled. The music is only used when necessary and when it is used it does stick in the mind and not done so ham-handedly. Both the main theme and opening voice over are memorable. It is directed with a confident and sympathetic edge.

The writing provokes a lot of thought and the writers were clearly enjoying writing the dialogue for Stone, ever the juicy character. This heavy subject matter is handled with intelligence and dark poignancy without being dreary or preachy, going into more depth than the previous episodes with their subjects thanks to two very strongly written supporting characters. In particular Carla.

Michael Moriaty fares the best of the regulars and George Dzundza and Chris Noth's chemistry is getting stronger all the time, their hard boiled performances still shining. It's the two main supporting performances that manage to steal the episode from under them. David Groh is one chilling reptile but even better in the more complex role is Marcia Jean Kurtz, both frightening and moving.

Summing up, superb episode and the best up to this point of the season. 10/10

An early example where history of spousal abuse figured in the charges and findings of the case. The battered face of Hedda was front page news in NYC for months, well cast here, as is the husband who strongly resembles Steinberg. Show disclaimer notwithstanding.

It was loosely based on a true story in New York City. The facts and names were changed. Deidre better known as Deedee dies in school. They learn she has been abused at home in one of the most shocking cases of child abuse. Her parents are beautifully played David Groh and Marcia Jean Kurtz. They're a deeply troubled couple with secrets. Michael Moriarty was at his best as the prosecutor in this show. The family defined dysfunction. Groh played a well respected Manhattan psychologist. Kurtz played his indifferent wife and mother. She is more concerned about him than the children. If you understood the actual case, you will understand the wife's absolute devotion and loyalty to him. It was an award winning episode even now thirty years later. It still packs a punch.

When the young Didi Lowenstein is found dead on his chair at school, Detectives Greevey and Logan investigate the case. They learn from Didi's teacher that the child frequently presented signs of abuse, and they go to the apartment of his parents. They meet her mother, Carla Lowenstein that is completely crazy and indifferent to the death of Didi. Their further investigation shows that her father Dr. Jacob Lowenstein uses cocaine in the therapy of their patients, and Carla is addicted. Now, Stone and Robinette use other elements to prosecute the parents.

"Indifference" is a sad episode of "Law & Order", with a story of child abuse that has been shown in "Law & Order - SVU" for many years. In 1990, the impact of this episode should have been greater and greater. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Indiferença" ("Indifference")

I was surprised to find a tv episode that shows that being a battered wife does not excuse their abusive behaviors towards their children. However, society still has a double standard when it comes to domestic violence that the female is always a victim and should be pitied and forgiven while the man is always the evil perpetrator in control of the situation. This episode showed, that both parents were horrible loathsome people and both had deep seeded mental health issues that made them both co-dependent, this man was not responsible for his wife's condition, she and only she is responsible for her life. This man was more than likely broken as a child and grew into a dangerous sociopath. Society want men held accountable for their angry destructive behaviors, and excuse women for theirs -- we forget the long-term ramifications of child abuse effects both genders. Their childhood doesn't excuse their adult actions, but it explains them.

You cannot find pre-season 13 of Law and Order on a streaming service. It's even harder finding the DVDs. But, in my opinion, this episode is worth the $1.99 Prime charges. I bought it after I started watching Season 15, Episode 11 "Fixed", because it felt like I was missing something. Like I'd walked in on the middle of the conversation. I was definitely missing something. This episode definitely helped the show get renewed. It's sad, maddening, and leaves you feeling...everything. I felt uneasy well after I watched. Other reviews say it is reminiscent of SVU and I agree. More of the earlier seasons than the more recent ones. If you've watched 15,11 on Peacock and you didn't have specific emotions about Dr. Lowenstein, go back and watch this episode. I will say it is an adjustment not having the familiar detectives/prosecutors on the case. You do get Captain Cragen, who's very much the same guy in 1990 as he is in 1999 for SVU. The episode plays out pretty much the same way as all others. However the lighting, the music, the camera angle all work to keep you off balance- like you are constantly running to get there in time. It is worth the watch. It is worth the $1.99.