User Reviews

Francie Swift in her performance as a murder suspect with multiple personalities steals this particular Law And Order episode from all the regulars. Classic movie fans will recognize that this particular story is a reworking of the famous classic that got Joanne Woodward a Best Actress Oscar for Three Faces Of Eve.

A psychologist is murdered during the late hours she kept by one of her patients. Jerry Orbach and Chris Noth narrow it down to Swift who works as a server in a diner.

Swift is one psychological mess, her different personalities might stem from witnessing her own mother's murder. By her father Sam Groom nonetheless.

The twp question are is she the murderer, but also which of herselves did the deed.

Bob Dishy makes one of his appearances as defense attorney Lawrence Weaver who is right up there with Tovah Feldshuh as guest star defense attorney. Dishy is always convincing and acts like a really good criminal attorney.

Francie Swift however makes this one a special episode.

"It's a diagnosis that's caused a lot of controversy. Some doctors say that it's caused by a childhood trauma. Others say that it's caused by ideas planted in the mind of the patient by the therapist."

That's Dr. Olivet (Carolyn McCormick)'s summation of the debate surrounding Multiple Personality Disorder, which is discussed at length in this episode along with whether or not someone with such a mental illness is fit to testify at trial. Playing someone with three different personalities could be hammy or ring false, but actress Francie Swift is more than capable of pulling it off here.

Also excellent is the late, great Lynne Thigpen playing the judge. She's got a bit more to do than the typical judge of the week on L&O because of a psychiatric hearing she orders before the case even gets to trial - it's an exciting bit of drama where psychologist experts, the defense, the prosecutors and the judge all try to figure out if Swift's character is pulling their leg or not, and if she's competent to stand trial if she isn't.

Sam Groom makes his second L&O appearance as Swift's father; he may or may not have had something to do with what happened to Swift's deceased mother. And Bob Dishy is probably one of the best guest defense attorneys ever on this show, reprising his role as Lawrence Weaver from the season 4 finale "Old Friends."

A twisty, exciting episode.

Only a few words....... Great episode as many were on 'L&O'. Fancie Swift's acting is .. holy molly. Really good to see that their are so many people capable of such skill.

It has always amazed me how the quality of script & actors has been so high. As much as this episode is worth mentioning. On its own. L&O had an incredible amount of '10's' to it's credit. The talent Fancie shows is such a pleasure to watch. How they came out week after week without letup.??. Writers must be finally getting paid enough money that their are enough to go around.. That so many people get into the career is wonderful.

With the episodes from 'Law and Order's' middle period and from its later seasons airing so often, it is very easy perhaps to overlook the early seasons. Meaning in my view pre-Season 7. That is a shame, because 'Law and Order' in its early years was more often than not good to fantastic with some truly fine episodes in each of the seasons in question. Wasn't blown away by every episode but when the show was at its best it was brilliant, and there were obvious good things in lesser episodes too.

"Switch" to me (along with "White Rabbit", "Rage", "Cruel and Unusual" and "Bad Faith") is one of the best episodes of Season 5. It is also a special one, complete with one of the standout guest turns of the season and one of Season 5's (and the early seasons' for that matter) most psychologically fascinating characters, the type that is very difficult to pull off well. "Switch" is an outstanding episode in every way and classic 'Law and Order'.

It is shot with the right amount of intimacy without being claustrophobic and that the editing has become increasingly tighter over-time has been great too. The music doesn't get intrusive or overwrought, even when the episode gets more dramatic. The direction doesn't try to do too much and is understated but never flat or unsure.

The writing is intelligent and although, like the show in general, there is a lot of talk (as always for the 'Law and Order' franchise) it doesn't feel like there is too much or too loose. The story sounds ordinary at first but actually very quickly becomes quite twisty and intricate, with some clever revelations and nice tension. It has a gritty edge but also flashes of class. Megan is a fascinating character psychologically, her personality traits are many and complex and trying to figure out her character is the primary reason for the episode's tension and twisty nature.

All the regulars are excellent but it is the truly unforgettably tremendous performance of Francie Swift that makes "Switch" special. She shows no signs of being taxed by a very difficult character and embodies every single personality chillingly and affectingly with no signs of hamminess (not an easy feat as the character is one so easy to overact).

Summing up, brilliant penultimate episode. 10/10

I'm a big fan of the series and this is one of my favorite episodes for several reasons. First are the performances, especially by Francie Swift as a disturbed woman diagnosed with multiple personality disorder. She, and the personalities, are believable without being over the top. Second, because of the lead guest's diagnosis, there is no "bad guy" as in most murder cases. Last, and to me maybe the most important, the producer has the courage to allow the "gut instincts" of the stars to be dead wrong almost all the way through. I find it satisfying when the stars are as flawed as the rest of us; even McCoy's usual sanctimony is held in check. If this one is replayed tomorrow, I'll watch it again.