User Reviews

Quite the opposite. Actually think "Abomination" is an extremely good episode, one of the best of the first half of Season 5 and have always felt that it does incredibly with such a difficult subject without any prejudice, that was very important and relevant at the time. And a subject that will still resonate today, and actually even more so considering how much hatred there is at the moment for so many things everywhere and how painfully personal it will be for quite a lot of people.

'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit', as has been said in some other reviews previous episodes (worth reiterating in some shape or form though as that is a common thing and one of its attractions) always excelled at its handling of heavy and controversial subjects, of which the subject here is as heavy and controversial as it can get. And how it dealt with them, which more often than not was uncompromising, the case here, while generally tactful. "Abomination" is another case too of an episode that sounds basic on paper but actually is a lot more intricate than one would think.

For me, the truth about the son was a bit hard to swallow, especially the father's attitude which didn't come over as realistic, likewise with how such a bigoted person couldn't know the truth about someone that close to him and not show him the same amount of contempt.

The "re-education" aspect of the subject covered was the aspect of the plot that would have been most difficult to nail and would have caused the most controversy and criticism if not handled well. Considering how divisive the issue is full stop. Actually thought that that was remarkably well done, harrowing yet tactful and to me not one-sided, despite the bigoted characters the episode doesn't show any contempt for gay people. A prime example being Stabler's shocked and disgusted reaction in his chilling exchange with Shaw, showing that there are plenty of people that are supportive. The character of Ian Tate was also written with complexity and tact.

All the acting is on point from the regulars, Christopher Meloni particularly, and the supporting cast are more than up to their level. While James Otis is chilling and George Segal does odiousness so convincingly, Jonathan Tucker's powerful performance registers most. The production values are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough without being leaden and the script is tight and always intriguing, have always been left thinking hard for a while after as it is a subject worth pondering on.

Overall, extremely good. 8/10

George Segal stars in this episode of SVU about a psychologist who has an old fashioned view on gay people. He's a big believer in reparative therapy, that you can cure gays and of course it's desirable to do so, the better they can fit into society. Especially the crowd you hang around with. Not to mention your professional reputation at stake.

So when a young man who was a poster child turns up dead, the investigation from the SVU squad eventually arrives on his door with two likely suspects, Segal and his son Jonathan Tucker who has kept his sexual orientation a secret from his old man for obvious reasons.

I won't say who did, the homophobic psychologist or his sexually repressed internally homophobic gay son. That's to watch the episode for and see a couple of fine performances from Segal and Tucker.

One performance that really registers is a brief one with only two scenes from James Otis who plays a Reverend Fred Phelps type. Otis has his inbred clan of sickos and they do Phelps like activities. He's a frightening man with his obsession bordering on insanity. If you see this episode for no other reason than to have Otis chill you right to the bone marrow.