After a young boy witnesses the brutal sexual assault and murder of his stepmother, his father blocks the efforts of the detectives to question him.After a young boy witnesses the brutal sexual assault and murder of his stepmother, his father blocks the efforts of the detectives to question him.After a young boy witnesses the brutal sexual assault and murder of his stepmother, his father blocks the efforts of the detectives to question him.
Photos
Ice-T
- Detective Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola
- (credit only)
BD Wong
- Special Agent Dr. George Huang, M.D.
- (as B.D. Wong)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaMark Lotito (Mike Rizzo) previously played the role of IAB Det. Howard in episode 2.7, Asunder (2000).
- GoofsAt his arraignment it is announced that Dan Hoffman is being charged with one count of murder in the second degree, this charge is incorrect and there are a few additional charges that should be added on. The defendant broke into the victim's apartment and as stated by CSU, the ER physician and the ME the victim was also raped and sodomized with an object; meaning that Hoffman should also be charged with one count of burglary in the first degree, one count of rape in the first degree and one count of aggravated sexual abuse in the first degree. So in all Hoffman should have been arraigned on three violent class B felonies and one class A-I felony. Also the rape one and aggravated sexual abuse charges would increase the homicide charge to murder in the first degree; since murder one is a capital offense Hoffman would not have been able to get out on bail. It is standard procedure to remand someone that is potentially facing the death penalty.
- Quotes
Elliot Stabler: [to Kim Hoffman] Listen to me. Your ex-husband is about to be acquitted. If you don't help Tommy, he goes back to that house. You have to risk your pain to save his life.
- ConnectionsReferences Leave It to Beaver (1957)
Featured review
The last gasp
On my first watch of "Desperate" when first getting into 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' years back, it was an episode that really hit me hard emotionally. Not that that is a bad thing, far from it. Considering the subject, which is a hard-hitting one, that was appropriate and the show and the franchise showed how brilliant they were at pulling no punches. Found it a truly beautiful and powerful episode and a standout of a mostly solid Season 4.
Which with "Desperate" got back on track quality-wise, after two disappointing episodes in a row after "Mercy" and a very good but not great one in "Privilege". On many re-watches since, "Desperate" still holds up. Brilliantly. It was wonderful on first watch and got even better with each viewing, thanks to the emotional impact, the gripping storytelling and the pitch perfect performances. The best since "Mercy" and one of the best and most heart-wrenching of the whole season and of the early seasons.
"Desperate" is spot on in every way. The production values are still slick and suitably gritty (without being too heavy in it). The music is not too melodramatic and is not used too much, even not being too manipulative in revelations. The direction lets the drama breathe while making sure that the tension and emotion never slipped.
The episode is a very tautly yet sympathetically scripted one. It particularly resonates in the dialogue between Olivia and Tommy, like when he opens up, the tenderness and poignancy of that part especially really packs an emotional wallop and a major one. The story still wrenches the gut, and a subject that takes a lot of guts to tackle anywhere is handled in a way that is uncompromising yet tender. The ending, one of the most powerful of Season 4, has never failed to make me cry, likewise with much of the episode (up there with "Angels", "Vulnerable" and "Mercy" on the high emotion level).
All the characters are interesting and sensitively written, Tommy is both adorable and incredibly easy to relate to. The character interaction is similarly gripping and sensitive, Tommy and Olivia being a prime example. The acting is excellent all round. Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay are equally without complaint and this is an example of an episode that shows how when well written good they are as characters. Rob Estes is suitably loathsome but acting wise the episode belongs to a heart-rending and never over sweet Max Weinstein, child acting performances on 'Special Victims Unit' were seldom equalled or bettered and when it comes to guest acting turns in Season 4 Weinstein for me is easily in the top 10.
Overall, wonderful episode. 10/10
Which with "Desperate" got back on track quality-wise, after two disappointing episodes in a row after "Mercy" and a very good but not great one in "Privilege". On many re-watches since, "Desperate" still holds up. Brilliantly. It was wonderful on first watch and got even better with each viewing, thanks to the emotional impact, the gripping storytelling and the pitch perfect performances. The best since "Mercy" and one of the best and most heart-wrenching of the whole season and of the early seasons.
"Desperate" is spot on in every way. The production values are still slick and suitably gritty (without being too heavy in it). The music is not too melodramatic and is not used too much, even not being too manipulative in revelations. The direction lets the drama breathe while making sure that the tension and emotion never slipped.
The episode is a very tautly yet sympathetically scripted one. It particularly resonates in the dialogue between Olivia and Tommy, like when he opens up, the tenderness and poignancy of that part especially really packs an emotional wallop and a major one. The story still wrenches the gut, and a subject that takes a lot of guts to tackle anywhere is handled in a way that is uncompromising yet tender. The ending, one of the most powerful of Season 4, has never failed to make me cry, likewise with much of the episode (up there with "Angels", "Vulnerable" and "Mercy" on the high emotion level).
All the characters are interesting and sensitively written, Tommy is both adorable and incredibly easy to relate to. The character interaction is similarly gripping and sensitive, Tommy and Olivia being a prime example. The acting is excellent all round. Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay are equally without complaint and this is an example of an episode that shows how when well written good they are as characters. Rob Estes is suitably loathsome but acting wise the episode belongs to a heart-rending and never over sweet Max Weinstein, child acting performances on 'Special Victims Unit' were seldom equalled or bettered and when it comes to guest acting turns in Season 4 Weinstein for me is easily in the top 10.
Overall, wonderful episode. 10/10
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- TheLittleSongbird
- Oct 22, 2020
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