User Reviews

On first watch, "Scourge" struck me immediately as one of the best episodes of Season 2 and of the early seasons. As well as one of the most disturbing and most uncompromising, in a way that was gut-wrenching, powerful and moving. Also on first watch, what also surprised and amazed me was seeing a completely different side to Richard Thomas (will admit to not being the biggest fan of his) and being so impressed that he had that level of acting ability in him.

Those feelings have been the same with each of the three or four re-watches and got even better with each watch with something new to appreciate each time. What a way to finish an overall very good season where a vast majority of the episodes were good to exceptional. Only "Asunder" and "Parasites" for me disappointed and they were still decent episodes, just a little bland. Bland "Scourge" most certainly is not, and actually its shock factor is even stronger now, not gotten stale at all.

"Scourge" is slickly shot and very atmospherically lit, some images staying with one for a long while and not seeming heavy-handed at all. The music doesn't intrude and doesn't go over the top in orchestration or try too hard enhancing the mood (which it wouldn't have needed to do, the dialogue and storytelling speak for themselves). The direction has momentum but lets the story breathe and gives time for the major revelations to sink in.

It is boosted further by a script that has no fat and has intensity and emotional impact, as well as leaving one deep in thought after. The story is not an easy watch at all but that is far from inappropriate, necessary actually. The details of the crimes are horrifying and the first half leaves one shocked to the core, without being excessive or gratuitous. Once the major revelation of what caused the killer to do what he did is given, the shock factor is just as intense but absolute horror transforms in the second half into lump to the throat and eyes welling up emotion. The one not so good part of the episode is agreed the very end, which felt tacked on and doesn't quite fit with the rest of the episode but that was overlookable with everything else being so amazing.

All the characters are written extremely well. Stabler and Olivia's chemistry has so much heart and love how much respect and such they have for each other. Daniel is one of the supporting characters of the second season that is once seen never forgotten, one hates what he did but with such a tragic reason for what drove him to kill part of me felt sorry. While the regulars are without complaint, it's against type Thomas in one of his best performances who one remembers the most. He was never this chilling or moving before or since. Karen Allen brings a lump to the throat.

Concluding, absolutely wonderful and powerful episode. 10/10

This episode of SVU finds the squad on the trail of a man who the press is labeling a new Jack the Ripper. Not that he's following any kind of pattern that our Whitechapel legend used, but the viciousness of the knife attacks even has the veteran police officers reaching for the barf bag.

Four victims including a child are done in by this man before the SVU squad after following a couple of false leads arrests Richard Thomas. Of course the public is demanding the never used death penalty in New York and Stephanie March is following those dictates not to mention her own personal revulsion.

Insanity is the issue here and Thomas finds an advocate in the consulting psychiatrist B.D. Wong. There is something wrong with Thomas, something preventable and curable way back when. There is a responsible party and Thomas truly is not competent to stand trial.

For that you watch the story. When watching you will appreciate the performance of Thomas and Karen Allen as the loyal wife who stands by her man under trying circumstances.