The person who portrayed the young girl with Williams Syndrome is a fine actress. Her character was quite convincing and most certainly the star of this episode.
10 Reviews
Talent shown here
brueggemanntami30 November 2019
I think the actress (Paulina Gerzon), should be remembered at EMMY nomination time.
williamwilke13 February 2008
Warning: Spoilers
L & O often has interesting one time characters, but the young girl with William's syndrome in the episode "Savant" really stands out. I know the character is the creation of the writer and director, but the actress (Paulina Gerzon) really brought "Katie" to life. I hope she might be remembered at Emmy nomination time.
I have to say I also like the way the character was presented to the audience. The scenes in the squad-room early in the show, where the character is first introduced, was very well done. I also liked the later scene when Munch has "investigated" William's syndrome, and gives the audience enough information that we can fully appreciate the court room scene near the end.
Well, that's all (or as the character Katie would say: "The end" ).
I have to say I also like the way the character was presented to the audience. The scenes in the squad-room early in the show, where the character is first introduced, was very well done. I also liked the later scene when Munch has "investigated" William's syndrome, and gives the audience enough information that we can fully appreciate the court room scene near the end.
Well, that's all (or as the character Katie would say: "The end" ).
Person of learning
TheLittleSongbird2 September 2021
Really admired Season 9's fourth episode "Savant" for introducing me to a condition as rare as Williams Syndrome and on further research since first watch portraying it so sensitively. 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' is no stranger to having episodes portraying disabilities and conditions, both rare and common, with "Compentence" and "Clock" being previous examples, but did somewhat vary throughout its run on portraying them in terms of research and tact.
In terms of research and tact, "Savant" is one of the finer examples. As an episode of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' or for anything, "Savant" is exceptional. It is by far the best episode of Season 9 up to this very early point (despite the higher rating, "Alternate" was for me a case of the guest performance being better than the overall episode), the only outstanding one, and overall it is one of the best and few exceptional episodes of Season 9.
"Savant" works in every way. All the regulars are on top form. Especially Christopher Meloni and Diane Neal, who have the meatiest material. It is a case though of the guest performances being even better, here the major standouts being Aidan Quinn and Paulina Gerzon. Quinn expertly makes one unsure of whether he is capable of something so terrible or not. Even better is the revelation that is Gerzon, one of the show's best ever child performance. She is both adorable and very moving.
Katie as a character is very cute and very relatable, as well as inspirational as it is always wonderful to see people that have struggles also have wonderful abilities. Something that resonates with me, being someone that struggles with a number of things but excels (apparently) in music.
There are a few particularly fantastic scenes. Namely the heart-breaking ending and the hilarious part with Lake (in one the few episodes where there were no issues to be found with him) and Fin in the waiting room. Those two also gel so much better in this scene alone than they did in the whole of Season 8's "Outsider".
Moreover, the story is very powerful and the script is taut and intelligent. The production values are slick and have a subtle grit, with an intimacy to the photography without being too claustrophobic. The music isn't used too much and doesn't get too melodramatic. The direction has momentum while being accommodating.
Overall, brilliant episode and one of the very inconsistent Season 9's best. 10/10.
In terms of research and tact, "Savant" is one of the finer examples. As an episode of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' or for anything, "Savant" is exceptional. It is by far the best episode of Season 9 up to this very early point (despite the higher rating, "Alternate" was for me a case of the guest performance being better than the overall episode), the only outstanding one, and overall it is one of the best and few exceptional episodes of Season 9.
"Savant" works in every way. All the regulars are on top form. Especially Christopher Meloni and Diane Neal, who have the meatiest material. It is a case though of the guest performances being even better, here the major standouts being Aidan Quinn and Paulina Gerzon. Quinn expertly makes one unsure of whether he is capable of something so terrible or not. Even better is the revelation that is Gerzon, one of the show's best ever child performance. She is both adorable and very moving.
Katie as a character is very cute and very relatable, as well as inspirational as it is always wonderful to see people that have struggles also have wonderful abilities. Something that resonates with me, being someone that struggles with a number of things but excels (apparently) in music.
There are a few particularly fantastic scenes. Namely the heart-breaking ending and the hilarious part with Lake (in one the few episodes where there were no issues to be found with him) and Fin in the waiting room. Those two also gel so much better in this scene alone than they did in the whole of Season 8's "Outsider".
Moreover, the story is very powerful and the script is taut and intelligent. The production values are slick and have a subtle grit, with an intimacy to the photography without being too claustrophobic. The music isn't used too much and doesn't get too melodramatic. The direction has momentum while being accommodating.
Overall, brilliant episode and one of the very inconsistent Season 9's best. 10/10.
This episode means a lot to me due to having ASD
UniqueParticle8 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Quirky characters are essential in this SVU experience! Starts with a father paying off a taxi to circle around a block instead of dealing with his home life come to find out his daughter is covered in blood from an unknown crime. So great that there's Down syndrome characters, the main girl that has William syndrome and everyone else I've been growing to love Diane Neal since she first appeared. Powerful episode with an emotional ending!
10/10 On The Strength Of Guest Star Paulina Gerzon
markthurman-4422812 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I had seen perhaps 25% of the SVU series (a variety of episodes from throughout the series) prior to subscribing to Peacock a few months ago. Since subscribing to Peacock I have been watching (re-watching in some cases) every SVU episode in order beginning with Season 1, Episode 1. I watch each episode and then read the complete IMDb entry for the episode I have just watched.
I love this episode, thanks to Paulina Gerzon's portrayal of Katie. SVU consistently has amazing guest stars, many of whom play characters outside their normal typecast, which is always a revelation. I was not familiar with Paulina Gerzon, but she knocked it out of the park as Katie in this episode. I love how on multiple occasions she recounts the events of her mother's being attacked and finishes her accounts with the words, "The End".
I am also a big fan of Stephanie March who played A. D. A. Alexandra Cabot in earlier seasons of SVU (with more still to come). But, this is an extremely rare example in my experience that a major character in a great TV series is replaced and the replacement character/actor matches her/his predecessor. Of course, I'm referring to Diane Neal who plays A. D. A. Casey Novak. Casey has been a very important character in several recent episodes and Diane plays her brilliantly. Often times in acting it's the little things that breathe life into a script; for instance, when Casey is questioning Katie on the witness stand, Katie gives an amazing account of what she heard when her mother was attacked. When Katie finished her account by saying, "The End" (which in itself is adorable), Casey couldn't help but smile. After Katie's incredible performance on the witness stand, Casey's smile was priceless.
I love this episode, thanks to Paulina Gerzon's portrayal of Katie. SVU consistently has amazing guest stars, many of whom play characters outside their normal typecast, which is always a revelation. I was not familiar with Paulina Gerzon, but she knocked it out of the park as Katie in this episode. I love how on multiple occasions she recounts the events of her mother's being attacked and finishes her accounts with the words, "The End".
I am also a big fan of Stephanie March who played A. D. A. Alexandra Cabot in earlier seasons of SVU (with more still to come). But, this is an extremely rare example in my experience that a major character in a great TV series is replaced and the replacement character/actor matches her/his predecessor. Of course, I'm referring to Diane Neal who plays A. D. A. Casey Novak. Casey has been a very important character in several recent episodes and Diane plays her brilliantly. Often times in acting it's the little things that breathe life into a script; for instance, when Casey is questioning Katie on the witness stand, Katie gives an amazing account of what she heard when her mother was attacked. When Katie finished her account by saying, "The End" (which in itself is adorable), Casey couldn't help but smile. After Katie's incredible performance on the witness stand, Casey's smile was priceless.
I love Munch in this episode
JR_1_2 April 2024
I really enjoyed this episode. I have seen criticims that an actress who did not have Williams Syndrome, portrayed a character who did. However the Williams Syndrome Accociation says that children with WS can have emotional issues, and anxiety is common. Most with WS also have sensitive hearing. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that a child with WS may find a busy and noisy film set, and the subject matter of this episode, more difficult to deal with than a neurotypical child. So there is the child's welfare to consider too. I thought the actress did a great job, and didn't feel like WS was portrayed negatively. I love Munch in this episode when he kindly teaches her the 'stranger danger' notion. It was also funny to see Finn have his ponytail pulled! This is not offensive, it would have been funny if any child did that to him. Munch and Finn should have had more scenes together throughout the whole series.
"Savant"
allmoviesfan15 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
An interesting examination of a child who has learning and development issues being the main witness and forced to testify in court. It was a tough watch at times, what that young girl went through on the stand, when questioned by the defense. Also, the spectre of the Patriot Act rears it's head, too. That was an interesting wrinkle that I don't think has been covered before on the show?
Standout moment of the episode? Well, at least the most amusing one? The scene in the clinic where a pregnant mother wrongly but hilariously assumes Lake and Finn are gay parents. Lake lays his hand on Finn's knee, and it is absolutely priceless. There aren't a whole lot of laugh-out-loud moments on SVU, which is necessarily a very serious and often grim and super-dark show, but when they pop up, they're worth their weight in gold.
Standout moment of the episode? Well, at least the most amusing one? The scene in the clinic where a pregnant mother wrongly but hilariously assumes Lake and Finn are gay parents. Lake lays his hand on Finn's knee, and it is absolutely priceless. There aren't a whole lot of laugh-out-loud moments on SVU, which is necessarily a very serious and often grim and super-dark show, but when they pop up, they're worth their weight in gold.
Very sorry for the girl!
ShelbyTMItchell30 November 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Really you have to feel very sorry for the girl. As the feds were made to look bad in this. Then the crooks that they are to be capturing. Trying to protect someone that killed her mom. As she was caught in the case. Really think that the ending was really horrible. Aidian Quinn played creepy to the point. The liberal media would love for you to think that all feds are arrogant, ruthless, and even make the criminals look like squat. Dean Porter, the FBI agent on the case, and potential love interest to Olivia. Is getting on everybody's nerves. You could tell he and Elliott would love to get into a fist fight. But they both could be out looking at another job if they did. Just really didn't understood why Olivia, who seems more tighter with the feds, than the other SVUs, wasn't in this very long.
Rain Girl
bkoganbing24 December 2014
This case of an assault on a mother might have been an easy closing for the SVU squad, but for the facts that the mother has lost her memory and the father and their set of friends are all big high mucky mucks guarding the security of the USA. Naturally the Feds are all over this one and won't let SVU do what it normally does.
The one witness is a young girl with a special type of mental retardation called William's Syndrome. Pauline Gerzon plays the young girl who is a female version of Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man. She remembers everything but what sounds hostile she tries to block. It's not going to be easy for Diane Neal to question her in court.
Aidan Quinn is her father and he's suspected as well. Gerzon and Quinn have some tender scenes together. But is that Quinn trying to influence his daughter to block it out because he did it?
Both Quinn and Gerzon are outstanding in this story.
The one witness is a young girl with a special type of mental retardation called William's Syndrome. Pauline Gerzon plays the young girl who is a female version of Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man. She remembers everything but what sounds hostile she tries to block. It's not going to be easy for Diane Neal to question her in court.
Aidan Quinn is her father and he's suspected as well. Gerzon and Quinn have some tender scenes together. But is that Quinn trying to influence his daughter to block it out because he did it?
Both Quinn and Gerzon are outstanding in this story.
My son has WS
trishwindle19 February 2024
I had mixed feelings about this portrayal of Williams syndrome. Not only does my son have WS, but I know many parents of kids with WS as well as young adults with WS. I was disappointed they didn't get an individual with WS to play the part but they may have been worried about the subject matter? There are absolutely individuals that could have done it.
I appreciate that they attempted to give some accurate information about Williams syndrome but, of course, they only barely scratched the surface and had to make a lot of generalizations. Individuals with WS are definitely amazing and can often have gregarious and charming personalities which I feel was difficult for the actress to truly capture. It felt like something was missing. My son is a riot.
It also looks like they attempted to give her common facial characteristics of Williams syndrome but it didn't quite work. I found myself wondering how people would feel if an actress was made up to look like she had Down syndrome. I don't think that would go over too well, especially now-a-days.
Anyone wanting to learn more should go to the Williams Syndrome Association website.
I appreciate that they attempted to give some accurate information about Williams syndrome but, of course, they only barely scratched the surface and had to make a lot of generalizations. Individuals with WS are definitely amazing and can often have gregarious and charming personalities which I feel was difficult for the actress to truly capture. It felt like something was missing. My son is a riot.
It also looks like they attempted to give her common facial characteristics of Williams syndrome but it didn't quite work. I found myself wondering how people would feel if an actress was made up to look like she had Down syndrome. I don't think that would go over too well, especially now-a-days.
Anyone wanting to learn more should go to the Williams Syndrome Association website.
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