The investigation into a promising new author's death leads to a decades-old secret kept between two reclusive brothers.The investigation into a promising new author's death leads to a decades-old secret kept between two reclusive brothers.The investigation into a promising new author's death leads to a decades-old secret kept between two reclusive brothers.
Ice-T
- Sergeant Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola
- (as Ice T)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe original idea of this seems to come from the Collyer Brothers, Langley and Homer. They became hermits and died in Harlem, NYC as one fell very ill and was bed ridden and the other was crushed while trying to circumvent one of the booby traps amongst the hoardings. While Langley making his was back from getting medicines and food for Homer who was waiting , was crushed by one of his own booby traps. Homer died of starvation and dehydration. The year was 1947.
- GoofsThe address given of the brothers' home on West 150th Street is incorrect. The house is actually on Saint Nicholas Place in Harlem.
- Quotes
Benjamin Edelman: And this Bobbi boy...
Odafin Tutuola: He dressed as a girl.
Benjamin Edelman: Ah, a fegulah.
Odafin Tutuola: Uh, yeah, but I don't think it's okay to say that word anymore.
Benjamin Edelman: Why not?
Odafin Tutuola: Because it hurts people.
Benjamin Edelman: It's just a word.
Odafin Tutuola: Yeah, but words can hurt more than a gun.
Featured review
A tale of two brothers
Of all the Season 20 episodes on first watch, "Alta Kockers" was definitely in the top three episodes that stuck in my mind the most. Especially because of the guest turns of Wallace Shawn and Judd Hirsch and for Shawn's interrogation scene. On first watch, it was a great, powerful episode and one of the few from Season 20 that left a hugely positive impression on me. Loved 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' in its prime, but it has been past its best in a long time despite being capable of brilliance.
"Alta Kockers" is a fine example of the show still being capable of brilliance. It was an even better episode on rewatch than on first watch and came over as even more powerful, everything that left a big impression on first watch bowled me over. Easily one of the best episodes of Season 20, the first one to be above very good level. And one of the few great ones of a patchy season where even most of the better faring episodes were still uneven, if there was any contender for the season's best "Alta Kockers" is a very strong contender.
It is not quite perfect. The initial crime set in the present day is dispatched of too quickly, it actually is resolved but this felt rushed.
That is my only reason as to why "Alta Kockers" didn't get a perfect score, and it more than deserves a high score because of the good things being so well executed. Once Shawn and Hirsch are introduced into the story, "Alta Kockers" becomes special. Both are mesmerising as very interesting characters (that seem kooky at first but are given a lot of depth) and equally so, especially when in interrogation. The scene where Shawn opens up about the past is truly powerful emotionally and one of the best scenes of the season, Shawn has never moved me to this extent.
Furthermore, on a visual level the episode is solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The creepy interiors of the house are especially well done visually. 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, while having enough momentum to make the drama sing in its atmosphere.
Writing is intelligent and thought provoking, as well as tense and poignant. The story is absolutely riveting, and has some nice tension towards the end (i.e. Hirsch in the courtroom) and truly strong emotions, the opening up made me cry. The regular acting doesn't captivate as much as the guest performances of Shawn and Hirsch, but all are great and this is one of the few episodes of the season where Olivia didn't annoy me and came close to earlier seasons Olivia.
Overall, wonderful. 9/10.
"Alta Kockers" is a fine example of the show still being capable of brilliance. It was an even better episode on rewatch than on first watch and came over as even more powerful, everything that left a big impression on first watch bowled me over. Easily one of the best episodes of Season 20, the first one to be above very good level. And one of the few great ones of a patchy season where even most of the better faring episodes were still uneven, if there was any contender for the season's best "Alta Kockers" is a very strong contender.
It is not quite perfect. The initial crime set in the present day is dispatched of too quickly, it actually is resolved but this felt rushed.
That is my only reason as to why "Alta Kockers" didn't get a perfect score, and it more than deserves a high score because of the good things being so well executed. Once Shawn and Hirsch are introduced into the story, "Alta Kockers" becomes special. Both are mesmerising as very interesting characters (that seem kooky at first but are given a lot of depth) and equally so, especially when in interrogation. The scene where Shawn opens up about the past is truly powerful emotionally and one of the best scenes of the season, Shawn has never moved me to this extent.
Furthermore, on a visual level the episode is solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The creepy interiors of the house are especially well done visually. 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, while having enough momentum to make the drama sing in its atmosphere.
Writing is intelligent and thought provoking, as well as tense and poignant. The story is absolutely riveting, and has some nice tension towards the end (i.e. Hirsch in the courtroom) and truly strong emotions, the opening up made me cry. The regular acting doesn't captivate as much as the guest performances of Shawn and Hirsch, but all are great and this is one of the few episodes of the season where Olivia didn't annoy me and came close to earlier seasons Olivia.
Overall, wonderful. 9/10.
helpful•100
- TheLittleSongbird
- May 28, 2023
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