A woman is killed after opening a mail bomb. The investigation leads to the discovery of a bitter research dispute between her ex-husband, a noted physicist, and a younger researcher that he... Read allA woman is killed after opening a mail bomb. The investigation leads to the discovery of a bitter research dispute between her ex-husband, a noted physicist, and a younger researcher that he double-crossed.A woman is killed after opening a mail bomb. The investigation leads to the discovery of a bitter research dispute between her ex-husband, a noted physicist, and a younger researcher that he double-crossed.
- Dr. Elizabeth Olivet
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- Mary Willoughby
- (as Brenda Thomas Denmark)
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- TriviaThe Ted Kaczynski (a.k.a. "The Unabomber") case. Kaczynski, who was apprehended two years later in 1996, was an American domestic terrorist, anarchist, and mathematical prodigy who, between 1978 and 1995, engaged in a nationwide bombing campaign against people involved with modern technology. He planted or mailed numerous homemade bombs, ultimately killing a total of three people and injuring 23 others. He is also known for his wide-ranging social critiques, which opposed industrialization and modern technology while advancing a nature-centered form of anarchism. He became well-known for sending bombs with false return addresses that belonged to real people and was the target of one of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's costliest investigations. Before Kaczynski's identity was known, the FBI used the title "UNABOM" (UNiversity & Airline BOMber) to refer to his case, which resulted in the media calling him the Unabomber. The FBI (as well as Attorney General Janet Reno) pushed for the publication of Kaczynski's "manifesto", which led his sister-in-law and then his brother to recognize Kaczynski's style of writing and beliefs, and they tipped off the FBI. Kaczynski tried unsuccessfully to dismiss his court-appointed lawyers because they wanted to plead insanity in order to avoid the death penalty, as Kaczynski did not believe he was insane. When it became clear that his pending trial would entail national television exposure for Kaczynski, the court entered a plea agreement, under which he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole. Although Kaczynski was arrested two years after the episode aired, he interestingly shares some similarities with the defendant: both were disgruntled scientific geniuses, had thick beards, lived simple lifestyles, and eventually targeted scientists in bombings.
- GoofsWhen the detectives go to the physics lab to gather information on Weiss, his desk drawer is locked. When the police move to force it open, another lab employee steps in with a key and opens it. Later, Weiss is confronted with what was found in the drawer as proof that he is guilty of murder. Although it might seem that the lab employee's ability to access the drawer would nullify its contents being tied specifically to Weiss, presumably the police later verified that the other worker lacked opportunity and/or motive, ruling out a potential defense for Weiss.
- Quotes
Adam Schiff: If Manning swears that the theory is worthless, you gotta prove that it isn't. Now, what the hell's the theory?
Claire Kincaid: That protons eventually fall apart.
Adam Schiff: Is this something to be worried about?
Claire Kincaid: It means all matter in the universe will eventually disintegrate, in a certain way.
Adam Schiff: Terrific. Now, all we gotta do to win a larceny trial is prove how the universe will end!
Ben Stone: No, all I do is get my own group of expert witnesses.
Adam Schiff: Well, who are you gonna get? The Almighty?
Ben Stone: Physics professors! That's all Manning is.
Adam Schiff: Oh - physics professors. You better get a jury of insomniacs.
"Big Bang" does a great job with it and for me it is not just one of the best episodes of the second half of Season 4 but also one of the best overall of the season. If not quite one of my favourites of 'Law and Order' as an overall show. As others have also said, it is also one of the most entertaining and one that really illuminated me. Those that love great character interaction, little things, smart dialogue, edge and tough topics dealt with uncompromisingly should find a good deal to like about "Big Bang".
Admittedly, the plot requires a lot of attention, perhaps more so than usual. After a few easy to figure out-able episodes that preceeded "Big Bang", Season 4 and 'Law and Order' returns to more complexity in one of the season's more intricate cases. Really loved how twisty and unpredictable the case was but there were occasions where it was a touch over-complicated and needed a little more time for each revelation to breathe.
However, "Big Bang" is shot with the right amount of intimacy without being claustrophobic and that the editing has become increasingly tighter over-time has been great too. Nice use of locations too. The music doesn't get over-scored or overwrought, even in the more dramatic revelation moments. The direction doesn't try to do too much and is understated but never flat or unsure.
In this episode, the writing is a major star. It is lean and smart, with plenty of very amusing lines and exchanges. Especially concerning the collapse of the universe and when talking about larcerny, Schiff has one of his most priceless lines already mentioned here. The character interaction is some of the season's best, Briscoe and Logan are such a great, tough and amusing pairing and the chemistry in the legal scenes is pretty electric when the tension rises. The story is not perfectly executed, but is never dull and caught me by surprise more than once. What sounds conventional at first turns out to be not what it first appeared to be by the end of the episode, and what it had to say about its subject really educated me.
Characterisation is spot on as is the acting of the regulars. Harris Yulin is unsettling as Manning without being too obvious, with one line (the one regarding a single life) sticking out as equally unsettling.
Summing up, great episode and one of the season's best. 9/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Oct 14, 2020