I was waiting for this episode ever since A.D.A Alex Cabot was taken out of the picture. It was fantastic. The way the writers creatively place Alex into this episode takes you by surprise. When it airs again, I plan to watch it a second time. There is not a huge guest cast, but they compliment the show nicely. I was a fan of Stephanie March and thought she played the A.D.A very well. Even though I was sad to see her go, she went with such a bang, but what else would you expect? However, I would not recommend watching this without watching "Loss". Although these two episodes air years apart, they are very much connected and you would be lost without knowing the basis of the first episode. The villain, Liam Connors, was especially evil. Great performance. Great episode. In my book, it goes down as one of the best of the series.
5 Reviews
The homicidal phantom
TheLittleSongbird3 March 2021
Alexandra Cabot, beautifully played by Stephanie March in Seasons 1-early Season 5, was a great character once her personality was gotten used to. She was last seen in the truly powerful "Loss", one of the outstanding episodes of Season 5 and among that season's and to me the whole of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit's' high points. Especially for her performance in that episode and that hearts ripped into two-worthy ending. Anybody that loves her character will be psyched to see her again in Season 6's "Ghost".
In an episode that has links with "Loss" in terms of story. While not quite as brilliant as that episode, "Ghost" is still great and among the stronger episodes of the second half of a mostly very impressive Season 6. It sounds great on paper and is every bit as much in execution, with almost everything working. With an ending that satisfied more, "Ghost" actually for me would have been a perfect episode and was this close to being. So close.
There are so many great things in "Ghost". It is absolutely wonderful to see Cabot back and "Ghost" doesn't waste her in any way. Quite the opposite, it was actually like she had never left. She and Novak work with each other absolutely beautifully, their dynamic grabs the attention throughout and is not one dimensional. Neither being too perfect straight away or taking too long to respect each other. Novak also had enough of a strong personality by now and had a lot of presence in the courtroom, enough to be Cabot's equal. So there was no feeling of one being more compelling than the other which would have weakened the dynamic.
Luckily, the case is also just right. It has enough twists to satisfy, turns that are not obvious and are plausible. It is also suspenseful enough, helped significantly by a villain that really unnerves and enhances the tension. The script is intelligent, especially later on when things get twistier and creepier.
Furthermore the acting is uniformly excellent, especially from Stephanie March, Diane Neal and a genuinely terrifying Bryan F. O'Byrne. 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 is sympathetic but also alert.
Only one aspect disappoints a little and felt oddly unsatisfying. "Ghost" could have done better at the end at tying up any previous loose ends, in an ending that was slightly anti-climactic and didn't have quite the same amount of emotional power as the near-unequalled emotional impact of the ending of "Loss".
Concluding, great. 9/10
In an episode that has links with "Loss" in terms of story. While not quite as brilliant as that episode, "Ghost" is still great and among the stronger episodes of the second half of a mostly very impressive Season 6. It sounds great on paper and is every bit as much in execution, with almost everything working. With an ending that satisfied more, "Ghost" actually for me would have been a perfect episode and was this close to being. So close.
There are so many great things in "Ghost". It is absolutely wonderful to see Cabot back and "Ghost" doesn't waste her in any way. Quite the opposite, it was actually like she had never left. She and Novak work with each other absolutely beautifully, their dynamic grabs the attention throughout and is not one dimensional. Neither being too perfect straight away or taking too long to respect each other. Novak also had enough of a strong personality by now and had a lot of presence in the courtroom, enough to be Cabot's equal. So there was no feeling of one being more compelling than the other which would have weakened the dynamic.
Luckily, the case is also just right. It has enough twists to satisfy, turns that are not obvious and are plausible. It is also suspenseful enough, helped significantly by a villain that really unnerves and enhances the tension. The script is intelligent, especially later on when things get twistier and creepier.
Furthermore the acting is uniformly excellent, especially from Stephanie March, Diane Neal and a genuinely terrifying Bryan F. O'Byrne. 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 is sympathetic but also alert.
Only one aspect disappoints a little and felt oddly unsatisfying. "Ghost" could have done better at the end at tying up any previous loose ends, in an ending that was slightly anti-climactic and didn't have quite the same amount of emotional power as the near-unequalled emotional impact of the ending of "Loss".
Concluding, great. 9/10
Appreciation for Young Actor Reymond Wittman
labenji-1216318 January 2024
I enjoyed the episode and wanted to express my appreciation for the stellar performance of young actor Reymond Wittman in his role as Antonio Montoya.
It's quite surprising that, in the various reviews I've come across, there hasn't been much acknowledgment of Reymond's portrayal. I found his performance to be both adorable and remarkably believable, especially considering his relatively unknown status in the industry. His endearing presence truly stood out and, in my opinion, played a significant role in making the episode memorable.
Kudos to the young actor for his noteworthy contribution to the episode.
It's quite surprising that, in the various reviews I've come across, there hasn't been much acknowledgment of Reymond's portrayal. I found his performance to be both adorable and remarkably believable, especially considering his relatively unknown status in the industry. His endearing presence truly stood out and, in my opinion, played a significant role in making the episode memorable.
Kudos to the young actor for his noteworthy contribution to the episode.
Glad to see Alex back
shelbythuylinh24 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Well she was in the witness protection agency. And how that she is in the testifying to help close the game back in season 5's "Loss" there.
Though briefly as Stabler and Benson arrest the creep who "killed' Alex and even they had to not tell their own Captain and the current ADA Casey Novak there.
Both are angry but have to realize it is for the greater good. As Alex wants to get on with her life even though she has to stay in witness protection in the end despite it not being over and done yet.
DEA Agent Hammond mellows out from the last episode but he is upset when his partner Tim Donovan got murdered, blown up by the cartel.
Though briefly as Stabler and Benson arrest the creep who "killed' Alex and even they had to not tell their own Captain and the current ADA Casey Novak there.
Both are angry but have to realize it is for the greater good. As Alex wants to get on with her life even though she has to stay in witness protection in the end despite it not being over and done yet.
DEA Agent Hammond mellows out from the last episode but he is upset when his partner Tim Donovan got murdered, blown up by the cartel.
IRA born and bred
bkoganbing29 July 2013
Warning: Spoilers
This episode marked the return of Alexandra Cabot to the ranks of the living after she gives up witness protection to help prosecute the man who nearly killed her. Stephanie March for challenging the machismo of a Columbian drug dealer was nearly killed in a previous episode and it was thought to let her stay dead for her own safety.
But a new investigation involving a brokerage house laundering drug money with multiple victims ties into her case. The same man did the deeds as ballistics confirm.
Which by the way is the main weakness of the episode. Any professional hit man would have dumped his weapon and not signed his name to the work. But that's how the squad aided by narcotics detective Nicholas Gonzalez catches Brian O'Byrne who is a coldblooded piece of blarney.
The IRA bred and trained a lot like him and when the troubles in Ireland abated, guys like O'Byrne were looking for work. This one misses on killing a child and he's the only living witness.
What could have been a better episode is flawed by not paying attention to detail.
But a new investigation involving a brokerage house laundering drug money with multiple victims ties into her case. The same man did the deeds as ballistics confirm.
Which by the way is the main weakness of the episode. Any professional hit man would have dumped his weapon and not signed his name to the work. But that's how the squad aided by narcotics detective Nicholas Gonzalez catches Brian O'Byrne who is a coldblooded piece of blarney.
The IRA bred and trained a lot like him and when the troubles in Ireland abated, guys like O'Byrne were looking for work. This one misses on killing a child and he's the only living witness.
What could have been a better episode is flawed by not paying attention to detail.
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