Hysteria
- Episode aired Oct 11, 1999
- TV-14
- 1h
Benson and Stabler investigate the murder of a young woman who is initially believed to be a prostitute and the latest in a long line of victims.Benson and Stabler investigate the murder of a young woman who is initially believed to be a prostitute and the latest in a long line of victims.Benson and Stabler investigate the murder of a young woman who is initially believed to be a prostitute and the latest in a long line of victims.
Photos
- Detective Elliot Stabler
- (as Chris Meloni)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFemale hysteria was once a common diagnosis for women. It is actually one of the oldest medical conditions mentioned in historical medical literature, although it is no longer recognized as a medical disorder. So-called cases of female hysteria have been documented as far back as 1900 B.C. in ancient Egypt. The ancient Greeks believed that the uterus was a living creature that wanders throughout a woman's body, blocking passages, obstructing breathing, and causing disease. The concept of a wandering womb was later viewed as the source of the term hysteria, which was derived from the Greek word for uterus "hystera." Another cause was thought to be the retention of a supposed female semen, thought to have mingled with male semen during intercourse. The female semen was believed to have been stored in the womb. Hysteria was referred to as "the widow's disease", because the female semen was believed to turn venomous if not released through regular sexual climax or intercourse. During the 18th and 19th centuries, female hysteria was a catch-all diagnosis used whenever a woman suffered from symptoms that a doctor couldn't explain. It was reportedly fairly common for doctors that diagnosed female patients with hysteria to "treat" them by either manually or mechanically stimulating them to orgasm (termed "hysterical paroxysm") well into the 20th century. Some historians theorize that the vibrator was invented to more quickly expedite hysterical paroxysm treatments. By the mid-20th century, diagnosis of female hysteria had largely declined, and in 1956, it was removed from the American Psychiatric Association's list of recognized psychiatric conditions. By that time, the field of psychiatry had grown significantly, and many of the symptoms that were formally attributed to female hysteria were recognized as symptoms of mental illnesses that had previously been undiscovered such as schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, conversion disorder, and anxiety attacks.
- GoofsThe victim's mother states that her daughter was a cultural studies major at Columbia University. Columbia does not offer a major in cultural studies.
- Quotes
John Munch: Miss Webber was told to disrobe, put her feet up in stirrups, and try to picture David Hasselhoff on Baywatch.
Defense Attorney: Objection! Your honor, this witness is not qualified to testify on the treatment for hysteria.
John Munch: Actually, sir, I am. Up until 1952, hysteria was one of the most commonly diagnosed illnesses among women. The medical treatment was hysterical paroxysm.
Court Reporter: Could the witness spell that?
John Munch: O-R-G-A-S-M.
- ConnectionsReferences Baywatch (1989)
"Hysteria" is even closer than "Or Just Look Like One" in being very nearly as good/on the same level as "Payback". Not one of the best 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' episodes and maybe there is a slight finding the feet feel (the original 'Law and Order' had that too, and 'Criminal Intent'), but like a lot of prime-'Special Victims Unit' "Hysteria" disturbs and compels as it should do. Very difficult not to expect much and it delivers.
Did find the ending on the abrupt and rushed side though, it was definitely shocking and does leave one floored but part of me felt it could have been revealed earlier.
And this is more of a nit-pick, but wouldn't have said no to more of the order side of the show, which there was more of when the show went on and fully settled when at this early stage there was more of the law.
That was not a massive problem though, because the case was gripping with a fair share of surprising twists and turns, and another that was not an easy watch, and the crime solving was intriguing and rang true. Elliot's subplot was pretty charming, didn't feel soap-operatic or featured too much, maybe a bit awkward but it seemed a situation where the awkwardness would be understandable. Loved the small scene between Cragen and Briscoe (always worth watching as is Jerry Orbach) and Munch's role and humour is priceless, can't pick a favourite because it was all funny.
Writing is thoughtful and has tautness and the odd touch of humour with Munch. The gritty visual style is still here, as is the spare but not intrusive music. The acting is just fine, with the standout of the SVU team being for me an amusing Richard Belzer. Garrett Brown is suitably unsettling in his role, which didn't feel written over-obviously.
Summing up, great. 9/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jul 27, 2019