I'd recommend the documentary about the actual events.
10 Reviews
Best SVU episode
swiss_eagle17 February 2019
Conflicted
TheLittleSongbird18 February 2021
The case in "Identity", based upon the true story of David Reimer (a very sad one), is hardly a "stolen" idea. "Identity" is actually one of the "ripped from the headlines" type of stories that the 'Law and Order' franchise (especially the original 'Law and Order') often did. Where they would do stories with tough topics that were, either closely adhering to or loosely based, based upon actual real life events and stories. A type of story that was more often than not done very well.
"Identity" is a wonderful episode and one of my favourites from Season 6 and certainly from its mostly highly impressive first half. The major twist that changes events drastically and spins the case on its head completely is obvious early on admittedly, which does take away a little from the surprise factor. The twist still was very well executed, plausible and the outcome of it does shock. As far as 'Special Victims Unit's' episodes go, "Identity" is there towards the top in my view.
What really stands out here is the acting, which is superb all round. Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay are both tough talking yet sympathetic, and their chemistry when Meloni was still on the show (which was up to the end of Season 12) played a big part in the earlier seasons' appeal. Peter Firth does expertly in making his character so detestable to almost scary effect, have always on all my viewings been absolutely repulsed by what he says and equally repulsed by how anybody can be that delusional and full of themselves.
Best of all is the unforgettable performance of Reilly McClendon, the heart of the episode. An acting highlight being Lindsay's heart-wrenching reaction to learning the truly disturbing truth about her, was completely on her side at that point and would have acted exactly that way if that happened to me.
Script challenges enough while still being easy to follow and not being too complicated. It is very thought-provoking, flows beautifully, is forceful yet sensitive and the wide range of emotions is striking. The story is both uncompromisingly shocking and very moving. It is a very tough subject to tackle and one that should always be approached carefully, something that "Identity" does extremely well.
As usual, the production values are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough while also taut.
Concluding, wonderful. 10/10
"Identity" is a wonderful episode and one of my favourites from Season 6 and certainly from its mostly highly impressive first half. The major twist that changes events drastically and spins the case on its head completely is obvious early on admittedly, which does take away a little from the surprise factor. The twist still was very well executed, plausible and the outcome of it does shock. As far as 'Special Victims Unit's' episodes go, "Identity" is there towards the top in my view.
What really stands out here is the acting, which is superb all round. Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay are both tough talking yet sympathetic, and their chemistry when Meloni was still on the show (which was up to the end of Season 12) played a big part in the earlier seasons' appeal. Peter Firth does expertly in making his character so detestable to almost scary effect, have always on all my viewings been absolutely repulsed by what he says and equally repulsed by how anybody can be that delusional and full of themselves.
Best of all is the unforgettable performance of Reilly McClendon, the heart of the episode. An acting highlight being Lindsay's heart-wrenching reaction to learning the truly disturbing truth about her, was completely on her side at that point and would have acted exactly that way if that happened to me.
Script challenges enough while still being easy to follow and not being too complicated. It is very thought-provoking, flows beautifully, is forceful yet sensitive and the wide range of emotions is striking. The story is both uncompromisingly shocking and very moving. It is a very tough subject to tackle and one that should always be approached carefully, something that "Identity" does extremely well.
As usual, the production values are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough while also taut.
Concluding, wonderful. 10/10
Sad story based on real events
michthemunchkin19 September 2017
I disagree with the reviewer who claimed that the writers of this episode thought they were "clever" by coming up with this plot. Clearly the episode was based entirely on the story of David Reimer, who suffered a disfiguring injury (specifically, a botched circumcision) shortly after birth and was subsequently raised as a girl, on the advice of Dr. John Money. Like the kid in this episode, Reimer had a twin, who was raised as a boy.
I find it ludicrous that anyone would think the writers set out to create this story line on their own; like so many of their other episodes, this one was obviously based on real events. The only difference between the real events and the outcome of this episode is that, sadly, the doctor who essentially ruined David Reimer's life suffered no ill consequences of his actions. Instead, it was David himself who lost his life. He died by suicide in 2004.
I find it ludicrous that anyone would think the writers set out to create this story line on their own; like so many of their other episodes, this one was obviously based on real events. The only difference between the real events and the outcome of this episode is that, sadly, the doctor who essentially ruined David Reimer's life suffered no ill consequences of his actions. Instead, it was David himself who lost his life. He died by suicide in 2004.
simply put may be the best end
imdbmoviereviews12 February 2020
Based on a true story
pczukor-157063 December 2018
As michthemunchkin said previously, this story is based on the real events of David Reimer. The story of identical twin boys who were raised as boy and girl became a famous one in medical circles. Originally known as the "John/Joan" case to protect their identity, the story later came out, and was told by John Colapinto in his book, "As Nature Made Him". The efforts and treatment by Dr. John Money to convince David's parents to raise David as a girl after a botched circumcision shortly after birth was related to his desire to prove his theories that the development of gender identity in humans was entirely due to environmental factors and not by genetic or other innate factors, and for Dr. Money, having identical twins where one of them was raised in the opposite gender was the "perfect experiment", and that's what they were to him, an experiment. David later married, but his marriage was on the rocks, and after his wife told him she wanted to leave him, he killed himself. He was 38. His twin brother Brian OD'd two years before.
obnoxious doctor gets it in the end.
baronedon14 July 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Starts typical SVU that evolves with strong almost unbelievable circumstances.. I figured the scenario early but that twist at the end was extremely satisfying AND REWARDING..
I could not believe the stupidity of the parents. First their child/children with the police and later discovering (SPOILER) with the therapist.. Great the show is finally giving the ME Dr. Melinda Warner more screen time and viable roles Fantastically portrayed by actress TAMARA TUNIE.
Strong portrayal by fifteen year old Reilly.
Dialogue between Elliot & OBNOXIOUS Dr. Blair one of the reasons this Version of Law & Order shines.
I could not believe the stupidity of the parents. First their child/children with the police and later discovering (SPOILER) with the therapist.. Great the show is finally giving the ME Dr. Melinda Warner more screen time and viable roles Fantastically portrayed by actress TAMARA TUNIE.
Strong portrayal by fifteen year old Reilly.
Dialogue between Elliot & OBNOXIOUS Dr. Blair one of the reasons this Version of Law & Order shines.
They've got their own world
bkoganbing9 December 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Until I started working and lobbying for transgender rights I was not aware of this issue. So when I saw this particular episode of SVU it sadly resonated with me.
The murder of a deaf mute homeless woman sets off an investigation which leads them to a pair of identical twins, one of whom witnessed the murder. Both are graffiti artists which is what put them on a roof which was the scene of the crime.
But there's far more to it than that especially after former police officer and now therapist Mary Stuart Masterson clues the squad in. Reilly McClendon plays the dual role of Logan and Lindsay Masters who even for identical twins seem very attached. They've got their own world and especially after their therapist from birth Peter Firth has been conducting some ghoulish experiments on them.
Young McClendon gives a dual performance that will stay with you forever after being seen. He's unforgettable in the parts.
As for Firth even one who makes a clinical study of sexual behavior is not immune from some monstrous impulses. This man truly got his jollies observing these two. Because when they were infants Firth changed one of the twins from a boy to a girl. He's even going to write a book about them.
This was something not uncommon in the days before transgender people developed a voice and consciousness and spun out of the general gay rights movement to demand their own rights and identity. The story depicted by McClendon has a few thousand imitations around the country and more around the world.
One of the best SVU stories ever done in the history of that program.
The murder of a deaf mute homeless woman sets off an investigation which leads them to a pair of identical twins, one of whom witnessed the murder. Both are graffiti artists which is what put them on a roof which was the scene of the crime.
But there's far more to it than that especially after former police officer and now therapist Mary Stuart Masterson clues the squad in. Reilly McClendon plays the dual role of Logan and Lindsay Masters who even for identical twins seem very attached. They've got their own world and especially after their therapist from birth Peter Firth has been conducting some ghoulish experiments on them.
Young McClendon gives a dual performance that will stay with you forever after being seen. He's unforgettable in the parts.
As for Firth even one who makes a clinical study of sexual behavior is not immune from some monstrous impulses. This man truly got his jollies observing these two. Because when they were infants Firth changed one of the twins from a boy to a girl. He's even going to write a book about them.
This was something not uncommon in the days before transgender people developed a voice and consciousness and spun out of the general gay rights movement to demand their own rights and identity. The story depicted by McClendon has a few thousand imitations around the country and more around the world.
One of the best SVU stories ever done in the history of that program.
Based on an old story, a timeless message
andrewkurt00717 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I think a lot of people should watch this episode, it includes an interesting plot based on the experiments of a crazy doctor. The main plot was taken from the man who insisted that sexuality is based on nurture not nature and it shows the effects on the children who were experimented on. The plot may not have been totally
original but they did a fair job trying to put a unique spin on it. Overall i think they showed the dangers that come with messing around with children and sexuality in a way that is not usually shown. They took a powerfully compelling message and managed to cram it down into a 45 minute episode.
Raising a red flag
akicork11 October 2019
This presents an extreme outcome of a "botched circumcision", but it is only a "worst case" projection of what might happen with any non-medically required circumcision.
Any such procedure opens up the patient to a wide array of negative outcomes. Only when male genital mutilation becomes as unacceptable as female genital mutilation will this blot on humanity be washed clean. FMG is generally condemned internationally, while still supported locally as a cultural practice where it occurs.
MMG is also supported as a cultural practice where it occurs and widely for historical reasons.
Neither has a greater moral authority than the other.
Not all that clever
jennkrouse8 September 2014
Warning: Spoilers
The reviews for this episode think the writing is so clever. However, what they don't know is the entire episode is based on a book about the life of David Reimer, called As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who Was Raised as a Girl.
The entire episode, except the rape/murder that sets it all off, follow the book almost verbatim, including most of the twist at the end. They did not murder the therapist in real life, like they do in the episode, but they unfortunately suffered the same abuse at the hand of their therapist. Both brother committed suicide in their 30s. It was such a disturbing and sad story.
I love SVU, but they totally stole the sad story of these brothers' lives on this one...
The entire episode, except the rape/murder that sets it all off, follow the book almost verbatim, including most of the twist at the end. They did not murder the therapist in real life, like they do in the episode, but they unfortunately suffered the same abuse at the hand of their therapist. Both brother committed suicide in their 30s. It was such a disturbing and sad story.
I love SVU, but they totally stole the sad story of these brothers' lives on this one...
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