Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series) Pique (2001) User Reviews

A new character piques my interest!

[jeanpierrexxiii · 8/10 · 10 July 2022]

This is our first introduction to BD Wong as Dr. Huang, I believe. He is one of the SVU dream team (Benson, Stabler, Cabot, Munch, Fin, Cragen) . His character is a little rough around the edges but fairly accurate to how he plays out throughout the series. Like the DA, he is there to provide another viewpoint to balance out the hard-nosed tactics of the squad.

The story is fairly pedestrian but a bit unbelievable. It doesn't rely on as many twists, opting for a more 'deep dive' approach. If memory serves, there are no trial/court scenes.

If I were to compile a greatest hits/quintessential episode mixtape, this definitely makes the cut.

Just let him talk

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 15 December 2013]

Margaret Kidder and Chad Lowe dominate this particular episode of SVU as a wonderful mother and son team from New Jersey. Lowe is a misfit trust fund baby who has a desire to be in law enforcement. But with the issues this man has it's small wonder that all he can get is private security jobs where the psychological testing isn't there.

Lowe is the suspect in the rape murder of a co-worker who was his supervisor. He was kind of fixated on her and Chris Meloni decides the best strategy is to just him talk.

Of course the wealthy widow Kidder is the source of his problems. And Lowe is the source of something for Kidder.

B.D. Wong made his SVU debut with this one. So glad he got rid of the glasses in future episodes.

Lowe and Kidder will creep you out.

When SVU was at its best

[fbupdates1 · 7/10 · 6 March 2020]

Chad Lowe and Margot Kidder stole this one as a creepy mother/son team. The murder of a woman Lowe worked with is the subject of the investigation for SVU detectives.of course they do their usual Cracker Jack investigating by inventing fairy tales about the woman cheating on her husband just because he didn't know she was pregnant. It was stated she was 7 weeks. Maybe she didn't know yet. Turns out she did and had ordered a new camcorder as a way to surprise him with the news. He rips Benson a new one, which was well deserved. Her husband not knowing she was pregnant is no proof of cheating. If they had gotten wind of an affair after talking to co workers or friends that's different. Anyway, I give this 7/10 for Lowe and Kidder. The creep out factor is off the charts.

"I'm not a little boy any more!"

[garrard · 10/10 · 10 February 2008]

This is probably the most disturbing episode in the history of the long-running NBC hit. Chad Lowe is chilling as a murderous milquetoast that holds a dark secret that must be uncovered to understand his actions. Margot Kidder is equally captivating as Lowe's mother, a creature that could put Norman Bates' mom to shame.

Both Lowe and Kidder deserved at least an Emmy nod for their frightening performances.

As always the regular cast, especially Chris Meloni, is superb in this well-crafted drama.

The line in the title is a hint to what has transpired in the childhood life of Lowe's character.

Creepiness at its "pique"

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 29 April 2020]

After being a little disappointed in the previous episode "Parasites", part of me was really hoping that Season 2's penultimate episode would be up to the level of a vast majority of the season's previous episodes. It was a very good season on the whole, with many fine episodes in primarily its second half ("Countdown" and "Manhunt" for examples) and only two disappointments that were still not bad at all but lacked the extra something.

Luckily, Season 2 is back on form with another one of its best "Pique". An episode that is especially good for two of the season's best guest stars and the strong creepy atmosphere that is present pretty much throughout. "Pique" also has one of the show's most classic interrogations, one that is pretty much what 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' is all about, and most notable for being the first episode for Dr George Huang, who became a regular until Season 12 and made a few subsequent appearances. That Olivia's role is not quite as prominent here felt insignificant here.

"Pique" did a great job with Huang, who showed a lot of interesting promise. BD Wong did become more comfortable later as he settled into the role, but still plays with authority. All the regulars are on strong form, Christopher Meloni having the most material and he delivers it with beautifully varied emotions and nuance. As said, "Pique" has two of the season's best guest stars. Chad Lowe is creepiness personified as one twisted character and sends chills down the spine, as far as Season 2 goes the only guest character to out-creep him was Kern in "Manhunt". Margot Kidder is hard to forget too and is just as unsettling. Their chemistry is one of the show's freakiest.

One big standout scene in "Pique" is the interrogation scene, one of the best of the whole show and classic 'Special Victims Unit'. The dynamic between the characters is dynamite and the tension really bites the nails, the only interrogation scene as far as Season 2 goes to be on par is to me "Victims". One is disturbed by what is revealed and really sees a glimpse of perps' ways of thinking.

The episode is slickly made visually and the advancement seen in the quality of particularly the editing is evident. The music is not over-utilised or over-scored, a danger for shows like this. The writing is some of the season's tightest and most emotionally complex, the interrogation scene especially. The case could have been ridiculous and difficult to comprehend, but instead it was appropriately not an easy watch and leaves one truly unnerved. As unnerving as the season ever got.

In conclusion, absolutely fantastic. 10/10

Chad Lowe deserves an award

[ambjaneth · 10/10 · 31 March 2024]

This was a creepy episode.

But also amazing in several ways.

First, you have the introduction of B. D. Wong as dr Huang, which will become a fan favourite, I promise.

As soon as this character arrives in the SVU universe, you get some of THE BEST episodes in SVU.

Cabot, Huang, and the regular 5 (benson, stabler, tutuola, cragen, munch) are the dream team.

This is pique SVU. Yes, that's a pun.

The interrogation scene between Stabler and the suspect takes up a good chunk of the episode and it really shows the range of both actors quite well.

The mental breakdown at the end is phenomenal and I'm shocked that Lowe didn't get even a nomination for this episode. He does such an unbelievable job.

10/10.