Wrong Is Right
- Episode aired Oct 20, 2000
- TV-14
- 44m
Detective Stabler's daughter witnesses a gory crime scene involving a murdered man who had a secret life. Meanwhile, a new ADA is assigned to the unit while Stabler and Jeffries come under r... Read allDetective Stabler's daughter witnesses a gory crime scene involving a murdered man who had a secret life. Meanwhile, a new ADA is assigned to the unit while Stabler and Jeffries come under review by the department.Detective Stabler's daughter witnesses a gory crime scene involving a murdered man who had a secret life. Meanwhile, a new ADA is assigned to the unit while Stabler and Jeffries come under review by the department.
- Danny Burrell
- (as Paul Wasilewski)
- Jason Sloan
- (as Nathan J. Wetherington)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis episode marks the first appearance of Ice-T as Odafin "Fin" Tutuola and Stephanie March as A.D.A. Alexandra Cabot. Also, this is Michelle Hurd's last appearance as Monique Jefferies as part of the main cast.
- GoofsOne of the police officers on the committee (the one on the far right end) has error's on his uniform. He is wearing the rank insignia of a Captain (two gold bars) on his collar and shoulder, yet is wearing the badge of a Deputy Chief. If he were a Captain he would be wearing the same style of badge that Cragen wears and if he were a Deputy Chief he would be wearing a single star on his collar and shoulder.
- Quotes
[last lines]
Det. Monique Jefferies: Monique Jefferies. Maybe I can help.
Det. Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola: Fin Tutuola. I've been reassigned.
Det. Monique Jefferies: You're here for my job.
Det. Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola: Oh, this is awkward.
Det. Monique Jefferies: Well, try my side of the moment.
- ConnectionsReferences Casablanca (1942)
After a near-consistently solid first season, it was hard not to expect much from Season 2 and 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' didn't disappoint in this aspect. Again like Season 1, not every episode completely works but at its best the season was brilliant and a good deal of the episodes were of high quality. While not quite one of the best Season 2 episodes for 'Special Victims Unit', "Wrong is Right" is regardless a very good start for the season.
Most components are very good to superb, but there are a couple of things that could have been done better. The serious underuse of Olivia is criminal, she showed herself in the first season to be a great character (which continued throughout the show, one can see why she is its longest serving regular character) and her chemistry with Stabler was always a plus (of which there is not enough of here).
Will agree too to some extent that the case itself in the first half is on the routine side, it is in the courtroom scenes where it becomes more interesting.
Having said all of that, there is so much to like about "Wrong is Right". Like 'Law and Order' and 'Criminal Intent', the photography is sharper and the editing has tightened while still very much maintaining the grit and slickness that was there before. The music is used only when necessary and when used it is unobtrusive and fits with the atmosphere well. The script is tight and thoughtful, with the courtoom scenes being especially well scripted. Seeing how much Stabler cares for his family, and seeing him with a compassionate side underneath all that intense steel that he has when on the job, is quite affecting to see, and Munch's dry humour and conspiracy hunches really shine. His subplot brings a smile to the face and intrigues.
Enough of the story is compelling, and despite being a little routine in some of the first half it does begin disturbingly and turns out to be a mystery generally worth investing in. It is a classic case of an episode where one feels sympathy for the perpetrator, while of course not condoning what they did, and despising the victim (the closest Season 1 came to that is perhaps "Disrobed"), his crimes making the stomach churn. "Wrong is Right" has a few firsts, it has the last appearance of Jeffries (which actually didn't bother me that much to be honest, she was never the most interesting character on the team in the first season in my humble opinion), it has the first brief appearance of Fin and it has the first appearance of Alexandra Cabot (nicely played by Stephanie March). So, like the first episode of the second season of the original 'Law and Order' ("Confession"), because of having to undergo several changes, "Wrong is Right" is something of a benchmark episode.
Performances are all high quality, with Christopher Meloni and Richard Belzer really selling it in their roles and March makes a promising first impression. Gerry Bamman relishes his character's smug arrogance, but even better is a quite moving Adam Kaufman, especially when on the stand.
Concluding, very good start to Season 2. For me though, if to briefly compare and hoping it's not too unfair, the Season 2 openers for 'Law and Order' ("Confession") and 'Criminal Intent' ("Dead") are a little superior. 8/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Feb 19, 2020