Burstyn was fantastic. No wonder she won an Emmy for her guest role that year.
8 Reviews
Ellen Burstyn Stole Every Scene
wrenleung16 January 2020
Ellen Burstyn is still the best actress who ever lived!
barbararush-9583030 September 2021
Best L&O:SVU episode to date
wdstarr-121 December 2020
Some reviews of the episodes in the early seasons have said how much better they were compared to those in the later seasons in which (in the opinions of the reviewers) the show became soap-opera-ish and centered too much on the characters' own lives and problems. That may be true (I'm watching the series from the start and haven't gotten to those later seasons yet), but this episode, which centers entirely on the travails of the Stabler family, is pretty close to perfect.
Ellen Burstyn as Elliot Stabler's mother simply owns every second of her three long scenes, and Allison Siko, whom I hadn't thought much of one way or the other until now because she had never been called on to be much more than a placeholder -- a competent-enough actress wearing a sign that says "Sulky Teenage Daughter," in effect -- is a revelation once she's given the opportunity to show us what she can do. I also enjoyed Fiona Dourif (daughter of actor Brad Dourif) in her brief appearance as Det. Nikki (not Mikki) Breslin; it's a pity that to date she hasn't appeared again on the show.
Ellen Burstyn as Elliot Stabler's mother simply owns every second of her three long scenes, and Allison Siko, whom I hadn't thought much of one way or the other until now because she had never been called on to be much more than a placeholder -- a competent-enough actress wearing a sign that says "Sulky Teenage Daughter," in effect -- is a revelation once she's given the opportunity to show us what she can do. I also enjoyed Fiona Dourif (daughter of actor Brad Dourif) in her brief appearance as Det. Nikki (not Mikki) Breslin; it's a pity that to date she hasn't appeared again on the show.
Not your typical L&O crime solve episode and not mad at that.
tommieadamsphoto6 May 2021
Not going to say much but go into this episode with open mind and get ready to experience some of the finest acting and best writing Ive seen on the show. And the overall experience of the episode is steeped in family dysfunctional reality that will resonate in the heart of many viewers. Great episode, enjoy!
Dramatic swing
TheLittleSongbird27 October 2021
The main reason for seeing "Swing" was, other than finding 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' brilliant at its best (though it started to vary wildly from Season 7 onwards), Ellen Burstyn who has continually impressed me ever since being blown away by her performance in 'Requiem for a Dream'. While remembering it being a very good episode on first watch, expectations were a bit mixed, seeing as the previous two episodes did very little for me and the episodes that centre heavily around personal lives have always varied.
"Swing" still struck me as a very good episode and while falling a little short of being outstanding it is one of the better episodes of a season that wasn't all that great. As well as being easily the best of the lacklustre first quarter (pre-"Persona") of Season 10, being the only above good one. "Swing" has its shortcomings, namely pacing and Stabler has been much better written in other episodes, but the superb acting is the main reason as to why it should still be checked out.
It isn't perfect. "Swing" did feel dragged out and melodramatic at times, especially everything with the false story, which was one that didn't really ring true.
While understanding how complex the situation is, Stabler is a real jerk to a near-unrootable degree and everything he does makes things worse for everybody, it was good to see not one but two characters to spot on call him out on his denials and behaviour. Olivia's final line seemed to be an attempt at being cute and funny but it felt more like an embarrassing rubbing it in your face quip.
However, "Swing" is well worth the watch. As said, what makes it worth seeing is the acting which is all round superb. Christopher Meloni gives a performance of intense steel, despite disliking the way Stabler is written here the blame doesn't in any way lie at Meloni's door. Burstyn's performance in the final third or so is very powerful and one of the season's best guest turns. Allison Siko made me care about Kathleen for the first proper time. CHH Pounder really commands her screen time as does sympathetic yet tough talking Mariska Hargitay. Only Micaela McManus is bad, but her screen time is mercifully brief and doesn't stick out as badly.
Although not perfect, the story does have tension and poignancy. One that provides one of the better, more insightful and more investable looks into Stabler's personal life, with it showing how and why he came to be but more so for the first time since Season 7's "Ripped". The script is mostly taut and intelligent, despite lapses of melodrama. 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 has enough taut urgency when needed while giving the case breathing space.
Overall, very good if not outstanding. 8/10.
"Swing" still struck me as a very good episode and while falling a little short of being outstanding it is one of the better episodes of a season that wasn't all that great. As well as being easily the best of the lacklustre first quarter (pre-"Persona") of Season 10, being the only above good one. "Swing" has its shortcomings, namely pacing and Stabler has been much better written in other episodes, but the superb acting is the main reason as to why it should still be checked out.
It isn't perfect. "Swing" did feel dragged out and melodramatic at times, especially everything with the false story, which was one that didn't really ring true.
While understanding how complex the situation is, Stabler is a real jerk to a near-unrootable degree and everything he does makes things worse for everybody, it was good to see not one but two characters to spot on call him out on his denials and behaviour. Olivia's final line seemed to be an attempt at being cute and funny but it felt more like an embarrassing rubbing it in your face quip.
However, "Swing" is well worth the watch. As said, what makes it worth seeing is the acting which is all round superb. Christopher Meloni gives a performance of intense steel, despite disliking the way Stabler is written here the blame doesn't in any way lie at Meloni's door. Burstyn's performance in the final third or so is very powerful and one of the season's best guest turns. Allison Siko made me care about Kathleen for the first proper time. CHH Pounder really commands her screen time as does sympathetic yet tough talking Mariska Hargitay. Only Micaela McManus is bad, but her screen time is mercifully brief and doesn't stick out as badly.
Although not perfect, the story does have tension and poignancy. One that provides one of the better, more insightful and more investable looks into Stabler's personal life, with it showing how and why he came to be but more so for the first time since Season 7's "Ripped". The script is mostly taut and intelligent, despite lapses of melodrama. 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 has enough taut urgency when needed while giving the case breathing space.
Overall, very good if not outstanding. 8/10.
Maybe God remembered you were as cute as a carrot
yazguloner20 June 2021
An amazing episode...
A special episode in the center of Elliot, his mother and daughter.
Applaud... All...
Law and Order Svu originally started out as a classic detective drama that only solved its own problems. If you watch the first episode, you'll understand what I mean. The office is like Lethal Weapon's Office and Die Hard's meeting place.
It becomes clear over time how heavy the SVU is. It is much more than a job, a civil service. We witnessed all these with the slogan "These are their stories".
Like other police forces, they just tried to solve their own problems, that is, they tried to solve the incidents that came to their unit. For this reason, they were the ones who revealed the gaps in the laws, tried to solve those gaps or used them.
Since Season 10, they have been trying to solve the problem itself. They have been trying the solve the root of the problems. This started when Olivia admitted that she needed help with her attack and her problems.
Exactly in this episode, we witness Elliot starting to solve problems.
If we want to solve the problem, we should focus on the closest, the family.
In private life, the source of all problems in the family order is psychological. In formel authority and political order, the source of all problems starts with law and ends with law. Now we will see more laws and courts. Most of the events will now take place indoors.
We will witness more of their private lives.
Applaud... All...
Law and Order Svu originally started out as a classic detective drama that only solved its own problems. If you watch the first episode, you'll understand what I mean. The office is like Lethal Weapon's Office and Die Hard's meeting place.
It becomes clear over time how heavy the SVU is. It is much more than a job, a civil service. We witnessed all these with the slogan "These are their stories".
Like other police forces, they just tried to solve their own problems, that is, they tried to solve the incidents that came to their unit. For this reason, they were the ones who revealed the gaps in the laws, tried to solve those gaps or used them.
Since Season 10, they have been trying to solve the problem itself. They have been trying the solve the root of the problems. This started when Olivia admitted that she needed help with her attack and her problems.
Exactly in this episode, we witness Elliot starting to solve problems.
If we want to solve the problem, we should focus on the closest, the family.
In private life, the source of all problems in the family order is psychological. In formel authority and political order, the source of all problems starts with law and ends with law. Now we will see more laws and courts. Most of the events will now take place indoors.
We will witness more of their private lives.
What a screwed up family
marysammons-4222012 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This episode tells you right here why Elliot is a prick. His mother is a nutcase and Ellen Burstyn is fantastic. So is Allison Siko as Kathleen. Elliot has the nerve to say he deals with this things and doesn't wallow in them. That's bull and I'm glad Liv called him on it. But she should've been even harsher. I guess she felt like it was hard enough as it was. But Kathy slapping him and cursing at him was great. He thinks the rules never apply and then has the nerve to get mad when called on it. Just like the DUI he wanted to cover up what Kathleen did. The scene with Bernie and Kathleen was great.
However one thing isn't quite right. Kathleen's age is stated as 19. In season 6 Blood she's 17. That episode aired in May of 2005. This episode aired in October of 2008. She can't only be two years older three and half years later. Assuming these episodes are going roughly by the actual date aired. I know in Screwed it was mentioned that Kathleen's DUI was in May of 2005. The timeframe of the airing of Blood. So Kathleen would have to be 20 in this episode. Picky but I notice inconsistencies and they bug me.
However one thing isn't quite right. Kathleen's age is stated as 19. In season 6 Blood she's 17. That episode aired in May of 2005. This episode aired in October of 2008. She can't only be two years older three and half years later. Assuming these episodes are going roughly by the actual date aired. I know in Screwed it was mentioned that Kathleen's DUI was in May of 2005. The timeframe of the airing of Blood. So Kathleen would have to be 20 in this episode. Picky but I notice inconsistencies and they bug me.
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