Unbelievable. I couldn't breathe as i watch the courtroom scene. This ep is really something else.
8 Reviews
Perfect 10
fulden16 December 2020
Perception
TheLittleSongbird17 November 2021
On recent rewatch of Season 10 for 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit', there was the feeling of despair from watching all but one ("Swing") of the previous seven episodes giving the indication that the show had lost its identity and what made it so great at its best. Particularly the episodes "Confession" and "Wildlife". "Swing" was the only one of the previous seven episodes to impress me, and even that isn't a favourite of mine or one of the very best Season 10 episodes.
Then a gem such as "Persona" came along and faith was restored, and there were a few other great episodes later on in the season ("Hothouse", "Ballerina", "Transitions") amidst the sea of disappointment. "Persona" to me is the first outstanding episode of Season 10, and one of the season's best quite easily. Namely because of it focusing on the case, on the victims, the perpetrator, not the melodramatic personal life stuff and the sloppy police work that kept creeping in around late-Season 7 onwards.
"Persona" is very solid visually. The production values are still fully professional, the slickness and subtly gritty style still remaining. The music is sparingly used and is haunting and thankfully non-overwrought. The direction shows some nice tension in especially when the case becomes deeper and more complex. The script is tight and thought provoking, with no rambling or overdone melodrama.
Donnelly shines here, loved how determined and sympathetic she was and it is a far cry from the way she treated Novak in the Season 9 finale "Cold". All the regulars are excellent, but the acting honours go to a deeply moving Brenda Blethyn. The chemistry between the whole cast is full of tension and emotion.
Furthermore, the storytelling is very powerful and quite complex without being convoluted or overwritten. Especially when the shocking truth comes out, one that one doesn't even consider until that moment. The topic is a tough one and the episode handles it uncompromisingly but sensitively, it's not the preachy episode that it could have been easily. As said, it was so refreshing to have a case at long last that focused on the case, the victims and delving into the minds of the character it centres around. A relief after so much melodrama, contrived intended to be tense scenes, procedural sloppiness, too many conveniences, too much conclusion jumping and judgemental attitudes in a few of the previous episodes ("Confession" being one of the bigger offenders).
On the whole, brilliant. 10/10.
Then a gem such as "Persona" came along and faith was restored, and there were a few other great episodes later on in the season ("Hothouse", "Ballerina", "Transitions") amidst the sea of disappointment. "Persona" to me is the first outstanding episode of Season 10, and one of the season's best quite easily. Namely because of it focusing on the case, on the victims, the perpetrator, not the melodramatic personal life stuff and the sloppy police work that kept creeping in around late-Season 7 onwards.
"Persona" is very solid visually. The production values are still fully professional, the slickness and subtly gritty style still remaining. The music is sparingly used and is haunting and thankfully non-overwrought. The direction shows some nice tension in especially when the case becomes deeper and more complex. The script is tight and thought provoking, with no rambling or overdone melodrama.
Donnelly shines here, loved how determined and sympathetic she was and it is a far cry from the way she treated Novak in the Season 9 finale "Cold". All the regulars are excellent, but the acting honours go to a deeply moving Brenda Blethyn. The chemistry between the whole cast is full of tension and emotion.
Furthermore, the storytelling is very powerful and quite complex without being convoluted or overwritten. Especially when the shocking truth comes out, one that one doesn't even consider until that moment. The topic is a tough one and the episode handles it uncompromisingly but sensitively, it's not the preachy episode that it could have been easily. As said, it was so refreshing to have a case at long last that focused on the case, the victims and delving into the minds of the character it centres around. A relief after so much melodrama, contrived intended to be tense scenes, procedural sloppiness, too many conveniences, too much conclusion jumping and judgemental attitudes in a few of the previous episodes ("Confession" being one of the bigger offenders).
On the whole, brilliant. 10/10.
It was a good episode but Elizabeth was wrong for this & she definitely was taking it personally
queen_key27 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This episode made my stomach turn from beginning to end,from Mia to her disgusting abusive husband to Lonnie getting pounded by Elizabeth because she was mad that she was talked about by "the boys" to her husband being mad about it,it's crazy what abusive woman go through in today's time let alone back in linnie's time.
Masculine women with strong and women oppressed by their weakness
yazguloner23 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Like movie from the 50's. Gorgeous tones, acting, writing take people away. One of the best episodes with its friendly and authenticity.
Linnie Malcolm (Brenda Brethyn) and Elizabeth Donnelly (Judith Light) were a delight to watch.
Great insights on judgment and humanity
******
Warning Spoiler
Linnie Malcolm I couldn't get an abortion in prison and I couldn't have that baby. I didn't care if I spent the rest of my life in jail, but the thought of his child growing inside me. That's why I came to see you. To say I'd plead guilty, if I could just end the pregnancy first, but you were so strong, so self-confident. I was ashamed of my weakness. I couldn't tell you. How could a woman like you ever understand a woman like me?
Elizabeth Donnelly Because back then, I was trying so hard to be one of the men, I forgot why I became a lawyer.
Linnie Malcolm (Brenda Brethyn) and Elizabeth Donnelly (Judith Light) were a delight to watch.
Great insights on judgment and humanity
******
Warning Spoiler
Linnie Malcolm I couldn't get an abortion in prison and I couldn't have that baby. I didn't care if I spent the rest of my life in jail, but the thought of his child growing inside me. That's why I came to see you. To say I'd plead guilty, if I could just end the pregnancy first, but you were so strong, so self-confident. I was ashamed of my weakness. I couldn't tell you. How could a woman like you ever understand a woman like me?
Elizabeth Donnelly Because back then, I was trying so hard to be one of the men, I forgot why I became a lawyer.
should have SPOILERS listed before readers get too far in.
momcat31626 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
My only problem with the review is that I read it, thankfully after seeing the episode. I was amazed at how many plot points were included. I would have also have mentioned the excellent jobs done by supporting cast members, Mike Farrell,and the almost missed appearance of Didi Conn.
nah, she's not taking it personally at alll...
wdstarr-124 December 2020
I loved watching Judith Light as prosecutor-turned-judge-turned-back-into-a-prosecutor-for-this-case-only Elizabeth Donnelly claiming that she wasn't letting her personal feelings govern her actions while her eyes glowed a demonic red and venom dripped from her fangs.
It was also good to see Mike Farrell again -- heven't seen much of him since M*A*S*H ended -- though it sucked to see that he'd gotten that old.
It was also good to see Mike Farrell again -- heven't seen much of him since M*A*S*H ended -- though it sucked to see that he'd gotten that old.
Great episode ruined
elc200528 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
This was an interesting episode. Most of the story was well written. However it didn't make sense that the husband escalated in the way that he did. Pushing her down the stairs or hitting her until she fell and hit her head would have been a more realistic way for him to kill her.
But that's not what ruined the episode. The lead actress of the secondary story had the most distracting voice. I couldn't even empathize with her because it sounded so contrived. Ive never seen the actress in anything else so I don't know if that's just how she speaks but it was really annoying and took away from the seriousness of the episode.
But that's not what ruined the episode. The lead actress of the secondary story had the most distracting voice. I couldn't even empathize with her because it sounded so contrived. Ive never seen the actress in anything else so I don't know if that's just how she speaks but it was really annoying and took away from the seriousness of the episode.
The best of intentions
bkoganbing30 October 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Mariska Hargitay's dedication to her job brings about a lot of grief with the best of intentions. Clea DuVall is a victim of domestic abuse which Hargitay and Chris Meloni only uncover when Hargitay stakes herself out at the downstair's neighbor to catch him in the act. She catches him more than abusing his wife, she catches Nathaniel Marston stabbing DuVall to death.
But neighbor Brenda Blethyn's 911 call yields a fingerprint from a 34 year old cold case. Back in the Seventies Blethyn shot her then husband and escaped before trial. She's been married to and living with her new husband Mike Farrell since then and he knew nothing about her situation. He also has multiple sclerosis and Blethyn is his chief caregiver.
Talk about opening a can of worms, there's still more to come in this SVU episode which talks a lot about what it was like for battered women in the day.
But neighbor Brenda Blethyn's 911 call yields a fingerprint from a 34 year old cold case. Back in the Seventies Blethyn shot her then husband and escaped before trial. She's been married to and living with her new husband Mike Farrell since then and he knew nothing about her situation. He also has multiple sclerosis and Blethyn is his chief caregiver.
Talk about opening a can of worms, there's still more to come in this SVU episode which talks a lot about what it was like for battered women in the day.
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