Rollins turns to imprisoned serial killer, Dr. Gregory Yates, when a new dead body with a similar m.o. washes up on a beach. In response, Yates makes a shocking accusation against Manhattan'... Read allRollins turns to imprisoned serial killer, Dr. Gregory Yates, when a new dead body with a similar m.o. washes up on a beach. In response, Yates makes a shocking accusation against Manhattan's Deputy Chief Medical Examiner.Rollins turns to imprisoned serial killer, Dr. Gregory Yates, when a new dead body with a similar m.o. washes up on a beach. In response, Yates makes a shocking accusation against Manhattan's Deputy Chief Medical Examiner.
- Detective Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola
- (as Ice T)
- Judge Colin McNamara
- (as Stephen Bradbury)
- Correction Officer
- (as Stephen Tenner)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhile conjugal visits are a common plot device in any movie or show involving people in prison, it's a not-commonly-known fact that only a third of the states (17 total) allow them in any capacity. New York, however, is in fact one of those states, so it's proper and realistic for it to pop up here.
- GoofsThe body is claimed to have been found in Pelham Bay, which is in the Bronx. The Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial bridge is seen in the background of this scene, which is in Queens.
- Quotes
Odafin Tutuola: [to Rollins] How you feeling?
Amanda Rollins: I'm just tired. I've been taking too many shifts since Nick left.
Odafin Tutuola: You talk to him?
Amanda Rollins: Yeah. Yeah, he's happy. He's doing physical therapy in Laguna Beach and he's got some kind of lead with the U.S. Park Police, so...
Odafin Tutuola: You miss him. Is that what this is all about?
Amanda Rollins: No. I'm pissed off, man. I get grounded and this is my case? I mean, I know more about how Yates thinks than Carisi does.
Odafin Tutuola: Olivia's just looking out for you, Amanda.
Amanda Rollins: Yeah? How do you figure?
Odafin Tutuola: You're good at getting inside these guys' heads. Don't let them get inside yours.
While not one of 'Special Victims Unit's' best season openers/premieres, "Devil's Dissections" is a very strong start to what was an uneven season that didn't have any terrible episodes but only a small handful of brilliant ones. Most fall somewhere in between mediocre and very good. "Devil's Dissections" is one of the very good episodes of Season 17 and makes one, certainly did make me, intrigued in what was to come later on in the season.
"Devil's Dissections" has a lot of good things. It does look good, with the usual slickness and subtle grit. Really liked too that the photography was simple and close up but doing so without being claustrophobic. The music has presence when used, and luckily it isn't constant, and when it is used it doesn't feel over-scored. The direction is accommodating but also has pulse, making sure the tension and creepiness doesn't slip.
The regular acting is very good, especially from Kelli Giddish (who has come on a long way), Peter Scanavino (a bright spot of Season 16 and nothing here changes my mind) and Raul Esparza (one of the main reasons as to why the later seasons were still stuck with despite such a big overall decline in quality). The episode boasts another creepy performance from Dallas Roberts, he always does creepy so well.
Furthermore, the script is tight and intriguing and the story is suspenseful and unnerving enough, reminiscent too of 'Silence of the Lambs'. Giddish's real life pregnancy was integrated very well and tastefully within the story and wasn't used too much. Also really like Carisi's chemistry with Rollins and it was great to see Warner again and not wasted.
Having said all of this, the identity of the murderer is not at all a shock. The title of the episode in a way gives it away and there was just something about them that was off early on, in fact the whole truth was too prematurely obvious.
Also thought that Fin was too underused and has next to nothing to do.
In summary, very solidly done. 8/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Sep 20, 2022
Details
- Runtime42 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD