This was another episode that really stuck with me on first viewing five or six years ago, the time when 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' on re-watches of later episodes was starting to grow on me (while still preferring the earlier seasons). Not an easy watch and left me very disturbed and saddened. As well as completely shocked by the big plot twist, one particular line and the amorality of the perpetrator. Of the Season 4 episodes, "Damaged" really stood out.
Of the twenty five episodes of Season 4, "Damaged" still is one of the best or at least one of my favourites of the season. It also is for me one of the best episodes of the early seasons and the best 'Special Victims Unit' episode since "Dolls" (am not sure how popular an opinion that will be). Everything that was memorable on first viewing about "Damaged" continued to be memorable in all six of my re-watches and would go as far to say that it got even better with each viewing.
What seemed like quite an ordinary case at first turned out to be increasingly not so ordinary, in a good way. The best of ways even. The twists and revelations keep on coming, each more unsettling than the other, until we get to a major plot twist concerning the truth of the responsible (both who and why) that is a strong contender for the most shocking of the season. It didn't even cross my mind that it was them on first viewing and the shock value of the truth hasn't worn off. Which is what is so striking actually about "Damaged" and what makes it such a memorable episode.
As said, the perpetrator is both chilling and fascinating. One could argue that, like Huang does, they are a tortured soul. Or if they are just amoral. Considering their actions, why the crime was committed and what lengths they went through, a large part of me would lean towards the latter, did think at first when they became suspected that it was the former but that changed towards the end.
Production values are as professional as usual and visually like the original 'Law and Order' and 'Criminal Intent' this aspect has come on quite a bit since the show's inception (and they were good to begin with). The music is haunting while not intrusive or overused. The writing is tight and thoughtful, with one especially unforgettable line. The "I'm already dead" line is one of those lines that chills one to the bone. The story as said is riveting and never gets obvious or confused, and we have a lot thrown at us throughout the course of the episode.
Can't fault the performances, all the regulars are strong and perfectly convey how much the case disturbs them. Ari Gaynor is terrific too especially later on.
In summary, wonderful and one of the season's best. 10/10
Of the twenty five episodes of Season 4, "Damaged" still is one of the best or at least one of my favourites of the season. It also is for me one of the best episodes of the early seasons and the best 'Special Victims Unit' episode since "Dolls" (am not sure how popular an opinion that will be). Everything that was memorable on first viewing about "Damaged" continued to be memorable in all six of my re-watches and would go as far to say that it got even better with each viewing.
What seemed like quite an ordinary case at first turned out to be increasingly not so ordinary, in a good way. The best of ways even. The twists and revelations keep on coming, each more unsettling than the other, until we get to a major plot twist concerning the truth of the responsible (both who and why) that is a strong contender for the most shocking of the season. It didn't even cross my mind that it was them on first viewing and the shock value of the truth hasn't worn off. Which is what is so striking actually about "Damaged" and what makes it such a memorable episode.
As said, the perpetrator is both chilling and fascinating. One could argue that, like Huang does, they are a tortured soul. Or if they are just amoral. Considering their actions, why the crime was committed and what lengths they went through, a large part of me would lean towards the latter, did think at first when they became suspected that it was the former but that changed towards the end.
Production values are as professional as usual and visually like the original 'Law and Order' and 'Criminal Intent' this aspect has come on quite a bit since the show's inception (and they were good to begin with). The music is haunting while not intrusive or overused. The writing is tight and thoughtful, with one especially unforgettable line. The "I'm already dead" line is one of those lines that chills one to the bone. The story as said is riveting and never gets obvious or confused, and we have a lot thrown at us throughout the course of the episode.
Can't fault the performances, all the regulars are strong and perfectly convey how much the case disturbs them. Ari Gaynor is terrific too especially later on.
In summary, wonderful and one of the season's best. 10/10