While investigating a case involving a baby infected with the AIDS virus, the unit uncovers a connection to a doctor who claims that AIDS does not exist and is part of a government conspirac... Read allWhile investigating a case involving a baby infected with the AIDS virus, the unit uncovers a connection to a doctor who claims that AIDS does not exist and is part of a government conspiracy.While investigating a case involving a baby infected with the AIDS virus, the unit uncovers a connection to a doctor who claims that AIDS does not exist and is part of a government conspiracy.
Photos
- Special Agent Dr. George Huang, M.D.
- (as B.D. Wong)
- (credit only)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAmoxicillin is part of the Penicillin family of antibiotics, but contrary to common belief, they are not the same drug. Even though they are different drugs, if you are allergic to Penicillin then you should avoid all drugs in the Penicillin family as your risk of having an adverse reaction would be high.
- GoofsWhen Susan has a seizure during her witness testimony in court, M.E. Warner immediately braces her, practically lying down. This is improper procedure and any person with medical knowledge would know better: the seizing person should immediately be turned on their side to prevent asphyxiation from fluids, tongue, or accidental bite through. This was not done.
- Quotes
Dr. Raye Massey: Baby has severe oral candidiasis and a temp of 105. I'd say based on her size, she's about five months.
Detective Elliot Stabler: You lost me at candidiasis.
Dr. Raye Massey: It's a fungal infection commonly known as thrush.
Detective Olivia Benson: That's not an STD, Dr. Massey.
Dr. Raye Massey: Yeah, well, she wasn't sexually abused.
Detective Elliot Stabler: So why did you call us? ACS handles abandoned kids.
Dr. Raye Massey: What's happened to her is a crime. Kids only get this sick when they don't get treated.
Detective Olivia Benson: Treated for what?
Dr. Raye Massey: HIV.
Detective Elliot Stabler: She has AIDS.
Dr. Raye Massey: Advanced and her parents didn't do a damn thing about it. If that's not a crime, what is?
"Retro" could have done a lot better with it however. The actual denial element of the story is done well and the episode is made better by its guest performances. Guest performances that were even better than the regulars and were deserving of a better episode. "Retro" against all that also has one of the worst scenes of the season and of the show up to this point, the case could have been better. Greylek also in in one of her worst appearances and it is one of the episodes that shows why she is one of my least favourite characters of the entire franchise. Am not joking sadly when saying that.
Is "Retro" all bad? No. The production values are slick, gritty and professional. The music is haunting while not spelling out the emotions too much. The direction has moments where it is at ease with the material and in control of it.
Most of the regulars are very good, in fact all the SVU squad are finely characterised. As said though, some of the supporting/guest cast make a stronger impression, while Viola Davis and Donna Murphy are excellent, as is Paula Malcolmson when she is not made to go overwrought, it's the genuinely frightening Martin Mull that makes the biggest impression and dominates. The AIDS denial portrayal is effectively scary and even more so is the delusion that comes with it.
However, a lot lets "Retro" down. Mostly the story is very dull and thin on the ground, some of it is uneventful-feeling and there is a general lack of tension and surprises. The writers try to hide this with throwing in an overload of forced melodrama. The cringe-worthy examination scene (one of the worst in 'Special Victims Unit', and the franchise's history) being a prime example. There is also too much emphasis on shoe-horned and too convient using of technology and science to solve the case and make a solid argument, technology and science that has not aged well but oddly interesting.
Furthermore, the script is dumbed down, heavy handed and overwrought, especially Greylek's when in the courtroom. There is some truly sloppy and unprofessional police work, including yet another confidentiality breach from Olivia. Greylek was always one of my least favourite 'Special Victims Unit' regular cast characters in her thankfully short time on the show, this is one of her worst appearances. Her pomposity and aloofness are taken to wild extremes and we can now add bullying and unprofessionalism to the list. Micaela McManus was always stiff and robotic in the role and she is here while also over-acting in the cross examination scene. Other than Davis, Murphy and Mull, the support doesn't stand out that much.
Overall, didn't do much for me. 5/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Oct 28, 2021
Details
- Runtime1 hour
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD