Competence
- Episode aired May 10, 2002
- TV-14
- 42m
IMDb RATING
8.6/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
The detectives investigate to determine whether a 22-year-old woman with Down syndrome is pregnant as a result of rape, as her mother contends.The detectives investigate to determine whether a 22-year-old woman with Down syndrome is pregnant as a result of rape, as her mother contends.The detectives investigate to determine whether a 22-year-old woman with Down syndrome is pregnant as a result of rape, as her mother contends.
Photos
Andrea F. Friedman
- Katie Tolliver
- (as Andrea Fay Friedman)
James Badge Dale
- Danny Jordan
- (as Badge Dale)
BD Wong
- Special Agent Dr. George Huang, M.D.
- (as B.D. Wong)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaKatie's actress Andrea F. Friedman lives with Down Syndrome in real life, whereas Danny's actor James Badge Dale is not disabled.
- GoofsAfter Eliot puts the handcuffs on the bus driver and leads him over to the car, you can see that the bus driver isn't wearing the cuffs, he's just holding them in his hands.
- Quotes
Katie Tolliver: I got my baby from Danny.
Dr. George Huang: How?
Katie Tolliver: Kissing, stupid.
[to Cabot]
Katie Tolliver: Your friend doesn't know anything.
- ConnectionsReferences The Honeymooners (1955)
Featured review
Much more than competent as an episode
On my very first watch of "Competence", it struck me as a very powerful episode with a very likeable and identifiable victim, a detestable perpetrator and a wide range of emotions (all the makings of a classic 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' episode. Will admit that hearing the now thankfully out-dated and not particularly sympathetic term for people that have difficulties mentally being used did make me wince and to be honest it does still on re-watches, disabled people do have struggles but they are not stupid like that term to me implies.
That doesn't stop me however from still considering "Competence" a great penultimate episode to a highly impressive season (that was as good as the previous two). Its emotional power still remains and the things that struck me as particularly memorable on first watch hold up very well with each re-watch. It's not quite one of the very best 'Special Victims Unit' episodes or one of the best of the season but, being disabled myself and knowing people with Down's Syndrome, it's one of the most relatable.
"Competence" is slickly shot and very atmospherically lit, some images staying with one for a long while and not seeming heavy-handed at all. The music doesn't intrude and doesn't go over the top in orchestration or try too hard enhancing the mood (which it wouldn't have needed to do, the dialogue and storytelling speak for themselves). The direction has momentum but lets the story breathe and gives time for the major revelations to sink in.
It's an extremely well written episode too, taut and sensitive with the portrayal of Down's Syndrome and the difficulties it poses being handled with tact. The story, like the best of 'Special Victims Unit' made me feel a mix of sad and angry, complete with a satisfying ending. It has a lot of tension and emotional punch. It does a great job with the moral dilemmas of the case, another strength of prime-'Special Victims Unit', and the conflicts the characters have to face in getting a result while not making one feel angry towards them. Cabot having the biggest of all and that was handled intelligently, seeing her as a lot more than the cold fish that she can be perceived as in the courtroom.
Katie is such a likeable and easy to relate to character, for me one of the most identifiable and close to home victims of the season. She has vulnerability with her situation but also an inspirational strength. Also felt for Rebecca. The perpetrator gives one the creeps and one roots for a strong punishment for them. The team interaction between SVU is never less than convincing, Stabler and Olivia work so well together and always did. Nobody is out of character or shows as much unprofessionalism like they did in some previous episodes and quite a number since.
All the acting is great, Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay are in full command of their material. Lois Smith is very moving, especially when in the courtroom. The performance of the episode belongs to Andrea F. Friedman, a courageous turn and one that really struck an emotional chord with me.
Great episode all in all although that aforementioned term didn't sit well with me. 9/10
That doesn't stop me however from still considering "Competence" a great penultimate episode to a highly impressive season (that was as good as the previous two). Its emotional power still remains and the things that struck me as particularly memorable on first watch hold up very well with each re-watch. It's not quite one of the very best 'Special Victims Unit' episodes or one of the best of the season but, being disabled myself and knowing people with Down's Syndrome, it's one of the most relatable.
"Competence" is slickly shot and very atmospherically lit, some images staying with one for a long while and not seeming heavy-handed at all. The music doesn't intrude and doesn't go over the top in orchestration or try too hard enhancing the mood (which it wouldn't have needed to do, the dialogue and storytelling speak for themselves). The direction has momentum but lets the story breathe and gives time for the major revelations to sink in.
It's an extremely well written episode too, taut and sensitive with the portrayal of Down's Syndrome and the difficulties it poses being handled with tact. The story, like the best of 'Special Victims Unit' made me feel a mix of sad and angry, complete with a satisfying ending. It has a lot of tension and emotional punch. It does a great job with the moral dilemmas of the case, another strength of prime-'Special Victims Unit', and the conflicts the characters have to face in getting a result while not making one feel angry towards them. Cabot having the biggest of all and that was handled intelligently, seeing her as a lot more than the cold fish that she can be perceived as in the courtroom.
Katie is such a likeable and easy to relate to character, for me one of the most identifiable and close to home victims of the season. She has vulnerability with her situation but also an inspirational strength. Also felt for Rebecca. The perpetrator gives one the creeps and one roots for a strong punishment for them. The team interaction between SVU is never less than convincing, Stabler and Olivia work so well together and always did. Nobody is out of character or shows as much unprofessionalism like they did in some previous episodes and quite a number since.
All the acting is great, Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay are in full command of their material. Lois Smith is very moving, especially when in the courtroom. The performance of the episode belongs to Andrea F. Friedman, a courageous turn and one that really struck an emotional chord with me.
Great episode all in all although that aforementioned term didn't sit well with me. 9/10
helpful•133
- TheLittleSongbird
- Aug 26, 2020
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