Svengali
- Episode aired Nov 6, 2007
- TV-14
- 1h
A grisly murder scene at the bottom of an elevator shaft leads SVU detectives to a group of individuals who are under the spell of a charismatic, imprisoned serial killer.A grisly murder scene at the bottom of an elevator shaft leads SVU detectives to a group of individuals who are under the spell of a charismatic, imprisoned serial killer.A grisly murder scene at the bottom of an elevator shaft leads SVU detectives to a group of individuals who are under the spell of a charismatic, imprisoned serial killer.
- Sergeant John Munch
- (credit only)
- Special Agent Dr. George Huang, M.D.
- (as B.D. Wong)
- (credit only)
- ME Dr. Melinda Warner
- (credit only)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- Trivia"Svengali" is derived from the 1894 novel "Trilby" by George L. Du Maurier; it refers to the character Svengali, a hypnotist who helps Trilby O'Ferrall, the title character, become a famous singer. As a metaphor, the word has since come to refer to one who has a hypnotic, manipulative control over another individual or a collective group of people.
- GoofsBenson has over a decade of experience as a police officer, she is trained to spot suspicious behavior and circumstances. Yet she didn't find it one bit odd or suspicious that the light bulb outside her apartment door had been intentionally unscrewed, just hours after someone tried to kill her in the precinct with a pipe bomb.
- Quotes
A.D.A. Casey Novak: [Novak approaches Morton as he leaves the courthouse in chains] Well, you were great.
Robert Morten: Did you like it? Bet you didn't know what was gonna happen next.
A.D.A. Casey Novak: You put on quite a show. You got her off - she's going to a psych ward.
Robert Morten: Is that a frown on your pretty face?
A.D.A. Casey Novak: Actually, I think Cecilia is going exactly where she belongs. And so are you.
Robert Morten: [smirking] You're backing out on the deal.
A.D.A. Casey Novak: No, you're being transferred to a federal prison.
Robert Morten: [looking surprised] I thought you'd be a sore loser.
A.D.A. Casey Novak: [smiling smugly] You're gonna love Florence SuperMax: 23-hour lockdown, no visitors, no mail, no phone calls... no human contact for the rest of your life.
Robert Morten: You can't do that to me!
A.D.A. Casey Novak: Why don't you wave bye to all of your fans?
Robert Morten: We made a deal!
A.D.A. Casey Novak: And it's a masterpiece. How do you like *my* work?
- ConnectionsFeatures Double Indemnity (1944)
On subsequent re-watches, "Svengali" lost none of what made it the memorable episode that it is. Of a very hit and miss Season 9, it is easily for me one of the best episodes (one of not many great and more ones) and one of the creepiest. One mustn't forget the immensely satisfying ending. It's not perfect, few of Season 9's episodes were but a few came close, but other than one major problem it is truly great and a fine example of what 'Special Victims Unit' is all about.
Am going to get what doesn't work out of the way first. The only major issue is Lake, too much of a know it all and uncharismatic and seemed indifferent to danger. Adam Beach's performance feels phoned in.
Nothing else feels phoned in however. The production values are still slick and suitably gritty (without being too heavy in it). The music is not too melodramatic and is not used too much, even not being too manipulative in revelations. The direction lets the drama breathe while making sure that the tension and emotion never slipped.
Writing is taut and intelligently crafted. The story is very diverting and has a real unsettling creepiness, like the discovery of the perpetrator's deadly symbol on the floor. The modus operandi makes the skin crawl. Also was not expecting the truth to be the way it turned out and there is some great suspense, especially in the middle.
Love the very amusing pizza bomb scene and even more so one of the show's most satisfying and clap-worthy endings in a while. The regular performances are terrific, apart from Beach, and Harris makes for one frightening individual in a sinister and inexplicably underrated performance. One really roots for him not getting his wish.
Overall, just great. 9/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Sep 2, 2021
Details
- Runtime1 hour
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1
- 16:9 HD