Top notch performances in this episode. I was starting to like the chemistry between Benson and Agent Porter. She had zero chemistry with Cassidy or Tucker in later seasons. Darius could be easy to hate but after hearing his mother on the stand it's easy to see why he was so messed up.
8 Reviews
One of the best episodes in the series long run
garrard19 February 2013
The aptly titled "Screwed" reveals kinks in the SVU armor as a trial exposes some of the division's "bending" of the law. This installment demonstrates that sometimes police departments turn the other cheek when it comes to matters concerning other officers and, on occasion, their family members.
The storyline also reveals a showing revelation about Finn's nephew, well-played by rapper/actor Ludicrous. LisaGaye Hamilton is equally as good in the role of Finn's ex-wife and the nephew's mother.
"SVU" is known for its stellar roster of guest stars and this one scores in that arena. In addition to Ludicrous and Hamilton, the episode features Steven Weber ("Wings) and in recurring roles, Judith Light as Judge Donnelly, Ernest Waddell as Fin's son, and John Schuck returns as the chief of detectives. Star Jones and Nancy Grace appear, of course, as themselves.
As usual, all of the regular cast members excel as they usually do and with such a crowded entry, each of them has his/her moment or two.
Why this installment didn't get an Emmy or two is one of TV's injustices.
The storyline also reveals a showing revelation about Finn's nephew, well-played by rapper/actor Ludicrous. LisaGaye Hamilton is equally as good in the role of Finn's ex-wife and the nephew's mother.
"SVU" is known for its stellar roster of guest stars and this one scores in that arena. In addition to Ludicrous and Hamilton, the episode features Steven Weber ("Wings) and in recurring roles, Judith Light as Judge Donnelly, Ernest Waddell as Fin's son, and John Schuck returns as the chief of detectives. Star Jones and Nancy Grace appear, of course, as themselves.
As usual, all of the regular cast members excel as they usually do and with such a crowded entry, each of them has his/her moment or two.
Why this installment didn't get an Emmy or two is one of TV's injustices.
Best episode of SVU
shaun_sat28 February 2021
A day in court
TheLittleSongbird29 July 2021
Season 8 was an inconsistent season, but also not a bad one at all considering the circumstances where Mariska Hargitay's pregnancy has to be accommodated around in the first half of it. While some episodes disappointed, such as "Outsider", "Sin" and "Annhilated", there were also outstanding episodes. With the best being "Infiltrated", "Scheherazade" and "Burned". Expectations were high for "Screwed", considering it was the finale and saw the return of Ludacris, who was unforgettable in "Venom".
Luckily, "Screwed" lived up to those high expectations. It to me has always been a great episode and one of Season 8's best if not quite a 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' high point. It is also one of the better faring season finales of the show (which did vary in its season finales in my view) and infinitely better than the very disappointing one from the very up and down previous season, at least "Screwed" actually felt like a final episode and that is obvious even from reading the basic synopsis.
Will get the only negative out of the way. Star Jones and Nancy Grace are very annoying and add absolutely nothing to the story other than to try to give the story a sensationalist edge that was not needed.
However, what immediately stands out in the best of ways is the performance of Ludacris. He was unforgettable in "Venom" and is even better here, many consider him one of the show's best guest stars and cannot disagree. He is especially chilling when full of rage and letting it out, with a prime example being the cross examination of Teresa. All the performances are top notch and the character interaction scintillating in the courtroom, but this is Ludacris' episode.
The story is very engrossing and jam-packed, without being over-stuffed. As well as being loaded with tension, with it being so courtoom heavy it would have been easy for it to be too rambling and deliberate but it was neither. It had tension, emotional impact and it was chilling how each SVU character is scruntinised, and boy do they big time. Teresa's cross examination really hits hard and the ending is one that leaves one saddened and angered.
Furthermore, the script is thoughtful and suspenseful with enough meat to it without being too fatty. The production values are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is accomodating yet also alert.
In conclusion, great season finale. 9/10.
Luckily, "Screwed" lived up to those high expectations. It to me has always been a great episode and one of Season 8's best if not quite a 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' high point. It is also one of the better faring season finales of the show (which did vary in its season finales in my view) and infinitely better than the very disappointing one from the very up and down previous season, at least "Screwed" actually felt like a final episode and that is obvious even from reading the basic synopsis.
Will get the only negative out of the way. Star Jones and Nancy Grace are very annoying and add absolutely nothing to the story other than to try to give the story a sensationalist edge that was not needed.
However, what immediately stands out in the best of ways is the performance of Ludacris. He was unforgettable in "Venom" and is even better here, many consider him one of the show's best guest stars and cannot disagree. He is especially chilling when full of rage and letting it out, with a prime example being the cross examination of Teresa. All the performances are top notch and the character interaction scintillating in the courtroom, but this is Ludacris' episode.
The story is very engrossing and jam-packed, without being over-stuffed. As well as being loaded with tension, with it being so courtoom heavy it would have been easy for it to be too rambling and deliberate but it was neither. It had tension, emotional impact and it was chilling how each SVU character is scruntinised, and boy do they big time. Teresa's cross examination really hits hard and the ending is one that leaves one saddened and angered.
Furthermore, the script is thoughtful and suspenseful with enough meat to it without being too fatty. The production values are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is accomodating yet also alert.
In conclusion, great season finale. 9/10.
One of SVU's all-time best episodes
whoneedsascreenname3 November 2021
Judith Light, Allison Siko, Isabel Gillies, Michael Weston -- you know it's gonna be a packed episode when these recurring names pop in for a little Benson/Stabler family drama.
This exceptional season finale focuses on a murder relating to Fin, his son (Ernest Waddell), his cousin (Ludacris) and Fin's ex LisaGay Hamilton (who is brilliant) and how the NYPD may or may not play by the rules when their own family members bump up against the law.
But there is . . . So ! Much ! Else ! Going on ! At least four other plots, all expertly woven together.
Tamara Tunie, Belzer, Florek, Vincent Spano also all have terrific moments in "Screwed.".
But it's the stars who bring it home. Meloni as always, seems to go to another level when he's dealing with his kids, notably Allison Siko as Kathleen who in this ep must face a past indiscretion.
Meloni's father-daughter scenes are perfect -- topped only by a jarring exchange with his wife Kathy (Gillies), the consequences of which are so far-reaching there are repercussions right up to present-day storylines on Law & Order Organized Crime.
Meanwhile Hargitay is off the chain, conveying a lifetime of grief and disappointment to Meloni with a mere sentence. The rest is all in her eyes.
Their scene outside the courtroom also changes everything (again right up to present-day) and ought to have produced Emmy wins for both. Stunning how much terrific acting in this series has gone unrecognized. And Hargitay just happens to look particularly gorgeous in this episode.
Finally, when will any of the Law & Order shows return Judith Light to the bench? This balls-out character is missed.
This exceptional season finale focuses on a murder relating to Fin, his son (Ernest Waddell), his cousin (Ludacris) and Fin's ex LisaGay Hamilton (who is brilliant) and how the NYPD may or may not play by the rules when their own family members bump up against the law.
But there is . . . So ! Much ! Else ! Going on ! At least four other plots, all expertly woven together.
Tamara Tunie, Belzer, Florek, Vincent Spano also all have terrific moments in "Screwed.".
But it's the stars who bring it home. Meloni as always, seems to go to another level when he's dealing with his kids, notably Allison Siko as Kathleen who in this ep must face a past indiscretion.
Meloni's father-daughter scenes are perfect -- topped only by a jarring exchange with his wife Kathy (Gillies), the consequences of which are so far-reaching there are repercussions right up to present-day storylines on Law & Order Organized Crime.
Meanwhile Hargitay is off the chain, conveying a lifetime of grief and disappointment to Meloni with a mere sentence. The rest is all in her eyes.
Their scene outside the courtroom also changes everything (again right up to present-day) and ought to have produced Emmy wins for both. Stunning how much terrific acting in this series has gone unrecognized. And Hargitay just happens to look particularly gorgeous in this episode.
Finally, when will any of the Law & Order shows return Judith Light to the bench? This balls-out character is missed.
These are their stories, a season finale that befits the phrase
yazguloner9 June 2021
Families, criminals. It is a good article about the experiences of a unit whose mission is not as simple as a policeman. Because, svu is a production far beyond a detective, criminal series. Svu is a series of responsibility in the search for democracy, law and justice for all, like a public service advertisement.
Seasons 7 and 8 are like a mature version of the old times of the svu.
Soundtrack selection was so good.
Seasons 7 and 8 are like a mature version of the old times of the svu.
Soundtrack selection was so good.
All the dirty linen
bkoganbing23 July 2013
In a previous episode rapper Ludicrous is arrested for the murder of a young mother and child. A cold case is cleared due to the SVU squad and the testimony of Ernest Waddell, Ice T's son and Ludicrous's cousin.
The trial proves to be another matter as all the dirty linen that the SVU squad has been accumulating all comes out at trial. Ludicrous's defense attorney Steven Weber is getting fed a lot of information from somewhere. It all comes out in the open about Christopher Meloni's daughter, Mariska Hargitay's brother, and some indiscretions back when Ice-T was a narcotics cop.
This is one of the better SVU episodes out there. In addition to those mentioned special kudos also go out to Lisa Gay Hamilton as Ice-T's ex-wife. Her scene on the witness stand is something special.
The trial proves to be another matter as all the dirty linen that the SVU squad has been accumulating all comes out at trial. Ludicrous's defense attorney Steven Weber is getting fed a lot of information from somewhere. It all comes out in the open about Christopher Meloni's daughter, Mariska Hargitay's brother, and some indiscretions back when Ice-T was a narcotics cop.
This is one of the better SVU episodes out there. In addition to those mentioned special kudos also go out to Lisa Gay Hamilton as Ice-T's ex-wife. Her scene on the witness stand is something special.
The Ugly Truth
refinedsugar13 February 2024
'Screwed' is unique for an episode of the Law & Order universe in that the seeds for it were planted awhile ago - season 7 episode 18 to be exact - which is a rarity. Of course that makes the "first part" required viewing. The resolution here is solid with real emotional weight and another odd episode that gives Fin Tutuola (Ice-T) an opportunity to take center stage. Only the celebrity second appearance of Ludacris overshadows some of these elements.
In 'Venom' we learned that Fin's gay son Ken (Ernest Waddell) was covering for his best friend slash cousin Darius (Ludacris) in the death a young woman and her baby. Ken's motivations were explored, Darius's psychology was dug at to explain why he'd do such a gruesome act and it was rock solid he was indeed the guilty party. Now a year later ADA Novak (Diane Neal) must find Darius guilty in a court of law which becomes an uphill battle when the defense lawyer (Steven Weber) gets strong evidence ruled inadmissible and Darius makes it a key point to go after the detectives on the stand with knowledge of their past mistakes undermining their credibility.
Fin's ex-wife Teresa (LisaGay Hamilton) gets to drop a bombshell and there's a lot of reoccurring and/or recognizable faces in the supporting cast - Judith Light, Vincent Spano, Peter Gerety, Jack McGee - in addition to the names above I already mentioned. Stabler's wife Kathy (Isabel Gillies) gets a nice little moment with Elliot (Meloni) and even his daughter Kathleen (Allison Siko) and a past incident gets a proper resolution. Same with Olivia (Hargitay) and her half brother Simon (Michael Weston). At the end the whole Tutuola family in regards to Darius gets properly tied off too even if you're dismayed by how it ends or feel the evidence said enough.
This is a solid L&W SVU tale no doubt about it allowing everyone moments to shine in the final chapter to a story that has weight. My only misgiving is allowing Darius (Luda) to question witnesses and at least sorta act as his own counsel it comes awfully close to feeling manufactured in a Hollywood way. Losing just a step of believability by doing so in an otherwise above average episode in SVU's long winding run.
In 'Venom' we learned that Fin's gay son Ken (Ernest Waddell) was covering for his best friend slash cousin Darius (Ludacris) in the death a young woman and her baby. Ken's motivations were explored, Darius's psychology was dug at to explain why he'd do such a gruesome act and it was rock solid he was indeed the guilty party. Now a year later ADA Novak (Diane Neal) must find Darius guilty in a court of law which becomes an uphill battle when the defense lawyer (Steven Weber) gets strong evidence ruled inadmissible and Darius makes it a key point to go after the detectives on the stand with knowledge of their past mistakes undermining their credibility.
Fin's ex-wife Teresa (LisaGay Hamilton) gets to drop a bombshell and there's a lot of reoccurring and/or recognizable faces in the supporting cast - Judith Light, Vincent Spano, Peter Gerety, Jack McGee - in addition to the names above I already mentioned. Stabler's wife Kathy (Isabel Gillies) gets a nice little moment with Elliot (Meloni) and even his daughter Kathleen (Allison Siko) and a past incident gets a proper resolution. Same with Olivia (Hargitay) and her half brother Simon (Michael Weston). At the end the whole Tutuola family in regards to Darius gets properly tied off too even if you're dismayed by how it ends or feel the evidence said enough.
This is a solid L&W SVU tale no doubt about it allowing everyone moments to shine in the final chapter to a story that has weight. My only misgiving is allowing Darius (Luda) to question witnesses and at least sorta act as his own counsel it comes awfully close to feeling manufactured in a Hollywood way. Losing just a step of believability by doing so in an otherwise above average episode in SVU's long winding run.
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