Persona
- Episode aired Nov 25, 2008
- TV-14
- 42m
While trying to stop a case of domestic abuse, Benson crosses paths with a woman who has been a fugitive for over 30 years and claims that she was also a domestic abuse victim.While trying to stop a case of domestic abuse, Benson crosses paths with a woman who has been a fugitive for over 30 years and claims that she was also a domestic abuse victim.While trying to stop a case of domestic abuse, Benson crosses paths with a woman who has been a fugitive for over 30 years and claims that she was also a domestic abuse victim.
Photos
- Sergeant John Munch
- (credit only)
- Detective Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola
- (credit only)
- Special Agent Dr. George Huang, M.D.
- (as B.D. Wong)
- (credit only)
- ME Dr. Melinda Warner
- (credit only)
- Mia Latimer
- (as Clea Duvall)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaA person is guilty of Escape in the first degree when they either: escape from a detention center after being charged with or convicted of a felony OR escape from custody after being charged with or convicted of a class B or class A felony. It is a class D felony and carries a minimum sentence of two years in prison and a maximum sentence of seven years.
- GoofsJudge Elizabeth Donnelly could not have taken a leave of absence to step down to go back being a D.A. Prosecutor against Linnie Malcolm because she would have lost her seat on the bench.
- Quotes
Linnie Malcolm: [to Donnelly in court] I ran so I could get an abortion. I couldn't get an abortion in prison and I couldn't have that baby. I didn't care if I spent the rest of my life in jail, but the thought of his child growing inside me. That's why I came to see you. To say I'd plead guilty, if I could just end the pregnancy first, but you were so strong, so self-confident. I was ashamed of my weakness. I couldn't tell you. How could a woman like you ever understand a woman like me?
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards (2009)
Then a gem such as "Persona" came along and faith was restored, and there were a few other great episodes later on in the season ("Hothouse", "Ballerina", "Transitions") amidst the sea of disappointment. "Persona" to me is the first outstanding episode of Season 10, and one of the season's best quite easily. Namely because of it focusing on the case, on the victims, the perpetrator, not the melodramatic personal life stuff and the sloppy police work that kept creeping in around late-Season 7 onwards.
"Persona" is very solid visually. The production values are still fully professional, the slickness and subtly gritty style still remaining. The music is sparingly used and is haunting and thankfully non-overwrought. The direction shows some nice tension in especially when the case becomes deeper and more complex. The script is tight and thought provoking, with no rambling or overdone melodrama.
Donnelly shines here, loved how determined and sympathetic she was and it is a far cry from the way she treated Novak in the Season 9 finale "Cold". All the regulars are excellent, but the acting honours go to a deeply moving Brenda Blethyn. The chemistry between the whole cast is full of tension and emotion.
Furthermore, the storytelling is very powerful and quite complex without being convoluted or overwritten. Especially when the shocking truth comes out, one that one doesn't even consider until that moment. The topic is a tough one and the episode handles it uncompromisingly but sensitively, it's not the preachy episode that it could have been easily. As said, it was so refreshing to have a case at long last that focused on the case, the victims and delving into the minds of the character it centres around. A relief after so much melodrama, contrived intended to be tense scenes, procedural sloppiness, too many conveniences, too much conclusion jumping and judgemental attitudes in a few of the previous episodes ("Confession" being one of the bigger offenders).
On the whole, brilliant. 10/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Nov 17, 2021
Details
- Runtime42 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD