A model is murdered and the evidence points to her driver. He claims he acted under extreme emotional disturbance because he was infatuated with her. However, McCoy later uncovers a connecti... Read allA model is murdered and the evidence points to her driver. He claims he acted under extreme emotional disturbance because he was infatuated with her. However, McCoy later uncovers a connection between the driver and a drug dealer.A model is murdered and the evidence points to her driver. He claims he acted under extreme emotional disturbance because he was infatuated with her. However, McCoy later uncovers a connection between the driver and a drug dealer.
Photos
- Johnny Stivers
- (as Michael Imperiola)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis episode appears to be based on the 1995 Linda Sobek case. Sobek was an actress and model whose career was finally taking off when she vanished. She had an upcoming role on the FOX sitcom Married... with Children (1987), but she failed to make her costume fitting. That morning, she informed her mother she was running late for a photo shoot and then departed to never come back again. A road crew worker near the Angeles National Forest was emptying trash cans in the park area when he discovered photographs of her, her date book, and a lien on a Lexus 450 SUV in her name, as she had recently been approved for a car loan and acquired said vehicle. Concerned foul play was afoot, the workman notified local police and furnished the recovered items to them. Police investigation eventually lead to photographer Charles Rathbun, who initially told police that Linda's murder was an accident, for he had accidentally struck and killed her, but this was contrary to what police already knew from her case. Her remains were found partially buried in the Angeles National Forest in California. Rathburn was convicted of her murder and sentenced to life in prison.
- GoofsGuest star Michael Imperioli's last name is misspelled in the opening credits (as "Imperiola").
- Quotes
D.A. Adam Schiff: If you'll pardon my ignorance, isn't your theory getting to be like theirs? They say he was an outraged boyfriend, you say he was an outraged would-be boyfriend.
Executive A.D.A. Jack McCoy: There's a world of difference between a jealous lover and some horny bastard who's mad he can't get to first base.
D.A. Adam Schiff: Eloquent. Can't wait for your closing argument.
"Atonement" is not Season 6 at its best. It is also not it at its worst. It is one of those episodes of 'Law and Order' that is somewhere in the middle if anything. It is a mostly good effort with lots of great things, but at the same time there was room for "Atonement" to have been better than it was and it is a bit on the ordinary side. The concept didn't sound very exciting and while there are many 'Law and Order' episodes that do things special with basic concepts "Atonement" isn't quite one of them.
Will start with what "Atonement" does well in, and those good things outweigh the bad. The photography and such as usual are fully professional, the slickness still remaining. The music is used sparingly and is haunting and non-overwrought when it is used, and it's mainly used when a crucial revelation or plot development is revealed. The direction has some nice tension while keeping things steady, without going too far the other way. The acting is without complaint as well, with the best performance coming from Michael Imperioli. Appropriate seeing as his character is the one that "Atonement" mostly centres around.
It is a very nicely scripted episode as well, and much of the story compels. With a victim that becomes a lot more interesting than she seemed at first, when we see her in a different light later. The character interaction between the characters, especially Briscoe and Curtis and McCoy and Kincaid is beautifully done.
However, "Atonement" is another episode to have a somewhat rushed and over-crowded ending, from trying to cram in too much with not near enough time to explore it. The truth compels but is again needed more time for the viewer to digest it, it's far from simple.
Despite the story compelling, there is also nothing earth-shattering or unique about it and it could have done with more tension.
Concluding, good but not great. 7/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Mar 3, 2021
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