Two young middle school boys are accused of the rape of a woman.Two young middle school boys are accused of the rape of a woman.Two young middle school boys are accused of the rape of a woman.
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- Special Agent Dr. George Huang, M.D.
- (as B.D. Wong)
- Jeremy Brice
- (as Shane E. Lyons)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaNormally a murder committed during the commission of rape in the first degree would elevate the homicide charge to murder in the first degree. However, minors under a certain age cannot be charged with a capital crime, which is why the charge of murder in the second degree is applied.
- GoofsWhen the detectives enter the victim's grow room to discover her "marijuana crop", the plants are NOT cannabis plants at all.
- Quotes
Alexandra Cabot: Zachary, when did you throw up?
Zachary Connor: That was Jeremy.
Alexandra Cabot: I thought you were afraid, Zachary. I thought you threw up because you couldn't look at the blood.
Zachary Connor: I could, too. Jeremy couldn't. He was being a baby and crying.
Alexandra Cabot: When? Before or after she was killed?
Zachary Connor: The whole time.
Alexandra Cabot: And you weren't crying? Not even just a little?
Zachary Connor: No.
Alexandra Cabot: But I thought you were afraid, Zachary. I thought you were afraid of Jeremy.
Zachary Connor: No, I wasn't.
Alexandra Cabot: And you were also afraid of that woman because she was going to call the police.
Zachary Connor: She was afraid of me.
Alexandra Cabot: And you wanted to show them both that you were a man and that's why you had sex with her.
Zachary Connor: Well, that was her fault because she wouldn't tell me where the money was. Jeremy was crying! He wouldn't do anything, so I had to do it! If she had just told me where the money was, I wouldn't have had to hurt her!
On multiple re-watches, done not just because of the emotional impact, Donnelly and the performance of Shane E Lyons but also to make more sense of the verdict, "Juvenile" still has that effect. It is not quite an outstanding overall episode, it nearly was though as most of the episode actually was a couple of shortcomings aside up to a certain point. A certain point that has always underwhelmed me. Overall, "Juvenile" is very good.
"Juvenile" has always struck me as an emotional episode, the legal-oriented portions are incredibly thought provoking and when at trial it really becomes hard-hitting. The procedural elements also intrigue and are realistic, with great chemistry between Stabler and Olivia like in little moments such as their reactions when put off by Warner's findings when eating. The first half does engage and is never too obvious, but it's the second half with its wide mix of emotions that elevates "Juvenile" to an even better level.
Absolutely loved Donnelly here and like her very much as a character, in all her appearances Judith Light played her so well. She has some great lines, especially the cat reference that makes one worried about them for a while after. The only thing that wasn't plausible about her here was how hard-nosed she was about whether the perpetrator should be tried as an adult which considering the evidence would not have been realistic. Lyons really wrenches the gut as Jeremy and it was hard to not feel for him. Stephanie March shines too, there are a number of times where she says nothing and just reacts to what another character says and does and tells so much with her face. It was clear that the case meant a lot to Cabot.
The script is intelligently and tightly crafted while it's a solidly made episode and hauntingly scored. The acting is very good, especially from Lyons and Light.
Connor Paolo less so, his performance could have had a good deal more subtlety and been less obvious. With the role being played so coldly, it makes one angrier about the outcome of the case.
Which was the Achilles heel of "Juvenile" for me. One of the few outcomes of early 'Special Victims Unit' that left me livid and questioning the competence of those involved, it didn't strike me as realistic on first watch and it still doesn't. Am aware that it does happen from time to time but still.
Bottom line, very good episode and superb for most of it until the for me infuriating ending. 8/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Sep 22, 2020
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