9:06 - "Abel & Willing" 2010-05-04

[Techguy]

Bizarre. Disturbing. Twisted.

This episode is "Sophie's Choice" crossed with the "Saw" movies.

Moments of note:
--Nichols gives everyone a lesson in the significance of computer symbols to explain the killer's MO.
--He then is on the road (literally and figuratively) to solving the case via the German word for Hazard, the one on the signs on the icy roads driving through the Alps. Nichols is obviously worldy and well-traveled.
--Demented and cruel though he be, the killer is also a true scientist, documenting and recording the repeatability of his sick demonic experiments and their results.

Question: How would anyone act under the stress of the life-or-death choices the killer forced on his subjects?

[Jefferaldo]

May 4, 2010 22:00:42 GMT -5 Techguy said:

Question: How would anyone act under the stress of the life-or-death choices the killer forced on his subjects?

This episode really was quite disturbing and to answer that, I would have no idea. Many would make the choice that Abel's victims made, but its not what they wanted to have chosen.

I'm still processing but a few lighter notes -

This episode is the third in a row I have enjoyed of CI, going back to the roots of the show. Again, it wasn't light and fluffy, but rather very dark and deeply disturbing.

It seems like USA aired this out of order (which I guess doesn't matter all that much without a personal storyline to follow) as this episode was the fourth produced. Also Nichols and Stevens are still discussing trust.

[crimefighter]

Bizarre. Disturbing. Twisted. This from the network that found the ORIGINAL show too dark and intense. WEIRD!!!!!!

[wicksandlather]

Bizarre. Disturbing. Twisted.
That sums it up.

[DonnaJo]

Yes, it was disturbing. But as Jefferaldo noted, it was also a return to the roots of the series. I can think of a number of quite disturbing episodes that are vintage LOCI.

Back to Nichol's displaying Goren-like knowledge - the self-winding watch, subtle differences in wine/liquor. I suppose it can't be helped, but it still bugs me a bit. At least the mad scientist didn't hit on Serena. But lo & behold - Nichols has an older brother! Oh, Brother - must they go there? Will he be a loser too, like Frank Goren?

BTW, the actor playing the scientist has been in several SVU episodes? I've seen him while channel surfing on USA. He was excellent in the role.

Themes of trust, intertwined and very nicely done. Trust between partners/ the Captain & her staff/ between spouses forced into a horrific decision. I was moved by the last couple videotaped, the only selfless couple being the elderly one. I like how they kept on her face - the love so obvious in her eyes, the trust in her husbands face.

[crimefighter]

A couple are in a bar and meet another couple who want them to join them for some fun back in their room. the couple that were hit on, are found dead, one in the room, one in his car in the Hotel's garage, it turns out that the swingers are serial killers who force couples to decide, Kill Your Wife Or Die. Sound at all familiar, it was an episode on C.S.I. Looks like not all crimes on Law& Order are based on true crimes, they might be borrowing from other shows? Not saying it is an exact replica, but darn close, or no?

[annabelleleigh]

FYI, this episode is from the inventive mind of veteran writer Michael Angeli who's perhaps best known for his recent stint with "Battlestar Galactica" but who (at a relatively young age) has accumulated a vast array of impressive TV credits.

LA-based Angeli, now CI co-EP, has written another two episodes for this season (including one with CI showrunner Walon Green called "The Disciple"). Strong, dark, compelling narratives mark his work so be prepared for more like "Abel & Willing."

Third Angeli ep will be called "The Stake."

AL

[Jefferaldo]

Thank you so much AL! That is where I recognised the name from. I have been racking my brain over the name Michael Angeli and where I knew it from. Battlestar Galactica! And looking up his credits he wrote one of my favourite episodes too, "Six of One".

[Patcat]

This was a disturbing story that didn't, at least for me, cross into the world of exploitation. The psychiatrist was portrayed so chillingly. So rational, so controlled, so completely insane.

Great. Just when I was coming to terms the show won't be renewed, it gets better and I start caring about it again. Sigh.

Patcat

[DonnaJo]

Patcat, I think this was probably the best Nichols episode of the season, largely in part to Dallas Roberts performance as Dr. Abel Hazard. A lesser actor would have gone too over the top as the mad scientist. Robert's presented the character's insanity as beautifully subtle.

Sadly, the recent episodes are not half as good. If renewal is going to be based on the second half of the season, then I think the show may be a goner.