I've seen most SVUs over the years; watching this one again as I type. What a great show. More importantly, the "victim" in this episode was incredibly good. What guts to be a person with Down"s and playing same on TV. Actually made me cry (again). She was awesome --hope she's still OK.
6 Reviews
Powerful episode.
wkozak22119 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I watched this episode and it brought back memories when I was working with mentally handicapped people. I found that the general population underestimate people with Down's Syndrome. They can function well in society and hold down jobs in many national companies. The actress who plays the main character works in a law firm.
Much more than competent as an episode
TheLittleSongbird26 August 2020
On my very first watch of "Competence", it struck me as a very powerful episode with a very likeable and identifiable victim, a detestable perpetrator and a wide range of emotions (all the makings of a classic 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' episode. Will admit that hearing the now thankfully out-dated and not particularly sympathetic term for people that have difficulties mentally being used did make me wince and to be honest it does still on re-watches, disabled people do have struggles but they are not stupid like that term to me implies.
That doesn't stop me however from still considering "Competence" a great penultimate episode to a highly impressive season (that was as good as the previous two). Its emotional power still remains and the things that struck me as particularly memorable on first watch hold up very well with each re-watch. It's not quite one of the very best 'Special Victims Unit' episodes or one of the best of the season but, being disabled myself and knowing people with Down's Syndrome, it's one of the most relatable.
"Competence" is slickly shot and very atmospherically lit, some images staying with one for a long while and not seeming heavy-handed at all. The music doesn't intrude and doesn't go over the top in orchestration or try too hard enhancing the mood (which it wouldn't have needed to do, the dialogue and storytelling speak for themselves). The direction has momentum but lets the story breathe and gives time for the major revelations to sink in.
It's an extremely well written episode too, taut and sensitive with the portrayal of Down's Syndrome and the difficulties it poses being handled with tact. The story, like the best of 'Special Victims Unit' made me feel a mix of sad and angry, complete with a satisfying ending. It has a lot of tension and emotional punch. It does a great job with the moral dilemmas of the case, another strength of prime-'Special Victims Unit', and the conflicts the characters have to face in getting a result while not making one feel angry towards them. Cabot having the biggest of all and that was handled intelligently, seeing her as a lot more than the cold fish that she can be perceived as in the courtroom.
Katie is such a likeable and easy to relate to character, for me one of the most identifiable and close to home victims of the season. She has vulnerability with her situation but also an inspirational strength. Also felt for Rebecca. The perpetrator gives one the creeps and one roots for a strong punishment for them. The team interaction between SVU is never less than convincing, Stabler and Olivia work so well together and always did. Nobody is out of character or shows as much unprofessionalism like they did in some previous episodes and quite a number since.
All the acting is great, Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay are in full command of their material. Lois Smith is very moving, especially when in the courtroom. The performance of the episode belongs to Andrea F. Friedman, a courageous turn and one that really struck an emotional chord with me.
Great episode all in all although that aforementioned term didn't sit well with me. 9/10
That doesn't stop me however from still considering "Competence" a great penultimate episode to a highly impressive season (that was as good as the previous two). Its emotional power still remains and the things that struck me as particularly memorable on first watch hold up very well with each re-watch. It's not quite one of the very best 'Special Victims Unit' episodes or one of the best of the season but, being disabled myself and knowing people with Down's Syndrome, it's one of the most relatable.
"Competence" is slickly shot and very atmospherically lit, some images staying with one for a long while and not seeming heavy-handed at all. The music doesn't intrude and doesn't go over the top in orchestration or try too hard enhancing the mood (which it wouldn't have needed to do, the dialogue and storytelling speak for themselves). The direction has momentum but lets the story breathe and gives time for the major revelations to sink in.
It's an extremely well written episode too, taut and sensitive with the portrayal of Down's Syndrome and the difficulties it poses being handled with tact. The story, like the best of 'Special Victims Unit' made me feel a mix of sad and angry, complete with a satisfying ending. It has a lot of tension and emotional punch. It does a great job with the moral dilemmas of the case, another strength of prime-'Special Victims Unit', and the conflicts the characters have to face in getting a result while not making one feel angry towards them. Cabot having the biggest of all and that was handled intelligently, seeing her as a lot more than the cold fish that she can be perceived as in the courtroom.
Katie is such a likeable and easy to relate to character, for me one of the most identifiable and close to home victims of the season. She has vulnerability with her situation but also an inspirational strength. Also felt for Rebecca. The perpetrator gives one the creeps and one roots for a strong punishment for them. The team interaction between SVU is never less than convincing, Stabler and Olivia work so well together and always did. Nobody is out of character or shows as much unprofessionalism like they did in some previous episodes and quite a number since.
All the acting is great, Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay are in full command of their material. Lois Smith is very moving, especially when in the courtroom. The performance of the episode belongs to Andrea F. Friedman, a courageous turn and one that really struck an emotional chord with me.
Great episode all in all although that aforementioned term didn't sit well with me. 9/10
Well done.
ferdmalenfant12 January 2022
Is it weird
vcwyqsfp9 March 2022
... that the credits don't name the main guest actors in this episode?
I can't tell if that's to protect them, by law, or a gross oversight/neglect, which would be especially bad given the theme of the episode.
It was good other than that.
I can't tell if that's to protect them, by law, or a gross oversight/neglect, which would be especially bad given the theme of the episode.
It was good other than that.
Very Cliche episode.
timdogthehulk12 May 2021
Just try to imagine Rain Man crossed with Forrest Gump and ending with Radio.
That is how familiar this plot is. I think the writers just wanted to be lazy for a change. The episode is well acted but they had a chance to break some new ground with this episode but instead they just dug up the old "mentally challenged person being persecuted by the big bad establishment and only Stabler, Benson and Cabot can be the only true heroes to come to their rescue," bag. Trust me, all the elements are here and you can almost set your watch by them. I'm just surprised they didn't have an actor who looked like W. Or some other conservative play the bad guy.
That is how familiar this plot is. I think the writers just wanted to be lazy for a change. The episode is well acted but they had a chance to break some new ground with this episode but instead they just dug up the old "mentally challenged person being persecuted by the big bad establishment and only Stabler, Benson and Cabot can be the only true heroes to come to their rescue," bag. Trust me, all the elements are here and you can almost set your watch by them. I'm just surprised they didn't have an actor who looked like W. Or some other conservative play the bad guy.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
