Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Blinded

Season 9, Episode 7, Aired 11/13/07

Episode Summary

Novak confronts ghosts from her past while handling the trial of a schizophrenic serial rapist, who seriously injured Stabler.

6.1

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Cast & Crew

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Christopher Meloni

Det. Elliot Stabler
Mariska Hargitay

Det. Olivia Benson
Richard Belzer

Sgt. John Munch

Fan Episode Reviews (15)

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A really good episode.

8.9

"Great"

By SweetMissJaye, Aug 25, 2011 Report Abuse

I liked this episode of SVU. I was so scared for Elliot. Olivia and Kathy were so scared when they realized he couldn't see them. Poor Elliot. He sounded so devastated when he realized that his vision was impaired. It was a relief that he wasn't completely blind; he could see blurs. The writers and TPTB could have caused a lot more tension by having him go completely blind. But I guess that has been done in TV too much.

This episode's main goal seemed to be to show the real Casey, with all her flaws. I was kind of excited to learn more about her ex-fiance, which of course helps us learn more about her. It was great to see her and Olivia go against each other. I couldn't believe it when she basically "threw" the case. I'd never expected her to do something like that. She almost got herself fired!

I was wondering if Jack would come of Law & Order as the DA. He finally showed up. I kind of liked seeing his familiar face, even though he's kind of a jerk. He's been my favorite on Law & Order for awhile, although I had to give up on the original show. I'd been thinking that Casey and Chester Lake might possibly hook up on the show but now I can't really see that happening. It seems that she's still hung up on her ex, one way or another. Even if she no longer loves him, she still has to come to terms with what occured in their relationship. It's going to be even harder for her since he's dead. She is dealing with a lot of guilt. Casey has become a very deep character this season. I'm excited about that.moreless

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blinded doesnt always have a literal connotation...

10

"Perfect"

By smawls, Apr 09, 2008 Report Abuse

Although Elliot did have a bad run in with the rear window of a car that left him temporarily blind, there were a few other characters who stole the limelight.
A pat on the back to the writer's for giving us a look into Casey Novak's character! (it only took them how many years? lol.) Casey was engaged to a man named Charlie about 5 years previous and he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. He attacked her one night and Casey had to ID herself as an A.D.A and beg the police to not take him into custody. she thought she could help him. sadly, she could not and she was summoned to the morgue when a John Doe was brought in w/ her business card as the only identification. it was charlie. this was her reasoning for sandbagging elliot on the stand to prove that Picard did not deserve to be executed or even go to prison. he needed to go to a psychiatric facility.
while liv on the other hand was vindictive enough to turn Casey into the D.A. and call the Feds to let them know Picard's whereabouts. she was acting out of revenge for what Picard did to elliot during his try of escape. i think one of the best scenes i have seen so far this season was when those two had their altercation in novak's office! i had thee biggest eyes this side of the mississippi! lol.
and poor Picard. the man thought he deserved to be executed for what he did to those girls but casey would hear none of it. he even tried to commit suicide. he said his medication was working and everyday he got a little better, which was bad for him because he would have to live with knowing he raped two little girls (almost 3).
overall, i think this is definitely one of my favorite episodes of the season. one where i genuinely felt sorry for the perp. and that doesnt happen too often on SVU.moreless

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When routinely trying to arrest a shcizophrenic suspect, Det. Stabler is hospitalized. Then, when conducting the trial, ADA Novak is stuck in the past.

10

"Perfect"

By ewils111, Mar 20, 2008 Report Abuse

This is an episode to remember. It was a very intense episode that had many entertwining plotlines that really helped to make this a phenomenal episode. The episode was deepened with the hospitalization of Elliot when he was attacked by the schizophrenic suspect. This aspect of the story was overlayed with ADA Novak's inability to move on from something in her past and that gets in the way or her trying the case as she normally would. The fact that her and Olivia cross fire as well made this an unforgettable episode with many different things all woven together to create one amazing episode.moreless

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Novak confronts ghost from her past while handling the trial of a schizophrenic serial rapist. Elliot gets hurt when the perp tries to escape and becomes temperarily blind. Novak and Olivia battle it out, when it comes the trial.moreless

9.6

"Superb"

By helen_dreamer26, Nov 22, 2007 Report Abuse

Possible one of my favorits. The way Casey looks at Olivia when she wanted Elliot to testify, and Olivia didnt want him to. Casey knows that Olivia cares about Elliot. It was great when Elliot said he was a big boy. The whole episode was not as dramatic as i wanted but it was still good.I wonder is Casey will tell Elliot or confront Olivia about this in a later episode. Casey did a good job in this epp to. I was expecting Elliots condition to be a little more sirious becouse he recovered pretty quickly. This was pretty good episode w.hen it came to E/O shipps.moreless

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1 0
The term "blinded" doesn't always have a literal connotation.

10

"Perfect"

By hysongk, Nov 20, 2007 Report Abuse

Although Elliot did have a bad run in with the rear window of a car that left him temporarily blind, there were a few other characters who stole the limelight.
A pat on the back to the writer's for giving us a look into Casey Novak's character! (it only took them how many years? lol.) Casey was engaged to a man named Charlie about 5 years previous and he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. He attacked her one night and Casey had to ID herself as an A.D.A and beg the police to not take him into custody. she thought she could help him. sadly, she could not and she was summoned to the morgue when a John Doe was brought in w/ her business card as the only identification. it was charlie. this was her reasoning for sandbagging elliot on the stand to prove that Picard did not deserve to be executed or even go to prison. he needed to go to a psychiatric facility.
while liv on the other hand was vindictive enough to turn Casey into the D.A. and call the Feds to let them know Picard's whereabouts. she was acting out of revenge for what Picard did to elliot during his try of escape. i think one of the best scenes i have seen so far this season was when those two had their altercation in novak's office! i had thee biggest eyes this side of the mississippi! lol.
and poor Picard. the man thought he deserved to be executed for what he did to those girls but casey would hear none of it. he even tried to commit suicide. he said his medication was working and everyday he got a little better, which was bad for him because he would have to live with knowing he raped two little girls (almost 3).
overall, i think this is definitely one of my favorite episodes of the season. one where i genuinely felt sorry for the perp. and that doesnt happen too often on SVU.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- This episode is Sam Waterston's first appearance since his character's promotion to District Attorney, as the season 18 premiere of Law & Order didn't air until January of 2008, two months after this episode aired (season 17 was interrupted by the writers' strike of 2007 which ultimately caused the delay in the return of the mothership). Edit
- Visible Equipment: When Stabler is trying to put the suspect in the back of the squad car at 13:45, the boom microphone is visible for several seconds in the door's reflection. Edit
- Continuity: There is an error in the dates between this episode and "Fight," which originally aired the following week. According to the information given on the black screens in "Blinded," Elliot was blinded on 10 October. Olivia tells Casey the police surgeon said he can't leave his house until his vision comes back, and his vision is still blurry when he testifies against Picard on 8 November. However, in "Fight," which, according to the black screens, occurred between 17 and 30 October, Elliot was at work and helping Det. Lake review video. Edit
Notes
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- International Episode Titles: Czech Republic "Dočasná slepota" (Temporary blindness) Edit
- Original International Air Dates: Australia April 10, 2008 on Network 10 Czech Republic July 27, 2010 on TV Nova Edit
- Special billing was given to Sam Waterston (With Special Guest Appearance by) and John Cullum (and) in this episode. Edit
Quotes
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- (Casey is visiting Picard in the NY State mental hospital after his suicide attempt.) Casey Novak: Maybe one day you can forgive yourself when you realize it wasn't your fault. Saul Picard: Wasn't it? Edit
- Olivia Benson: Do you think he'll ever get better? Casey Novak: I don't know. I thought Charlie would get better. Olivia Benson: What happened? Casey: I got a call from the morgue about 6 months ago. A John Doe clipped by a passing cab, no ID on him but my business card. It was Charlie. Maybe he'd be alive if I hadn't made him leave. Olivia Benson: You had to save yourself. Edit
- Olivia Benson: Oh you're damn right I told the Feds! They have a right to know! Casey Novak: No, you want Picard dead! Louisiana kills him, your hands are clean. Olivia Benson: Those little girls are entitled to some justice. Casey Novak: But what you're talking about isn't justice! It's revenge! Olivia Benson: He's my partner, Casey. Casey Novak: And it's my case! And how I handle it is none of your damn business. (leans into Benson's ear) Because I don't answer to you. (walks out) Olivia Benson (under her breath): We'll see. Edit
Allusions
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- Picard: (to Stabler) "[Alice] swallowed one of the cakes, and she was delighted to find that she began shrinking directly." This is a slightly altered quote from chapter 4 of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. Edit