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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 5 Episode 22

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8.8

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 4/27/04

After finding a woman handcuffed to her bed with a bag over her head, the detectives believe it was a homicide. Later on the detectives find out the woman had been planning her suicide for quite a while. Due to an event in Munch's past, he becomes personally involved in finding out if a terminally ill embryologist facilitated the suicide of the victim. They find out that the victim had been encouraged by the embryologist through the use of a website.moreless

Fan Episode Reviews (4)

Suicidal? Judgemental? Think again....

10

By CosmoCramer1, Mar 27, 2011

This is an intense episode that presents several different points of view on an incredibly controversial topic; suicide.

We have characters who are suicidal and want to end their life, we have a character that considers suicide as an option every day but hangs on to help others who feel helpless. Munch himself has his own thoughts on suicide, the impact it has on those left behind, as well as the thoughts of a person taking their own life and what they think they are really leaving behind.

It's an interesting episode and although it ends on a pro-life note (not abortion related) I think it still opens up a few different lines of thought on the issue. It's a hard topic. I'm not saying suicide is a good option, but I do appreciate that each individual has their own problems and may not have the skills to deal with them that can lead to an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness, helplessness and with no change or action that could lead to a positive impact in sight. These people come from all walks of life and I don't think those of us lucky enough to be dealing with our lives have any right to judge those that are struggling. Helping would be more productive and more likely to lead to happily ever after.moreless
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A rare look in Det.Munch\'s life that I almost cried over. The episode alone is enough to make me buy the DVD set. Don\'t watch this ep w/o a box of tissues. Bravo to the directors and producers for giving Belz an episode and a good one at that!. -Rebeccamoreless

10

By Nasha_20, Sep 27, 2010

A rare look in Det.Munch\'s life that I almost cried over. The episode alone is enough to make me buy the DVD set. Don\'t watch this ep w/o a box of tissues. Bravo to the directors and producers for giving Belz an episode and a good one at that!. -Rebecca
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Not your average episode

9.1

By Schlees, Mar 05, 2008

I think that this episode was beautiful in it's entirety. Marlee Matlee playing Amy Solway was just a dynamite performance. It really raises some very interesting and contervsial questions about suicide and one's right to take their own life with the help of another. While I did think Munch's speech about his father killing himself was very strong and added to the drama I thought his segway into it was a bit forced. You do see a bit of turmoil in him throughout the episode. Convict her, don't convict her, don't let her die. It definately revealed a side of him that you don't often see.

I would suggest this episode to anybody new to the series, and urge them to check out the other episodes with Amy Solway as well. Munch and Solway have this kind of connection that is very dramatic on screen.moreless
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Law and Order Special Victims Unit!

9.0

By ourkissgoodbye, Mar 06, 2007

Two maids find Christina Nerrit handcuffed to the headboard of her bed with a plastic bag over her head. At first it looks as if it is a rape, in which the perp made her shower before he left her for dead. The Detectives of the Special Victims Unit find that it was a failed attempt at suicide after Christina uses insulin to kill herself while still in the hospital. They find that she was a regular at a web site called "Catching the Train" which offered support and ideas on how to successfully commit suicide. They are able to trace the web site to its owner, a women named Amy Solwey. She created the site as a means of therapy for herself, because she lives with pain every day due to Allport's Syndrome. When she is offered the chance at a kidney transplant, she turns it down because she would rather die than go to prison. Detective Munch manages to convince her otherwise, when he confides that his father committed suicide when he was younger.

This is a great episode. I never would have thought that a site like "Catching the Train" could have existed. I can see where it would have been therapeutic for Amy, but at the same time I can also see where people would be able to get information that could harm themselves.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Dann Florek	Capt. Donald Cragen
Richard Belzer	Det. John Munch
Mariska Hargitay	Det. Olivia Benson
BD Wong	Dr. George Huang
Christopher Meloni	Det. Elliot Stabler
Ice-T	Det. Odafin Tutuola

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Marlee Matlin	Dr. Amy Solwey	Guest Star
Karen Young	Christina Nerrit	Guest Star
Heather Tom	Solwey's Assistant	Guest Star
John Cullum	Barry Moredock	Recurring Role
Caren Browning	Judith Siper	Recurring Role
Peter Hermann	Trevor Langan	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (2)
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- Munch's father committed suicide when he was a young boy.
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- When Munch is talking to Amy near the end of the episode while she's in her hospital bed, there is a rare moment when he removes his glasses.
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QUOTES (7)
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- Elliot: So Christina buys him breakfast, he rapes her for lunch.
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- Fin Tutuola: You help women get pregnant and in your spare time you help them kill themselves.
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- Dr. Amy Solwey: Why do you care if I live or die?
  John Munch: Because my father killed himself. When I was a kid ... I thought it was my fault. The night before he blew his brains out, he punished me for being a wise-ass. I told him I hated his guts. Those were the last words I ever said to him.
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- John Munch: Amy Solwey deserves to be put away, but convicting her isn't going to change a damn thing.
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- Barry Moredock: Second-degree murder? Is this the way you people retaliate?
  Judge Walter Bradley: Simmer down, Mr. Moredock. This isn't personal.
  Barry Moredock: Sure it is. District Attorney Branch hates losing to me.
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- John Munch: This website is like Suicide For Dummies.
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- Casey Novak: Dr. Solwey formed a suicide pact with Christina, which Solwey obviously backed out of because she's still alive.
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NOTES (3)
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- International Air Dates:
  Finland Nov 11, 2009 on YLE TV2
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- At the beginning of the scene where Munch visits Amy in the hospital, he asks if she can read lips, implying that he does not know sign language. However, Belzer does use sign language, especially at the end when he says/signs, "Help me to help you."
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- Special billing was given to Marlee Matlin (Special Guest Star) in this episode.
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ALLUSIONS (0)
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