Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Weak

Season 6, Episode 9, Aired 11/30/04

Episode Summary

After arguing with Stabler about their personal lives, Benson enlists the help of a former cop turned psychiatrist in apprehending a serial rapist and murderer who attacks disabled women.

8.8

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Cast & Crew

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Dann Florek

Capt. Donald Cragen
Richard Belzer

Det. John Munch
Mariska Hargitay

Det. Olivia Benson

Fan Episode Reviews (6)

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gay man rapes disabled women

8.0

"Great"

By johndoe70, Jan 10, 2012 Report Abuse

Beyond the guest star -- who certainly deserved her award -- this is a rather odd episode that expects us to believe that a man who is gay -- living with his boyfriend for quite some time -- is a serial rapist targeting disabled women.

When the rapist is caught, the writers attempt to make some sense of this silly idea, by suggesting that maybe he is not really gay at all, but choose to be gay, complete with a boyfriend that he lives with/sleeps with, because women would not give him the time of day.

So, that would make him bisexual? or the first straight man who decided to become gay to get back at women? Yeah, it makes no sense. Aside from the fact that this is bad writing, if not bi-phobic, it could likely cause obvious headaches when going to trial.

Any defense lawyer would simply point out the fact that his or her client has been in a longtime relationship with another man. It would probably cause some level of doubt among jury members.

This would require the DA's office to get evidence that the rapist was not gay or, at least, bisexual. This would probably mean speaking with the man's boyfriend, a good actor, who is underused in this episode. He does not show up at trial, he does not attempt to bail out his boyfriend or anything like that. Logically, these sorts of things would probably happen.

The guest star saves this episode from total destruction. Her character's dedication and compassion shine through. The episode does do a good job addressing the fact that women who are disabled are often more likely to be victims of rape and the unique set of issues that can arise.moreless

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Tackling important issues...

9.0

"Superb"

By jkdowney, Mar 08, 2011 Report Abuse

"Weak" is another outstanding episode which clearly signifies why Law and Order: SVU is so important. They are unafraid to tackle important issues and highlight them in a sensitive and affective way. "Weak" deals with a serial rapist who preys upon weak and disabled women. As Benson and Stabler try to unravel the case, they are given an assist by Dr. Rebecca Hendrix who is welcomed into the case by Stabler but shunned by Benson who begrudges the notion that Hendrix thinks she is perhaps better than than the detectives due to the decision she made to exchange her career in law enforcement for medicine. The breakthrough finally arrives based on information from Hendrix's patient, Miranda Cole who suffers severely from schizophrenia. Miranda leads the detectives to a specific suspect, but he is cleared based on DNA evidence. Much to Benson's disbelief, Stabler and Hendrix believe they've still found the right man and begin brainstorming "outside of the box". The answers they find are astounding but entirely plausible. The episode ends on a sad note and causes Benson to reevaluate and face her own personal turmoil. Incidentally, Amanda Plummer received an Emmy nomination for her incredibly believable performance as the schizophrenic patient, Miranda Cole.moreless

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Isn't that the Unibomber?

8.0

"Great"

By olivenson, Mar 08, 2011 Report Abuse

As far as I can tell, she was raped by terrorists... Ok, this episode seems almost kind of pointless, and I have to say almost only because Mary Stewart Masterston (some kinda wonderful:) ) won an Emmy in 2005 for her guest role appearance. Other than that, this episode was just too funny, despite the serious issue (are there really no other sex crimes besides rape and child molestation?). The references to the Unibomber, the mentally ill characters rattling off a mile a minute about nothing...and are we really supposed to believe Olivia can't stand Dr. Hendricks? Ok. Right.moreless

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Elliot and Olivia have some disagreements when Rebecca steps in...

10

"Perfect"

By csivegasfreak, Mar 08, 2011 Report Abuse

I love this... we all know how much Elliot and Olivia love each other despite the fact that Elliot is married, so while he's having trouble with the wife and Olivia has a little chance... they throw Rebecca in there to switch things up and make Elliot flirt... of course it makes us mad to see Elliot and Olivia mad at each other instead of loving each other, but it just makes everything more dramatic in the end when they tell each other they've been in love with each other since they met... of course... it hasn't happened yet, and won't happen for a little while, but if you've been watching the later seasons that are on now... you'll know its getting there...
You have to love the drama...
-kerrymoreless

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Law and Order Special Victims Unit!

8.5

"Great"

By ourkissgoodbye, Jul 26, 2010 Report Abuse

Detectives Benson and Stabler arrive at the scene to find that a young disabled woman had been raped. While trying to get the information on the perp, another rape is called in, which happens to be taking place only four flights above where the Detectives are. When a new victim who is clearly schizophrenic comes into the precinct to report her attack, the Detectives call in psychiatrist Rebecca Hendrix for her help. Tensions flare between Hendrix and Benson, and it only gets worse when Stabler takes the Dr's side rather than his partner's.

This was a good episode. It was sad that there was someone who would be attacking disabled people. He obviously was targeting woman that would not be able to fight back.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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Notes
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- Amanda Plummer won the 2005 Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Miranda Cole in this episode. Edit
- The show brought in Mary Stuart Masterson to star in three episodes in place of B.D. Wong, who took time off to do a play. Edit
Quotes
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- Dr. Rebeca Hendrix: Have you ever had a girlfriend? Thomas Mathers: Lots of guys don't find a right girl. Olivia Benson: That's true. I mean, being single's not easy. Thomas Mathers: You would not look at me twice if I asked you out, you would not give me a time of day, so don't pretend you understand what I'm going through. I don't need your pity. Elliot Stabler: You're just looking for the right girl. And one day you'll rape her and live happily ever after. Edit
- (Benson is upset that Stabler is siding with Hendrix' gut instinct and not her and the physical evidence.) Olivia Benson: And I can't believe that you are gonna take a shrink's opinion over actual facts! Rebecca Hendrix: (looks offended) Bye. Edit
- Elliot Stabler: What's your problem? She's a cop -- that's all I need to know. Olivia Benson: No, Elliot. She didn't think that being a cop was good enough so she quit. Elliot Stabler: Is that what this is about, some inferiority complex? Olivia Benson: You know, I get that you are on the rebound and everything, but if you could keep it out of work that'd be great. Edit
Allusions
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- In the episode, people keep referring to the sketch of the perpetrator as looking like "The Unabomber". This is a reference to the nickname given toTed Kaczynski, a Harvard graduate and doctor of mathematics who retreated to the life of a hermit and admitted to planning and carrying out explosions that killed three people and injured 23 others between 1978 and 1995. Edit