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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 9

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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (season 9)
Season 9
Season 9 U.S. DVD Cover
Starring
No. of episodes19
Release
Original networkNBC
Original releaseSeptember 25, 2007 (2007-09-25) –
May 13, 2008 (2008-05-13)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 8
Next →
Season 10
List of episodes

The ninth season of the police procedural / legal drama, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit premiered September 25, 2007 and ended May 13, 2008 on NBC. It aired on Tuesday nights at 10pm/9c. Mariska Hargitay, having won a Golden Globe Award in 2005, received her second Golden Globe nomination for her work in the ninth season.

Production

Show runner / executive producer Neal Baer was more hands-on in the ninth season of SVU writing episodes "Alternate" and "Authority". The last episode crediting Baer as the primary writer was the seventh season episode "Storm". Multiple episodes of the ninth season dealt openly with the abortion debate. A 2008 article for Newsday that criticized American media for avoiding any mention of abortion called Law & Order: SVU the "one exception... willing to take such risks."[1] This season of SVU also coincided with the 2007 Writers Guild of America strike for which Neal Baer served on the negotiating committee.[2] With all of the writing staff participating in the strike, episodes stopped airing for nearly three whole months after the January 22, 2008 episode "Inconceivable".

With Geoffrey Erb having left during the previous season, George Pattison became the show's director of photography. When discussing the visuals in Season 9, Neal Baer said "Last year, we were too dark; we want better lighting."[3]

Cast changes and returning characters

The first episode "Alternate" reveals that Richard Belzer's character, Detective John Munch, passed the sergeant's exam. As a result, other characters begin to refer to him as Sergeant John Munch. Season 9 dramatically reduced the amount of screen time given to Richard Belzer and the following seasons of SVU continued to do the same. When commenting on the reduction in his workload, Belzer said he was "a bit mystified" and that "It's like yanking the tonsils out of the gift horse if I complain too much."[4]

Towards the end of the season, it was announced that Diane Neal (ADA Casey Novak) was departing the cast and days later it was said that she was fired from the series. Asked if she was blindsided by the news, Neal responded "I don't know if blindsided is the right word.... I've lasted longer by several years than almost any other ADA [in the Law & Order universe]. So every year I've been like, 'Is this going to be the one when I leave?' Dick Wolf is known for replacing his cast regularly. And the truth is, I'm really looking forward to the future."[5]

Adam Beach fully joined the cast as Detective Chester Lake, who had already appeared twice on the show. A plan announced by Neal Baer in February 2007 was to portray the detective as a special victim himself.[6] This was fulfilled in the episode "Fight" which reveals that Lake was a foster child. However, days after Diane Neal's departure was announced, Adam Beach announced that he was departing the cast as well. "I very much enjoyed my year on Law & Order: SVU," Beach said. "Now I'm looking forward to new adventures."[7][8]

Cast

See also: List of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit characters

Main cast

Recurring cast

2

Guest stars

Erika Christensen's character Agent Lauren Cooper reaches a tragic conclusion in the episode "Signature".

Cynthia Nixon guest starred in the season premiere "Alternate" as Janis Donovan, a woman with multiple personalities. Nixon described it by saying "I read all about multiple personalities — it was such a juicy part!"[9] This role won her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series.[10] Bronson Pinchot starred as her psychiatrist. He talked about working with Meloni and Hargitay and described them as "the most welcoming stars of any show I've ever guested on."[11] For the show's 200th episode "Authority", Robin Williams guest starred as an engineer who tries to teach the public a lesson using extreme methods. Williams was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.[10] In an interview about casting, Neal Baer stated that the most famous guest stars used by the show play roles that were written with them in mind. He mentioned Cynthia Nixon and Robin Williams as examples and said that the details of their stories were only written after it was known that they would be available.[12]

Kevin Tighe guest starred as a kidnapper and rapist in the episode "Avatar" which was well received by gamers.[13] The detectives make use of a virtual world similar to Second Life to hunt down his character. In the same episode, reporter David Keeps, who is a friend of Mariska Hargitay, briefly appeared as an unnamed detective. Keeps wrote that he only went to the SVU set for a visit until Harigtay arranged to have him written into the scene at the last minute.[14] The third episode "Impulsive" guest starred Melissa Joan Hart as a teacher and Kyle Gallner as her student in a "he said, she said" rape case. The episode began filming in April 2007 making it the first episode of the ninth season produced.[15]

In "Trade", Michelle Borth played Avery Hemmings, a lawyer who knows more about the case she is trying than she lets on.

In "Savant", a child played by Paulina Gerzon becomes the key to solving a case when the SVU learns about her extremely sensitive hearing. Children's author Robert Black praised SVU's ability to find good child actors and said that Gerzon "was fantastic as a girl with Williams Syndrome, even having to deliver her lines through a set of oversized false teeth."[16] This episode also showed Vincent Spano reprising his role as FBI Agent Dean Porter. In "Harm", Elizabeth McGovern played Dr. Faith Sutton, a doctor who feels it is her duty to help the war on terror by teaching torture techniques. When talking about this issue, Neal Baer explained "I don't think they should, but I think it's more interesting if we hear Elizabeth McGovern's perspective and say 'I have a son and how are we going to stop this?' and we have a complicated, interesting, deep discussion through our characters.[17] The same interview brought up a line spoken by Elliot Stabler in "Harm" that was critical of invasive interrogations. Baer said that Christopher Meloni requested this line to help keep his character three-dimensional. The episode "Blinded" commented on the Kennedy v. Louisiana debate about punishing child rape with the death penalty. Sam Waterston made an appearance as his Law & Order character, DA Jack McCoy. Since the eighteenth season of Law & Order had yet to air at this point, this was the first time that Jack McCoy appeared as the DA rather than an EADA.

The episode "Fight" featured guest appearances by UFC fighters Forrest Griffin and Renzo Gracie. Nicole "Coco" Austin also appeared and had a scene with her husband Ice-T. This marked their first acting appearance together even though Coco had appeared on SVU once before.[18] Mark Valley guest starred in the following episode "Paternity" as a father who is shocked to learn that his child is not related to him. Bruce Fretts of TV Guide said he "got more dramatic meat to chew in an hour than he's had in three years on Boston Legal."[19] This episode additionally deals with the birth of Elliot Stabler's fifth child and was submitted as an Emmy bid episode for Christopher Meloni.[20] Olivia Benson finds herself in a situation in which she must help to deliver the baby and Elliot Stabler hugs her as a way of saying thank-you. This was not in the script but Meloni insisted on it while the scene was filmed saying "Guys, I have to hug her."[21]

Shareeka Epps made her first television appearance in the dark episode "Undercover" starring as a terrified rape victim who is assaulted by a prison guard. The episode was filmed in a real prison.[22] In "Closet", Bill Pullman starred as Kurt Moss, a reporter in a short-lived relationship with Olivia Benson. As a way of complimenting Pullman, Neal Baer joked that "Benson finally has a boyfriend, and he was well worth the wait."[23] The second last episode "Trade" starred Stephen Collins and Matthew Davis as Pearson Bartlett Sr and Jr, a pair of coffee magnates who come under suspicion in a woman's murder. When asked if he enjoyed being on SVU, Collins tweeted "yes, but the role was difficult."[24] This was followed by the fast paced season finale "Cold".

Episodes

See also: List of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit episodes
No. in
series 		No. in
season 		Title Directed by Written by Original air date Production
code 		U.S. viewers
(millions)
1841"Alternate"David PlattNeal Baer & Dawn DeNoonSeptember 25, 2007090312.10[25]
1852"Avatar"Peter LetoPaul GrellongOctober 2, 2007090411.66[26]
1863"Impulsive"David PlattJonathan GreeneOctober 9, 2007090112.19[27]
1874"Savant"Kate WoodsJudith McCrearyOctober 16, 2007090512.54[28]
1885"Harm"Peter LetoJosh SingerOctober 23, 2007090212.17[29]
1896"Svengali"David PlattKam MillerNovember 6, 2007090611.75[30]
1907"Blinded"David PlattJonathan GreeneNovember 13, 2007090912.49[31]
1918"Fight"Juan J. CampanellaMick BetancourtNovember 20, 2007090711.66[32]
1929"Paternity"Kate WoodsAmanda GreenNovember 27, 2007091012.29[33]
19310"Snitch"Jonathan KaplanMark GoffmanDecember 4, 2007090811.72[34]
19411"Streetwise"Helen ShaverPaul GrellongJanuary 1, 2008091112.35[35]
19512"Signature"Arthur W. ForneyJudith McCrearyJanuary 8, 2008091215.17[36]
19613"Unorthodox"David PlattJosh SingerJanuary 15, 2008091312.14[37]
19714"Inconceivable"Chris ZallaDawn DeNoonJanuary 22, 2008091412.97[38]
19815"Undercover"David PlattMark GoffmanApril 15, 2008091513.27[39]
19916"Closet"Peter LetoKen StorerApril 22, 2008091611.50[40]
20017"Authority"David PlattNeal Baer & Amanda GreenApril 29, 2008091712.06[41]
20118"Trade"Peter LetoJonathan GreeneMay 6, 2008091810.44[42]
20219"Cold"David PlattJudith McCrearyMay 13, 2008091910.83[43]

References

  1. ^ Amodio, Joseph (2008-01-26). "Pregnant Pause". Newsday. Retrieved 2013-01-10.
  2. ^ Fernandez, Maria Elana; James, Meg (2007-11-25). "Showrunner playing crucial role in writers strike". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2013-01-10.
  3. ^ Green and Dawn (2009), p. 58
  4. ^ Green and Dawn (2009), p. 150
  5. ^ Ausiello, Michael (April 17, 2008). "Exclusive: Were Dourdan and Neal (Gulp) Fired?". TV Guide. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  6. ^ Jacobs, Evan (2007-02-20). "Mariska Hargitay and Dr. Neal Baer Tell All About Law & Order: Special Victims Unit". Movie Web. Retrieved 2013-01-07.
  7. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 20, 2008). "Beach leaving "Law & Order: SVU" after one season". Reuters. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  8. ^ Mitovich, Matt (April 18, 2008). "Out of Order: Adam Beach Bids SVU Adieu". TV Guide. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  9. ^ Green and Dawn (2009), p. 336
  10. ^ a b "SVU Emmy Nominations". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
  11. ^ BD Wong, Christopher Meloni, Mariska Hargitay, Ice T, Bronson Pinchot (2007). SVU Interview B D Wong, Mariska Hargitay & Chris Meloni! (TV). NBC. Retrieved 2013-08-08. {{cite AV media}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ Halterman, Jim (2009-09-23). "'Law & Order: SVU' showrunner Neal Baer talks about new guests, new nights". The Futon Critic. Retrieved 2013-01-12.
  13. ^ "Law & Order: SVU loves gamers". Destructoid. 2007-10-08. Retrieved 2013-01-12.
  14. ^ Keeps, David (2007-10-07). "A few words from David Keeps". Mariska's Blog. Retrieved 2013-01-12.
  15. ^ "Melissa Joan Hart talks to us about motherhood and Mason". People magazine. 2007-04-16. Retrieved 2013-01-12.
  16. ^ Black, Robert (2009-02-01). "Kids Today". Retrieved 2013-01-12.
  17. ^ Neal Baer, Allison Hope Weiner. ER, Law & Order: SVU and A Gifted Man Writer and Producer, Dr. Neal Baer (TV). The Lip. Retrieved 2013-08-08. {{cite AV media}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ Richburg, Chris (2007-11-20). "Ice-T And Coco Set to Appear On Law and Order: SVU Episode". All Hip Hop. Retrieved 2013-01-12.
  19. ^ Fretts, Bruce (2007-11-28). "Cheers: A Very Special SVU". Cheers & Jeers. TV Guide. Retrieved 2013-01-12.
  20. ^ Zimmer, Chris (2008-06-04). "Law & Order Franchise 2008 Emmy Submissions". All Things Law & Order. Retrieved 2013-01-12.
  21. ^ Green and Dawn (2009), p. 74
  22. ^ Hargitay, Mariska (2008-09-24). "With Much Gratitude". Mariska's Blog. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  23. ^ "Mariska Hargitay Gets a Boyfriend on SVU". People magazine. 2008-03-17. Retrieved 2013-01-12.
  24. ^ Collins, Stephen. "Tweets by Stephen Collins". Retrieved 2013-01-12.
  25. ^ "With Break-Out Performances from New and Returning Series, NBC Ties for Premiere Week's Top Spot in 18-49". The Futon Critic/NBC. The Futon Critic/NBC. October 2, 2007. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
  26. ^ Seidman, Robert (October 3, 2007). "Nielsen Overnight TV Ratings, Tuesday Oct 2". The Nielsen Company. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  27. ^ Seidman, Robert (October 10, 2007). "Overnight Results for Tuesday Oct 9". The Nielsen Company. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  28. ^ Seidman, Robert (October 17, 2007). "Overnight Results Tuesday 10/16: Red Sox on the Brink". The Nielsen Company. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  29. ^ Seidman, Robert (October 24, 2007). "Overnight Results 10/23: Fox Wins". The Nielsen Company. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  30. ^ Seidman, Robert (November 7, 2007). "Overnight Results 11/6: Fox Leads with House". The Nielsen Company. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  31. ^ Seidman, Robert (November 14, 2007). "Overnight Results 11/13: FOX is in the House". The Nielsen Company. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  32. ^ Seidman, Robert (November 21, 2007). "Overnight Results 11/19: House is a Demo Hit". The Nielsen Company. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  33. ^ Seidman, Robert (November 28, 2007). "Overnight Results 11/27: Huge Dancing Finale". The Nielsen Company. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  34. ^ Gorman, Bill (December 12, 2007). "Top NBC Primetime Shows, December 3–9". The Nielsen Company. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  35. ^ Gorman, Bill (January 8, 2008). "Top NBC Primetime Shows, Dec 31 – Jan 6". The Nielsen Company. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  36. ^ Seidman, Robert (January 9, 2008). "Overnight Results for Tuesday, January 8". The Nielsen Company. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  37. ^ Seidman, Robert (January 16, 2008). "Overnight Results for Tuesday, January 15". The Nielsen Company. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  38. ^ Seidman, Robert (January 23, 2008). "Overnight Results for Tuesday, January 22". The Nielsen Company. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  39. ^ Seidman, Robert (April 16, 2008). "Nielsen Ratings Tue, April 15: American Idol Wins / Kristy Lee Cook Must Lose!". The Nielsen Company. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  40. ^ Seidman, Robert (April 23, 2008). "Nielsen Ratings Tue, April 22: American Idol and Hell's Kitchen Cook for FOX". The Nielsen Company. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  41. ^ Seidman, Robert (April 30, 2008). "Nielsen Ratings Apr 29: Is A Drunken Paula Abdul Good for Ratings?". The Nielsen Company. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  42. ^ Seidman, Robert (May 7, 2008). "Nielsen Ratings May 6: FOX and Idol Take a Hit, But Still Win". The Nielsen Company. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  43. ^ Seidman, Robert (May 14, 2008). "Nielsen Ratings May 13, 2008: American Idol Still Crushes Field". The Nielsen Company. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 7, 2010.

Bibliography

  • Green, Susan; Dawn, Randee (2009). Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: The Unofficial Companion. Dallas: BenBella Books. ISBN 1-933771-88-7.
Preceded by
Season 8 		Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
list of seasons 		Succeeded by
Season 10
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