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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 5

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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (season 5)
Season 5
DVD cover art
No. of episodes25
Release
Original networkNBC
Original releaseSeptember 23, 2003 (2003-09-23) –
May 18, 2004 (2004-05-18)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 4
Next →
Season 6
List of episodes

The fifth season of the television series, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit premiered September 23, 2003 and ended May 18, 2004 on NBC. Law & Order: SVU moved away from its Friday night slot to Tuesday nights at 10:00 p.m. Eastern / 9:00 p.m. Central. Casey Novak, the unit's longest serving ADA, was introduced in the fifth episode when Diane Neal joined the cast to fill the absence left by Stephanie March.

Production

Early reports about Stephanie March leaving the cast at the end of Season 4 indicate that the first Season 5 episodes were written if not filmed by May 2003.[1]

The sixth episode "Coerced" shows Elliot Stabler and George Huang at odds with each other about how to get through to a schizophrenic man. Jonathan Greene, who wrote the episode, said that Neal Baer has "instilled in all of us this fascination with how the mind works, and the nexus of where the mind and the law cross."[2] During a 2012 interview for the show Media Mayhem, Neal Baer revealed that the most controversial episode of his career came from the fifth season. About the episode "Home", he said "I never ever dreamed that I would get so much hate mail" and explained "children who go to private or public schools are seen by lots of people and that's a safety net."[3] The nineteenth episode "Sick" was based on the allegations of child molestation against Michael Jackson. The evidence used in the episode included evidence that never made it to trial in the real case. Writer Dawn DeNoon maintains that the jury should have delivered a guilty verdict and said "Justice wasn't done in the real arena, so I kept closer to the true story in this one than in most of them."[4] In the real-life case to which DeNoon refers, the evidence that was not introduced in the 2005 trial was introduced in the 2 1994 grand jury hearings after the civil settlement for the civil case. Both grand juries disbanded after several weeks and did not indict Jackson, claiming the evidence did not match the accuser's description and citing lack of other evidence.[5][6][7]

During the filming of the fifth season, SVU still did not have its own courtroom set. A 2011 video with Diane Neal reveals that the directors were still using the Law & Order courtroom. She reminisced "my memories of this set are of waking up at the asscrack of dawn on a Saturday when they weren't using it and shooting courtroom for twenty-two hours."[8]

Cast changes and returning characters

Stephanie March (ADA Alexandra Cabot) departed the cast after the fourth episode, her character "killed" and placed into the Witness Protection Program. The last minute twist of having her character survive was confirmed as a way of letting her character make further appearances. Christopher Meloni joked that "Dick Wolf always has an aversion to whacking his own people. He gives them a door, not a bullet. Unlike The Sopranos, where you're lucky if you leave with your head on."[9] Diane Neal (who previously guest starred in the 10th episode of season 3, Ridicule as a female rapist) joined the cast afterward as Casey Novak, a more hands-on and by-the-book ADA than Alex Cabot. In an email interview, Neal wrote "I had no idea whether or not I'd performed well in the audition, but I was lucky enough to get the part."[10] When describing her character, Neal said "I always walked like I was uncomfortable in heels, therefore so did Novak."[11]

Mike Doyle began portraying CSU Forensics Technician Ryan O'Halloran with the episode "Choice", a recurring character he portrayed for the next five seasons. Even though a backstory for O'Halloran was not firmly established during the fifth season, Doyle stated that "they used to write for O'Halloran as if he were from the Midwest."[12] Additionally Judge Joseph Terhune was introduced, played by Philip Bosco who guest starred as a Parkinson's patient in the previous season. The episode "Bound" reveals that his character likes to host poker games and features a scene in which most of the judge characters in SVU are seated at the poker table.

Cast

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

Principal cast

Actor Character Main cast Recurring cast
Chris Meloni Det. Elliot Stabler entire season —
Mariska Hargitay Det. Olivia Benson entire season —
Richard Belzer Det. John Munch entire season —
Diane Neal ADA Casey Novak episodes 5-25 —
Ice T Det. Fin Tutuola entire season —
Stephanie March ADA Alexandra Cabot episodes 1-4 —
B.D. Wong Dr. George Huang entire season —
Dann Florek Capt. Don Cragen entire season —
Tamara Tunie ME Dr. Melinda Warner — episodes 4-5,10-15,19-25

Recurring cast

Guest stars

Will Keenan played Billy Tripley, a fictionalized version of Michael Jackson. The name Billy was a reference to "Billie Jean" in Jackson's hit song.[4]

The season opener "Tragedy" featured Shirley Knight who also starred in the premiere of the third season. Her character was Rose Granville, a wealthy mother determined to harm anyone who stands in her daughter's way of success. Mare Winningham was one of two fifth season nominees for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series.[13] She played the mother of a hyperactive boy who takes the wrong medication and commits a heinous crime as a result. The second was Marlee Matlin for the nineteenth episode "Painless" in which she played assisted suicide advocate Dr. Amy Solwey. Here character shares an emotional scene with Detective Munch during which it is revealed that Munch's father killed himself. This is also true of Richard Belzer's father. Matlin commented that "I remember Richard having a hard time with it at first. I figured there must have been some personal connection there and I believe he told me afterwards."[14]

The episode "Coerced" is about a schizophrenic man trying to reach out to his son. Leland Orser played the father and Spencer List played the son. In a 2012 Twitter interview, List wrote "I became an actor when I was 5 I did a [Law & Order: SVU] and I knew from then on I wanted to do this for the rest of my life."[15] The episode "Choice" sought to raise awareness about fetal alcohol syndrome. Josie Bissett (whose husband Rob Estes appeared in the previous season) played the role of an irresponsible mother. Katherine Roberts played her daughter and was chosen because she has FAS in real life.[16]

Tom Skerritt played an arrogant judge in "Poison". His character's attitude has been compared to those of three judges in a 2010 hate speech case.[17]

In the episode "Abomination", George Segal portrayed a father in denial about the fact that his son is gay. The accuracy of this episode garnered approval from critics of the ex-gay movement.[18] In the 100th episode "Control", Mariska Hargitay's father, Mickey Hargitay guest starred as a man on a subway station escalator who witnesses the aftermath of a brutal assault. This was Mickey Hargitay's final acting role before his death in September 2006. Cynthia Ettinger guest starred in "Shaken" as a mother whose daughter falls into a coma because of a bad decision she made. Christopher Meloni and Dann Florek were both moved by the episode with Florek saying "it was some of the most emotional stuff Chris has done."[19]

In "Home", Diane Venora portrayed an abusive mother who uses homeschooling as a way of keeping her children from the eyes of the public. When discussing her role, Neal Baer said "She played it, I mean she was ferocious."[3] The episode "Lowdown" guest starred Michael Beach as a black man who infects his wife with AIDS. His character participates in the down low phenomenon of living a double life as a homosexual. After explaining to the squad what that means, Detective Tutuola adds "Don't look at me, I just know stuff." This line was written by Ice-T because, in his words, "at the end of the day, I'm like, 'How do I know so much damn information about this?'"[20] Michael Beach previously played an AIDS patient in ER who was intended to have been on the down low.[3] However, this detail was cut from the episode. "Lowdown" has been referenced in news articles about homophobia in the black community.[21]

In the twenty-first episode "Criminal" James McDaniel portrayed Javier Vega, an ex-convict who has a history with Captain Cragen. Coincidentally, a character played by McDaniel appeared with Cragen in the "Mushrooms" episode of the original Law & Order. Even though he did not play Vega, Florek has stated that this is one of his favourite episodes.[22] The season finale "Head" starred Stacy Edwards as a school principal who becomes pregnant with the child of her student portrayed by Jake Weary. Matt Loguercio, who played a teacher in the episode wrote at length about how he had been auditioning for all three Law & Order when he got the call to appear. He stayed up to date on auditions by taking a classes taught by Jonathan Strauss and Jennifer Jones. Jones was the Assistant Casting Director for SVU at the time and Strauss became the Casting Director after Julie Tucker departed.[23]

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)
921"Tragedy"David PlattAmanda GreenSeptember 23, 2003E440313.23[24]
932"Manic"Guy Norman BeePatrick HarbinsonSeptember 30, 2003E440111.50[24]
943"Mother"Ted KotcheffDawn DeNoon & Lisa Marie PetersenOctober 7, 2003E44049.90[25]
954"Loss"Constantine MakrisMichele Fazekas & Tara ButtersOctober 14, 2003E440212.65[24]
965"Serendipity"Constantine MakrisDawn DeNoon & Lisa Marie PetersenOctober 21, 2003E440811.80[24]
976"Coerced"Jean de SegonzacJonathan GreeneOctober 28, 2003E440912.10[24]
987"Choice"David PlattPatrick HarbinsonNovember 4, 2003E441113.20[24]
998"Abomination"Alex ZakrzewskiMichele Fazekas & Tara ButtersNovember 11, 2003E441012.99[24]
1009"Control"Ted KotcheffTeleplay by: Neal Baer
Story by: Dick Wolf		November 18, 2003E441313.94[24]
10110"Shaken"Constantine MakrisAmanda GreenNovember 25, 2003E441413.14[24]
10211"Escape"Jean de SegonzacBarbie KligmanDecember 2, 2003E441513.65[24]
10312"Brotherhood"Jean de SegonzacJosé MolinaJanuary 6, 2004E441215.40[25]
10413"Hate"David PlattRobert NathanJanuary 13, 2004E441614.00[24]
10514"Ritual"Ed BianchiRuth Fletcher Gage & Christos N. GageFebruary 3, 2004E440613.81[24]
10615"Families"Constantine MakrisJonathan GreeneFebruary 10, 2004E441912.89[24]
10716"Home"Rick WallaceAmanda GreenFebruary 17, 2004E442014.37[24]
10817"Mean"Constantine MakrisMichele Fazekas & Tara ButtersFebruary 24, 2004E442114.42[24]
10918"Careless"Steve ShillPatrick HarbinsonMarch 2, 2004E442212.50[24]
11019"Sick"David PlattDawn DeNoonMarch 30, 2004E442315.55[26]
11120"Lowdown"Jud TaylorRobert NathanApril 6, 2004E442412.60[24]
11221"Criminal"Alex ZakrzewskiJosé MolinaApril 20, 2004E442512.82[27]
11322"Painless"Juan J. CampanellaJonathan GreeneApril 27, 2004E442612.78[28]
11423"Bound"Constantine MakrisBarbie KligmanMay 4, 2004E442713.04[29]
11524"Poison"David PlattMichele Fazekas & Tara ButtersMay 11, 2004E442812.28[30]
11625"Head"Juan J. CampanellaDawn DeNoon & Lisa Marie PetersenMay 18, 2004E441818.36[31]


References

  1. ^ "March Checks Out of SVU". Zap2It. 2002-12-17. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
  2. ^ Green and Dawn (2009), p. 265
  3. ^ a b c 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)
  4. ^ a b Green and Dawn (2009), p. 274.
  5. ^ "Photos May Contradict Michael's Accuser (full text)"USA Today. McLean, Va. 1994-01-28.
  6. ^ Vigoda, Arlene. "Photos May Contradict Michael Jackson's Accuser." USA Today. 28 Jan. 1994: Pg. 2.
  7. ^ Sandler, Adam (November 23, 1993). "Jackson told to cooperate in civil trial". Variety. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  8. ^ Diane Neal. Diane Neal Gives You a Tour of the Law & Order: SVU Set. Wolf Films. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
  9. ^ Coleridge, Daniel (2003-10-17). "SVU Stud on Scrubs!". TV Guide. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
  10. ^ Green and Dawn (2009), p. 167
  11. ^ Green and Dawn (2009), p. 168
  12. ^ Green and Dawn (2009), p. 178
  13. ^ "SVU Emmy Nominations". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
  14. ^ Green and Dawn (2009), p. 277
  15. ^ "Twitter Interview With Spencer List". Celebrity Haute Spot. 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
  16. ^ Auer, Holly (2003-07-10). "NY teen lands role on spinoff of 'Law and Order'". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
  17. ^ Smith, Errin (2010-03-03). "Role Reversal: Judges Posner And Easterbrook Take Stand Against Blogger Who Threatened To Kill Them". Business Insider. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
  18. ^ Airhart, Mike (2003-11-12). "Ex-Gay Murder on 'Law And Order: SVU'". Ex-Gay Watch. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
  19. ^ Green and Dawn (2009), p. 268
  20. ^ Green and Dawn (2009), p. 275
  21. ^ Tucker, Cynthia (2004-06-06). "Homophobia kills, literally". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
  22. ^ "The apocrypha interview: Dann Florek". 2004. Retrieved 2012-12-28.
  23. ^ Logercio, Matt (2006). "My experience as a day player on Law & Order: SVU". Actors Life. Retrieved 2013-02-06.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "SpotVault - Law & Order: SVU (NBC) - 2003-04". Spot Vault. December 9, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  25. ^ a b "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - Series - Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - Series - Episode List - Season 5". TV Tango. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  26. ^ "WEEKLY PROGRAM RANKINGS: from 03/29/04 THROUGH 04/04/04". ABC Medianet. April 7, 2004. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  27. ^ "WEEKLY PROGRAM RANKINGS: FROM 04/19/04 THROUGH 04/25/04". ABC Medianet. April 27, 2004. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  28. ^ "WEEKLY PROGRAM RANKINGS: FROM 04/26/04 THROUGH 05/02/04". ABC Medianet. May 4, 2004. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  29. ^ "WEEKLY PROGRAM RANKINGS: FROM 05/03/04 THROUGH 05/09/04". ABC Medianet. May 11, 2004. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  30. ^ "WEEKLY PROGRAM RANKINGS: FROM 05/10/04 THROUGH 05/16/04". ABC Medianet. May 18, 2004. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  31. ^ "WEEKLY PROGRAM RANKINGS: 05/17/04 THROUGH 05/23/04". ABC Medianet. May 25, 2004. Retrieved March 7, 2012.

Bibliography

  • Green, Susan; Dawn, Randee (2009). Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: The Unofficial Companion. Dallas: BenBella Books. ISBN 1-933771-88-7.

External links

Preceded by
Season 4 		Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
list of seasons 		Succeeded by
Season 6
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