A homeless man with bipolar disorder accused of killing a schizophrenic woman refuses to take his medications during the trial.A homeless man with bipolar disorder accused of killing a schizophrenic woman refuses to take his medications during the trial.A homeless man with bipolar disorder accused of killing a schizophrenic woman refuses to take his medications during the trial.
Photos
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn the hospital room scene, as Briscoe leaves, he says to McCoy and Carmichael, "Be our guest." This was the title of a song sung by Jerry Orbach in Beauty and the Beast (1991).
- Quotes
Danielle Melnick: Before you go anywhere near a death sentence you have to prove rape.
A.D.A. Abbie Carmichael: Are you alleging his semen beamed into her vagina?
- ConnectionsReferences Star Trek (1966)
Featured review
Culpability
The topic of schizophrenia and the consequences of not taking medication through for example being influenced by someone else is very sensitive territory and a difficult subject. Any film or television episode that dares tackle it deserves praise for even trying. It is easy to overplay, easy to not go into enough depth with it being such a complex condition and it is easy to portray it from too much of one side. 'Law and Order' often deals with difficult topics so well.
"Collision" is not the first time this subject was tackled on 'Law and Order', Season 6's "Pro Se" for example did so with a lot more tact, insight and complexity. 'Special Victims Unit' also tackled it a few times, namely at a time when the writing started getting heavy-handed and one-sided in some episodes, but "Collision" did so better than them. It is not a bad episode at all and really admired the fact that it dared going near the subject, but it could have been better.
It could have been handled with more tact as it did feel heavy handed in stretches when the writers made it too clear what side of the issue they were on and did so in a not particularly subtle way, disappointing considering that 'Law and Order' at this point was so good often at presenting tough topics from more than one point of view and in a way where you could see both sides. Not much new here too.
Wouldn't have said no to more tension and complexity, presenting it from more than one side would have made that happen. As would have shown more how it affects everybody else involved in the dilemmas presented and what the consequences mean for them.
Despite how all that sounds, as all that does not sound good, "Collision" does have a lot of good things. It is well made, intimately photographed and slick with no signs of under-budget or anything. The music didn't sound melodramatic or too constant and the direction is accomodating while still having pulse. The acting is very good, S. Epatha Merkerson is not talked about enough (including myself admittedly) and she shines in this episode. As do Sam Waterston and Angie Harmon, who also have strong chemistry, while Seth Barrish's portrayal is unsettling in a chilling and devastating way.
Even though it is heavy handed, the script is thought-provoking and doesn't ramble with nothing being held back. McCoy and Carmichael have an absolutely spot on exchange that sums up the story and the consequences perfectly. The story has enough moments where it is scary and heart-breaking, with a knockout of a twist that left me floored. It did perplex me first time admittedly but not now. It's not dull either.
Concluding, could have been better and more tactful but admirable all the same. 7/10.
"Collision" is not the first time this subject was tackled on 'Law and Order', Season 6's "Pro Se" for example did so with a lot more tact, insight and complexity. 'Special Victims Unit' also tackled it a few times, namely at a time when the writing started getting heavy-handed and one-sided in some episodes, but "Collision" did so better than them. It is not a bad episode at all and really admired the fact that it dared going near the subject, but it could have been better.
It could have been handled with more tact as it did feel heavy handed in stretches when the writers made it too clear what side of the issue they were on and did so in a not particularly subtle way, disappointing considering that 'Law and Order' at this point was so good often at presenting tough topics from more than one point of view and in a way where you could see both sides. Not much new here too.
Wouldn't have said no to more tension and complexity, presenting it from more than one side would have made that happen. As would have shown more how it affects everybody else involved in the dilemmas presented and what the consequences mean for them.
Despite how all that sounds, as all that does not sound good, "Collision" does have a lot of good things. It is well made, intimately photographed and slick with no signs of under-budget or anything. The music didn't sound melodramatic or too constant and the direction is accomodating while still having pulse. The acting is very good, S. Epatha Merkerson is not talked about enough (including myself admittedly) and she shines in this episode. As do Sam Waterston and Angie Harmon, who also have strong chemistry, while Seth Barrish's portrayal is unsettling in a chilling and devastating way.
Even though it is heavy handed, the script is thought-provoking and doesn't ramble with nothing being held back. McCoy and Carmichael have an absolutely spot on exchange that sums up the story and the consequences perfectly. The story has enough moments where it is scary and heart-breaking, with a knockout of a twist that left me floored. It did perplex me first time admittedly but not now. It's not dull either.
Concluding, could have been better and more tactful but admirable all the same. 7/10.
helpful•50
- TheLittleSongbird
- Nov 11, 2021
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