(S01E08) Well, you guys were right about the way Connie Nielsen's character was going to exit the show. Det. Dani Beck has been getting increasingly upset over the victims of SVU cases and this week's case was just too much for her to handle. Pity. I was actually starting to enjoy her character, who started out as a reckless cop with bad judgment but ended as an emotional wreck with bad judgment.
This week we met one seriously messed up little kid, played by Elle Fanning (Dakota's little sis). Fanning did a great job of playing a cute, but eery little girl. She kept telling the detectives about her horrible treatment at the hands of her foster parents, but it was obvious something was off about this kid. Dani didn't see it though, and made the poor decision of bringing the little girl home before she was supposed to testify in court. The girl lit Dani's living room on fire and nearly killed the two of them. She said she did it because she didn't want Dani to leave her. Dani realized she couldn't fix this messed up kid, and she left the unit.
By the way, do you think the little girl (Fanning, Jr.) was lying about her treatment in the foster home? I couldn't decide, since the kids gave conflicting stories. I mean, the parents did kill a girl and put another kid in a cage so the little firestarter could've been telling the truth.
This episode left me with heartache for poor Elliot. He seemed so optimistic after he made out with Dani last week and was acting very affectionately toward her this week. Even seeing his soon-to-be ex-wife didn't derail him. Now it looks like he's all alone again, and Olivia is coming back. His unresolved feelings for her-- feelings that he is bottling up because she can't handle his affection--will no doubt be at the forefront again.
On a side note, wasn't it great to see Munch and Tutuola again? Munch didn't really get any good zingers in there, but it wasn't really the type of episode that called for a lot of his smart-ass character.
Can't wait for Mariska's (real) return next week!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-22-2006 @ 12:45PM
TomB said...
Do we really need another Fanning? Yes, she did a great job on the show, but there are plenty of other little actresses out there that could have done just as well.
Although I really like the Dani character and the actress playing her is great (and beautiful) I'll be glad when Olivia is back. I'd be great if the Dani character could join the cast permanently.
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11-23-2006 @ 1:10PM
Liz said...
I gotta say that this episode freaked me out. Miss Fanning did an outstanding job, but what the?!?
There has been something off this entire season and...are you ready for this...it's because Stabler and Benson aren't partners. It's like another show, since cancelled, that I watched every week. You can't throw a new "partnership" together between two characters that have never worked together before and expect the (majority of) the viewing audience to accept it. I may be ranting here, but I for one NEVER liked Stabler & Beck. And don't get me started on that kiss. Yeck. It seemed forced and this week's episode it was clear, to this viewer, that their "chemistry" was forced as well.
Thank God Benson is back next week. I can't wait for Stabler's reaction. And was it just me, or did Mariska look absolutely fab in the previews?
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11-28-2006 @ 9:15AM
rvkey said...
I thought Elliot and Dani had plenty of chemistry. I loved the kiss! Hate to see her go. I'm not sure the show would work if Elliot and Olivia hooked up though.
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11-29-2006 @ 5:47PM
tracey said...
i hated that beck character, glad to see her go. shows get screwed up when they lose that basic flavor of solving crime. it's crime tv. not romance tv. glad olivia is back.
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12-02-2006 @ 11:18AM
Stacey said...
I personally am glad that Dani has left the show (for now?) - I found her too annoying to concentrate on the story! I didn't completely understand the attraction between her and Stabler - was it just because she had a trace of an accent? It's incredible what an accent can do...
Glad that Olivia is back, and can't wait until next week!
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11-30-2006 @ 11:26AM
Mary said...
Okay, I was starting to warm up to Det. Dani Beck a little but not enough to have her stay. L&O has always been about the crimes and the victims. I am not ready to start down the slippery slope of romantically interlacing the characters on the show. There are a dozen "dramas" already on TV I can see that if I choose. Stick with the story!
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