TV Thoughts on L&O: SVU (9/25): Crazy Like Miranda

There's no question for me -- Law and Order: SVU is far and away the strongest of the Law and Order franchise. The acting is top-notch, the stories are generally pretty interesting, and the guest stars are impressive and appropriate. So I looked forward to last night's episode, which promised "Cynthia Nixon as you've never seen her before."

Well, it's true -- I have never seen Cynthia Nixon play a woman with multiple personalities before. Or, to be accurate, I have never seen Cynthia Nixon play a woman who is playing a woman with multiple personalities before. And although she was convincing in the role, it is actually the scenario she was placed in where the problem lies.

All in all, the season premiere was a big, hot mess. For the first 2/3 of the episode, there wasn't even an actual crime! And the show played so fast and loose with the disorder itself, if I was a member of the psychiatric community (or a patient suffering from the disease), I would be downright insulted. Having it all be a ruse for two sisters to murder their formerly abusive parents? Come on, L&O, you can do better than that.

It was good to see Mariska Hargitay back on the case full-time, though (with short hair, no less!), it seems like Stabler and his wife are really trying to make a go of it, and it was humorous to see Munch temporarily assume the role of captain during Kragen's suspension. Hopefully next week we'll get back to an episode that actually makes a bit of sense!

Click for more TV Reviews and Recaps

Click for Today's Top 10 Posts

Predicting the Emmys: Leading Actress in a Drama

For the next two weeks, I will be giving my predictions for the 2007 Emmy Awards. Who was overlooked? Who should win? And who's gonna win?

BEST LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Patricia Arquette, Medium
Minnie Driver, The Riches
Edie Falco, The Sopranos
Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

Overlooked:
Connie Britton, Friday Night Lights
Lauren Graham, Gilmore Girls
Ellen Pompeo, Grey's Anatomy

Should Win: Sally Field

Will Win: Edie Falco

Potential Spoiler: Kyra Sedgwick

This is probably the most difficult category to call, with almost all of the nominees having a fighting chance at taking home the award. Having said that, Patricia Arquette and Mariska Hargitay, both former winners, are unlikely to repeat past triumphs, and Sally Field, my personal pick, is also a bit of a dark horse. That leaves Minnie Driver, Edie Falco and Kyra Sedgwick to battle it out, and I'm guessing one final nod to Carmela will be too much for the voters to ignore. And Falco deserves it, if not for this final season, than for six stellar years of work on The Sopranos. Don't count out Sedgwick, though -- she is adored, and has almost single-handedly made basic cable the place to be, so she could sneak into the winner's circle. Driver, who does fine work on The Riches, will likely have to be satisfied with the nomination.

Click for more 2007 Emmy Awards

Click for This Fall at Idol Thoughts