Another terrific OC episode, written by Rick Marin who has penned some of the series' best.
Before we go further, gotta ask Law & Order casting directors, "Is it really that hard to find genuine New Yorkers in New York to play New Yorkers?"
Jen Jacob, as the wife of Donnelly (Denis Leary) - not an insignificant role - seems to be a competent actress but her attempt at a NY dialect is fingernails-on-chalkboard. Takes viewers right out of the moment. Total integrity-killer for a show like this.
That aside, lots of good stuff in this ep including continuity links to SVU's "Swing" (season 10, Oct. 2008, in which Ellen Burstyn is seen as Bernie Stabler for the first time).
Burstyn, an Emmy winner for this role, has been pretty spectacular in all her various OC appearances, and is extra-killer in "Change The Game." Protect her at all costs.
Jennifer Beals is also tops in this one. But the quiet moment between Stabler and Jet (Ainsley Sieger), and Stabler's musings on marriage are what make this episode kinda special.
Also, Leary and Meloni's scenes busting in on a hooker and tormenting an art dealer, should both go down in L&O lore as two of the franchise's top no-knocks.
Finally, can never leave out Danielle Mone Truitt as Bell; god she's fantastic.
Before we go further, gotta ask Law & Order casting directors, "Is it really that hard to find genuine New Yorkers in New York to play New Yorkers?"
Jen Jacob, as the wife of Donnelly (Denis Leary) - not an insignificant role - seems to be a competent actress but her attempt at a NY dialect is fingernails-on-chalkboard. Takes viewers right out of the moment. Total integrity-killer for a show like this.
That aside, lots of good stuff in this ep including continuity links to SVU's "Swing" (season 10, Oct. 2008, in which Ellen Burstyn is seen as Bernie Stabler for the first time).
Burstyn, an Emmy winner for this role, has been pretty spectacular in all her various OC appearances, and is extra-killer in "Change The Game." Protect her at all costs.
Jennifer Beals is also tops in this one. But the quiet moment between Stabler and Jet (Ainsley Sieger), and Stabler's musings on marriage are what make this episode kinda special.
Also, Leary and Meloni's scenes busting in on a hooker and tormenting an art dealer, should both go down in L&O lore as two of the franchise's top no-knocks.
Finally, can never leave out Danielle Mone Truitt as Bell; god she's fantastic.