Initially i was conflicted by this episode because i didn't know how the message and meaning of this case was going to play out with regards to the struggle of sexual transition and possibly contributing to a stigma and hate towards these individuals in the end, not to mention adding to the stigma, the act of a crime. By the end it felt like it opened the door to conversation if anything which is important. I don't think the crime was in anyway justified but it gave the show the vehicle to examine the subject. The cast in this case was stellar as always.
5 Reviews
Very well crafted and brave
TheLittleSongbird18 November 2021
On first watch, "Transitions" came over as a truly powerful and intelligent episode. Not only did it become one of my easy favourites of Season 10, but also saw it as an episode that got the season back on the right track. 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' has been a bit on and off as a show for me for a while now. The early seasons saw a lot of brilliance with only a small handful of disappointments, but from this point on it became more variable and generally it's past its sell by date. Season 10 is one of the biggest examples of showing exactly why.
Season 10 left me very mixed to disappointed, as has been said already, but "Transitions" is still a powerful and intelligent episode. The story is one of the season's most difficult, with it being a very controversial one that has a lot of relevance now, and the execution is sensitive, not sugar-coated and also brave. "Transitions" is not the first or last time gay rights and transgenderism was explored on 'Special Victims Unit', but it is one of the most tactful explorations of it while also having a case that showed what the show was all about and what too many Season 10 episodes were losing sight of.
Greylek never did it for me as a character, my feelings have not only not changed she's actually a character that irks me even more today. She is really not good at understanding the bigger picture and understanding why things happened the way they did and that was apparent in all her appearances, as well as her pomposity and aloofness.
"Transitions" however has so many fabulous aspects. As said there are some very difficult issues raised here (some of the most difficult of the season) and they are dealt with uncompromisingly and sensitively, this is the type of episode that could easily have been heavy handed and one sided but it doesn't feel like any judgement for or against is being made. Although it is very easy to hate the father's attitude towards Hailey (which is extreme), one in my experience doesn't completely hate him when accepting such a big change is hard and is so current and true to life. While one hates the perpetrator's actions, their point of view becomes understandable once the completely unexpected twist on them is revealed.
Bridger Zadina is outstanding as Hailey, one of the season's best guest turns along with Sarah Hyland, Ellen Burstyn and Carol Burnett. It is a very poignant and gut wrenching performance with a level of depth that is not always seen from someone so young, actually found Hailey easy to root for without feeling forced to. Aisha Hinds is suitably sympathetic. The regulars are excellent, excepting Micaela McManus who is her usual wooden self.
It is really good to not have personal life melodrama and contrived ways of getting to the truth, instead focusing on the characters involved in the case (none of the characters being black and white or beige, even the father) and the case. Which is intricate and thoroughly absorbing, with a lot of tension and emotion later on and some genuine "left me floored" moments. Especially the identity of the perpetrator and the truth about them. The script is tactful, thoughtful and manages to be lean enough despite having a lot of talk, very insightful in what it has to say about transgenderism, who it affects and how it affects the person in question and their family.
Furthermore, "Transitions" is shot with the right amount of intimacy without being claustrophobic and that the editing has become increasingly tighter over-time has been great too. Nice use of locations too. The music doesn't get over-scored or overwrought, even in the more dramatic revelation moments. The direction doesn't try to do too much and is understated but never flat or unsure.
Overall, wonderful. 9/10.
Season 10 left me very mixed to disappointed, as has been said already, but "Transitions" is still a powerful and intelligent episode. The story is one of the season's most difficult, with it being a very controversial one that has a lot of relevance now, and the execution is sensitive, not sugar-coated and also brave. "Transitions" is not the first or last time gay rights and transgenderism was explored on 'Special Victims Unit', but it is one of the most tactful explorations of it while also having a case that showed what the show was all about and what too many Season 10 episodes were losing sight of.
Greylek never did it for me as a character, my feelings have not only not changed she's actually a character that irks me even more today. She is really not good at understanding the bigger picture and understanding why things happened the way they did and that was apparent in all her appearances, as well as her pomposity and aloofness.
"Transitions" however has so many fabulous aspects. As said there are some very difficult issues raised here (some of the most difficult of the season) and they are dealt with uncompromisingly and sensitively, this is the type of episode that could easily have been heavy handed and one sided but it doesn't feel like any judgement for or against is being made. Although it is very easy to hate the father's attitude towards Hailey (which is extreme), one in my experience doesn't completely hate him when accepting such a big change is hard and is so current and true to life. While one hates the perpetrator's actions, their point of view becomes understandable once the completely unexpected twist on them is revealed.
Bridger Zadina is outstanding as Hailey, one of the season's best guest turns along with Sarah Hyland, Ellen Burstyn and Carol Burnett. It is a very poignant and gut wrenching performance with a level of depth that is not always seen from someone so young, actually found Hailey easy to root for without feeling forced to. Aisha Hinds is suitably sympathetic. The regulars are excellent, excepting Micaela McManus who is her usual wooden self.
It is really good to not have personal life melodrama and contrived ways of getting to the truth, instead focusing on the characters involved in the case (none of the characters being black and white or beige, even the father) and the case. Which is intricate and thoroughly absorbing, with a lot of tension and emotion later on and some genuine "left me floored" moments. Especially the identity of the perpetrator and the truth about them. The script is tactful, thoughtful and manages to be lean enough despite having a lot of talk, very insightful in what it has to say about transgenderism, who it affects and how it affects the person in question and their family.
Furthermore, "Transitions" is shot with the right amount of intimacy without being claustrophobic and that the editing has become increasingly tighter over-time has been great too. Nice use of locations too. The music doesn't get over-scored or overwrought, even in the more dramatic revelation moments. The direction doesn't try to do too much and is understated but never flat or unsure.
Overall, wonderful. 9/10.
a 13-year-old girl in a boy's body, and a father who won't accept it
wdstarr-124 December 2020
In an episode about people of one gender who were unfortunately born into bodies of the opposite and, for them, wrong gender, the then-15-year-old actor Bridger Zadina anchors the episode with an excellent performance as a 13-year-old girl in a boy's body, and actress Daniela Sea is somehow utterly credible in a smaller role as a female-bodied 17-year-old boy, despite apparently having been 32 years old at the time. (In real life, Sea has come out as non-binary; I don't know whether that was before or after ths episode was made.)
The story itself works well too, as the whole crime is driven by a father's selfish refusal to accept that the son he loved is actually a daughter. (Frankly, there were times in the episode when I found myself wishing that his attempted murder had been successful.) More conservative audience members will probably hate this episode but what are you gonna do: in this case reality really *does* have a liberal bias.
(And also, as part of a red-herring sub-plot we meet an anthropologist who *really* goes the extra mile in her research.)
The story itself works well too, as the whole crime is driven by a father's selfish refusal to accept that the son he loved is actually a daughter. (Frankly, there were times in the episode when I found myself wishing that his attempted murder had been successful.) More conservative audience members will probably hate this episode but what are you gonna do: in this case reality really *does* have a liberal bias.
(And also, as part of a red-herring sub-plot we meet an anthropologist who *really* goes the extra mile in her research.)
Be betrayed by your own body
yazguloner24 June 2021
Aisha Hinds
labenji-1216322 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
After reading the below reviews on the this episode, and while I appreciate the insightful analysis, I couldn't help but notice the absence of mention regarding Aisha Hinds's remarkable performance, particularly during her time on the witness stand.
Aisha and Bridger Zadina (Haley) played pivotal roles that significantly contributed to the episode's impact. Aisha's portrayal, especially during the courtroom scenes, demonstrated her exceptional talent and added depth to the narrative.
I understand that reviews cover various aspects, but I believe acknowledging key performances is essential for a comprehensive critique. Perhaps future reviews could explore the nuanced performances of all significant characters to provide a more holistic perspective.
Just saying.
Aisha and Bridger Zadina (Haley) played pivotal roles that significantly contributed to the episode's impact. Aisha's portrayal, especially during the courtroom scenes, demonstrated her exceptional talent and added depth to the narrative.
I understand that reviews cover various aspects, but I believe acknowledging key performances is essential for a comprehensive critique. Perhaps future reviews could explore the nuanced performances of all significant characters to provide a more holistic perspective.
Just saying.
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