Birthright
- Episode aired Sep 21, 2004
- TV-14
- 42m
The investigation into the attempted kidnapping of a six-year-old girl uncovers a fertility doctor's scheme to steal embryos, and prompts a custody battle between the child's biological and ... Read allThe investigation into the attempted kidnapping of a six-year-old girl uncovers a fertility doctor's scheme to steal embryos, and prompts a custody battle between the child's biological and birth mothers.The investigation into the attempted kidnapping of a six-year-old girl uncovers a fertility doctor's scheme to steal embryos, and prompts a custody battle between the child's biological and birth mothers.
Photos
- Special Agent Dr. George Huang, M.D.
- (as B.D. Wong)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaMichelle Osborne tells Stabler and Benson that her daughter was kidnapped from a rest area on the New Jersey Turnpike. The Alexander Hamilton Service Area is the only rest stop on the Turnpike between New York City and Morristown, NJ.
- GoofsWhen Detectives Stabler and Tutuola draw their weapons, there are the sounds of hammers being cocked back. However, the pistols they are wielding are Glock semiautomatics. Glocks are striker-fired weapons with an internal firing pin; there is no external hammer to be cocked back. Therefore, the cocking sound, likely added in post-production for dramatic effect, could not possibly have been made by either detective's weapon.
- Quotes
Elliot Stabler: [summing up to Casey how it feels to be a parent] I would die for my children and there's not a thing that would change that. Ever.
"Birthright" didn't disappoint in a brilliant Season 6 premiere, that sees 'Special Victims Unit' return to form. One of the better season openers of the early seasons, and one of the most thought-provoking and poignant. This is a subject that is not easy to tackle, the hard-hitting and controversial ones never are (but 'Special Victims Unit' was extremely good at tackling difficult issues in a way that resonates and disturbs), and "Birthright" explores it wonderfully and with full impact.
Everything works here. The production values are slick and have a subtle grit, with an intimacy to the photography without being too claustrophobic. The music isn't used too much and doesn't get too melodramatic. The direction is sympathetic but also alert. The script is tightly structured and intelligent, conveying a wide range of emotions, especially in the latter stages when the complexity comes in.
The King Solomon story sums up the case and its moral dilemmas so well. The story is very compelling and powerful, with a heart-wrenching ending and intelligent and uncompromising approach to the moral dilemmas that come with such a difficult subject. The character interaction and writing is very well rounded and is not one dimensional in a case where one feels for both mothers and where one sees both points of view.
Novak has really come into her own and has really grown on me compared to when she was first introduced early on in Season 5. She has a real command and emotional connection when summing up the moral dilemma in court. The episode is beautifully acted by all, especially by Diane Neal, a heartfelt Abigail Breslin and Lea Thompson.
Brilliant episode all in all. 10/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jan 13, 2021