This is one of my favorite Law & Order episodes. Halee is such a talented actress in this episode.. I always hoped that there would be an episode on SVU several years later where young boys are being killed by a serial killer and have her be one of the suspects. You could tell she was not going to stop hurting boys. The way Hallee looked at the young boy at the end of the episode still makes me get chills....we don't see a lot of female predators on Special Victims Unit, and now she would be in her 20's now and be even worse. Come on Dick Wolf!! It would be a great story line, and all of your longtime Law & Order fans would love it!
11 Reviews
So the point is, Ms. Brandt, you didn't watch her like a hawk?
Mrpalli771 April 2018
A little boy was found dead in a construction site (inside a pipe) with his pants down, hit with a rock. Some children from the neighborhood found the body before the police and they called 911. One of them sold tickets to see the body (LOL). A pervert, working on a gas station, might have been the murderer, but the only witness (a little girl) lied to the police the first time. She, together with another friend of the same age (Hallee Hirsh), was seen with the victim shortly before the murder. Green knows how to deal with children and he let one girl talk. The perp was the daughter of a car thief recently arrested, but the one who confessed could have lied to police another time. Who pulled the strings?
In this episode you could see what run inside a brain of a child whose father was ripped off at early age that led her violence to escalate. Did she deserve a juvie home or a nuthouse? Figured it out by yourselves. Much work to be done for both psychologists (Skoda and Olivet).
In this episode you could see what run inside a brain of a child whose father was ripped off at early age that led her violence to escalate. Did she deserve a juvie home or a nuthouse? Figured it out by yourselves. Much work to be done for both psychologists (Skoda and Olivet).
The boy in the pipe is dead??
wdmvcsvd10 March 2022
Hallee Hirsh on "Killerz" episode of Law & Order
kristelyne7 February 2009
Warning: Spoilers
I agree that Hallee Hirsh's performance in this episode of Law & Order was nothing short of mesmerizing. The episode still haunts me, mostly because of the way she portrayed that creepy little girl. Jenny Brandt scared the crap out of me. She absolutely should have earned an Emmy for that role. "Killerz" was one of L&O's most memorable episodes--ever--because of her performance.
I've seen the episode in re-runs several times and always wonder, whatever happened to Jenny Brandt? Dick Wolf should bring her back for a follow-up to show us what became of her. Did she become a serial killer? Who else has she killed? Better yet, now that Nicole Wallace is out of the picture (?), bring back Jenny Brandt as Bobby Goren's new nemesis. Those two sure would make a pair.
Gawd, that kid was creepy. Every time I see her performance, I notice yet another nuance to her performance. Simply amazing.
I was later surprised to find out that she played Matt's Nazi girlfriend on Nip/Tuck. I've been waiting for this episode to air again. I haven't seen her since her in action Jenny Brandt days, except on Nip/Tuck, when I didn't realize it was Hallee.
I've seen the episode in re-runs several times and always wonder, whatever happened to Jenny Brandt? Dick Wolf should bring her back for a follow-up to show us what became of her. Did she become a serial killer? Who else has she killed? Better yet, now that Nicole Wallace is out of the picture (?), bring back Jenny Brandt as Bobby Goren's new nemesis. Those two sure would make a pair.
Gawd, that kid was creepy. Every time I see her performance, I notice yet another nuance to her performance. Simply amazing.
I was later surprised to find out that she played Matt's Nazi girlfriend on Nip/Tuck. I've been waiting for this episode to air again. I haven't seen her since her in action Jenny Brandt days, except on Nip/Tuck, when I didn't realize it was Hallee.
Hallee Hirsh deserves an Emmy for her performance in this episode
itisreal6541 August 2006
Warning: Spoilers
This episode ranks in the top 10-13 of all Law & Order episodes. Instead of two cases, it revolves around just one, the murder of a young boy who was placed in a sewer pipe with batteries in his mouth. After running down various leads, it starts looking like the perpetrator is a young 11 year old girl name Jenny Brandt and played to perfection by Hallee Hirsh. Where this young girl found the motivation to be able to go to the depths of evil she was able to do is beyond me. I had previously seen her in nice roles like playing Tom Hanks eight year old Aunt Annabelle in You've Got Mail. I have also seen her since in a wide variety of roles, both nice (Disney Channel movie) and not so nice (Dr Greene's daughter on ER). Most recently, last month, she starred on a Hallmark Channel movie opposite Richard Thomas in a movie called Wild Hearts. At any rate, her performance in Killerz should have won her an Emmy. Especially eerie were the closeups on her face during her trial - the look in her eyes as each stage of the trial progressed and when it became apparent that she was going to get away with it. The final look at a little boy entering the building was the clincher! I expect a very long and productive career from young Hallee Hirsh.
A killer episode
TheLittleSongbird20 October 2021
Have loved the original 'Law and Order' for a long time, particularly the earlier seasons, and consider it my personal favourite of the 'Law and Order' franchise. "Killerz" on paper immediately intrigued, to some (not me) it may seem too basic and ordinary. 'Law and Order' does have a good track record at making something great and more complex than expected out of stories that don't sound out of the ordinary on paper and understandably one expects similar from "Killerz".
After such a great start in "Gunshow", Season 10 continues the high standard with the even better "Killerz". It is another episode to be consistently attention grabbing and high quality throughout the entire duration but be even more special in the second half. Am saying that after seeing some 'Law and Order' episodes lately where the second halves were better than the first, a few quite a bit so. There have been a fair share of unsettling female perpetrators throughout the show and franchise, and the one here is definitely up there with the most unsettling.
"Killerz" is brilliant in every area. The production values are still fully professional, the slickness and subtly gritty style still remaining. The music is sparingly used and is haunting and thankfully non-overwrought. The direction shows some nice tension in the legal scenes. The script is well balanced, taut and intelligent, and handles complex themes tactfully yet with unyielding grit. McCoy made a lot of spot on summing ups of perpetrators, he sums this one up perfectly.
Moreover, "Killerz" has a compelling and clever story that delivers on plenty of unexpected and plausible twists and turns as well as some dark suspense. Helped by that the perpetrator is so amoral and really makes the skin crawl. The police portion is great but the legal scenes are absolutely riveting. Green has settled remarkably well and he and Briscoe are already well gelled and this is only their second episode.
While all the regulars are great, particularly Sam Waterston's authoritative and ruthless McCoy, the episode belongs to Hallee Hirsch. Who gives one of the show's best and scariest child performances, one would be hard pressed to find a more creepy performance from her and to this day it's still one of her best.
In conclusion, brilliant. 10/10.
After such a great start in "Gunshow", Season 10 continues the high standard with the even better "Killerz". It is another episode to be consistently attention grabbing and high quality throughout the entire duration but be even more special in the second half. Am saying that after seeing some 'Law and Order' episodes lately where the second halves were better than the first, a few quite a bit so. There have been a fair share of unsettling female perpetrators throughout the show and franchise, and the one here is definitely up there with the most unsettling.
"Killerz" is brilliant in every area. The production values are still fully professional, the slickness and subtly gritty style still remaining. The music is sparingly used and is haunting and thankfully non-overwrought. The direction shows some nice tension in the legal scenes. The script is well balanced, taut and intelligent, and handles complex themes tactfully yet with unyielding grit. McCoy made a lot of spot on summing ups of perpetrators, he sums this one up perfectly.
Moreover, "Killerz" has a compelling and clever story that delivers on plenty of unexpected and plausible twists and turns as well as some dark suspense. Helped by that the perpetrator is so amoral and really makes the skin crawl. The police portion is great but the legal scenes are absolutely riveting. Green has settled remarkably well and he and Briscoe are already well gelled and this is only their second episode.
While all the regulars are great, particularly Sam Waterston's authoritative and ruthless McCoy, the episode belongs to Hallee Hirsch. Who gives one of the show's best and scariest child performances, one would be hard pressed to find a more creepy performance from her and to this day it's still one of her best.
In conclusion, brilliant. 10/10.
Hallee Hirch's Most Memorable Performance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Warning: Spoilers)
mhearn9 September 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Years from now, people will still be asking Hallee Hirch about the character of Jenny Brandt, which she so brilliantly defined. I agree an award should have been given her for this episode. So help me, I found her more frightening than Patty Mcormanck in "The Bad Seed."
If you have NOT seen it, do not read further. If so, go ahead:
I had to agree with Slocum and McCoy. Jenny is, in one's words, "a textbook serial killer." Lock the rotten little bitch up, and throw away the key. The last shot shows McCoy is right.
One criticism with the script was its stacking too much Jenny's lower class, trash background. Sderial killers can come from here, but they can also hail from the upper classes. Another thing--the case was gender biased. The perp was a cute little girl. The judge, defense attorney, and Dr. Olivett were women. I can't help but wonder--IF Jenny had been a boy, who murdered a small girl, what would have been the cause. Damn sure he would have gotten a stronger sentence.
Women get away with everything, and this episode illustrates that. It also shows people can't see beyond cuteness to true evil. I say bring Hallee, 11 years later, back as Jenny, and see how she has turned out. I guarantee Hallee will do another excellent job, but Jenny will not have improved any. She will only have gotten worse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you have NOT seen it, do not read further. If so, go ahead:
I had to agree with Slocum and McCoy. Jenny is, in one's words, "a textbook serial killer." Lock the rotten little bitch up, and throw away the key. The last shot shows McCoy is right.
One criticism with the script was its stacking too much Jenny's lower class, trash background. Sderial killers can come from here, but they can also hail from the upper classes. Another thing--the case was gender biased. The perp was a cute little girl. The judge, defense attorney, and Dr. Olivett were women. I can't help but wonder--IF Jenny had been a boy, who murdered a small girl, what would have been the cause. Damn sure he would have gotten a stronger sentence.
Women get away with everything, and this episode illustrates that. It also shows people can't see beyond cuteness to true evil. I say bring Hallee, 11 years later, back as Jenny, and see how she has turned out. I guarantee Hallee will do another excellent job, but Jenny will not have improved any. She will only have gotten worse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hallee Hirsh is an incredible child actress!
psberreth21 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The plot is haunting. It is shocking to imagine anyone killing a child, even more so when the killer is a child who is already a psychopath. Hallee Hirsh portrayed the creepy child exquisitely. -- I was perplexed by not seeing her in adult roles, so I googled Hallee. She retired from acting while a young adult, and she and her husband are happily running their bakery!
Best episode ripe for a Sequel.
joepatrick-5378411 August 2023
This was a classic L&O episode. A ten year old girl comments murder. What does the law do with a child that may not have understood the consequences of her actions. That's the crux of the story. Return her to her parent and mandate intense counseling. And hope she doesn't grow up and continue to behave like a sociopath. An episode to follow up on thIs story would be great. The best part is the actress who played the character is still acting. Halle Hirsh, I would love to see her reprise the role. Frankly since Law and Order is still rolling right a long, why not?
Their are certainly worse ideas.
Their are certainly worse ideas.
Bad Seed
bkoganbing12 August 2019
Back in 1956 the film The Bad Seed shocked moviegoers with the idea that 10
year old Patty McCormack could be a killer. Nevertheless there it was and it
became McCormack's signature role.
Law And Order picked up on that theme and cast Hallie Hirsh who leads the older Madeline Blue into killing a seven year old boy and leaving the body in a drainpipe. The same kind of amoral act that Leopold and Loeb did way back in the 20s..
What to do with her, Hirsh that is who just shows no remorse, no empathy whatsoever. This turns into a duel between J.K. Simmons and former Law And Order resident psychiatrist Carolyn McCormick who is retained by the defense.
Some folks can't comprehend pure evil existing, yet there is Charles Manson. How much more incomprehensible when it's a child.
Law And Order picked up on that theme and cast Hallie Hirsh who leads the older Madeline Blue into killing a seven year old boy and leaving the body in a drainpipe. The same kind of amoral act that Leopold and Loeb did way back in the 20s..
What to do with her, Hirsh that is who just shows no remorse, no empathy whatsoever. This turns into a duel between J.K. Simmons and former Law And Order resident psychiatrist Carolyn McCormick who is retained by the defense.
Some folks can't comprehend pure evil existing, yet there is Charles Manson. How much more incomprehensible when it's a child.
Left begging for more
CrimeDrama116 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This episode should have led to a future episode since "Jenny" showed every sign of already being a serial killer. The future episode (Jenny is the prime suspect in 2+ murders) could refer back to the judge's ridiculous decision to set Jenny free. Perhaps, the actress wasn't interested but the reference could still be used. It's clear to me that the writers love making the judges look like the bad guy as often as possible. One of my favorite movies of all-time is "The Untouchables" and Kevin Costner offers one of my favorite lines in the movie. Just before leaving home to nail Al Capone, his wife says, "Be Careful." His response was, "Careful is mice." The judge in this episode was just like a mouse, not doing anything remotely risky, being careful. That's not how you stop a serial killer. I'm sure the crew had a big laugh over the stare-down scene at the end but it wasn't entertaining. It screamed "To be continued," but never was. Ridiculous.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
