User Reviews

Have gained so much more appreciation for the character of Fin Tutuola over-time, especially since the earlier seasons of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' have started airing again after so much focus on the later ones for a while. To begin with when first getting into the show starting admittedly in its mid-years, he was not one of my favourite characters or one of the most interesting. Seeing and re-watching the early seasons over-time, he struck me as an interesting and better used character with a more sympathetic streak.

That is evident here in one of his, for me, one of his best ever episodes. "Denial" is one of Season 3's most poignant episodes and one of its best. And actually it is not for the case. It is more with having such a well developed victim, a crucial relationship being done so well, the emotional impact, that it gives a regular character character development and seeing a softer and more relatable side to them not seen as much before and not seen enough since.

Where to begin with the praise? Well for one thing there is a very powerful performance from Martha Plimpton, one of Season 3's most note-worthy guest turns in a performance boasting intensity and harrowing poignancy. Mary Steenburgen also plays a loathsome character quite chillingly. The other acting standout is Ice-T, while all the regulars are strong he is in a different league here, back when he had particularly meaty material, had more depth to him and wasn't underused.

It was wonderful to see Ice-T so sympathetic and nuanced, and to see a softer side to Fin. A side that we don't see enough of in the latter seasons in my view.

While the case definitely does compel, even with a purposefully deliberate pace, and is one that makes one sad and angry (a good mix, 'Special Victims Unit' did excel at that mix of strong emotions), like "Guilt" "Denial" is very much a character-driven episode. The heart of it essentially comes from the character of Claire and the relationship between her and Fin. Both beautifully done. The ending is incredibly touching.

Can't fault the slick production values, understated enough music or the direction. The script is beautifully written and balanced, with a welcome softer edge to most Season 3 episodes.

Bottom line, wonderful and one of the season's best. 10/10

This in my mind is one of the best of the series. It presents us with an inscrutable knot of facts, with no real way of untying it until very near the end. Our heartstrings are thoroughly tugged by two dead infants and (somehow) Claire Rinato, although there is a definite shadow across that character for most of the episode. I agree with another reviewer who praises the performances of Ice-T and Martha Plimpton. Martha Plimpton is no surprise. She was born into the business, both parents being actors, including her father, Keith Carradine. Ice-T, coming from a hip-hop background, is less expected. When he arrived to replace Michelle Hurd as Monique Jeffries in series 2, I was uncertain about the casting, but he has settled well into the part, becoming a solid part of the family in later series. This may be one of the first episodes in which he got the chance to really shine.

The SVU squad goes from the rape of the drug addicted Martha Plimpton to the death of an infant. That second one is discovered only after Plimpton reporting her rape is discovered to be carrying the mummified body part of a dead infant's finger.

According to Plimpton's sister Mary Steenburgen this was the body part of her dead baby girl and Plimpton was her older sister. Steenburgen is a true low life, but at the moment she's sober though she's discovered with the rest of the infant's body. Steenburgen and Plimpton blame each other. Ice-T whose years with narcotics give him some insight into the workings of Plimpton's mind is sympathetic to her, but can't take her word for anything. And both ADA Stephanie March and Mariska Hargitay want the blame apportioned rightly in the Rinato family.

In the end it's Steenburgen's and Plimpton's mother who provides the tipping evidence. This Rinato family is truly gutter trash, Parsons is really mom of the year.