Okay, let's talk Law & Order: SVU. Specifically, Season 14, Episode 3: "Twenty-Three Whacks." You know, the one with the creepy daycare worker and the, shall we say, unconventional interrogation tactics.
I'm just going to say it. And maybe you'll agree, maybe you'll throw your remote at the screen. But here goes...
Unpopular Opinion Alert!
This episode? Underrated! Seriously. Everyone always talks about the super dark or overly dramatic ones. But this one is sneaky good.
We have a classic, disturbing crime. Little kids are involved, which automatically ramps up the tension. And the suspect? He's just... off. Like, unsettlingly vanilla.
Remember Mrs. Heston? The daycare provider? She was portrayed by Brooke Smith.
The Interrogation Dance
The real gold is in the interrogation room, though. Benson and Olivia are at their finest. They're playing good cop/slightly less good cop.
It's like watching a masterclass in psychological manipulation. They're probing, pushing, and subtly twisting the screws. All to get to the truth. Even if the truth is seriously messed up.
The tension is palpable. You are sitting on the edge of your seat. You find yourself asking if what is happening is ethical.
And let's be honest, we all secretly love watching criminals squirm under Benson's gaze. Don't deny it! It's cathartic.
The "Whack" Factor
The whole "Twenty-Three Whacks" thing? Super creepy. The fact that they connected it to the crime? Genius writing!
It's a detail that sticks with you. It makes you wonder about the hidden darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary people. The writers did an amazing job.
And that's what I think makes this episode so good. It's not just about the crime. It's about the unsettling possibilities and the hidden motives.
Carisi's Baby Face
Okay, a slight tangent. Carisi wasn't even in this episode! But remember how baby-faced he was when he first joined SVU?
He would have looked like he was 12, trying to interrogate a hardened criminal. It's hilarious to imagine.
He has grown on me over the years. Even if it took me a while to warm up to him.
The Verdict
So, yeah, "Twenty-Three Whacks" might not be the most talked-about SVU episode. But it's a solid, disturbing, and well-crafted piece of television.
It has everything you want in an SVU episode. Namely, good acting, a suspenseful plot, and some seriously messed-up characters.
Don't you agree? Maybe? Okay, fine, judge me. But I'm standing by my unpopular opinion. This episode is gold. Pure gold. Even if it involves a creepy daycare worker and some disturbing nursery rhymes.
Give it a rewatch! See if I changed your mind. You might be surprised.
And seriously, lock up your kids! Kidding! Mostly.
