Detectives discover that a recently-murdered white woman had recently given birth to a baby whose race reveals a well-kept secret about the baby's biological father.Detectives discover that a recently-murdered white woman had recently given birth to a baby whose race reveals a well-kept secret about the baby's biological father.Detectives discover that a recently-murdered white woman had recently given birth to a baby whose race reveals a well-kept secret about the baby's biological father.
Photos
- Dr. Nancy Frieder
- (as Catherine Cox)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAdam Schiff's quote "Back then they had lynch mobs and bull-whips; now they use toilet plungers" is a reference to the beating and sexual assault of Abner Louima at the hands of the NYPD. The case made national news in August 1997, a few months before this episode first aired.
On August 9, 1997 Haitian immigrant Abner Louima was arrested outside a nightclub in Brooklyn. Responding officers Thomas Bruder, Charles Schwarz, Justin Volpe, and Thomas Wiese viciously beat Louima during the ride to the precinct with their nightsticks, radios, and fists.
Once Louima was in a holding cell he was stripped naked and searched, then the beating resumed. Louima was cuffed and led to a bathroom where Volpe forcibly sodomized him with a broken broomstick. Volpe then jammed the broomstick into his mouth, breaking several of his teeth.
Louima was hospitalized for 2 months following the brutal attacks and required 3 surgeries to repair the damage wrought by the officers.- Volpe initially pleaded not guilty, but was convicted in 1999 of the charges and sentenced to 30 years in prison and ordered to pay $277,495 restitution and a $525 fine
- Schwarz was convicted in 2000 and sentenced to 15 years in prison
- Bruder, Wiese, and another officer, Sergeant Michael Bellomo were indicted for trying to cover up the brutal sexual and physical assault. They were initially convicted, but this was overturned by a federal judge in 2002.
- GoofsAll entries contain spoilers
- Quotes
ADA Jamie Ross: Ms. Houston, we uncovered some documents relating to your divorce. I've highlighted the relevant portions. When I got a divorce, I fought for custody of my child, but you actually fought not to have custody.
Frances Houston: I don't know what you're talking about.
ADA Jamie Ross: It's all there in the draft agreements. Neither of you wanted custody. Your husband for practical reasons. And you... he actually had to triple the alimony payments before you'd agree.
Frances Houston: They're wrong.
Defense Attorney Ms. Joyner: What I see in these papers is a negotiation. Whatever meaning you're reading into it...
Executive ADA Jack McCoy: Was confirmed by Mr. Burdett himself. And he'll testify to it at her next trial. She didn't want the boy because he's black.
Frances Houston: Josh would never get up in court.
Executive ADA Jack McCoy: He already agreed to do it.
ADA Jamie Ross: The next jury won't buy your Mary-Mother-of-God routine!
Executive ADA Jack McCoy: They'll see you for who you are. A bigot whose racism runs so deep, you even hate your own son.
Defense Attorney Ms. Joyner: I assume there's an offer coming?
Executive ADA Jack McCoy: Man one, eight-and-a-third-to-25.
Frances Houston: Well, I want to see the other attorneys at the firm!
Executive ADA Jack McCoy: The white attorneys? You walk out that door, Ms. Houston, the offer is off the table. You'll be retried for murder two. You have an attorney present. Give me your answer now.
- ConnectionsReferences Gone with the Wind (1939)
That it doesn't work plays a major part in why "Blood" disappointed. It is not a bad episode and it does intrigue, but after six good to great previous episodes it was sad to see Season 8's first disappointment. "Blood" is one of the most ambitious stories thematically, racism, blending in, hiding identities and prejudice are very interesting and brave topics to cover, but would have made a lot more impact if the case was a lot easier to swallow and made sense and if the subject was delved into a lot more.
"Blood" does have things that works in its favour don't get me wrong. 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. Some of the dialogue is smart and provokes thought.
Some of the second half fascinates and really did admire and was interested in what "Blood" had to say about its themes, especially the identity hiding and prejudice. The performances are excellent from all, with S Epatha Merkerson (who isn't talked about enough on this show, am guilty of this myself and saying a lot instead about Jerry Orbach and Sam Waterston) indeed shining in the squad room. Stephen Mendillo and Deborah Rush give truly fine performances as well, Rush being particularly compelling.
However, the case in "Blood" is even more improbable in execution than on paper. On paper, it sounds biologically impossible (then again this is coming from a non-expert on this matter). In eecution, the truth was equally very difficult to buy to the point of implausibility. Maybe it would have rung true if it was actually explained why a character was born a different skin colour to their parents, but the episode neglected to provide one and it is a major problem as the case revolves heavily around it.
Also thought some of "Blood" was quite slow, especially at the quite routine start, and confused more than it illuminated with more questions than answers. The dialogue could have been tighter and flowed more, as well as explored the subject with more subtlety and meat.
Concluding, appreciated it but too implausible for my tastes. 6/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jun 15, 2021