That's one of the best SVU episodes I've seen. Those two actors were so great. Wallace Shawn and Judd Hirsch - BRAVO Very moving.
26 Reviews
One of the Best SVU Episodes I've ever seen! Powerful.
strek1-130 November 2018
This one got to me
dosenfliege1 December 2018
This is my very first time writing a review. I've watched hundreds of SVU episodes but this one took the cake emotionally. Amazing acting, impactful. Left a bittersweet feeling. Definitely recommended, even if you are not into SVU all that much.
WOW
gjenevieve20 January 2019
Master class in acting
DannyP8812 December 2019
The story -- of two cantankerous senior citizen brothers who, it turns out, had been living with skeletons in their closets for years -- was powerful enough... but the performances turned in by 84-year-old Judd Hirsch and 76-year-old Wallace Shawn were mesmerizing. Watch their subtle pauses, the way they seem to always be looking off into the distant past, and how their hurt and pain simmers then bubbles to the surface. In my opinion, it is their best work since Hirsch's role in Running on Empty, and Shawn's turn in The Princess Bride. Just brilliant. Kudos to director Alex Chapple as well for giving their performances room to breathe.
One of the best SVU episodes
maryellenjust-136-8301154 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This episode-with elderly victims - is exceptionally good.
I cried at the end. I've never cried at the end of an SVU episode before today. The acting was exceptional; but more than that, it brings to the forefront the fact that the elderly suffered and are still suffering the effects of sexual abuse. Bravo!
I cried at the end. I've never cried at the end of an SVU episode before today. The acting was exceptional; but more than that, it brings to the forefront the fact that the elderly suffered and are still suffering the effects of sexual abuse. Bravo!
An absolutely stunning episode
Centurius1 December 2018
I have never before actually gone through the effort of writing a review but this episode deserved it. I went into it mostly wondering what the heck was going on but the incredible story (brought to life by even more incredible actors) had me in tears by the end. Even if you think SVU has gone downhill the past few seasons, watch this episode. You will not regret it.
Wow...
HaveYouEverNoticed29 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This has got to be one of the most powerful SVU episodes I've seen in a very long time. While both brothers were telling their stories to Liv and Amanda, I realized that I was holding my breath! I swear, I couldn't breathe. They both deserved Emmys for their parts. They grew up in such a different time, things like that weren't talked about, especially when the victim is a boy. Hell, boys being victims STILL aren't taken as seriously as girl victims. Seeing both Wallace Shawn and Judd Hirsch playing these roles absolutely captivated me. I'm so used to laughing when I see or hear these guys. This episode is definitely one that I'm keeping on my DVR.
Heart Catching Episode
ReviewbyMichele13 May 2019
Excellent
mumbeecee30 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Wallace Shawn and Judd Hirsch put in great performances. For the reviewer who thinks they didn't solve "Tammy's" murder, yes they did. The guy they brought in who out of nowhere yelled "I'm not gay!" was in negotiations with Peter Stone on a second degree murder charge with the Hate Crime charge dropped. (Anyone know if the brothers' house was the same one used on Criminal Intent's "Palimpsest"?)
So excellent, intense, real and at times very funny
TechnicolorLife1 December 2018
This episode is off the charts. I think SVU has been slipping, getting too political and too politically correct. This episode had balance. But that's only one part of its excellence. The acting!! These two brothers of another time. How refreshing they were, not understanding at all how our society has changed. The actors portrayed that so well. And of course the topic itself was so carefully unwrapped to the viewer. I wish all episodes were of this quality. Hard to find now on network TV.
Inhale ... Exhale ...
yazguloner15 April 2021
Secrets of Affection
Is it murder to end the breathing of someone you love, or to relieve their pain?
How far would you go for the sake of someone you affection?
This episode is... amazing... great article.
On the one hand, you wander through the magical and realistic world of books, on the other hand, you become the audience in the theater scene.
On the one hand, sadness and gratitude like the green mile and the shawshank redemption, on the other, like lord of the rings, fellowship of the ring and These two brothers conducting the orchestra.
The wonderful acting, the sympathetic smiling brotherhood and the tears brought by this long comradeship ... a very touching, impressive episode, I first applaud Judd Hirsch ve Wallace Shawn. And svu all of them.
Is it murder to end the breathing of someone you love, or to relieve their pain?
How far would you go for the sake of someone you affection?
This episode is... amazing... great article.
On the one hand, you wander through the magical and realistic world of books, on the other hand, you become the audience in the theater scene.
On the one hand, sadness and gratitude like the green mile and the shawshank redemption, on the other, like lord of the rings, fellowship of the ring and These two brothers conducting the orchestra.
The wonderful acting, the sympathetic smiling brotherhood and the tears brought by this long comradeship ... a very touching, impressive episode, I first applaud Judd Hirsch ve Wallace Shawn. And svu all of them.
Those Edelman Brothers
bkoganbing24 June 2020
The murder of young prostitute who presented n female drag is a possible hate
crime which is what the SVU squad first thinks. But when Ice-T traces the royalty
checks the original novel traces back to a computer in a rambling old house in
Harlem.
It's inhabited by the Edelman brothers Judd Hirsch and Wallace Shawn and these two really give this story its zing. They haven't left the house since the 70s and there are many mysteries about these two bickering brothers. Some of which do fall under the mission of the Special Victims Unit.
There is a dramatic courtroom scene as a climax. Think of the classic MGM film A Free Soul.
Hirsch and Shawn are quite an act. Like an old vaudeville team.
It's inhabited by the Edelman brothers Judd Hirsch and Wallace Shawn and these two really give this story its zing. They haven't left the house since the 70s and there are many mysteries about these two bickering brothers. Some of which do fall under the mission of the Special Victims Unit.
There is a dramatic courtroom scene as a climax. Think of the classic MGM film A Free Soul.
Hirsch and Shawn are quite an act. Like an old vaudeville team.
Immaculate writing and Spectacular Acting
lfanchette9 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The writers of this episode should have been awarded for this incredible tour de force. From the opening scenes of the young "Bobbi" reading a passage from the book, and then the exposition of this incredible story of two brothers seemingly at odds with one another living a hermit like existence from the world and each other. Both sharing the same horrifying experience as children and yet not being able to tell either each other. Then the last scene of the real "Bobbi" finally telling his dead brother the real story of what happened all those years ago, an echo of the opening scenes. Powerful writing given extra impact by two amazing performances by Wallace Shawn and Judd Hirsch.
Heart-wrenching
james-taavon7 December 2018
The best episode in a very long time
bacrundwell7 March 2019
A tale of two brothers
TheLittleSongbird28 May 2023
Of all the Season 20 episodes on first watch, "Alta Kockers" was definitely in the top three episodes that stuck in my mind the most. Especially because of the guest turns of Wallace Shawn and Judd Hirsch and for Shawn's interrogation scene. On first watch, it was a great, powerful episode and one of the few from Season 20 that left a hugely positive impression on me. Loved 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' in its prime, but it has been past its best in a long time despite being capable of brilliance.
"Alta Kockers" is a fine example of the show still being capable of brilliance. It was an even better episode on rewatch than on first watch and came over as even more powerful, everything that left a big impression on first watch bowled me over. Easily one of the best episodes of Season 20, the first one to be above very good level. And one of the few great ones of a patchy season where even most of the better faring episodes were still uneven, if there was any contender for the season's best "Alta Kockers" is a very strong contender.
It is not quite perfect. The initial crime set in the present day is dispatched of too quickly, it actually is resolved but this felt rushed.
That is my only reason as to why "Alta Kockers" didn't get a perfect score, and it more than deserves a high score because of the good things being so well executed. Once Shawn and Hirsch are introduced into the story, "Alta Kockers" becomes special. Both are mesmerising as very interesting characters (that seem kooky at first but are given a lot of depth) and equally so, especially when in interrogation. The scene where Shawn opens up about the past is truly powerful emotionally and one of the best scenes of the season, Shawn has never moved me to this extent.
Furthermore, on a visual level the episode is solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The creepy interiors of the house are especially well done visually. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough without being leaden, while having enough momentum to make the drama sing in its atmosphere.
Writing is intelligent and thought provoking, as well as tense and poignant. The story is absolutely riveting, and has some nice tension towards the end (i.e. Hirsch in the courtroom) and truly strong emotions, the opening up made me cry. The regular acting doesn't captivate as much as the guest performances of Shawn and Hirsch, but all are great and this is one of the few episodes of the season where Olivia didn't annoy me and came close to earlier seasons Olivia.
Overall, wonderful. 9/10.
"Alta Kockers" is a fine example of the show still being capable of brilliance. It was an even better episode on rewatch than on first watch and came over as even more powerful, everything that left a big impression on first watch bowled me over. Easily one of the best episodes of Season 20, the first one to be above very good level. And one of the few great ones of a patchy season where even most of the better faring episodes were still uneven, if there was any contender for the season's best "Alta Kockers" is a very strong contender.
It is not quite perfect. The initial crime set in the present day is dispatched of too quickly, it actually is resolved but this felt rushed.
That is my only reason as to why "Alta Kockers" didn't get a perfect score, and it more than deserves a high score because of the good things being so well executed. Once Shawn and Hirsch are introduced into the story, "Alta Kockers" becomes special. Both are mesmerising as very interesting characters (that seem kooky at first but are given a lot of depth) and equally so, especially when in interrogation. The scene where Shawn opens up about the past is truly powerful emotionally and one of the best scenes of the season, Shawn has never moved me to this extent.
Furthermore, on a visual level the episode is solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The creepy interiors of the house are especially well done visually. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough without being leaden, while having enough momentum to make the drama sing in its atmosphere.
Writing is intelligent and thought provoking, as well as tense and poignant. The story is absolutely riveting, and has some nice tension towards the end (i.e. Hirsch in the courtroom) and truly strong emotions, the opening up made me cry. The regular acting doesn't captivate as much as the guest performances of Shawn and Hirsch, but all are great and this is one of the few episodes of the season where Olivia didn't annoy me and came close to earlier seasons Olivia.
Overall, wonderful. 9/10.
Absolutely amazing
daniellep-535182 October 2021
The most powerful episode
mathiaskeraudren28 December 2020
The story is really touching, and the actors are really playing there roles well. It is probably the recent episode I liked the most, and I admit i teared up a bit.
The entire season id probably worth it thanks to this one.
Alta Kockers
bobcobb3015 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Definitely more powerful than a lot of recent SVUs, but it was hurt by the same issue that plagues most episodes: they start with one story and end on a completely different note.
If the entire episode was these brothers (played by acting powerhouses Judd Hirsch and Wallace Shawn) coping with their struggles it would have been an A. Instead, we had a potential author being murdered and it quickly dissolved into something else.
If the entire episode was these brothers (played by acting powerhouses Judd Hirsch and Wallace Shawn) coping with their struggles it would have been an A. Instead, we had a potential author being murdered and it quickly dissolved into something else.
bizzare but touchable
phuketboy12 December 2018
It Doesn't Get Better Than This
MrsTheFrog6 March 2020
This episode brings me to tears with every rewatch. Most SVU episodes are not so dialogue-driven, but this one does it perfectly.
Not only did they manage to loosely base Judd & Wallace's characters on Homer & Langley Collyer, they tell a heart-hitting story between two amazing brothers. This episode is at once funny, devastating, unique, strange and wonderful.
Along with Revenge and Dear Ben, this episode makes up the top three episodes of this entire season. I wish they did more episodes in this style - even the cinematography is grabbing. The only thing that keeps me from giving it 10/10 is the line from the opening where Liv says, "He's not a her ... well, not physically, anyway" because A) Liv knows better B) that is not how trans works at all and C) there were better ways that could have been worded.
Don't miss this one. Bring tissues.
Not only did they manage to loosely base Judd & Wallace's characters on Homer & Langley Collyer, they tell a heart-hitting story between two amazing brothers. This episode is at once funny, devastating, unique, strange and wonderful.
Along with Revenge and Dear Ben, this episode makes up the top three episodes of this entire season. I wish they did more episodes in this style - even the cinematography is grabbing. The only thing that keeps me from giving it 10/10 is the line from the opening where Liv says, "He's not a her ... well, not physically, anyway" because A) Liv knows better B) that is not how trans works at all and C) there were better ways that could have been worded.
Don't miss this one. Bring tissues.
I found a good
kcabral-3159713 August 2019
Excellent
degaswilson-7814624 June 2023
This was a very good episode. It was heartfelt and sad. The gentleman who played the older man deserve an Emmy for their performance. Pain is easy to do on screen but this went above and beyond.
What they both experienced and neither one of them told each other what happened years ago to them. Even though it was years that it happened it's still affected them until they were older. Sexual assault is no joke. It eats at you year after year after year.
Something they couldn't tell their father something they couldn't tell their mother that happened to them when they were 10 and 12. Now they're both in their '70s. This was a great episode. You need to see it. The ending is heartwrenching.
What they both experienced and neither one of them told each other what happened years ago to them. Even though it was years that it happened it's still affected them until they were older. Sexual assault is no joke. It eats at you year after year after year.
Something they couldn't tell their father something they couldn't tell their mother that happened to them when they were 10 and 12. Now they're both in their '70s. This was a great episode. You need to see it. The ending is heartwrenching.
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