A disturbed, self-righteous activist opposed to high-rent developments is wanted for the kidnappings of a property owner and two of his tenants. However, the D.A.'s office may have to renege... Read allA disturbed, self-righteous activist opposed to high-rent developments is wanted for the kidnappings of a property owner and two of his tenants. However, the D.A.'s office may have to renege on the deal made with his brother to find him.A disturbed, self-righteous activist opposed to high-rent developments is wanted for the kidnappings of a property owner and two of his tenants. However, the D.A.'s office may have to renege on the deal made with his brother to find him.
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- Ben O'Dell
- (as Ken Welsh)
- Nathan Faber
- (as Lee Sellars)
- Bud Murphy
- (as Tony Di Benedetto)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis episode appears to be based on the Ted Kaczynski (a.k.a. "The Unabomber") case. Kaczynski was an American domestic terrorist, anarchist, and mathematical prodigy who, between 1978 and 1995, engaged in a nationwide bombing campaign against people involved with modern technology, planting or mailing numerous homemade bombs, ultimately killing a total of three people and injuring 23 others. He is also known for his wide-ranging social critiques, which opposed industrialization and modern technology while advancing a nature-centered form of anarchism. He became well-known for sending bombs with false return addresses that belonged to real people, and was the target of one of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's costliest investigations. Before Kaczynski's identity was known, the FBI used the title "UNABOM" (UNiversity & Airline BOMber) to refer to his case, which resulted in the media calling him the Unabomber. The FBI (as well as Attorney General Janet Reno) pushed for the publication of Kaczynski's "manifesto", which led his sister-in-law and then his brother to recognize Kaczynski's style of writing and beliefs, and they tipped off the FBI. Kaczynski tried unsuccessfully to dismiss his court-appointed lawyers because they wanted to plead insanity in order to avoid the death penalty, as Kaczynski did not believe he was insane. When it became clear that his pending trial would entail national television exposure for Kaczynski, the court entered a plea agreement, under which he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole. Although Kaczynski was arrested two years after the episode aired, he interestingly shares some similarities with the defendant: both were disgruntled scientific geniuses, had thick beards, lived simple lifestyles, and eventually targeted scientists in bombings.
A striking resemblance exists between the defendant and Kaczynski. Both were Ivy League-educated geniuses with very high IQs, though both suffered from long-term mental illness. Both were overzealous crusaders against progress. Both were ultimately apprehended by their own brothers turning them in upon recognizing their writings sent to the newspapers--letters in Odell's case, while the Unabomber submitted a manifesto.
- GoofsDuring the Sentencing Phase of the trial, while Jamie Ross is questioning the Defendant's brother on the stand, the Defendant has a mental episode. During this scene, Ross is seen full-face twice, missing an earring on her left ear. Before and after these shots, Ross can be seen with two earrings during the questioning of the brother.
- Quotes
Coffee Shop Clerk: [Briscoe and Curtis are investigating the disappearance of a coffee shop owner] He usually likes to keep a close watch on the cash drawer, but he hasn't been around in a couple of days. Anyway, how about a free large latte on the house?
Det. Lennie Briscoe: Maybe for the kid here, but I'd like a regular coffee.
Coffee Shop Clerk: Okay, how would you like it?
Det. Lennie Briscoe: Uh, regular?
- ConnectionsReferences Strangers on a Train (1951)
"Disappeared" is not one of the best episodes of Season 8 or of 'Law and Order', but it is certainly not a lesser episode. Most of it in fact was great, but pacing problems towards the end brought it down from great to overall very good. Which is a good position actually for the season and the show considering the high quality. This was an episode that really did stick out for me on first watch, especially when the truth is revealed. "Disappeared" may have gone down in my estimations since a little but it is still a good example of the early seasons being not to overlook.
The 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. The direction is tight but also accommodating enough, letting the story breathe while still giving it momentum thanks to some nice tension in the second half.
Moreover, the script is very well written and meaty, especially when this hard hitting case comes to trial and when the appropriate punishment is debated. The story is engrossing and thought probing, it also gets very hard hitting especially going into the second half. The episode is not anti-death penalty, the show and franchise have often offered for and against arguments concerning this controversial topic and done so in a way where one can see where both sides are coming from. The case here in "Disappeared".
Character writing and interaction are on point, especially in the legal portions and the performances cannot be faulted either.
Only one significant drawback here, and that is that "Disappeared" gets over-complicated and rushed in the final third from trying to pack too much in, not uncommon for 'Law and Order' before and since.
All in all, very good. 8/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jul 22, 2021