Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series) Dolls (2002) User Reviews

Cherish Doe

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 19 November 2015]

Ice-T takes the lead in this SVU episode where he works on a case involving a young and decomposing victim found thrown out in the city garbage dump, brought in with God knows what load from where in New York. Until the young girl is given an identity she's referred to as Cherish Doe.

Gloria Reuben turns up reporting her missing daughter and the body is so badly decomposed that an identification is near impossible. For some reason Richard Belzer doesn't want to work this case as he considers a solution near impossible, so Ice-T works it with Mariska Hargitay.

The perpetrator is a frightening man child played by David Harbour who has a doll fixation, not action figures, but dolls. He's also got it in his mind he's somehow rescuing the victim's from some fate worse than what he has in store for them in his own little world.

In fact it turns out there are two victims, one story has a happy ending, one doesn't. This episode belongs to Ice-T, Gloria Reuben, and the junkie mother of the second victim played by Susan Misner.

Fin rules

[dixie-51366 · 10/10 · 4 July 2022]

Fin is such an underused character in this series. I am going through older seasons that I had never seen, and this episode was such a gem. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the episode, and my heart went out to Gloria Reubens character, she played it so well. One's heart always goes out to the victims parents but she made this one really personal, and she made me feel that anyone could end up in her position doing what she thought was the right thing.

When they managed to find the little girl and Fin picked her up so tenderly, well I just burst into tears. It wa sad that there was one rescue but also one sad ending. But kudos to Ice T and Gloria Reuben, superb work.

An episode that deserves to be loved as much as the dolls

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 10 September 2020]

One of the things that has given me pleasure overtime is watching re-runs of the 'Law and Order' franchise, my evening often comprising of watching 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit'. It has been great that relatively recently the early seasons have been airing more, when for a long time it tended to be post-Season 7. To me, the early seasons are superior although the show's mid years have grown on me and have some great episodes. The show from personal view hasn't been the same for a while now.

"Dolls" is an episode from 'Special Victims Unit's' earlier seasons and is a fine example of the show at its best. To me it is one of Season 4's best (the season's previous episodes bar one being good to brilliant), as well as among its creepiest and saddest, and despite a lot of fans loving the episode it deserves even more credit than it does. Have always loved "Dolls", although it is typically not an easy watch, and still do. More so perhaps now and it's one of the best ever Fin-centric episodes.

Can't fault the slick production values, understated enough music or the direction. The script is beautifully written and balanced, with a lot of thought-provoking, tension and emotion. A line that has always chilled me to the bone is the one where the murderer justifies their actions and a strong example of the extent of their delusion.

The story manages to be easy to follow while having enough twists and turns to not make things too obvious too early. The motive is one of the creepiest of the season and was a real surprise, one does not expect such horrific crimes having that reason behind it. A strong reminder of how truly creepy people can be, even ones that seem trust-worthy. "Dolls" is a case that unsettled me on first viewing, not just the motives but also twisted the perpetrator is and one may not being able to look at dolls in the same way again for a while. And still does for the same reasons. It is also an incredibly sad episode, the emotional factor is high here.

Season 3's "Denial" proved that Fin is a very interesting character when focused upon more and being more than hard-boiled intense. He showed a softer and more sympathetic side in that episode and he does here in "Dolls" too when one sees how much the case affects him. When the show has episodes where certain characters take the case too personally the execution has always varied, Fin here stays in character (he still is tough-talking even with a softer side to him) and any unprofessionalism is not taken to extremes. It is always interesting when Olivia is partnered with a team member other than Stabler and she and Fin, who is seen more with Munch, are a good match.

All the acting is extremely good, Ice-T even giving one of his best performances of the show. Susan Misner's portrayal is hard-hitting, and one feels empathy in a parent's worst nightmare and shock towards her with her less than innocent actions. David Harbour is very unsettling in his role.

To conclude, outstanding episode, a Season 4 high-point and deserves even more love than it gets. 10/10

Honest review.

[vfwpngc · 3/10 · 10 May 2023]

I am watching Law & Order SVU from the show's inception to the end. I'm currently on Season 4 and I've just finished 'Dolls' and am ready to give a freshly watched, honest review.

This episode's premise is interesting. But I must say, this is the first episode that has felt totally scripted throughout. Many other episodes felt way less static and overly expectant of the next line. Everyone's acting performance was lackluster and I'm simply disappointed.

I love Fin and Munch's partnership. Their bickering is enjoyable to watch. I think this original duo would have been better and maybe less of the melodramatics. I hope to see more Fin and Munch Plot A with better acting.

No hate to SVU, still an amazing show. Dropped the ball on this episode though.