Ann-Margret. Whew! She went through every emotion possible. And she cleans up well after a boozy soliloquy. And she still looks great. A review here on IMBD stated that Jacklyn Smith was out of her league. She always was.
11 Reviews
Ann-Margret's performance stole the show
AkalizaKeza24 April 2014
This episode had a particularly excellent cast of guest stars. Three in particular stood out for me - Jaclyn Smith, William Atherton, and Ann-Margret - however, Ann-Margret's performance stole the show! As in most similar shows, the killer becomes pretty obvious once they are introduced – but in this case, it was quite enjoyable to watch the discovery play out. It seemed much longer than most episodes, but I realised that that was because of the engaging characters that made the scenes bigger.
I'm not a huge fan of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - I only watch it on occasion but I must say, I am really glad I watched this one!
I'm not a huge fan of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - I only watch it on occasion but I must say, I am really glad I watched this one!
Charlie's Angels meets SVU
lbowdls15 September 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This is another interesting episode with some twists and turns but ultimately I knew it was going to be the retired cop- Jacklyn Smith. Why it loses a couple points! Though there are other red herrings that surprises though. Great other veteran actors too like Ann Margaret, Morgan Fairchild and Susan Anton so much fun and great serious turns really makes this episode play like you're watching a 😪70's telemovie and goes down as a classic!
PERFECT episode. Easily one of the best
danieln-155254 November 2019
That was one of the best episodes of the entire show!!! BRILLIANT script. SO many twists and clever hints during the episode. The writer is a genius!!! great acting. I had no idea some of the actors here were famous during the 1970's and I still enjoyed the episode. Just WOW.
The case of the bedtime killer
TheLittleSongbird12 May 2022
As well as loving 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' in its prime (though it hasn't been the same for a long time, despite some jewels in each season), my main reason for seeing "Bedtime" was for the supporting cast. Amazing to see starlets from the 70s still looking amazing and having lost none of what made them memorable back then, and also William Atherton (who is actually no stranger to the type of role he plays here, but not to this extent).
"Bedtime" sounded like a classic 'Special Victims Unit' scenario, but it also sounded very unoriginal and been there done that. Despite a promising start, "Bedtime" did have potential to be better and could have been creepier. As well as more focused tonally. It is not one of the worst episodes of Season 11, which did start off promisingly but was a mixed bag of a season, but it is a long way from being one of the best. Rather middling if anything.
There is a lot to like. The best thing about it is Ann-Margaret, who is fantastically nutty in an entertaining and unsettling way without unbalancing things too much. Morgan Fairchild and Susan Anton are also fun to watch and still look youthful and beautiful. The regulars can't be faulted too. The episode starts off quite suspensefully, with an unsettling opening scene (the modus operandi is creepy).
Enough of the script is thought provoking and taut. The production values, especially the intimate photography, are stylish and slick with a brighter and more refined look, while maintaining the show's grit. The music doesn't overbear and is not overused. The direction keeps things moving well while letting the drama breathe.
It is let down though by that the story is too derivative and seen it all before, the identity of the responsible was not a surprise really at all and actually was strongly considered early on. The pace did feel routine too early and the suspense could have been more consistent, for me too the second half has too much of a campy tone and the campiness got too over the top in a way that didn't gel with the first half.
Moreover, Jaclyn Smith came over as out of her depth in a performance that needed more depth, pathos and intensity. Smith didn't have enough of either and her character is written too obviously. Atherton tries his best but his character is too underused and underwritten to make enough of an impact, all that hype that was not lived up to. For such sadistic crimes, the reveals were just too anaemic. There have been far more harrowing and affecting endings, this one was too predictable and melodramatic.
Summing up, just slightly above average. 6/10.
"Bedtime" sounded like a classic 'Special Victims Unit' scenario, but it also sounded very unoriginal and been there done that. Despite a promising start, "Bedtime" did have potential to be better and could have been creepier. As well as more focused tonally. It is not one of the worst episodes of Season 11, which did start off promisingly but was a mixed bag of a season, but it is a long way from being one of the best. Rather middling if anything.
There is a lot to like. The best thing about it is Ann-Margaret, who is fantastically nutty in an entertaining and unsettling way without unbalancing things too much. Morgan Fairchild and Susan Anton are also fun to watch and still look youthful and beautiful. The regulars can't be faulted too. The episode starts off quite suspensefully, with an unsettling opening scene (the modus operandi is creepy).
Enough of the script is thought provoking and taut. The production values, especially the intimate photography, are stylish and slick with a brighter and more refined look, while maintaining the show's grit. The music doesn't overbear and is not overused. The direction keeps things moving well while letting the drama breathe.
It is let down though by that the story is too derivative and seen it all before, the identity of the responsible was not a surprise really at all and actually was strongly considered early on. The pace did feel routine too early and the suspense could have been more consistent, for me too the second half has too much of a campy tone and the campiness got too over the top in a way that didn't gel with the first half.
Moreover, Jaclyn Smith came over as out of her depth in a performance that needed more depth, pathos and intensity. Smith didn't have enough of either and her character is written too obviously. Atherton tries his best but his character is too underused and underwritten to make enough of an impact, all that hype that was not lived up to. For such sadistic crimes, the reveals were just too anaemic. There have been far more harrowing and affecting endings, this one was too predictable and melodramatic.
Summing up, just slightly above average. 6/10.
Don't put spoilers in episode summary
clflynn-883-25105719 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
For the love of all things holy and good, can you please not put spoilers about who committed the crime in the episode summary? Ironically, you say if I put a spoiler in my review my name will be added to a blacklist and all my future reviews will be discarded and automatically unread. No need for me to give a spoiler because you have already done so: "A rape and murder helps Benson and Stabler crack a case involving a serial rapist and killer from the 1970s. However, one copycat crime remains open when investigation reveals that the crime was committed by a woman." Please remove the spoiler about who the killer is from the episode summary so you don't ruin it for other people. Thank you.
Jaclyn Smith was out of her league here
wdstarr-129 December 2020
Man, they must have had to rebuild all the sets from scratch after Ann-Margaret chewed up all that scenery. But hey, it was in a good cause so I can't hold it against her. (I'm not at all convinced that she deserved the Emmy she got for this though.)
Jaclyn Smith, on the other hand... well, she was a good enough actress for something like "Charlie's Angels," but Dick Wolf & Co. have practically made a fetish of hiring only top-notch actors, famous or never-heard-ofs, for their shows' guest roles, and Smith didn't havethe acting chops to match that. Just compare her to, say, Kelly Spitko as Francine, the junkie at the dingy rehab facility that Stabler and Benson visit, and Smith just can't play in that league.
Jaclyn Smith, on the other hand... well, she was a good enough actress for something like "Charlie's Angels," but Dick Wolf & Co. have practically made a fetish of hiring only top-notch actors, famous or never-heard-ofs, for their shows' guest roles, and Smith didn't havethe acting chops to match that. Just compare her to, say, Kelly Spitko as Francine, the junkie at the dingy rehab facility that Stabler and Benson visit, and Smith just can't play in that league.
How Utterly Contrived
labenji-1216324 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
While I appreciate the attempt at suspense in this storyline, I couldn't help but notice a few elements that seemed somewhat implausible. The lack of concrete evidence and reliance on suspicion raised questions about the legality of holding the ex-cop character without clear cause. Benson's decision to insist on her stay, even when she wasn't officially under arrest, seemed a bit forced.
Additionally, Stabler's ability to identify the suspect, Kyle, without sufficient evidence or legal grounds during the house visit felt somewhat unrealistic. It left me questioning the credibility of the narrative, as even a civilian might have recognized the absence of a valid reason for detention.
Overall, I believe the episode could benefit from a more realistic portrayal of legal procedures and investigative processes.
Additionally, Stabler's ability to identify the suspect, Kyle, without sufficient evidence or legal grounds during the house visit felt somewhat unrealistic. It left me questioning the credibility of the narrative, as even a civilian might have recognized the absence of a valid reason for detention.
Overall, I believe the episode could benefit from a more realistic portrayal of legal procedures and investigative processes.
Copycat
bkoganbing31 January 2015
This particular SVU episode had more twists and curves in it than a country road. But the scenery is real nice with a number of former pin up girls from the big and small screen back in their salad days. There's also Renee Taylor as well playing an agent.
The squad catches a case where the MO is the same as some unsolved rape murders from the 70s. They manage to bag William Atherton for their current case and you won't believe how they did it. But one of the homicides from the 70s turns out to be a copycat.
The copycat was that of the wife of local TV celebrity Robert Newman who back in the day was known for his commercials hawking his mattresses. Newman was also known for bouncing several nubile young blonds on those mattresses, something his wife naturally objected to.
Some of those doing the bouncing are Susan Anton, Morgan Fairchild, and Ann-Margret. Ann-Margret really stands out in this episode during a lengthy interrogation where every time Benson and Stabler think they have it figured out, she throws them another curve.
The end result is spectacular, it could have been from a Twilight Zone story.
The squad catches a case where the MO is the same as some unsolved rape murders from the 70s. They manage to bag William Atherton for their current case and you won't believe how they did it. But one of the homicides from the 70s turns out to be a copycat.
The copycat was that of the wife of local TV celebrity Robert Newman who back in the day was known for his commercials hawking his mattresses. Newman was also known for bouncing several nubile young blonds on those mattresses, something his wife naturally objected to.
Some of those doing the bouncing are Susan Anton, Morgan Fairchild, and Ann-Margret. Ann-Margret really stands out in this episode during a lengthy interrogation where every time Benson and Stabler think they have it figured out, she throws them another curve.
The end result is spectacular, it could have been from a Twilight Zone story.
Too many "cooks" in the kitchen and a limited "menu"
garrard31 March 2010
Warning: Spoilers
NBC really promoted this episode because it featured the "inspired" casting of TV icons Jaclyn Smith, Susan Anton, and Morgan Fairchild, along with screen queen Ann-Margret. That, by itself, made this a "must-see" installment.
However, the story, about a 30-year-old case come to life with the death of a woman who died under similar circumstances as earlier crimes, was not that captivating. The actors did the best that they could with the rather routine plot, with Ann-Margret having the "showier" role, allowing her to chew scenery during her screen time. It's too bad that not enough creativity was put into the development of the tale to make it more memorable.
In addition to the four fabulous females, the episode also featured character actor William Atherton as a disreputable public official who abused his position to prey on women who came to him for assistance. Playwright and actress Renee Taylor - who was cast as Fran Drescher's mom in "The Nanny - has a small part as well.
Bottom line: Great actors, weak plot
However, the story, about a 30-year-old case come to life with the death of a woman who died under similar circumstances as earlier crimes, was not that captivating. The actors did the best that they could with the rather routine plot, with Ann-Margret having the "showier" role, allowing her to chew scenery during her screen time. It's too bad that not enough creativity was put into the development of the tale to make it more memorable.
In addition to the four fabulous females, the episode also featured character actor William Atherton as a disreputable public official who abused his position to prey on women who came to him for assistance. Playwright and actress Renee Taylor - who was cast as Fran Drescher's mom in "The Nanny - has a small part as well.
Bottom line: Great actors, weak plot
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