Law & Order SVU "Dissonant Voices" Episode Discussion

learned:

* OMG, it's that dude who won American Idol, the one Simon to this day still can't believe won American Idol. and now he's the one playing Simon. that's some insider casting!

* wait, the mothers all know how to furiously text? isn't the older generation not supposed to be as tech-savvy as the younger one? i mean, if Grandma can skype faster than her granddaughter, the natural order of the world is upset and we're all doomed.

* ---"i saw your name in the paper."
   ---"what does that have to do with anything, my shrink?"
   ---"no, nothing, it's just that i have a famous client. i'm screaming like a teenage girl on the inside right now."
   ---"hey man, isn't this supposed to be the fame-and-the-pursuit-of-fame-are-toxic episode?"
   ---"i know, i'm sorry, i'm being unprofessional...*giddy-on-the-inside face*"

* what those two boys were forced to do was wrong. on the other hand, they did spin a pretty convincing yarn. they are destined to be fine actors one day...

* okay, the acting of Billy Porter, the accused music teacher: i dunno, i guess i'm not in the Broadway loop, but i was thoroughly confused by this performance. i mean, it was either ultimately brilliant or terrible. a lot of his mannerisms and the way he talked seemed disjointed with the grim reality of the scenes, like he couldn't quite shake off his Broadway mode of being over-the-top and big and showy all the time. at the same time, the fact that he was rusty and uncomfortable and not polished does line up with a lowly music teacher who wouldn't be media-savvy and really just wants to go hide and not talk to anyone again. this is why acting is so frustratingly awesome both to critique and to do, it's those nuances which keep you guessing and coming back for more.