Law & Order (TV Series) Avatar (2006) User Reviews

Digging into a teenage rape victim? Due diligence. Old school.

[Mrpalli77 · 8/10 · 20 January 2018]

A mother found out her teenage son was watching a picture of a dead girl on a social network. The one who posted it was a fat guy with a scar as we can see by looking his avatar. The girl was located at an empty warehouse, she was killed by a blunt object, maybe a pipe and tied on a chair in bondage with kinky clothes. The victim was married but it wasn't a happy marriage, she cheated on his husband several times. Later on, their only daughter was abducted maybe by the same murderer, the fat guy (Devin Ratray), a suicidal who suffered from schizophrenia: the manhunt didn't last too much and he was soon arrested. Anyway she offered sex to him in exchange for killing her mother, that's what she wrote on B-frendz.com.....

This episode was aired at the beginning of social network widspread. Posting personal information and photos online is more public than putting them on a billboard in Times Square, as McCoy quoted. Prosecutors have to keep up with the times.

The dangers of online

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 4 September 2022]

One knows from the outset from the subject matter alone, well before reading the plot synopsis, that "Avatar" would be a difficult episode to watch. The subject matter is such a disturbing one and anything that deals with the dangers of something so dangerous should be raised awareness of as much as possible. Especially when it is still so relevant. The subject of unspeakable criminal activity online never fails to give me the shivers whenever it's talked about anywhere.

"Avatar" is very good and does very well with exploring this subject, this is a subject too where it doesn't matter at all that it has been done a lot in similar shows when it is such a big issue. It is not to be confused with the 'Special Victims Unit' episode that is also called "Avatar" from its Season 9, as this is actually a good (more than that) episode that handles its subject disturbingly but also tactfully. This episode may not be perfect, but it does more right than it does wrong.

Cassady and Milena Govich still don't do much for me, and actually personally never warmed to either. Everything else is just so pull no punches and they practically get lost because their personalities are not strong enough. Govich's chemistry with Jesse L Martin (who is as always great, no qualms with him) lacks spark.

However, the good things are numerous and the best of them are truly great. The production values are still fully professional, the slickness and subtly gritty style still remaining. The music is sparingly used and is haunting and thankfully non-overwrought. The direction shows some nice tension in the second half. The script is well balanced, taut and intelligent, and it doesn't hold back. Other than Govich, the acting is very good. Was not expecting to see Devin Ratray to give such a chillingly unflinching performance.

While "Avatar" is very intriguing in the first half, it is even better in the second half with there being more complexity and tension. There is real suspense and urgency in the hunt and the moral dilemmas of the case when things become complicated are intriguing and not simplistic. It is very disturbing as ought. It is very uncompromising in its approach to the subject, no sugar-coating whatsoever here, while not being too heavy-handed or nastily exploitative (which could have easily happened).

In conclusion, very good. 8/10.

There's meaning in his ravings

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 16 October 2016]

I guess there's a moral to this particular Law And Order episode about just who to get friendly with on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace or any of the other social media that have sprung up over the past decade or so.

Teen Brianna Steinhilber gets a lot more than she bargained for befriending paranoid/schizophrenic Devin Rattray especially when he kills her mother and then kidnaps here. There's quite the hunt for the two of them as they flee New York City with Jesse Martin and Milena Govich leading all kinds of law enforcement agencies in pursuit.

But that's far from the end. As crazy Rattray is led away his babbling ravings throw a whole different light on the case.

Poor Rattray, his crazy act will keep your attention.