A brutal murder of a Russian man has ties to the Russian mob. However, the only witness who isn't compromised is a traumatized 10-year-old boy who is reluctant to testify.A brutal murder of a Russian man has ties to the Russian mob. However, the only witness who isn't compromised is a traumatized 10-year-old boy who is reluctant to testify.A brutal murder of a Russian man has ties to the Russian mob. However, the only witness who isn't compromised is a traumatized 10-year-old boy who is reluctant to testify.
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- Defense Attorney Manning
- (as Terry L. Beaver)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFirst appearance of Carolyn McCormick (Dr. Elizabeth Olivet) since the season seven episode Mad Dog (1997). This episode also marks the first time that J.K. Simmons's character, Dr. Emil Skoda, appears together with Dr. Olivet.
- GoofsDetective Curtis totally ignores crime scene procedure while at the scene of the shooting at the construction site. He picks up potential evidence off the floor and touches surfaces, all without wearing gloves. He even picks up a magazine that is covered with urine without gloves, not only is this unsanitary and something a detective would never do, it could also potentially contaminate any DNA that might be on the magazine.
- Quotes
A.D.A. Abbie Carmichael: Maletkov's gotta be making a quarter of a million a month by massaging sore muscles.
Jack McCoy: Ain't America grand?
A.D.A. Abbie Carmichael: You've gotta hand it to him though. He's been here six years, he's working the system like a slot machine. I'm still trying to figure out alternate side of the street parking.
- ConnectionsReferences From Russia with Love (1963)
And that's what the first part of "Refuge" and actually the whole of the two parter does. Season 9 was very high in quality, especially the mostly excellent first half, and the "Refuge" two parter is one of the standouts. Every bit as outstanding as on first watch and actually even better now due to getting more out of the case and understanding the events more (a lot goes on and some of it is complicated stuff, but remarkably it doesn't become too much so). Both parts are outstanding, but there is a slight preference for the more complex and meatier second one. "Refuge Part 1" sets up events but it does not feel too much like set up and a lot is covered.
"Refuge Part 1" works in every way. As usual for 'Law and Order', the production values are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough without being leaden.
The script is taut and provokes a lot of thought, especially in the second half. The story is deceptively typical at first but very quickly becomes very intricate and twisty, the many turns being sharp, clever and unexpected. The end events of "Refuge Part 1" are truly shocking and did have me welling up and feeling angered on first watch.
Lots of tension in the conflict and there is a lot of suspense in the second half. The acting is uniformly terrific.
Overall, outstanding. 10/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Oct 13, 2021