Van Buren kills an intellectually disabled, unarmed teenager at an ATM. She claims it was a robbery attempt, and that there's a second, armed suspect on the loose. But not everyone believes ... Read allVan Buren kills an intellectually disabled, unarmed teenager at an ATM. She claims it was a robbery attempt, and that there's a second, armed suspect on the loose. But not everyone believes her.Van Buren kills an intellectually disabled, unarmed teenager at an ATM. She claims it was a robbery attempt, and that there's a second, armed suspect on the loose. But not everyone believes her.
- Zack Rowland
- (as Omar Sharif Scroggins)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaOmar Scroggins, who played the 14 year old "Zack Rowland" was actually 21 at the time.
- GoofsClaire asks the teacher to quantify the dead kid's incompetence, and the teacher says his I.Q. was around 40. Claire then asks how that translates to intellectual age, and the teacher says "It doesn't. We don't make those kinds of judgments." But the definition of Intelligence Quotient is intellectual age divided by physical age. So before an I.Q. can be calculated, intellectual age must be assessed.
- Quotes
Lt. Anita Van Buren: Were you born a smart-ass, or did it just come with the job?
Jack McCoy: I'm a pussycat. You should've met my old man.
Lt. Anita Van Buren: Lawyer?
Jack McCoy: Cop.
- SoundtracksJump
Written and produced by Jermaine Dupri
Performed by Kris Kross
Contains samples of "I Want You Back" performed by The Jacksons (as The Jackson 5)
Written by Berry Gordy, Freddie Perren, Fonce Mizell and Deke Richards,
"Funky Worm" by Ohio Players
Written by Leroy 'Sugarfoot' Bonner, Marshall E. Jones, Ralph Middlebrooks, Walter Morrison, Norman Napier, Andrew Noland, Marvin Pierce, Gregory A. Webster
"Impeach The President" by The Honey Drippers
Written by Roy C.
"Midnight Theme" by Manzel
"Escape-ism"
Written and performed by James Brown
"Saturday Night"
Written and performed by Schoolly D
"OPP" (uncredited)
Written by Vincent Brown, Anthony 'Treach' Criss, DJ Kay Gee, Fonce Mizell, Deke Richards, Freddie Perren, Liam Kantwill and Berry Gordy
Performed by Naughty By Nature
Van Buren really shines here, in a way that she didn't do quite as brightly before with her material not being as rich, as does Merkerson for reasons that will be elaborated upon later. "Competence" ('Special Victims Unit' had an episode from Season 4 with the same name just to mention briefly, great episode that) is a very good episode from Season 5, though a couple of steps down from "Family Values" and especially "White Rabbit".
Am going to have to agree with another reviewer regarding feeling uncomfortable with the use of a certain word now considered ableist yet still thrown around. Being somebody who is autistic and disabled it has always been an offensive term to me and just as bad was how flippantly and contemptuously it's said. It did make the detectives less likeable.
Did think too that "Competence" did start off on the routine side.
Which is a real shame in regard to the first criticism, because "Competence" is actually a very good episode otherwise. Van Buren fascinates as a character and the episode shows a more conflicted edge to her that makes her situation rootable, even when things are not looking good for her. Merkerson is brilliant here and gives one of her best performances of the show, she gives not only authority to Van Buren but also a deeply felt sincerity. "Competence" also does really well at not taking sides in whether the other lead characters believe Van Buren or not, part of the conflict is the division the situation causes. Really appreciated that McCoy is more professional here than he was in his first three episodes and doesn't let personal feelings get in the way or bias cloud his judgement.
"Competence's" story is very involving with some nice tension and the moral dilemmas of the case being tactfully yet forcefully done. One is kept guessing and the gutsy approach that the show and franchise have continually shown is here in abundance. The rest of the performances are also great, with the other standout being a moving Jacklin Brooke Sanford. This is Merkerson's episode though. The script is tight and smart as one expects.
Photography and such as usual are fully professional, the slickness still remaining. The music is used sparingly and is haunting and non-overwrought when it is used, and it's mainly used when a crucial revelation or plot development is revealed. The direction has some nice tension while keeping things steady, without going too far the other way.
Very good on the whole. 8/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Nov 12, 2020