Before Oz: The Chilling Glare of Ethan Slater’s “SVU” Shadow
Ethan Slater, the name now synonymous with the vibrant, energetic, and surprisingly heartfelt Boq in the Broadway phenomenon “Wicked,” conjures images of green skin, pigtails, and a quest for love that ultimately leads him to a tin woodsman costume. It’s a far cry from the character he embodied in a 2017 episode of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” a stark reminder that even the most talented actors can inhabit the darkest corners of the human psyche with unsettling realism. Before stepping into the technicolor world of Oz, Slater, in episode “Gone Baby Gone” (SVU md07), delivered a bone-chilling performance that etched itself into the minds of viewers long after the credits rolled.
In the episode, Slater plays Jonah Platt, a seemingly ordinary teenager caught in a web of lies, deception, and ultimately, horrific crime. Gone are the bouncy optimism and endearing clumsiness of Boq. Jonah is a study in subtle manipulation, his youthful innocence masking a deep-seated cruelty. He’s a child of privilege, comfortable in his surroundings, and adept at using his perceived vulnerability to deflect suspicion. Slater masterfully portrays this duality, presenting a surface of bewildered confusion while subtly hinting at the monstrous truth lurking beneath.
The brilliance of Slater’s performance lies in its restraint. He doesn’t rely on histrionics or exaggerated expressions to convey Jonah’s darkness. Instead, he employs a calculated stillness, a chilling composure that sends shivers down your spine. His eyes, usually bright and expressive, become opaque, reflecting a coldness that belies his age. He speaks in a soft, measured tone, carefully choosing his words to manipulate the detectives, painting a picture of an innocent boy caught in a terrible situation.
One particularly haunting scene features Jonah being interrogated by Detective Rollins (Kelli Giddish). As Rollins pieces together the truth, uncovering Jonah’s role in a devastating crime, Slater allows cracks to appear in his carefully constructed facade. Micro-expressions flicker across his face – a fleeting smirk, a hardening of his jaw, a flicker of fear in his eyes – revealing the monstrous reality beneath the boyish exterior. These subtle cues are far more impactful than any dramatic outburst could have been, painting a portrait of a young sociopath devoid of empathy.
The power of Slater’s portrayal stems from the unnerving realism he brings to the role. He doesn’t play Jonah as a caricature of evil; he portrays him as a deeply flawed, profoundly disturbed young man capable of unimaginable cruelty. He allows the audience to see the humanity within the monster, making his actions even more disturbing. This unsettling realism forces us to confront the uncomfortable truth that evil can exist in the most unexpected places, lurking behind seemingly innocent faces.
“Law & Order: SVU” often delves into the darkest aspects of human nature, and Slater’s performance in “Gone Baby Gone” is a chilling reminder of this. It’s a stark contrast to the whimsical world of “Wicked,” highlighting the actor’s incredible range and versatility. While audiences may know him as the lovelorn Munchkin, Slater’s portrayal of Jonah Platt serves as a chilling testament to his ability to inhabit the darkest corners of the human psyche, reminding us that before Oz, he could conjure a truly unsettling and unforgettable performance. It’s a performance that lingers in the mind, a stark reminder that the line between innocence and malevolence can be terrifyingly thin, and that even the most vibrant and talented individuals can tap into the darkest depths of human potential. This early role served as a stark contrast, proving that the man behind the lovable Boq possessed a dramatic range capable of delivering a truly bone-chilling performance.
