Robin Williams on Law & Order

I don't often pay attention to L&O - it's what my wife and daughter like to watch. But last night I was drawn into the SVU episode with Robin Williams guest starring as a very disturbed man who is a master manipulator. Did you see this episode?

First, some speculation about the ending. Elliot and Olivia chased Rook (Robin William's character) into the trees next to the river. They assumed that with his hands bound by handcuffs, there is no way he could have survived a plunge into the river, and so he must be dead.

I think he will come back in a future episode. Why? Well, unless they did really shoddy filming and editing, there were no sounds of a splash of someone jumping or falling into the river. Also, there should have been some ripples or bubbles - they weren't that far behind him when he dodged out of sight into the trees.

What do you think?

Next, the reason I was drawn into watching the show. My oldest son, now 16 and living with his grandparents, is a master manipulator. Several psychologists have mentioned this, and we heartily agree (my wife, me, my other two kids, and my parents - but not my wife's parents, with whom he lives). As we watched the show last night, we realized that my oldest could end up just like Mr. Rook. Pretty scary thoughts.

Do you know anyone who manipulates people and situations, throwing doubt on your gut instincts because they use enough logic and vague facts to imply something is, or is not, true, depending on what they have in mind?