Anybody who has read any of my other reviews for for example individual episodes of the 'Law and Order' shows, am slowly working my way through writing reviews for all the episodes of 'Law and Order' and 'Special Victims Unit' with a long way to go, will know already how much admiration there is from me for anything that tackles difficult and controversial themes and issues. The story for "Net Worth" can definitely be considered that and the kind where the execution could go either way.
"Net Worth" is a step in the right direction and is a big improvement on the very disappointing previous episodes "Surrender" and "Genes". While not a 'Special Victims Unit' high point, it is for me by quite some way one of the best episodes of Season 18, one of the few to be very good in a season that had some show low points, and the best episode since "Motherly Love". Standouts being the supporting cast, it being one of the best looking episodes of the season, that it is one of the few Season 18 episodes where issues with Olivia were few (with one exception) and that the rest of the team get bigger roles.
It's not a perfect episode by all means. Surprises are not many, though other episodes in the season did this far worse.
The biggest issue is Olivia being too persuasive and pushy with Zoe, which was becoming more apparent more and more in the latter seasons.
However, so much is good. It is one of the best looking episodes of Season 18, some lovely shots here. It is a slickly made episode, the editing especially having come on quite a bit from when the show first started (never was it a problem but it got more fluid with each episode up to this stage). The music is sparingly used and never seemed melodramatic, the theme tune easy to remember as usual. The direction is sympathetic enough without being too low key. The script is taut and thought provoking with no signs of blandness.
Acting is excellent from the regulars with no exception and even better is one of the season's best supporting casts, with a moving Missy Peregrym, a chillingly smug Tate Donovan (very different from his voice work in 'Hercules') and a jerk-ish Jordan Bridges. Peregrym also lays the first properly sympathetic and rootable victim of the season, actually could see her point of view regarding the testimony Loved that the investigating focused on other team members rather than Olivia, Rollins especially shines and it was great to see Fin in a bigger role.
Overall, very good. 8/10.
"Net Worth" is a step in the right direction and is a big improvement on the very disappointing previous episodes "Surrender" and "Genes". While not a 'Special Victims Unit' high point, it is for me by quite some way one of the best episodes of Season 18, one of the few to be very good in a season that had some show low points, and the best episode since "Motherly Love". Standouts being the supporting cast, it being one of the best looking episodes of the season, that it is one of the few Season 18 episodes where issues with Olivia were few (with one exception) and that the rest of the team get bigger roles.
It's not a perfect episode by all means. Surprises are not many, though other episodes in the season did this far worse.
The biggest issue is Olivia being too persuasive and pushy with Zoe, which was becoming more apparent more and more in the latter seasons.
However, so much is good. It is one of the best looking episodes of Season 18, some lovely shots here. It is a slickly made episode, the editing especially having come on quite a bit from when the show first started (never was it a problem but it got more fluid with each episode up to this stage). The music is sparingly used and never seemed melodramatic, the theme tune easy to remember as usual. The direction is sympathetic enough without being too low key. The script is taut and thought provoking with no signs of blandness.
Acting is excellent from the regulars with no exception and even better is one of the season's best supporting casts, with a moving Missy Peregrym, a chillingly smug Tate Donovan (very different from his voice work in 'Hercules') and a jerk-ish Jordan Bridges. Peregrym also lays the first properly sympathetic and rootable victim of the season, actually could see her point of view regarding the testimony Loved that the investigating focused on other team members rather than Olivia, Rollins especially shines and it was great to see Fin in a bigger role.
Overall, very good. 8/10.
