'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' was a great show in its prime, but became increasingly hit and miss prematurely and the seasons since Olivia's promotion have been particularly true to this. With a fair share of big issues that were recurring problems. Did appreciate "Unintended Consequences" taking on this subject, and while the episodes of the show that revolve a lot around personal lives vary a lot (personally didn't care for too many of the personal life subplots of the latter seasons) there are episodes that are successful in this.
"Unintended Consequences" is not one of the successes in this regard and that is true for most of the season's episodes. But when it comes to the case itself, it fares much stronger luckily, which does elevate the episode to a better level, and a lot stronger than most of the previous five episodes. It is uneven and not great, with not much that is exceptional, but as far as Season 19 goes (or at least the patchy first half of it) to me it was really pretty good with a lot of good things about it.
Those good things will be started off about it. The production values are fine, have always liked the photography's intimacy and grit and the look of the show has come on a good deal over-time (and it was good to begin with). The music (wisely used sparingly this time) doesn't intrude and has a haunting quality, have not always remembered to say that the theme tune is easy to remember and holds up. Direction is solid.
Furthermore, the script is thought provoking and doesn't get heavy handed or silly, which would have been very easy to do with this kind of story. The case is very compelling and moves quickly, without moving too quickly that it feels too hectic or anything. It also provides some nice insight into addictions in a way that hits hard without passing judgement. All the regulars are very good as are the guest turns of Annie Corley and Peter Scolari.
However, there is too much of the Olivia and Noah storyline (everything with Noah on the whole has never worked entirely for me despite moments) and sadly it is one that is not interesting and adds little.
It was nice to see Rollins play a big role and Kelli Giddish's significant growth as her over the years is noted, but the undercover part of the story could have been written more realistically, didn't buy the lack of back up check or Olivia being livid when she has done similar in the past.
Overall, not great but pretty well done. 7/10.
"Unintended Consequences" is not one of the successes in this regard and that is true for most of the season's episodes. But when it comes to the case itself, it fares much stronger luckily, which does elevate the episode to a better level, and a lot stronger than most of the previous five episodes. It is uneven and not great, with not much that is exceptional, but as far as Season 19 goes (or at least the patchy first half of it) to me it was really pretty good with a lot of good things about it.
Those good things will be started off about it. The production values are fine, have always liked the photography's intimacy and grit and the look of the show has come on a good deal over-time (and it was good to begin with). The music (wisely used sparingly this time) doesn't intrude and has a haunting quality, have not always remembered to say that the theme tune is easy to remember and holds up. Direction is solid.
Furthermore, the script is thought provoking and doesn't get heavy handed or silly, which would have been very easy to do with this kind of story. The case is very compelling and moves quickly, without moving too quickly that it feels too hectic or anything. It also provides some nice insight into addictions in a way that hits hard without passing judgement. All the regulars are very good as are the guest turns of Annie Corley and Peter Scolari.
However, there is too much of the Olivia and Noah storyline (everything with Noah on the whole has never worked entirely for me despite moments) and sadly it is one that is not interesting and adds little.
It was nice to see Rollins play a big role and Kelli Giddish's significant growth as her over the years is noted, but the undercover part of the story could have been written more realistically, didn't buy the lack of back up check or Olivia being livid when she has done similar in the past.
Overall, not great but pretty well done. 7/10.
