Have said more than once about admiring hugely the 'Law and Order' franchise's tackling of tough themes and subjects that one doesn't always see to this extent on similar shows. When this aspect is done well, like it was throughout a lot of the original 'Law and Order' and 'Special Victims Unit' in the Stabler years, the themes were tackled in a gutsy, intense and poignant way. When not done well, like the latter seasons of 'Special Victims Unit' too often, it came over as heavy-handed and one-sided.
On the most part, "Exchange" was the former, so gutsy, intense and poignant. It is a long way from being a perfect episode and a falls a little short of being great, but it also has a lot of truly fine things that already makes it a better episode than most of the previous ones of Season 20's patchy second half and in fact most of the season's second half. It was a tactful handling of an uneasy subject, while also still holding no punches. With a subject like this, that is not always easy.
A lot is good about "Exchange". The photography while very close up doesn't come over as too static or filmed play-like, while the production values are typically solid and have subtle atmosphere while not being drab and keeping things simple. When the music is used it is haunting and has a melancholic edge that is not overdone. The episode is sympathetically yet uncompromisingly directed.
The script flows well and doesn't in any way trivialise the subject, while also not going too far. The story on the whole is very absorbing, that has enough unexpected twists and turns that have an early seasons 'Special Victims Unit' feel. The regulars are all very good, as are the supporting cast, the sympathetic victim and truly despicable perpetrator standing out.
"Exchange" could have been better though. It takes a little bit of time to get going and the perpetrator is somewhat obvious, with too much one dimensional character writing.
Did feel too that Olivia is not very professional here, primarily when discussing what happened with the victim at her home. Which is well out of her boundaries in the context of her job and comes over as too invasive.
Good episode though overall. 7/10.
On the most part, "Exchange" was the former, so gutsy, intense and poignant. It is a long way from being a perfect episode and a falls a little short of being great, but it also has a lot of truly fine things that already makes it a better episode than most of the previous ones of Season 20's patchy second half and in fact most of the season's second half. It was a tactful handling of an uneasy subject, while also still holding no punches. With a subject like this, that is not always easy.
A lot is good about "Exchange". The photography while very close up doesn't come over as too static or filmed play-like, while the production values are typically solid and have subtle atmosphere while not being drab and keeping things simple. When the music is used it is haunting and has a melancholic edge that is not overdone. The episode is sympathetically yet uncompromisingly directed.
The script flows well and doesn't in any way trivialise the subject, while also not going too far. The story on the whole is very absorbing, that has enough unexpected twists and turns that have an early seasons 'Special Victims Unit' feel. The regulars are all very good, as are the supporting cast, the sympathetic victim and truly despicable perpetrator standing out.
"Exchange" could have been better though. It takes a little bit of time to get going and the perpetrator is somewhat obvious, with too much one dimensional character writing.
Did feel too that Olivia is not very professional here, primarily when discussing what happened with the victim at her home. Which is well out of her boundaries in the context of her job and comes over as too invasive.
Good episode though overall. 7/10.
