'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' has as of now outrun the original 'Law and Order' (have a personal preference for that just to quickly mention) as the longest running 'Law and Order' show, still going 20 years on from being first aired and just started its twenty-first season. While preferring the earlier episodes by quite a fair bit, the later seasons are certainly a long way from unwatchable and there are still quite a number of gems.
There are better episodes in 'Special Victims Unit's' first season and of the show in general than "Misleader". There are also worse on both counts. On the whole it was a well done if unexceptional episode that is more among the lesser ones of the season's solid second half than the better ones. Although a couple of episodes disappointed, Season 1 was remarkably a consistently high quality one with not a bad or below average episode in the lot, which is something that one doesn't always see with shows.
For me, the case was not terribly exciting with not enough surprises or suspense. It wasn't one that completely unengaged me, it just felt a little bland. Actually found the team interaction/character moments and one supporting character in particular made more of an impression.
Also felt that there was no real doubt who the perpetrator was as the episode went on (only considered two people suspects personally) or why the crime was committed, it did increasingly become a case of it only could have been one of those two.
On the other hand, "Misleader" is a slick looking episode and the score is neither too over-bearing or low key, the placement appreciate. The theme tune is one of the better ones of the franchise. The writing is sharp enough and provokes though, good old Munch having some of the best lines. The story execution wasn't flawless but there was enough to it to stop me from turning off. Stabler and Olivia have such great chemistry, the heart of the show, and their plot was to me more interesting than the case.
Have no qualms with the acting, all the regulars give reliably good performances but dominating is Robert Foxworth as an absolute slimeball of a character which he plays to truly creepy effect.
In conclusion, well done but unexceptional and would have been a better episode if the case was stronger. 7/10
There are better episodes in 'Special Victims Unit's' first season and of the show in general than "Misleader". There are also worse on both counts. On the whole it was a well done if unexceptional episode that is more among the lesser ones of the season's solid second half than the better ones. Although a couple of episodes disappointed, Season 1 was remarkably a consistently high quality one with not a bad or below average episode in the lot, which is something that one doesn't always see with shows.
For me, the case was not terribly exciting with not enough surprises or suspense. It wasn't one that completely unengaged me, it just felt a little bland. Actually found the team interaction/character moments and one supporting character in particular made more of an impression.
Also felt that there was no real doubt who the perpetrator was as the episode went on (only considered two people suspects personally) or why the crime was committed, it did increasingly become a case of it only could have been one of those two.
On the other hand, "Misleader" is a slick looking episode and the score is neither too over-bearing or low key, the placement appreciate. The theme tune is one of the better ones of the franchise. The writing is sharp enough and provokes though, good old Munch having some of the best lines. The story execution wasn't flawless but there was enough to it to stop me from turning off. Stabler and Olivia have such great chemistry, the heart of the show, and their plot was to me more interesting than the case.
Have no qualms with the acting, all the regulars give reliably good performances but dominating is Robert Foxworth as an absolute slimeball of a character which he plays to truly creepy effect.
In conclusion, well done but unexceptional and would have been a better episode if the case was stronger. 7/10