On first watch some years back, "911" blew me away in a way that few other 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' episodes did and have done to this extent. Even back then it struck me as a tremendously powerful and moving episode and Mariska Hargitay bowled me over (have always loved her as Olivia Benson, even when the show declined). It just amazed me at how scaled down it was in location yet still managed to be a lot more absorbing than most episodes with a larger cast and that are more opened up.
"911" is widely considered a fan favourite, with many considering it one of the best 'Special Victims Unit' episodes and in some cases the best. It is very difficult to disagree. In my mind and have felt this way on all subsequent re-watches, "911" is easily the best Season 7 episode and very, very high up in the list of the show's best ever. There are many brilliant episodes of 'Special Victims Unit', a vast majority of them in the earlier seasons (Seasons 1-10) and calling "911" brilliant doesn't do it justice enough. Anybody wondering what the fuss is about, if not sure about the show's popularity from watching the later seasons look no further than this as an episode that embodies its appeal.
This is a fine example of an episode of 'Special Victims Unit' where everything works. It's well made, intimately photographed and slick with no signs of under-budget or anything. The music didn't sound melodramatic or too constant and the direction is accomodating while still having pulse. The writing doesn't ramble, although as usual there is a lot of dialogue to digest, and really provokes thought, disturbs and brings a lump to the throat. Maria's imploring is just heart-wrenching.
Have never seen an episode that is mostly a 2 people (with only one seen) phone conversation that is this riveting or emotional impactful. The tension is non stop and edge of the seat and have always on all my viewings of "911" rooted for the outcome to be a good one. The tension is not just in what is said over the phone but also in the tensions that ensue within the team (the rest being apprehensive of the validity of the call). Both Olivia and Maria are rootable characters, despite Maria being heard in voice there is so much pain and desperation in the way she speaks it is impossible for not root for her. Olivia's determination and refusal to give up was inspiring.
Mariska Hargitay is absolutely extraordinary in her best performance of the show, the performance that got her an Emmy and a more than richly deserved one. The wide range of emotions she shows in her voice, face, eyes and body language is a masterclass. Jeanine Monterozza's voicing for Maria is truly heartfelt and made me cry. Everyone else is great, but the episode belongs to Hargitay.
In summary, amazing. 10/10.
"911" is widely considered a fan favourite, with many considering it one of the best 'Special Victims Unit' episodes and in some cases the best. It is very difficult to disagree. In my mind and have felt this way on all subsequent re-watches, "911" is easily the best Season 7 episode and very, very high up in the list of the show's best ever. There are many brilliant episodes of 'Special Victims Unit', a vast majority of them in the earlier seasons (Seasons 1-10) and calling "911" brilliant doesn't do it justice enough. Anybody wondering what the fuss is about, if not sure about the show's popularity from watching the later seasons look no further than this as an episode that embodies its appeal.
This is a fine example of an episode of 'Special Victims Unit' where everything works. It's well made, intimately photographed and slick with no signs of under-budget or anything. The music didn't sound melodramatic or too constant and the direction is accomodating while still having pulse. The writing doesn't ramble, although as usual there is a lot of dialogue to digest, and really provokes thought, disturbs and brings a lump to the throat. Maria's imploring is just heart-wrenching.
Have never seen an episode that is mostly a 2 people (with only one seen) phone conversation that is this riveting or emotional impactful. The tension is non stop and edge of the seat and have always on all my viewings of "911" rooted for the outcome to be a good one. The tension is not just in what is said over the phone but also in the tensions that ensue within the team (the rest being apprehensive of the validity of the call). Both Olivia and Maria are rootable characters, despite Maria being heard in voice there is so much pain and desperation in the way she speaks it is impossible for not root for her. Olivia's determination and refusal to give up was inspiring.
Mariska Hargitay is absolutely extraordinary in her best performance of the show, the performance that got her an Emmy and a more than richly deserved one. The wide range of emotions she shows in her voice, face, eyes and body language is a masterclass. Jeanine Monterozza's voicing for Maria is truly heartfelt and made me cry. Everyone else is great, but the episode belongs to Hargitay.
In summary, amazing. 10/10.