"Recall" is most notable for being the first full episode of Stabler's Season 8 temporary replacement Dani Beck, after seeing her briefly in the previous episode "Clock". Thoughts on her within the fandom is mixed, with there being some vehement dislike of her and her deemed brash and over-zealous personality (as well as being continually compared to Olivia). But also some strong defense. Personally, she grew on me while still being flawed. Didn't care for her at first, but once judging her on her own terms she fared better as a character.
It is episodes like "Recall" that on rewatch changed my mind about her. In my mind, it is one of the best Stabler and Beck episodes and one of the best of Season 8. A vast improvement over "Clock" though, with a far stronger story and a lot more emotional connection. It also has one of the early seasons' most memorable guest turns that left a big impression on me on first watch and still does. Does one miss Stabler with Olivia? Of course, but that doesn't mean that every episode without the two of them together has to be automatically dismissed. Especially when it has so many fantastic things, "Recall" being a fine example of this.
Beck to me makes a great first impression here. She is brash and over-zealous sure (something that is actually acknowledged in the dialogue), two of the most common words she is described as by those that don't like her, but she is also determined and sympathetic in this episode in a way she wasn't in her following episodes. Her skills are also put to very clever use (especially her communicating in French, a genius way of getting Lorraine to open up), especially in her big scene with Lorraine which was both very tense and pulled on the heart-strings. She does work surprisingly well with Stabler, their differences contrasting well and not being too much of a clash (certainly not to Stabler and Lucius Blaine level in "Fat").
A big reason as to why that big scene and "Recall" as an episode works so well is the justifiably acclaimed performance of Leslie Caron, magnificent in one of the most powerful guest turns in 'Special Victims Unit' history let alone the early years. One shouldn't overlook chilling Charles Shaughnessy or affecting Lily Rabe though, both of them not getting enough credit. All the regulars are great and Connie Nielsen makes a promising first impression, but this is Caron's episode.
The story has tension, although the perpetrator is known very early on the tension comes from how to prove his guilt and whether he will be caught. It also has a lot of emotion, especially in the big scene between Beck (one of her finest moments) and Lorraine. It is not the most twist-filled or continually surprising of cases but the tension and atmosphere is nailed. The script is taut and intelligent, lots of talk but no ramble.
Production values are slick and professional, not ever resorting to cheap or untested gimmicks or anything. The music is haunting in the right places and isn't constant or too loud, and the direction gives the drama urgency and breathing space.
For me, the underuse of Fin and especially Munch and the cheesily written coda were the only debits to a wonderful episode.
An episode that shows that Beck was better than given credit for and that her episodes should not be dismissed. Highly recommended. 9/10.
It is episodes like "Recall" that on rewatch changed my mind about her. In my mind, it is one of the best Stabler and Beck episodes and one of the best of Season 8. A vast improvement over "Clock" though, with a far stronger story and a lot more emotional connection. It also has one of the early seasons' most memorable guest turns that left a big impression on me on first watch and still does. Does one miss Stabler with Olivia? Of course, but that doesn't mean that every episode without the two of them together has to be automatically dismissed. Especially when it has so many fantastic things, "Recall" being a fine example of this.
Beck to me makes a great first impression here. She is brash and over-zealous sure (something that is actually acknowledged in the dialogue), two of the most common words she is described as by those that don't like her, but she is also determined and sympathetic in this episode in a way she wasn't in her following episodes. Her skills are also put to very clever use (especially her communicating in French, a genius way of getting Lorraine to open up), especially in her big scene with Lorraine which was both very tense and pulled on the heart-strings. She does work surprisingly well with Stabler, their differences contrasting well and not being too much of a clash (certainly not to Stabler and Lucius Blaine level in "Fat").
A big reason as to why that big scene and "Recall" as an episode works so well is the justifiably acclaimed performance of Leslie Caron, magnificent in one of the most powerful guest turns in 'Special Victims Unit' history let alone the early years. One shouldn't overlook chilling Charles Shaughnessy or affecting Lily Rabe though, both of them not getting enough credit. All the regulars are great and Connie Nielsen makes a promising first impression, but this is Caron's episode.
The story has tension, although the perpetrator is known very early on the tension comes from how to prove his guilt and whether he will be caught. It also has a lot of emotion, especially in the big scene between Beck (one of her finest moments) and Lorraine. It is not the most twist-filled or continually surprising of cases but the tension and atmosphere is nailed. The script is taut and intelligent, lots of talk but no ramble.
Production values are slick and professional, not ever resorting to cheap or untested gimmicks or anything. The music is haunting in the right places and isn't constant or too loud, and the direction gives the drama urgency and breathing space.
For me, the underuse of Fin and especially Munch and the cheesily written coda were the only debits to a wonderful episode.
An episode that shows that Beck was better than given credit for and that her episodes should not be dismissed. Highly recommended. 9/10.