"Spooked" is not the first time on 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' where we see the SVU in conflict with the FBI. For one example, we see it in Season 4's "Disappearing Acts" and not very well where it featured too prominently and made all involved look bad. So there was the worry that this would be another one of those cases. Having said that, the story synopsis did sound very interesting, more interesting than those for the previous five episodes of the season.
As of now, "Spooked" is the lowest rated Season 11 episode up to this point. Absolutely do not agree with this, to me it is the best of the episodes up to this point and in the better half of the season cases wise. It doesn't have the things that brought down most of the previous episodes and for the first time the behaviour of the SVU didn't bother me massively on the whole. It is also reminiscent of early seasons 'Special Victims Unit', a good thing, and the second outing of the season where the outcome satisfies.
Did feel personally that Stabler's jealousy was taken too far, it is a very ugly personality trait for him (and to me the character writing for Stabler was distractingly frustrating in the previous episodes) and doesn't suit him.
The SVU being too quick to be trusting of Terri also didn't ring true, when they should have considered all theories and not be too quick to judge one. Almost as bad as jumping to conclusions about someone's guilt without evidence which happened frequently in Seasons 7-12. While it was great to have Munch back in classic form, he and Fin are underused.
However, there are a lot of things that are great that help make "Spooked" a very good episode. Visually "Spooked" is well made, especially the intimate photography. It looks stylish and slick with a more refined look than when 'Special Victims Unit' first started all the way back in 1999, while maintaining the show's grit. The music doesn't overbear and is not overused. The direction keeps things moving well while letting the drama breathe.
Furthermore, the script is taut and while it has the right amount of tension and parts worth pondering on there is some welcome levity, such as Munch's whining about telephones. The story is well paced and suspenseful, with a very surprising ending that actually satisfies and the FBI involvement isn't over-written or takes over. Even with Porter playing a major role. Much of the character writing is great and also different, especially Olivia (great to see her loosen up and play a crucial role). Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay are spot on, despite having reservations with Stabler's character writing Meloni brings a good deal of nuance to him.
Overall, very good. 8/10.
As of now, "Spooked" is the lowest rated Season 11 episode up to this point. Absolutely do not agree with this, to me it is the best of the episodes up to this point and in the better half of the season cases wise. It doesn't have the things that brought down most of the previous episodes and for the first time the behaviour of the SVU didn't bother me massively on the whole. It is also reminiscent of early seasons 'Special Victims Unit', a good thing, and the second outing of the season where the outcome satisfies.
Did feel personally that Stabler's jealousy was taken too far, it is a very ugly personality trait for him (and to me the character writing for Stabler was distractingly frustrating in the previous episodes) and doesn't suit him.
The SVU being too quick to be trusting of Terri also didn't ring true, when they should have considered all theories and not be too quick to judge one. Almost as bad as jumping to conclusions about someone's guilt without evidence which happened frequently in Seasons 7-12. While it was great to have Munch back in classic form, he and Fin are underused.
However, there are a lot of things that are great that help make "Spooked" a very good episode. Visually "Spooked" is well made, especially the intimate photography. It looks stylish and slick with a more refined look than when 'Special Victims Unit' first started all the way back in 1999, while maintaining the show's grit. The music doesn't overbear and is not overused. The direction keeps things moving well while letting the drama breathe.
Furthermore, the script is taut and while it has the right amount of tension and parts worth pondering on there is some welcome levity, such as Munch's whining about telephones. The story is well paced and suspenseful, with a very surprising ending that actually satisfies and the FBI involvement isn't over-written or takes over. Even with Porter playing a major role. Much of the character writing is great and also different, especially Olivia (great to see her loosen up and play a crucial role). Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay are spot on, despite having reservations with Stabler's character writing Meloni brings a good deal of nuance to him.
Overall, very good. 8/10.