Anybody who has read any of my other reviews for for example individual episodes of the 'Law and Order' shows, am slowly working my way through writing reviews for all the episodes of 'Law and Order, 'Special Victims Unit' (and 'Criminal Intent' until just under a year ago) with a long way to go, will know already how much admiration there is from me for anything that tackles difficult and controversial themes and issues. This episode is no exception, not new territory but 'Special Victims Unit' has done many topics more than once and fared well.
"Internal Affairs" does a great job with its subject matter. As an episode it is not quite as great as "Imprisoned Lives" and especially "Surrender Benson", but it sees a quick return to form in quality after the very disappointing "American Tragedy". While not being a fan of one character, "Internal Affairs" does really well balancing a compelling case with lovely character moments. If an episode of 'Special Victims Unit' or any show manages to achieve that balance, it's already an at least above average episode, and this is well above that.
Will admit to still not caring for Dr Lindstrom, and don't buy Bill Irwin in the role. He is meant to be a sympathetic character but when one sees his recurring guest role on this show and compares it to what made him so memorably creepy in 'CSI', the creepiness is not easy to shake off. Lindstrom also comes over inappropriately in one scene, not in a sinister way but in that his behaviour is too close in context to the job.
However, everything else is great. The production values are suitably slick and gritty, with photography that is reliant on close ups that have an intimacy without being too claustrophobic. The music is didn't come over as too melodramatic or like it was emphasising the emotion too much. The direction is sympathetic while still giving momentum.
Script is very sharp, thoughtful and punchy, there is a lot of talk but it doesn't feel too much and is not hard to understand. The subject is handled tactfully but at the same time also unflinchingly, while not being too sleazy. The story is compelling, kept me guessing and Cassidy's conflict didn't come over as forced. Neither did the role of Internal Affairs, Tucker is one of those love to hate characters but he was fine here and it was good that the relationship wasn't as acrimonious.
Performances from the regulars are uniformly good while David Conrad and Nadia Dajani terrify in their guest roles. There are some lovely character moments, namely the sweet scene between Olivia and a more sympathetic Amaro and Rollins' funny drunk imitation.
Concluding, great. 9/10.
"Internal Affairs" does a great job with its subject matter. As an episode it is not quite as great as "Imprisoned Lives" and especially "Surrender Benson", but it sees a quick return to form in quality after the very disappointing "American Tragedy". While not being a fan of one character, "Internal Affairs" does really well balancing a compelling case with lovely character moments. If an episode of 'Special Victims Unit' or any show manages to achieve that balance, it's already an at least above average episode, and this is well above that.
Will admit to still not caring for Dr Lindstrom, and don't buy Bill Irwin in the role. He is meant to be a sympathetic character but when one sees his recurring guest role on this show and compares it to what made him so memorably creepy in 'CSI', the creepiness is not easy to shake off. Lindstrom also comes over inappropriately in one scene, not in a sinister way but in that his behaviour is too close in context to the job.
However, everything else is great. The production values are suitably slick and gritty, with photography that is reliant on close ups that have an intimacy without being too claustrophobic. The music is didn't come over as too melodramatic or like it was emphasising the emotion too much. The direction is sympathetic while still giving momentum.
Script is very sharp, thoughtful and punchy, there is a lot of talk but it doesn't feel too much and is not hard to understand. The subject is handled tactfully but at the same time also unflinchingly, while not being too sleazy. The story is compelling, kept me guessing and Cassidy's conflict didn't come over as forced. Neither did the role of Internal Affairs, Tucker is one of those love to hate characters but he was fine here and it was good that the relationship wasn't as acrimonious.
Performances from the regulars are uniformly good while David Conrad and Nadia Dajani terrify in their guest roles. There are some lovely character moments, namely the sweet scene between Olivia and a more sympathetic Amaro and Rollins' funny drunk imitation.
Concluding, great. 9/10.