Season 16's premiere "Girls Disappeared" is most notable for it being the first episode of Sonny Carisi. On the whole, he was a refreshing addition to 'Special Victims Unit', when it was starting to need that refreshment, and one of the best things about a very uneven but generally not too bad (despite having one of the show's worst episodes in it) season. Didn't like every appearance of his in later seasons, but like his character very much on the whole.
He makes a very promising first addition in a very good season opener that made me excited for what was to follow. Even better was to follow in Season 16, though there were few outstanding episodes, with "Holden's Manifesto" and the underrated "Pattern Seventeen" being the season standouts ("Undercover Mother" comes close). But as far as Season 16 goes, "Girls Disappeared" is among the better episodes and is well worth seeing.
A lot is good and even great. Most of the production values are still slick and suitably gritty (without being too heavy in it). While the music is not perfect this time, it is generally not too melodramatic and is not used too much, even not being too manipulative in revelations. The direction lets the drama breathe while making sure that the tension and emotion never slipped. The script is tight and thoughtful, while the talk is a lot it didn't feel rambling.
"Girls Disappeared's" story is gripping, suspenseful and twist filled and that the perpetrator is truly despicable (one of the most despicable of the season) helps quite a bit. It really hits hard, no sugar-coating here, and the difficult subject matter is also handled with sensitivity, which is not always easy to do. The character writing is pretty much on point, with a sympathetic Barba and Fin at his most firey and most intense in a long time standing out most. Carisi's first impression is very promising and already showing the signs of one of the better things about the season.
Was really worried about Olivias subplot dominating too much but it turned out to be heartfelt, realistic and also not irrelevant to the case. The performances all round are very good to great.
However, "Girls Disappeared" does have a very out of place musical montage that goes on for far too long and is rather cheesy.
Moreover, some of the editing was lacking in cohesion at times.
Very good episode overall and shows a lot of potential. 8/10.
He makes a very promising first addition in a very good season opener that made me excited for what was to follow. Even better was to follow in Season 16, though there were few outstanding episodes, with "Holden's Manifesto" and the underrated "Pattern Seventeen" being the season standouts ("Undercover Mother" comes close). But as far as Season 16 goes, "Girls Disappeared" is among the better episodes and is well worth seeing.
A lot is good and even great. Most of the production values are still slick and suitably gritty (without being too heavy in it). While the music is not perfect this time, it is generally not too melodramatic and is not used too much, even not being too manipulative in revelations. The direction lets the drama breathe while making sure that the tension and emotion never slipped. The script is tight and thoughtful, while the talk is a lot it didn't feel rambling.
"Girls Disappeared's" story is gripping, suspenseful and twist filled and that the perpetrator is truly despicable (one of the most despicable of the season) helps quite a bit. It really hits hard, no sugar-coating here, and the difficult subject matter is also handled with sensitivity, which is not always easy to do. The character writing is pretty much on point, with a sympathetic Barba and Fin at his most firey and most intense in a long time standing out most. Carisi's first impression is very promising and already showing the signs of one of the better things about the season.
Was really worried about Olivias subplot dominating too much but it turned out to be heartfelt, realistic and also not irrelevant to the case. The performances all round are very good to great.
However, "Girls Disappeared" does have a very out of place musical montage that goes on for far too long and is rather cheesy.
Moreover, some of the editing was lacking in cohesion at times.
Very good episode overall and shows a lot of potential. 8/10.