"Chicago Crossover" is the second part of a three part crossover with 'Chicago Fire'/'Chicago PD'/'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit'. Haven't seen enough of the other two shows to judge them fairly, but what has been seen has been mixed. The previous Season 16 episodes for 'Special Victims Unit' have ranged from decent to wonderful, "Holden's Manifesto" faring best. And although it did have misfires the season was not a too bad one at all.
On the whole, "Chicago Crossover" is very well done and interesting. It is not one of the very best Season 16 episodes, like "Holden's Manifesto" and "Pattern Seventeen" (the latter being criminally underrated). It is also not one of the worst, like "Decaying Morality" and especially "Intimidation Game" (the latter being one of the show's very worst). It is though in the better half and quite high up. Despite big reservations, a lot is done really well.
And those really well qualities are going to be mentioned first. As ever, the photography and such are fully professional, the slickness still remaining. The music is used sparingly and is haunting and non-overwrought when it is used, and it's mainly used when a crucial revelation or plot development is revealed. The direction has some nice tension while keeping things steady, without going too far the other way. The script is thought provoking and is lean with very little fat, none of it is dumbed down or over complicated.
The story also grips, it handles a difficult subject and it is a subject that is handled with uncompromising force yet tact. Any character relationships were never forced or overdone, with the fireworks chemistry between Olivia and Voight and the interrogative parts with Teddy standing out. It was very interesting seeing Olivia and Voight together and despite them being very different in approach they are similar when it comes to being strong leaders. The case is a complex one, without being overly so, and tension filled. Most of the acting is extremely good, excellent in the case of heart wrenching Lou Tyler Pucci as a very well fleshed out character.
Having said that, am not a fan of Voight and his tactics and motivations are highly questionable (the case with 'Chicago...' as well). Jason Beghe line delivery is too much of one tone and inflection (gravelly and mumbling).
Did find too that the ending was abrupt and too simple.
Otherwise, very good and one of the stronger faring episodes of Season 16. 8/10.
On the whole, "Chicago Crossover" is very well done and interesting. It is not one of the very best Season 16 episodes, like "Holden's Manifesto" and "Pattern Seventeen" (the latter being criminally underrated). It is also not one of the worst, like "Decaying Morality" and especially "Intimidation Game" (the latter being one of the show's very worst). It is though in the better half and quite high up. Despite big reservations, a lot is done really well.
And those really well qualities are going to be mentioned first. As ever, the photography and such are fully professional, the slickness still remaining. The music is used sparingly and is haunting and non-overwrought when it is used, and it's mainly used when a crucial revelation or plot development is revealed. The direction has some nice tension while keeping things steady, without going too far the other way. The script is thought provoking and is lean with very little fat, none of it is dumbed down or over complicated.
The story also grips, it handles a difficult subject and it is a subject that is handled with uncompromising force yet tact. Any character relationships were never forced or overdone, with the fireworks chemistry between Olivia and Voight and the interrogative parts with Teddy standing out. It was very interesting seeing Olivia and Voight together and despite them being very different in approach they are similar when it comes to being strong leaders. The case is a complex one, without being overly so, and tension filled. Most of the acting is extremely good, excellent in the case of heart wrenching Lou Tyler Pucci as a very well fleshed out character.
Having said that, am not a fan of Voight and his tactics and motivations are highly questionable (the case with 'Chicago...' as well). Jason Beghe line delivery is too much of one tone and inflection (gravelly and mumbling).
Did find too that the ending was abrupt and too simple.
Otherwise, very good and one of the stronger faring episodes of Season 16. 8/10.