Sad truth of it is that there are so many dysfunctional relationships that mirror the couple in this episode. Also, proves my feelings that women can be the abuser and/or philanderer in a relationship - it's really not always the guy, and yes i am a woman. Nevertheless, I would say that both individuals in this marriage is as bad as the other, not only should they divorce but should never date anyone ever again, because they'll just take their dysfunctional behavior into their next relationship.
4 Reviews
Back and forth
TheLittleSongbird11 March 2020
Really enjoyed 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' in its early seasons, despite the later season episodes, which to me generally aren't as good but there are still gems, seeming to air more at this present time. Season 2 was on the most part just as good as the first season (which had a high number of very good and above episodes and only two disappointments), and felt more settled generally (or at least settled quicker) than the second season of the original 'Law and Order'.
It was not immune still to disappointments, and for me one of the disappointments was this episode "Asunder". Don't get me wrong, it is still a decent episode and there is a good deal that is done right. It just felt rather bland and to be honest it is not my favourite type of case. It is very difficult to make something interesting out of a "she said, he said" sort of case in my view, and also to do it with tact, and "Asunder" could have done better on this front. Am really hoping that is not being disrespectful.
"Asunder" does do well in a number of things. Have, and never really have done (the odd exception aside), no issue with the production values, as slick as ever. Nor the music, which knows when to stop and when to not be too dramatic, letting the dialogue do all the talking. There is a lot of dialogue, but it doesn't ramble and provokes thought.
The character interaction within the regulars is spot on, Stabler and Olivia's chemistry adds a lot to the show's heart, and they work cohesively as a team. There are intriguing moments in the story, interesting too to see a change of pace as at that point of the show it was a different kind of case, and the acting is solid from all. Jeffries' exit is handled well in one of the more tense scenes of the episodes, though it was inevitable. The friction with the other cops was well done.
On the other hand, part of me felt like there could have been more of that. When it was present, it did give the tension not present enough in the rest of the episode and intrigued. It however did need to play a bigger part in the storyline. In general, the story had its moments but needed more tension and felt too run of the mill and repetitive, not an awful lot exciting here.
Despite being well played, there were far more interesting and better fleshed out guest stars before and especially after this episode. The husband and wife felt too cliched and lacked distinction. More of Munch and Fin would have been nice, when they do appear Munch's dry wit and sarcasm gives "Asunder" welcome levity as usual and it wouldn't have hurt to have had more of it. If this all sounds nit-picky, that's not the intention.
Summing up, not a bad episode at all but a bit disappointing. A lesser Season 2 episode and am not meaning any possible disrespect here. 6/10
It was not immune still to disappointments, and for me one of the disappointments was this episode "Asunder". Don't get me wrong, it is still a decent episode and there is a good deal that is done right. It just felt rather bland and to be honest it is not my favourite type of case. It is very difficult to make something interesting out of a "she said, he said" sort of case in my view, and also to do it with tact, and "Asunder" could have done better on this front. Am really hoping that is not being disrespectful.
"Asunder" does do well in a number of things. Have, and never really have done (the odd exception aside), no issue with the production values, as slick as ever. Nor the music, which knows when to stop and when to not be too dramatic, letting the dialogue do all the talking. There is a lot of dialogue, but it doesn't ramble and provokes thought.
The character interaction within the regulars is spot on, Stabler and Olivia's chemistry adds a lot to the show's heart, and they work cohesively as a team. There are intriguing moments in the story, interesting too to see a change of pace as at that point of the show it was a different kind of case, and the acting is solid from all. Jeffries' exit is handled well in one of the more tense scenes of the episodes, though it was inevitable. The friction with the other cops was well done.
On the other hand, part of me felt like there could have been more of that. When it was present, it did give the tension not present enough in the rest of the episode and intrigued. It however did need to play a bigger part in the storyline. In general, the story had its moments but needed more tension and felt too run of the mill and repetitive, not an awful lot exciting here.
Despite being well played, there were far more interesting and better fleshed out guest stars before and especially after this episode. The husband and wife felt too cliched and lacked distinction. More of Munch and Fin would have been nice, when they do appear Munch's dry wit and sarcasm gives "Asunder" welcome levity as usual and it wouldn't have hurt to have had more of it. If this all sounds nit-picky, that's not the intention.
Summing up, not a bad episode at all but a bit disappointing. A lesser Season 2 episode and am not meaning any possible disrespect here. 6/10
Powerful, deceptively complex case of rape
lor_11 July 2023
A very strong ediion of SVU, which probably would have a quite different slant if made today. It becomes a variation of the "he said/she said" format, but deals with very powerful, always timely issues involving rape, police misconduct, and the propensity of police departments (and other instituttions) to cover up misdeed by thier own personnel.
Nestor Serrano is terrific as the cop accused of raping his wife, a charge which nearly all his male colleagues, apart from straight-aroow Dann Florek, treat with contempt -as one asks "How can a man rape his wife?". Over a couple decades later I suspect this aspect of the show has become dated.
But the central issues are treated with an amazing array of conflctng details and attitudes, enough to make what seemsd to be black & whtie at the outset become mruky and provide plenty of food for thought. Even the assistant district attorney's attitudes become suspect.
This is what good writing can do: create discussion and even get the viewer to change or at least second guess his/her attitudes.
Nestor Serrano is terrific as the cop accused of raping his wife, a charge which nearly all his male colleagues, apart from straight-aroow Dann Florek, treat with contempt -as one asks "How can a man rape his wife?". Over a couple decades later I suspect this aspect of the show has become dated.
But the central issues are treated with an amazing array of conflctng details and attitudes, enough to make what seemsd to be black & whtie at the outset become mruky and provide plenty of food for thought. Even the assistant district attorney's attitudes become suspect.
This is what good writing can do: create discussion and even get the viewer to change or at least second guess his/her attitudes.
Fighting fuels the passion
bkoganbing10 April 2017
This episode of SVU has guest stars Nestor Serrano and Amy Carlson taking the spotlight from the regulars. They play a continually battling couple whose fisticuffs apparently fuels their passion. The story begins with him leaving for work from their brownstone and her beaning him from a thrown frying pan. And Serrano is also a homicide detective Theo Kojak's old Manhattan South precinct.
I'm not sure which of them is worse. Face it there are some incidents where even the trained detectives of Manhattan SVU just are too up against it.
Not everything classifies as a crime, nor should it.
I'm not sure which of them is worse. Face it there are some incidents where even the trained detectives of Manhattan SVU just are too up against it.
Not everything classifies as a crime, nor should it.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
