The less than enthusiastic rating and review for "Blood" has not been given out with pleasure. Actually did think that the premise had a good deal of potential and a mostly hugely impressive Season 6 proved numerous times that it could mix cases with personal lives very well. Brilliantly so in for example "Intoxicated" with Olivia. Likewise with the show in general in primarily the earlier seasons, they did become more soapy and too dominant later.
"Blood" could and should have been a lot better than it was and have always felt bad about not caring for it, it was actually an episode that started off very well but lost its way. Of all the 23 episodes making up Season 6, "Blood" for me is the second weakest and one of only two episodes of the season to be rated less than good. The other being my personal least favourite of Season 6 "Parts", an episode that had even more potential than this one and was even more of a waste (which is most likely not a popular opinion). "Game" was also not quite as high as the extremely high level of the rest of the season, but that had a lot of admirable qualities and it was more interesting and realistic.
Production values as always for 'Special Victims Unit' are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough without being leaden, while having enough momentum to make the drama sing in its atmosphere. The regular acting is very good as usual, particularly from steely Christopher Meloni and it was great to see Dann Florek have a bigger role.
Did think that "Blood" started off very well, the first half actually sounded routine but actually was the half that wrenched the gut and the truth about that crime did shock me. The dialogue often had its usual grit and smartness and the supporting cast did well.
On the other hand, the writing has been more nuanced and tighter before and since. It was rather disappointing that the plot line that on paper sounded more interesting, the one that dominates the second half, was where "Blood" actually for me became less interesting. It is routine with twists that are too few and not that surprising, it was like seeing two episodes in one.
Actually liked Stabler's development a lot on the whole in the season but this was the one episode of Season 6 where his personal life did take over the case a little too much and distracted from it, there could have been less of it. It is too soapy and wasn't really taken that much with how Stabler is written here. Too easily riled up and it is pretty amazing that he still had a job after the episode due to the amount of meddling he does and the extent of it.
Summarising, far from bad but by Season 6 standards a disappointment. 6/10
"Blood" could and should have been a lot better than it was and have always felt bad about not caring for it, it was actually an episode that started off very well but lost its way. Of all the 23 episodes making up Season 6, "Blood" for me is the second weakest and one of only two episodes of the season to be rated less than good. The other being my personal least favourite of Season 6 "Parts", an episode that had even more potential than this one and was even more of a waste (which is most likely not a popular opinion). "Game" was also not quite as high as the extremely high level of the rest of the season, but that had a lot of admirable qualities and it was more interesting and realistic.
Production values as always for 'Special Victims Unit' are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough without being leaden, while having enough momentum to make the drama sing in its atmosphere. The regular acting is very good as usual, particularly from steely Christopher Meloni and it was great to see Dann Florek have a bigger role.
Did think that "Blood" started off very well, the first half actually sounded routine but actually was the half that wrenched the gut and the truth about that crime did shock me. The dialogue often had its usual grit and smartness and the supporting cast did well.
On the other hand, the writing has been more nuanced and tighter before and since. It was rather disappointing that the plot line that on paper sounded more interesting, the one that dominates the second half, was where "Blood" actually for me became less interesting. It is routine with twists that are too few and not that surprising, it was like seeing two episodes in one.
Actually liked Stabler's development a lot on the whole in the season but this was the one episode of Season 6 where his personal life did take over the case a little too much and distracted from it, there could have been less of it. It is too soapy and wasn't really taken that much with how Stabler is written here. Too easily riled up and it is pretty amazing that he still had a job after the episode due to the amount of meddling he does and the extent of it.
Summarising, far from bad but by Season 6 standards a disappointment. 6/10
