Am a fan on the most part of the early seasons of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit', although not every episode wowed me. The previous Season 5 episodes were generally not as good as the episodes at this point of the previous seasons, apart from the amazing "Loss", but that is not meant as a bad thing as none of the previous episodes of Season 5 were bad in any way. The previous seasons at this point had superior episodes on the whole.
"Coerced" though is a great episode. More though for the character writing and interaction than the case, although the case is still fine. Just that the other elements are even better. It may not be one of the best episodes of 'Special Victims Unit' or one of the all time best of the show, not like "Loss", but it is still a great episode nonetheless in many ways. Is it one of the very best episodes of Season 5? Perhaps not quite. But it's close to being and certainly was one of the better ones of the first half of the season. A case of character writing and interaction being (even) better than the mystery itself.
Not that the story is bad, far from it. It's exceptionally well done and powerful, but when it comes to character writing and interaction, in getting to know the team members and why they think the way they do, "Coerced" is a triumph. It is one of those episodes where Stabler is in a career on the line situation, and one where his actions as a parent himself don't make one feel frustration or anger towards him. Actually found myself sympathising in a way with his argument when the case made his personal feelings get in the way. While completely understanding Huang in his anger about his ethics being compromised. The tension between the two sears.
It is always great when other characters show a supportive side while still staying professional in 'Special Victims Unit' and that is obvious in "Coerced", especially Cragen. Was very moved in his praise for Stabler. Also admired Novak's risk taking and her prominent role in the action, while her character is still in early stages and the personality is still a bit cold she is certainly not out of place. All the characters are written beautifully, with a perpetrator that is not completely hateable while still being unnerving and a situation that could have been done in a one-sided and ham-handed way but actually handled with great intensity and poignancy. What may sound simple on paper is anything but and isn't done predictably, the big twist is a real surprise.
The performances are all top drawer, with a typically intense (in a good way) one from Christopher Meloni and BD Wong giving some of his best acting of the show. The script is taut, pulls no punches and provokes thought, the writing for Stabler and Huang being where it really seared. The pace never felt dull. It's well made, intimately photographed and slick with no signs of under-budget or anything. The music didn't sound melodramatic or too constant and the direction is accomodating while still having pulse.
In summation, great with my only issue being the slightly too hastily wrapped up ending. 9/10
"Coerced" though is a great episode. More though for the character writing and interaction than the case, although the case is still fine. Just that the other elements are even better. It may not be one of the best episodes of 'Special Victims Unit' or one of the all time best of the show, not like "Loss", but it is still a great episode nonetheless in many ways. Is it one of the very best episodes of Season 5? Perhaps not quite. But it's close to being and certainly was one of the better ones of the first half of the season. A case of character writing and interaction being (even) better than the mystery itself.
Not that the story is bad, far from it. It's exceptionally well done and powerful, but when it comes to character writing and interaction, in getting to know the team members and why they think the way they do, "Coerced" is a triumph. It is one of those episodes where Stabler is in a career on the line situation, and one where his actions as a parent himself don't make one feel frustration or anger towards him. Actually found myself sympathising in a way with his argument when the case made his personal feelings get in the way. While completely understanding Huang in his anger about his ethics being compromised. The tension between the two sears.
It is always great when other characters show a supportive side while still staying professional in 'Special Victims Unit' and that is obvious in "Coerced", especially Cragen. Was very moved in his praise for Stabler. Also admired Novak's risk taking and her prominent role in the action, while her character is still in early stages and the personality is still a bit cold she is certainly not out of place. All the characters are written beautifully, with a perpetrator that is not completely hateable while still being unnerving and a situation that could have been done in a one-sided and ham-handed way but actually handled with great intensity and poignancy. What may sound simple on paper is anything but and isn't done predictably, the big twist is a real surprise.
The performances are all top drawer, with a typically intense (in a good way) one from Christopher Meloni and BD Wong giving some of his best acting of the show. The script is taut, pulls no punches and provokes thought, the writing for Stabler and Huang being where it really seared. The pace never felt dull. It's well made, intimately photographed and slick with no signs of under-budget or anything. The music didn't sound melodramatic or too constant and the direction is accomodating while still having pulse.
In summation, great with my only issue being the slightly too hastily wrapped up ending. 9/10
