The first episode of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit's' Season 5 "Tragedy" was a good season opener, if not one that blew me away. Due to finding the conclusion a let down. The second episode "Manic" actually had potential to be a much better episode than it turned out to be and also be a better episode than "Tragedy", due to the concept appealing and resonating with me more on paper. Being somebody on medication with not very pleasant side effects.
"Manic" sadly was not the much better episode it could have been. On first watch, it didn't grip me and felt bland and unrealistic. On my recent re-watch, working my way overtime through re-watching the early seasons in particular, it fared a little better as it did do things that were admirable and there are two great guest turns. It still didn't completely grip me though and somehow it didn't feel like a 'Special Victims Unit' episode.
Am going to start with what "Manic" did well. The photography is slick and subtly gritty as usual and while the locations are limited in number they are still pleasing to look at and the more intimate ones aren't claustrophobic. The editing has also come on a long way since the show first started and it was always good from the very beginning, just that it became smoother and crisper as the production values became more refined. The music is haunting while not going over the top and not being intrusive, too constant and melodramatic music would have ruined the mood and would not have let the dialogue do the talking as effectively. The direction shines later on.
It is a very well acted episode, with an unsettling performance in particular from Rory Culkin and Mare Winningham is very powerful towards the end. Of the regulars, Stephanie March, on icily authoritative form, fares best. Fred Dalton Thompson intrigues in his cameo in a great scene with March. Some of the script is thought-provoking and intrigues, with Cabot and Sandra's role at the end being poignantly handled and resonant for any mother. It was very bold for "Manic" to tackle the issue of how products are promoted and the dangers that can ensue, something that is hardly outdated today. It does make one think twice about experimenting with different medications without supervision and it is hard to not be freaked out about how it can affect somebody.
Despite all those good things, "Manic" failed to completely grip me, with a case that generally lacked tension and tautness. A case too that felt too thin and felt rather routine outside of its strong start and finish and a few good scenes, too much of a filler feel here. Anybody wanting realism watching this episode are not going to get it watching "Manic", too many basic things in the plot that makes one go "really?", actually do think that the real guilty party got off too lightly.
Furthermore, "Manic" didn't feel enough like an episode of 'Special Victims Unit'. It was like it was lifted out of an episode of something else with the SVU guest starring with relatively little to do. It makes one question why they were even there when their roles could have been filled by pretty much anybody. Of the regulars, the only character to be written interestingly or bring a huge amount to the episode was Cabot. While the script does have intriguing and thoughtful moments, it felt a bit rushed through.
Overall, not bad at all but only slightly above average. A lesser episode of Season 5 in my view. 6/10
"Manic" sadly was not the much better episode it could have been. On first watch, it didn't grip me and felt bland and unrealistic. On my recent re-watch, working my way overtime through re-watching the early seasons in particular, it fared a little better as it did do things that were admirable and there are two great guest turns. It still didn't completely grip me though and somehow it didn't feel like a 'Special Victims Unit' episode.
Am going to start with what "Manic" did well. The photography is slick and subtly gritty as usual and while the locations are limited in number they are still pleasing to look at and the more intimate ones aren't claustrophobic. The editing has also come on a long way since the show first started and it was always good from the very beginning, just that it became smoother and crisper as the production values became more refined. The music is haunting while not going over the top and not being intrusive, too constant and melodramatic music would have ruined the mood and would not have let the dialogue do the talking as effectively. The direction shines later on.
It is a very well acted episode, with an unsettling performance in particular from Rory Culkin and Mare Winningham is very powerful towards the end. Of the regulars, Stephanie March, on icily authoritative form, fares best. Fred Dalton Thompson intrigues in his cameo in a great scene with March. Some of the script is thought-provoking and intrigues, with Cabot and Sandra's role at the end being poignantly handled and resonant for any mother. It was very bold for "Manic" to tackle the issue of how products are promoted and the dangers that can ensue, something that is hardly outdated today. It does make one think twice about experimenting with different medications without supervision and it is hard to not be freaked out about how it can affect somebody.
Despite all those good things, "Manic" failed to completely grip me, with a case that generally lacked tension and tautness. A case too that felt too thin and felt rather routine outside of its strong start and finish and a few good scenes, too much of a filler feel here. Anybody wanting realism watching this episode are not going to get it watching "Manic", too many basic things in the plot that makes one go "really?", actually do think that the real guilty party got off too lightly.
Furthermore, "Manic" didn't feel enough like an episode of 'Special Victims Unit'. It was like it was lifted out of an episode of something else with the SVU guest starring with relatively little to do. It makes one question why they were even there when their roles could have been filled by pretty much anybody. Of the regulars, the only character to be written interestingly or bring a huge amount to the episode was Cabot. While the script does have intriguing and thoughtful moments, it felt a bit rushed through.
Overall, not bad at all but only slightly above average. A lesser episode of Season 5 in my view. 6/10
