The very first episode of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit', "Payback", was absolutely brilliant, actually couldn't believe it was just a first episode having seen quite a few shows where first episodes understandably don't feel completely settled. The following episode "A Single Life" wasn't as good but still was very impressive and nearly great, that it wasn't as good as "Payback" is merely to do that that episode was so brilliant and it would have been very difficult to match it.
"Or Just Look Like One" is a great episode, and quite a powerful and emotionally impactful one. After the previous two episodes, a lot admittedly was expected from "Or Just Look Like One" and it was as good as hoped. Not as mind-blowing as "Payback" but a slight step up from "A Single Life". This was back from 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' was in its prime years, had stronger cases, more professionalism and not as much focus on (sometimes) soapy personal lives subplots. Felt nine years ago that the show had declined quite a bit, but it has grown on me even though the early seasons generally are better.
While relating a lot to the Kathy side plot, being somebody who has had an unhealthy relationship with food that is still an on and off struggle, it didn't grab me as much as the rest of the episode to be honest and more could have been done with it actually.
Really admired however that "Or Just Look Like One" explored the dark side and dangers of the modelling business and its competitiveness, doing it in a way that was very harrowing and very sad. It is not familiar territory, have actually seen for myself what modelling does to people, but it is a difficult subject well worth addressing. It was relevant back then and is still relevant to talk about now, more so actually, with the business being nowhere near as glamorous as it looks on the outside. The case drew me right in and didn't let go, also surprising me more than once without losing me, nothing is what it seems here. How the case is solved is very interesting.
Absolutely loved seeing Briscoe and Green involved in the case, without them over-dominating, back when the original 'Law and Order' was still running and in one of its best periods. The chemistry between Briscoe and Green is great, as well as with the SVU, and still feel that Briscoe is one of the best things about the original 'Law and Order'. Had no problems with the acting, Mariska Harigitay and Jerry Orbach faring best and pre-Tracey Kibre Bebe Neuwirth was interesting and somewhat creepy as Nina.
Dialogue continues to be thought-provoking with the odd touch of humour that works much better than that in "A Single Life". The music is spare in use but has presence without being intrusive or repetitive. The main theme and voice over have always stuck with me.
Concluding, great episode. 9/10
"Or Just Look Like One" is a great episode, and quite a powerful and emotionally impactful one. After the previous two episodes, a lot admittedly was expected from "Or Just Look Like One" and it was as good as hoped. Not as mind-blowing as "Payback" but a slight step up from "A Single Life". This was back from 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' was in its prime years, had stronger cases, more professionalism and not as much focus on (sometimes) soapy personal lives subplots. Felt nine years ago that the show had declined quite a bit, but it has grown on me even though the early seasons generally are better.
While relating a lot to the Kathy side plot, being somebody who has had an unhealthy relationship with food that is still an on and off struggle, it didn't grab me as much as the rest of the episode to be honest and more could have been done with it actually.
Really admired however that "Or Just Look Like One" explored the dark side and dangers of the modelling business and its competitiveness, doing it in a way that was very harrowing and very sad. It is not familiar territory, have actually seen for myself what modelling does to people, but it is a difficult subject well worth addressing. It was relevant back then and is still relevant to talk about now, more so actually, with the business being nowhere near as glamorous as it looks on the outside. The case drew me right in and didn't let go, also surprising me more than once without losing me, nothing is what it seems here. How the case is solved is very interesting.
Absolutely loved seeing Briscoe and Green involved in the case, without them over-dominating, back when the original 'Law and Order' was still running and in one of its best periods. The chemistry between Briscoe and Green is great, as well as with the SVU, and still feel that Briscoe is one of the best things about the original 'Law and Order'. Had no problems with the acting, Mariska Harigitay and Jerry Orbach faring best and pre-Tracey Kibre Bebe Neuwirth was interesting and somewhat creepy as Nina.
Dialogue continues to be thought-provoking with the odd touch of humour that works much better than that in "A Single Life". The music is spare in use but has presence without being intrusive or repetitive. The main theme and voice over have always stuck with me.
Concluding, great episode. 9/10
