'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit's' Season 6 was for me the best and most consistent Season 6 of the three main shows in the 'Law and Order' franchise (the others being the original 'Law and Order' and 'Criminal Intent', the latter of which having a pretty hit and miss Season 6). Up to this episode, and including it, there had not in my view been an episode that below good, though "Doubt" is polarising (personally liked the episode but its biggest interest point didn't quite come off.
"Quarry" continues the exceptionally high quality shown in all the previous episodes in another excellent episode. Almost everything is brilliant about it, especially the emotional impact, its approach to the very sensitive subject matter, Mariska Hargitay and John Savage, and even the thing that stops "Quarry" from being a perfect score isn't that catastrophic. It is not quite one of my very favourite episodes of the season, but it is very close.
The production values as ever are slick and with the right amount of muted grit, the photography doesn't try to do anything too fancy or gimmicky while not being claustrophobic and keeping things simple. The music doesn't overbear with the theme tune still memorable. The direction doesn't let the tension slip while still giving enough breathing space to the drama. The script is a mix of thought-provoking, unsettling and raw emotion, all wrapped up in a taut, very appetising and not too neat package.
Really admired that "Quarry" was another story that deals with a heavy subject in a pull no punches way, but avoids going too heavy handed and mushy. Everything with the trophies was truly disturbing, the interaction with Briggs chills and engrosses and the truth is a massive shock and made me feel both angry and sad on first viewing and still feel this way.
Olivia plays a great role in "Quarry", authoritative and conflicted without being over-angsty. Her (too briefly seen) chemistry with Stabler is sweet. Mariska Hargitay is excellent, but am going to agree that Savage's magnificently spine chilling performance is the highlight.
For my liking, there were a couple too many twists later on, which complicated the story a little.
In conclusion, truly excellent. 9/10
"Quarry" continues the exceptionally high quality shown in all the previous episodes in another excellent episode. Almost everything is brilliant about it, especially the emotional impact, its approach to the very sensitive subject matter, Mariska Hargitay and John Savage, and even the thing that stops "Quarry" from being a perfect score isn't that catastrophic. It is not quite one of my very favourite episodes of the season, but it is very close.
The production values as ever are slick and with the right amount of muted grit, the photography doesn't try to do anything too fancy or gimmicky while not being claustrophobic and keeping things simple. The music doesn't overbear with the theme tune still memorable. The direction doesn't let the tension slip while still giving enough breathing space to the drama. The script is a mix of thought-provoking, unsettling and raw emotion, all wrapped up in a taut, very appetising and not too neat package.
Really admired that "Quarry" was another story that deals with a heavy subject in a pull no punches way, but avoids going too heavy handed and mushy. Everything with the trophies was truly disturbing, the interaction with Briggs chills and engrosses and the truth is a massive shock and made me feel both angry and sad on first viewing and still feel this way.
Olivia plays a great role in "Quarry", authoritative and conflicted without being over-angsty. Her (too briefly seen) chemistry with Stabler is sweet. Mariska Hargitay is excellent, but am going to agree that Savage's magnificently spine chilling performance is the highlight.
For my liking, there were a couple too many twists later on, which complicated the story a little.
In conclusion, truly excellent. 9/10
