Great to see that there are others also in love with "Raw", having seen more mixed reviews elsewhere. On first watch "Raw" blew me away, with very few 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' episodes shocking or terrifying me this much. It also dealt with one of the most difficult subject matters of Season 7, with it being quite hard to make something in good taste out of a subject that will leave many feeling a lot of anger and disgust due to the extreme bigotry of the supporting characters.
"Raw" actually does manage to do that, while having full impact. It is understandable as to why some will not think so, with a lot of hateful terminology being used that really shocks one to the core. But it is not the episode or the writers that are being hateful or discrimatory, "Raw" is an episode that features very bigoted characters and is about the truly frightening extent at how such a hate group act and think. That's why the episode has such a big shock factor, not to mention that it is a case that leaves one reeling more than once. To me, this is still a brilliant episode and one of the best of Season 7.
This is a strong example of an episode where everything about it works. And brilliantly. The production values are still slick and suitably gritty (without being too heavy in it). The music is not too melodramatic and is not used too much, even not being too manipulative in revelations. The direction lets the drama breathe while making sure that the tension and emotion never slipped.
Writing is taut, intelligently crafted and what is said by some of the characters leaves one in shock at what they're hearing and at how anybody could think like let alone say what is said. The viewer feels the same amount of anger and disbelief that the SVU feel, even for a job where they are used to this amount of hate every now and again this is hate unlike any seen in previous episodes. The story is truly harrowing and terrifying, it also has three major twists and all of them are unpredictable and shocking (as well as just about plausible). Especially the final one, which floored me first time and still does. The final 5-10 minutes are truly shattering.
Characters are all interesting, with the responsible being among the most loathsome and blood-curdling in 'Special Victims Unit' history. All the regulars are on top form and Marcia Gay Harden's unsettling yet never over the top Star is one of the best guest star turns of Season 7.
In summary, genuinely frightening and brilliant. 10/10.
"Raw" actually does manage to do that, while having full impact. It is understandable as to why some will not think so, with a lot of hateful terminology being used that really shocks one to the core. But it is not the episode or the writers that are being hateful or discrimatory, "Raw" is an episode that features very bigoted characters and is about the truly frightening extent at how such a hate group act and think. That's why the episode has such a big shock factor, not to mention that it is a case that leaves one reeling more than once. To me, this is still a brilliant episode and one of the best of Season 7.
This is a strong example of an episode where everything about it works. And brilliantly. The production values are still slick and suitably gritty (without being too heavy in it). The music is not too melodramatic and is not used too much, even not being too manipulative in revelations. The direction lets the drama breathe while making sure that the tension and emotion never slipped.
Writing is taut, intelligently crafted and what is said by some of the characters leaves one in shock at what they're hearing and at how anybody could think like let alone say what is said. The viewer feels the same amount of anger and disbelief that the SVU feel, even for a job where they are used to this amount of hate every now and again this is hate unlike any seen in previous episodes. The story is truly harrowing and terrifying, it also has three major twists and all of them are unpredictable and shocking (as well as just about plausible). Especially the final one, which floored me first time and still does. The final 5-10 minutes are truly shattering.
Characters are all interesting, with the responsible being among the most loathsome and blood-curdling in 'Special Victims Unit' history. All the regulars are on top form and Marcia Gay Harden's unsettling yet never over the top Star is one of the best guest star turns of Season 7.
In summary, genuinely frightening and brilliant. 10/10.
