"Redemption" had a fair few things going for it. The premise is not a novel one but is always interesting in seeing how it affects people, what is done to figure out the truth, how the truth is figured out and how it turns out. The title was attention grabbing. The theme of redemption is a sensitive and relevant one that's important to disguss, 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' in its prime was always very good at this and in a way that was never softened or trivialised.
There were some prime-'Special Victims Unit' episodes that to me could have been better while still being watchable certainly. Didn't care for "Redemption" on first viewing, while still appreciating what it tried to do. On a couple of re-watches, it still doesn't wow me. "Redemption" does have a good deal that is good, but to me it could have handled its subject and one key character a lot better. Season 3 was a solid season, but this was one of the weaker episodes.
Will start with what "Redemption" does well, which is a lot. The script does intrigue and has some nice edge in the exchanges between Stabler and Hawk. The second half does fare quite a lot better than the first, it's tighter paced and has some interesting questions raised. Also thought that any surprises were a lot less obvious later.
Christopher Meloni gives his usual hard-boiled performance, a type of acting that he did very well on 'Special Victims Unit'. Kevin Chamberlain does a good job in an atypical role. "Redemption" has a nice atmospheric slick look in how it's shot and the music doesn't over-emphasise or feel used too much, synchronising well with the mood too. The direction is more uneven, with it doing well in how the characters interact in the latter stages. The performances from the rest of the cast are good. Stabler and Hawk work quite well together, at least it's cohesive team-work, and one can see what it means to Stabler to solve the case.
However, the first third or so of "Redemption" is a bit dull and it is for my tastes too obvious too early that the prior conviction was wrong and very unlikely. Especially considering it is a pretty done to death plot device that was familiar ground elsewhere before and used even more since.
Also felt that there could have been a lot more development to Hawk, who comes over as too unlikeably stubborn and difficult to root for throughout, so any change of heart doesn't ring true enough. Although he and Stabler work quite well together, there could have been a lot more spark between them and it could have developed more. Too many of the other characters are too underused and what is essentially the Stabler and Hawk Show.
Summing up, decent but falls somewhat short. There are far better Season 3 episodes. 6/10