The previous Season 7 episodes have been very hit and miss. Some have been very good and more, due to dealing with difficult subjects intelligently and emotionally with a good deal of tension and a couple with the shock factor. "911" and "Raw" are especially true to this. Some have also been disappointing, due to not executing their stories tastefully, being confused, being not very interesting and/or being ridiculous. True with "Name" and "Alien" on most or all counts.
"Class" is neither one of the best or worst Season 7 episodes of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit'. Personally put it in the firmly in the middle category. It does deal with its subject quite well and most things are present and correct. Somehow though it is one of those episodes that lacks the extra something of the season's, and show's best episodes. Nothing here is executed disastrously in "Class", just wasn't amazed by the execution at the same time.
Plenty of good things here in "Class". The photography while very close up doesn't come over as too static or filmed play-like, while the production values are typically solid and have subtle atmosphere while not being drab and keeping things simple. When the music is used it is haunting and has a melancholic edge that is not overdone. The episode is sympathetically yet uncompromisingly directed. The performances are all great from the regulars, while Trieste Kelly Dunn and especially Will Estes are very strong presences in well written roles.
The writing is suitably gritty and is also thoughtful, without being too overly-serious. The story generally intrigues, particularly excelling in showing the dark side of gambling and what gambling does to you. Even though it doesn't say much that is illuminating, most people know gambling is not good and that it can have negative repercussions, this aspect was handled tactfully while making its point forcefully (without ramming down the throat).
Furthermore, the story intrigues enough, with the killer being an interesting character and not one of the ones that one feels sickened by but instead it's a case of the hateable character not being the one one expects. While it is sad to see so little of Olivia and not see her and Stabler together, Stabler works very well with Fin (nice to see more of him) and Stabler talking about his past when talking about the killer was a well written scene and not soapy.
Having said that the pacing could have been tighter, there are times where the story did feel thin and it was not one of those filled with shocking twists and turns sort of episodes. So the case did feel bland in spots.
Although interesting and well written, this is an episode that feels like it was lifted from a different show and would have been more at home as an episode of the original 'Law and Order' or 'Criminal Intent'.
In summary, didn't amaze me but well done in a lot of respects. 7/10.
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