At least they talked about some of the other impacts of COVID in this episode, but they still tried too hard to make this a "powerful" episode. The problem was I couldn't sympathize with the woman.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series)
In the Year We All Fell Down (2021)
User Reviews
Review this title20 Reviews
It's a Wonderful (COVID) Life
JFerg2423 April 2021
How do we handle our worst day? It's a question that's played out in It's a Wonderful Life with George Bailey (played by Jimmy Stewart) and here in this episode.
In this case, the "George Bailey" is played by Sarita Choudhury as Vanessa, who owns a restaurant called Vanessa's. It's her dream and passion, partially to the detriment of her family, but not fully. She lives the life of the person who takes care of everyone else, and thanks to COVID, her abilities to do so have failed, as she loses her mother to COVID, her husband due to exposed troubles from quarantine (this has happened to many couples), and her son due to blame for her mom's death. Now that she's about to lose her restaurant due to lost business, she's now at the bridge over icy water moment of her life.
The interactions between Vanessa and Benson flesh out some of the very things we all see in our lives at some point or another. It's a tough episode to digest for those that are looking for an escape from our world, but Law & Order: SVU has rarely escaped our world. The events that transpire in this episode serve as a reminder to us all that we are facing these challenges together, and that we need to help each other...and let others help us... so that we help each other get through our worst day.
In this case, the "George Bailey" is played by Sarita Choudhury as Vanessa, who owns a restaurant called Vanessa's. It's her dream and passion, partially to the detriment of her family, but not fully. She lives the life of the person who takes care of everyone else, and thanks to COVID, her abilities to do so have failed, as she loses her mother to COVID, her husband due to exposed troubles from quarantine (this has happened to many couples), and her son due to blame for her mom's death. Now that she's about to lose her restaurant due to lost business, she's now at the bridge over icy water moment of her life.
The interactions between Vanessa and Benson flesh out some of the very things we all see in our lives at some point or another. It's a tough episode to digest for those that are looking for an escape from our world, but Law & Order: SVU has rarely escaped our world. The events that transpire in this episode serve as a reminder to us all that we are facing these challenges together, and that we need to help each other...and let others help us... so that we help each other get through our worst day.
An out of the ordinary different episode about the current reality
Top_Dawg_Critic24 April 2021
I can already see by the current wannabe critics complaining about this episode being "woke" etc. Considering this show has been doing great not being "woke", this was a much needed episode imo.
Many people who still have a job, or even maybe temporarily laid off, does not compare to business owners losses, especially restaurants. This is reality, and many don't care to acknowledge it, but at least listen and don't be ignorant on how hard these times are, for many, in many different ways.
Great needed episode, bravo to the writers. A well deserved 9/10 from me.
Many people who still have a job, or even maybe temporarily laid off, does not compare to business owners losses, especially restaurants. This is reality, and many don't care to acknowledge it, but at least listen and don't be ignorant on how hard these times are, for many, in many different ways.
Great needed episode, bravo to the writers. A well deserved 9/10 from me.
Powerful episode
thedudebryant26 April 2021
COVID crazy
niyahsnewacc4 June 2021
"Today was the worst day of your life and you made it through, remember that" Another fantastic episode. SVU's the only show I've seen that's done a fantastic job at covering COVID related stories. Great use of Anyone by Demi Lovato at the opening of the episode.
Why is this a SVU episode???
MovieFreak86-415-91253123 April 2021
Where is the special victim in this episode? There was no child in danger, and there wasn't any type of a sex crime. I saw no need for the SVU.
I don't know about everyone else, but I don't know why this is an episode of Law & Order: SVU.
I don't know about everyone else, but I don't know why this is an episode of Law & Order: SVU.
Worst episode I have seen!
mandiashman23 April 2021
The first 5 minutes are powerful
idrincon26 April 2021
Because of my work I was exposed to 9 months of talking to restaurant owners while the pandemic was happening. Those first 5 minutes are a sad reflection of the reality of these businesses. Everything after that is just human response to the most stressful year in recent memory. Great tv.
Off the Rails
spikeluvr30 April 2021
First of all, what does a restaurant owner taking hostages have to do with sex crimes? I thought I was watching Chicago PD. And to all those who think this episode is a great shot of reality, maybe people ought to look at what actually happened during the pandemic. Yes, many small business owners were bankrupted by the lockdowns. Exactly how many of them went crazy and took hostages? As far as I know, a big, fat zero. This episode took the tragedy of what happened to a lot of hard working people and made them look ridiculous. They have borne a lot and to portray even one of them as so unstable that they would brandish a gun against innocents is nothing more than sensationalism without merit. If people complained about this being "woke" they had every right to say it. This episode did nothing to show how hard it's been on small business owners who had to make hard choices. All it did was show how an unstable woman turns on those around her and denies reality. Not exactly a compassionate portrait of pandemic reality.
Powerful episode, Emblematic of our times
CealCraig24 April 2021
Powerful acting, real life problems, believable and makes me hopeful. Connected in current police challenges with handling mental breakdown situations. Top notch. This season is truly using New York city's problems as its foundation.
By modern SVU standards, this was great.
rossdanbruen24 April 2021
It was emotionally resonant, relevant, and a touchstone in a society wrecked by the virus, and the lives ruined along the way. 40 years from now, when hopefully, the virus is under control, episodes like these will be considered historically significant.
Amazing analysis of pandemic's effects
bobnukem-606-17168427 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This episode has the power to make you feel how bad it was, and maybe it's still going on, the life of a Restaurant and its property.
Captain Benson is giving all her mental strength to keep things together while talking and convincing Mrs Vanessa not to act like a criminal during her short mental illness due to the bankruptcy of her business. Carisi is near Rollins while her father's ischemic attack.
Captain Benson is giving all her mental strength to keep things together while talking and convincing Mrs Vanessa not to act like a criminal during her short mental illness due to the bankruptcy of her business. Carisi is near Rollins while her father's ischemic attack.
One of the best
heather-berghmans13 August 2022
The worst episode they've ever done..sad
Lexiconjobbs25 April 2021
This was the worst episode of SVU ever. And I just recently watched every single one from day one. Clearly I'm dedicated. The formula now is barely "Law" (sorry Carisi), and then super drama that has nothing to do with detective work. But worst of all, thanks for making us rehash something we aren't even out of. So much for escapism in my favorite show. I'm so angry and disappointed. Wish I could give it no stars.
BORING
marysammons-4222023 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Bad writing, unsympathetic characters. I really could've cared less about Vanessa and her restaurant. This was just an excuse for Benson to be in the spotlight. It wasn't even an SVU case per se. And the Rollisi stuff was tired. I don't even care whether they get together or not anymore. And I'm tired of her dysfunctional family. I can't believe this show still has two more seasons. It's clear it should just go away.
worst season of svu ever
Dt182023 April 2021
How much more can you pile on?
jdgtc123 April 2021
The 7 minute cold open for tonight's SVU was so depressing, that people who are involuntarily unemployed due to Covid, should find work at a Crisis Hotline! People who watch this episode, are being especially victimized...
Terrible
aedmans-215123 June 2021
This is not a Law & Order SVU episode. There was no Law, nor was there a Special Victim. This is the worst ever SVU episode in a series that has gone downhill. Cabot and Novak were the best years since there was at least Law, and then things got better again with Barba, but this episode, and season more generally, are terrible.
Terrible
cmmsobral6 August 2021
After seeing episode 8, maybe the worst episode I've seen in those 22 seasons, I woudn't expect to see another terrible episode. Well. If the crieativity has gone, please end the show, and let us remember all the fabulous episodes we've seen in the las 22 years. But please STOP ruining the show. This was not even a special victim. I can't understand why was this included in this show.
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