Anybody who has read any of my other reviews for for example individual episodes of the 'Law and Order' shows, am slowly working my way through writing reviews for all the episodes of 'Law and Order, 'Special Victims Unit' and 'Criminal Intent' with a long way to go, will know already how much admiration there is from me for anything that tackles difficult and controversial themes and issues. The case with "Bullseye" in a classic 'Special Victims Unit' scenario.
While not quite as brilliant as the previous episode, the Season 12 opener "Locum", "Bullseye" is one of the best episodes easily of the season and the second winner in a row. Part of a four great and more episodes in a row streak, before the streak was broken with "Wet" which began the season's general inconsistency. "Bullseye" is not quite perfect, but there is very little to fault and the many good things are done greatly and brilliantly even in most.
The Noonan Syndrome reference, if to be picky, in my view was best left out, what is said is not accurate and in a way that is not tasteful. The frame up also seemed on the neat side.
"Bullseye" succeeds extremely well everywhere else though. The slick, subtly gritty and intimate production values are still present, while not going too far on the intimacy that it becomes too drab and closed up. The music lets the writing do all the talking without over-emphasising the emotions, while the direction is subtle without being bland or leaden.
Furthermore, the script is tightly structured and intelligent, conveying a wide range of emotions, especially in the latter stages. The story is another one that hits hard, and while the approach to the difficult subject matter is uncompromising and the complete opposite of sugar coated it is done tactfully too at the same time. It doesn't feel simplistic or convoluted and for a long time the twist was completely unexpected, still remember the mouth agape reaction felt on first viewing.
Acting is also great, especially Marsiska Hargitay and Henry Ian Cusick. Love their chemistry too. It was great to see more of the too often underused (or at least in the late Stabler period episodes) Munch and Fin.
Overall, excellent. 9/10.