On first watch, "Double Strands" impressed me on the whole. It may not have been the most original case in the world and the truth did strike me as easy to figure out, but the guest performance came over extremely memorably in particular. Rewatching all the episodes of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' (the original and 'Criminal Intent' too), there has been an interesting mix of high opinion always, grown on me, worse on rewatch and never cared for.
"Double Strands" came over to me on rewatch as pretty much the same. Both in overall opinion and my thoughts on what is good and what is not so good. My opinion of it was mostly quite high on first watch, and that is still the case now a few years on. Am not going to say that "Double Strands" is a great episode because to me it isn't, but it is a very solidly executed one just like Season 13's previous episodes and has a lot of good things.
Am going to start with the good. TR Knight excels in a demanding dual role that requires a lot of versatility, personality contrast and nuance. The characters couldn't be any more contrasting and Knight embodies both, and is an expert mix of affecting and chilling. The regulars are all fine and the chemistry is still cohesive and natural, with one exception. On the whole the story was compelling with a good deal of tension, such as with the harrowing opening and the powerful interrogation scene that gave me the chills. The dialogue is taut and thought provoking with the right amount of edge.
Expectedly, the production values are slick, the editing especially having come on quite a bit from when the show first started (never was it a problem but it got more fluid overtime). The music is sparingly used and never seemed melodramatic, the theme tune easy to remember as usual. The direction is sympathetic enough without being too low key. Did appreciate the good attempt at character development for Rollins.
However, the twist is far too obvious far too early, actually guessed it correctly not long in. It is the second episode in a row to have a giveaway title.
Did feel that Amaro's defense of Rollins was forced, and in a season where she was rather stop-start Rollins doesn't seem to be fitting in yet. Kelli Giddish doesn't seem relaxed yet, only coming out of her shell at the end.
Concluding, good but not great. 7/10.
"Double Strands" came over to me on rewatch as pretty much the same. Both in overall opinion and my thoughts on what is good and what is not so good. My opinion of it was mostly quite high on first watch, and that is still the case now a few years on. Am not going to say that "Double Strands" is a great episode because to me it isn't, but it is a very solidly executed one just like Season 13's previous episodes and has a lot of good things.
Am going to start with the good. TR Knight excels in a demanding dual role that requires a lot of versatility, personality contrast and nuance. The characters couldn't be any more contrasting and Knight embodies both, and is an expert mix of affecting and chilling. The regulars are all fine and the chemistry is still cohesive and natural, with one exception. On the whole the story was compelling with a good deal of tension, such as with the harrowing opening and the powerful interrogation scene that gave me the chills. The dialogue is taut and thought provoking with the right amount of edge.
Expectedly, the production values are slick, the editing especially having come on quite a bit from when the show first started (never was it a problem but it got more fluid overtime). The music is sparingly used and never seemed melodramatic, the theme tune easy to remember as usual. The direction is sympathetic enough without being too low key. Did appreciate the good attempt at character development for Rollins.
However, the twist is far too obvious far too early, actually guessed it correctly not long in. It is the second episode in a row to have a giveaway title.
Did feel that Amaro's defense of Rollins was forced, and in a season where she was rather stop-start Rollins doesn't seem to be fitting in yet. Kelli Giddish doesn't seem relaxed yet, only coming out of her shell at the end.
Concluding, good but not great. 7/10.
