Amanda Rollins took quite a while to properly fit in, while Amaro settled quite quickly (though sadly regressed over-time) it took a season or so for Rollins to do so. "Rapist Anonymous" was one of those episodes that sees some development to her, she had had development in previous episodes but most of it through subplots that did little for me (especially all the Kim drama). When the show delved into her past in her job, she was a lot more interesting.
Which is the case here. While very wanting when it came to the case in the investigation half, the development to Rollins was appreciated and on the whole it did this aspect quite well. When it comes to the Rollins-centric episodes in terms of her character writing, this is one of the better faring ones. "Rapist Anonymous" is not a great episode, or one of the best episodes of Season 15 (nor is it one of the worst), but it did intrigue once it found its groove and it does boast one of Kelli Giddish's best performances of the show up to this point.
Giddish is terrific, up to this point of the show she only gave one better performance to here and that was in "Deadly Ambition". She has grown a lot as Rollins since she was first introduced, as has Rollins herself, and here she plays Rollins with edge but also in a way that made her rootable (or at least that was the case to me). Really liked Rollins' development, it wasn't earth shattering but it added a good deal to her character and it was interesting knowing more about her that wasn't her over-melodramatic family drama.
Raul Esparza is the other acting standout, as ever bringing a lot of spark to Barba. The rest of the cast are all fine and the perpetrator is suitably loathsome. It is a slickly made episode, 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 with each episode up to this stage). 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. Most of the script is thought provoking.
Did feel though that the case wasn't as good, while the story comes to life in the legal scenes (thanks to Esparza primarily) the policing is not enough and is routine and with no real surprises.
Some of the writing is soap operatic, particularly in the middle. It takes a bit of time to get going.
In conclusion, not great but interesting with the second half being better than the first. 7/10.
Which is the case here. While very wanting when it came to the case in the investigation half, the development to Rollins was appreciated and on the whole it did this aspect quite well. When it comes to the Rollins-centric episodes in terms of her character writing, this is one of the better faring ones. "Rapist Anonymous" is not a great episode, or one of the best episodes of Season 15 (nor is it one of the worst), but it did intrigue once it found its groove and it does boast one of Kelli Giddish's best performances of the show up to this point.
Giddish is terrific, up to this point of the show she only gave one better performance to here and that was in "Deadly Ambition". She has grown a lot as Rollins since she was first introduced, as has Rollins herself, and here she plays Rollins with edge but also in a way that made her rootable (or at least that was the case to me). Really liked Rollins' development, it wasn't earth shattering but it added a good deal to her character and it was interesting knowing more about her that wasn't her over-melodramatic family drama.
Raul Esparza is the other acting standout, as ever bringing a lot of spark to Barba. The rest of the cast are all fine and the perpetrator is suitably loathsome. It is a slickly made episode, 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 with each episode up to this stage). 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. Most of the script is thought provoking.
Did feel though that the case wasn't as good, while the story comes to life in the legal scenes (thanks to Esparza primarily) the policing is not enough and is routine and with no real surprises.
Some of the writing is soap operatic, particularly in the middle. It takes a bit of time to get going.
In conclusion, not great but interesting with the second half being better than the first. 7/10.
