Really wanted to like "Parent's Nightmare" so much more. Have absolutely nothing against the subject, it's actually a hard hitting one that hits home for anybody who's a parent and/or who's been in this situation. One does expect as much from a penultimate episode of a season as they do from a premiere or a finale, especially if it's one with this premise. Wasn't too thrilled reading the synopsis at seeing Tucker back but have been pleasantly surprised plenty of times with this show so gave the benefit of the doubt.
"Parent's Nightmare" was a letdown and in the lesser end of the season. It's not as weak as "Decaying Morality" or "Intimidation Game", but the difference is marginal rather than big. Let me just say it's not the subject that's the issue, the issue to me was that the subject could and should have been handled a lot better, more compellingly and more tactfully. It has to be said though that there was one aspect that did leave me pleasantly surprised when not expecting it.
Is it a bad episode? No, it has good moments and things. On a visual level, the episode is solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The regulars are strong.
Olivia and Fin have a lovely final scene in writing and acting and was really surprised at Tucker actually being likeable and not being over-antagonistic. His point of view this time is also understandable and it was great to see him make a decision and one that doesn't frustrate.
A lot sadly doesn't come over well. "Parent's Nightmare" came over to me as a very dull episode, due to having nothing surprising or suspenseful as well as an over-stretched pace. The ending can be seen from some way off. Olivia's character writing varied wildly once she was promoted and became more erratic with each season and she comes over as too naive and biased towards the victims, a real lack of objectivity here. There is also too much premature conclusion jumping, immediately implying who it is and stereotyping them (and less than tastefully).
To me, "Parent's Nightmare" didn't feel like an episode of 'Special Victims Unit' and more like a Season 9 'Criminal Intent' episode at its worst. There is too much of Noah and it is already feeling stale, not quite Rollins and Kim stale but close. Most of the SVU are underused and their contributions are not very memorable. Neither are the supporting cast in obvious roles, with the only standout being Robert John Burke. The dialogue is very trite.
Rather mediocre penultimate episode. 4/10.
"Parent's Nightmare" was a letdown and in the lesser end of the season. It's not as weak as "Decaying Morality" or "Intimidation Game", but the difference is marginal rather than big. Let me just say it's not the subject that's the issue, the issue to me was that the subject could and should have been handled a lot better, more compellingly and more tactfully. It has to be said though that there was one aspect that did leave me pleasantly surprised when not expecting it.
Is it a bad episode? No, it has good moments and things. On a visual level, the episode is solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The regulars are strong.
Olivia and Fin have a lovely final scene in writing and acting and was really surprised at Tucker actually being likeable and not being over-antagonistic. His point of view this time is also understandable and it was great to see him make a decision and one that doesn't frustrate.
A lot sadly doesn't come over well. "Parent's Nightmare" came over to me as a very dull episode, due to having nothing surprising or suspenseful as well as an over-stretched pace. The ending can be seen from some way off. Olivia's character writing varied wildly once she was promoted and became more erratic with each season and she comes over as too naive and biased towards the victims, a real lack of objectivity here. There is also too much premature conclusion jumping, immediately implying who it is and stereotyping them (and less than tastefully).
To me, "Parent's Nightmare" didn't feel like an episode of 'Special Victims Unit' and more like a Season 9 'Criminal Intent' episode at its worst. There is too much of Noah and it is already feeling stale, not quite Rollins and Kim stale but close. Most of the SVU are underused and their contributions are not very memorable. Neither are the supporting cast in obvious roles, with the only standout being Robert John Burke. The dialogue is very trite.
Rather mediocre penultimate episode. 4/10.
