Despite all the dramatic, and traumatic episodes of the past this was seriously the only episode that I actually cried my eyes out. It was so shocking, didn't see it coming and I got to love Dodd's character so much. And not only a new detective but the son of Peter Gallagher's character. This needs to be seen but with a box of tissues!
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series)
Heartfelt Passages (2016)
User Reviews
Review this title10 Reviews
Heartfelt is the perfect way to sum this up
TheLittleSongbird30 September 2022
"Heartfelt Passages" is the second part of the season finale two parter, the first being the exceptional "Intersecting Lives". Of all the episodes of Season 17, "Heartfelt Passages" was the one watched with the most anticipation. Because of the promos being so good and promising so much. Was really hoping though that the episode would live up to the hype, as "Melancholy Pursuit" earlier on in the season was very promisingly advertised and turned out disappointing.
Luckily, this is an example of an episode that absolutely lives up to the hype. Many of the show's season finales were heavily hyped, not all were as good as the hype (that's including the previous season's finale "Surrender Noah") but "Heartfelt Passages" is one of the season finales that is every bit as good, despite the outcome of the big event being given away. It is also every bit as outstanding as "Intersecting Lives" and a few things are executed even better, would argue that it is even more tense and emotional. What stops it from doing that is one part of the story not being done enough with.
That being Barba's subplot, absolutely love Barba and his subplot had real potential to be tense. But to me it was too underused and felt incomplete too.
Everything else is fantastic. The episode looks good, with the usual slickness and subtle grit. Really liked too that the photography was simple and close up but doing so without being claustrophobic. The music has presence when used, and luckily it isn't constant, and when it is used it doesn't feel over-scored. The direction allows the drama to breathe while still giving it momentum as well.
Script is one of the most intelligent and tautest of the season, no corn, melodrama or triteness in sight and Brad Garrett's dialogue later on chills. The story pulls no punches, has genuine tension. The major event that dominates the episode could have been dragged out, ridiculous and predictable, but it was neither and also had nothing gratuitous (unlike "Townhouse Incident"). It was exciting and genuinely suspenseful, and the treatment of this harrowing subject is uncompromising as ought. Will agree though that it is frustrating when someone who is clearly a criminal has their profession in solidarity with them, but that has been the case with the franchise for years with corruption in the police force being shown more than once in the original.
Despite the big fate of one character and the outcome of the conflict being given away somewhat in the promos, that didn't stop the outcome from being truly heart-rending. The hospital scenes really moved me. The performances are spot on, Brad Garrett at his nastiest coming out on top but Peter Gallagher also deserves a big mention for his truly poignant delivery of the scene where Dodds opens up. Actually saw him in a different light here, felt truly sorry for him and respected him.
Overall, wonderful way to end a patchy but not bad at all season. 9/10.
Luckily, this is an example of an episode that absolutely lives up to the hype. Many of the show's season finales were heavily hyped, not all were as good as the hype (that's including the previous season's finale "Surrender Noah") but "Heartfelt Passages" is one of the season finales that is every bit as good, despite the outcome of the big event being given away. It is also every bit as outstanding as "Intersecting Lives" and a few things are executed even better, would argue that it is even more tense and emotional. What stops it from doing that is one part of the story not being done enough with.
That being Barba's subplot, absolutely love Barba and his subplot had real potential to be tense. But to me it was too underused and felt incomplete too.
Everything else is fantastic. The episode looks good, with the usual slickness and subtle grit. Really liked too that the photography was simple and close up but doing so without being claustrophobic. The music has presence when used, and luckily it isn't constant, and when it is used it doesn't feel over-scored. The direction allows the drama to breathe while still giving it momentum as well.
Script is one of the most intelligent and tautest of the season, no corn, melodrama or triteness in sight and Brad Garrett's dialogue later on chills. The story pulls no punches, has genuine tension. The major event that dominates the episode could have been dragged out, ridiculous and predictable, but it was neither and also had nothing gratuitous (unlike "Townhouse Incident"). It was exciting and genuinely suspenseful, and the treatment of this harrowing subject is uncompromising as ought. Will agree though that it is frustrating when someone who is clearly a criminal has their profession in solidarity with them, but that has been the case with the franchise for years with corruption in the police force being shown more than once in the original.
Despite the big fate of one character and the outcome of the conflict being given away somewhat in the promos, that didn't stop the outcome from being truly heart-rending. The hospital scenes really moved me. The performances are spot on, Brad Garrett at his nastiest coming out on top but Peter Gallagher also deserves a big mention for his truly poignant delivery of the scene where Dodds opens up. Actually saw him in a different light here, felt truly sorry for him and respected him.
Overall, wonderful way to end a patchy but not bad at all season. 9/10.
Tragic episode
akicork9 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This was a really tragic episode. Mike Dodds had decided to take the more dangerous path of anti-terrorism, having been recognised for his development in their organisation by the SVU group. Still, he is cut down before he gets to leave his friends. On a separate path, I have been asking for some years that reviewer bkoganbing use character names when discussing plot lines and actors' names when discussing performances. They have made my point for me here - the wife of the character Gary Munson (Lisa Munson) is played by Karina Logue, not by Isabel Harper Leight, who actually plays his daughter. Just use character names for characters, and keep actors' names to refer to actors' performances. It really makes it easier for us audience to follow the thread of the story, and far easier for you (bkoganbing) to describe the flow of the narrative you are critiquing.
This is one of the best episodes in the entire series
therecluse96 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
***minor spoilers**
Both this episode and the one before are seriously what law and order SVU should be about. I used to watch it a long time ago, when it was the first and the second third season and then it just lost its flavor. But then I wanted to start watching it again so I looked up on the Internet some of SVU is the best episodes and this was one of the ones I watched. And out of all that I've watched this and the episode before it are really the best of the series.
When the second episode started, I was clutching my seat and on the edge. I was shocked and did NOT know what the ending would be. That's one thing I've always liked about any of the law and order shows, they weren't always good endings. Meaning they didn't always serve justice. Everyone didn't always get away when they should and the bad guy doesn't always lose. I was shocked. This is one of the best episodes and everyone involved should get the recognition they deserve!
Both this episode and the one before are seriously what law and order SVU should be about. I used to watch it a long time ago, when it was the first and the second third season and then it just lost its flavor. But then I wanted to start watching it again so I looked up on the Internet some of SVU is the best episodes and this was one of the ones I watched. And out of all that I've watched this and the episode before it are really the best of the series.
When the second episode started, I was clutching my seat and on the edge. I was shocked and did NOT know what the ending would be. That's one thing I've always liked about any of the law and order shows, they weren't always good endings. Meaning they didn't always serve justice. Everyone didn't always get away when they should and the bad guy doesn't always lose. I was shocked. This is one of the best episodes and everyone involved should get the recognition they deserve!
Frustrating
melanie-7352228 July 2021
Brad Garrett does very well in this role, as unlikable as he is. The biggest frustration is watching his fellow officers close ranks around him. I am dismayed when I see rotten church leaders, teachers, doctors, and police officers protected from prosecution by the very ones that should be holding them accountable. No one should escape accountability, but those are some of the people we should be able to trust the most. To have that trust betrayed and then have the betrayer sheltered by others in their profession is abominable. No wonder people paint others in those professions with that very broad brush. Until the good ones are willing to stand against the bad ones, no one is worthy of respect and honor.
Sad
graceevatrends4 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
It was a very sad episode but sincerely with an officer of that rank he should have known better than to struggle for the gun. Though he tried to defuse the situation but he aggravated it.
The hospital scene though made me so so teary. Don't understand y he had to die.
Two crises
bkoganbing25 May 2016
Continuing from the previous episode, Corrections Officer Brad Garrett is now arrested and out on bail. His wife Isabel Harper Leight is dealing with the end of her marriage and trying to get her and her kids away from the man she was married to who is now looking like a monster to her.
In the meantime Garrett's fellow corrections officers have closed ranks behind him and quite brazenly threaten ADA Raul Esparza. That sends SVU into a crisis mode.
But it's Garrett's alcoholic despondency that gives both Mariska Hargitay and Andy Karl another crisis at the same time. All in all it turns out to be a sad day for SVU and the whole NYPD.
Garrett turns in one surprise dramatic performance or at least it will be a surprise for those who only remember him for the goofy older brother in Everybody Loves Raymond. He's both powerful and scary and will not be forgotten if you see this episode.
Which I certainly hope you will. Already I see several possible directions that SVU can take in its next season.
In the meantime Garrett's fellow corrections officers have closed ranks behind him and quite brazenly threaten ADA Raul Esparza. That sends SVU into a crisis mode.
But it's Garrett's alcoholic despondency that gives both Mariska Hargitay and Andy Karl another crisis at the same time. All in all it turns out to be a sad day for SVU and the whole NYPD.
Garrett turns in one surprise dramatic performance or at least it will be a surprise for those who only remember him for the goofy older brother in Everybody Loves Raymond. He's both powerful and scary and will not be forgotten if you see this episode.
Which I certainly hope you will. Already I see several possible directions that SVU can take in its next season.
Good Hero
yazguloner18 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Unfortunately, there is an ending to Barba and Dodds' fight against threats in These are their stories.
The force that represents the law of good heroes will be saved, but unfortunately the force of order cannot be saved.
It is the second part about dirty officials who abuse their power and the storms they brought and the destruction they left behind. It's a heartbreaking episode. The tragic ending is the story of the crying father and son Dodds.
Svu goes down in history when Mike Dodds doesn't relinquish his duty to the criminal he's been arguing with since the previous episode. Destiny, their nets are always focused on his departure. Please look in previously review.
Svu, we are watching the story of the only hero that was written in his history.
The force that represents the law of good heroes will be saved, but unfortunately the force of order cannot be saved.
It is the second part about dirty officials who abuse their power and the storms they brought and the destruction they left behind. It's a heartbreaking episode. The tragic ending is the story of the crying father and son Dodds.
Svu goes down in history when Mike Dodds doesn't relinquish his duty to the criminal he's been arguing with since the previous episode. Destiny, their nets are always focused on his departure. Please look in previously review.
Svu, we are watching the story of the only hero that was written in his history.
Good episode but...
marysammons-422205 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
What did Dodd's think would happen when he tried to grab Munson's gun? This guy was a Sargent? He didn't intentionally shoot him. It went off in the struggle. You diffuse the situation not inflame it. I'm not saying it wasn't sad and I liked him but someone who got to the rank of Sargent should know better.
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