Two Ladies & Their TVs

We love our shows so much we created a blog for it.

L&O: SVU

 I'll top this off by saying that I really did like this episode: tense, dark, different.  Sometimes changing format can turn into a disaster, but this time it paid off well.  However, tptb returned to a bit of formula as well-- integrating all the main cop characters-- and that was great to see, too.  I also think that what was so good about this episode is that there were so many good moments to savor, from beginning to almost-end.

Although I'm not such a big fan of voiceovers, I enjoyed the action in the beginning, with Stabler prepping the interrogation room.  I wish I could remember how many sweaty perps they've had now, heh.

Oh, not-so-good: Matthew Modine.  Yes, he played it well-- and when he was screaming that he was a "psycho killer!" he was at his best-- but... it's Matthew Modine.  Next week it's Martin Short.  I think we'd be less distracted if they simply used good, no-name actors.  Anyway.

Now that I've gotten past that, onto the good: Fin peeking out from beneath the hoodie.  Benson simply staring at MM (much more effective than the one ep she tried to copy Stabler's style), then asking him if he wanted to check if Stabler was in the viewing room (and heh to Cragen's comment: "I wish she wouldn't do that.").  Munch saying that his coach called him "a retarded gazelle".  How they kept asking him why he left CA.  Stabler's food order with extra onions.

The interrogation was very good, the way it changed tempo and tone.  Of course, this was a blatant showcase for Meloni, but it worked; showing that he's an excellent actor.  I didn't like the spitting, though-- gross, and just another assault by Stabler.  The best part of the interrogation was the end of it, with Stabler quietly explaining what he's learned.  What was sad about the whole thing was Stabler saying that if the job, his family were taken away he'd be just like MM.

I don't agree with that. Maybe he said it because then he'd have uncontrollable rage like MM, but it made it seem more like he'd become a killer.  And Stabler was right-- he's not.  So, I felt sadness because it was a little unfair to the character.  But this whole season's been like that, so I shouldn't have been surprised.

I didn't mind MM coming home while Stabler and Benson were downstairs; a bit too handy, but it surprised me, raised the tension level.  I didn't for a second believe that Stabler would shoot him, mainly because it would wreck Stabler's career and CM's contract isn't up for awhile, heh.  What I would have liked to have seen in that scene is silence from Olivia; after the interrogation, Stabler could have learned something, and not have to be told that it was over.  I did appreciate that she knew she had to step in.  I wasn't a fan of the 'saving' spoiler, but this time Stabler needed it.  (ETA: after my second viewing, I saw that Stabler raised his gun after walking over to MM, so she did have to speak up and tell him it was over; snap him out of it).)

I don't know what I took away from Stabler and Benson's last scene.  After all the times they've offered each other subtle help-- talks, dinner, coffee-- and turned each other down, I wasn't too surprised that he said no to her.  I think he may have been more upset with himself than her for 'stepping in'.  After analyzing it, I know that I'm sick of where this relationship stands right now: at first, Stabler was the 'wiser' of the two because he had more experience in SVU; then they were equals, and now Benson is played as having all the answers, and so much wiser.  I would like to see Stabler learn something-- I certainly hope the case was cathartic-- and the two return as equals.  Again, I have to say that it's lifting one character  up at the expense of another.

The last scene: meh.  But at least he hit a locker.

Posted by: athenawj at 05:45 | link | comments (3)
it s all drama

Comments:

#1  03 March 2005 - 00:08

 

(Isn't it weird that whenever one edits the post, part of the title disappears? I always have to copy & paste it back - sometimes annoying.)

Well, I gave this episode a thumbs sideways. Didn't like it as much as you but of course critics aren't required to have the same opinion. :> It was different, and while novel, felt very slow to me. The opening sequence showing Stabler and the prep work was neat, but did questioning Matthew Modine really have to take up practically the entire episode? He was kinda psycho but I felt he overacted somewhat, and since he was basically in the entire show, that kinda ruined it for me.

Stabler's own realization that there was a fine line between his "controlled" anger v. MM's "uncontrolled" anger - that part was good. Dark. But knowing that this was a deStablerization episode, that kinda ruined it for me too. His punching the locker was freaky but felt a bit too convenient. All I could think of was, "So how are the writers going to show him unravelling?" and nothing was unexpected.

After all that, what? Are things going to go back to "normal"? He stays on the job, and then what? Did he get all of it out of his system? Or will there be more deStablerization? If we're led to see this breakdown, then the expected consequence of that is he should take a leave, or be told to take a break, or whatever. But like you said, his contract isn't over yet so he stays. That just seems odd.

Martin Short - all I could think of when I saw him was the image of Uncle Jack on AR being carried around and sniffing Michael's nuts. Oy vey. I've never seen him in a serious role so it'll be hard for me to take him seriously.

merserene

#2  03 March 2005 - 07:08

 

Agreed that a much better actor than MM should have played the part. MM's capable, but not spectacular. Have you ever heard of Lee Tergeson? I've seen it suggested elsewhere that he would have played the part brilliantly, but as he and Meloni played lovers/enemies on OZ, I would have kept thinking that through the entire thing (they were hot, heh).

I was up for the novel approach. I think it's good to shake it up sometimes. It actually reminded me of a Mothership episode from season 4, with the day slipping away.

I HOPE that this was a wakeup call for Stabler. That's what I hope. Hope is sometimes futile, though. :( I personally don't care if he salvages his marriage, but at least... faces what he is, deals with it, and learns more control on the job. Although sometimes it's fun to see Stabler up in a perp's face, because he's a good interrogator. Not as eloquent as Andre Braugher on Homicide (merserene, I've got to get you tapes of that show), but up there.

Hee to your Martin Short comment, and probably ditto for me.

athenawj

#3  03 March 2005 - 22:05

 

I've never heard of Lee Tergeson, though I just looked him up on IMDb and don't I recognize him at all. However, reading a mini bio on how he's played rapists/one being rapes/racists, that's gotta say something about his acting skills - those roles can't be easy to play for someone who isn't good.

BTW, was MM ever on SVU? They kept mentioning how the last time around, they couldn't catch him. I haven't watched SVU as long as you and wondered about that.

My hope is that if they're gonna let Stabler stay on the job, they better give some sort of explanation about it, be it good or bad. It'd be very poor writing and no story continuity if they just let him keep going without any justification.

merserene

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