Once again, it is premiere week so it is time for me to get back to reviewing some of my favorite programs. This last Wednesday the much talked about season thirteen of procedural Law & Order: SVU premiered.
Now, before I get to the actual review for this particular episode, I have a few things I would like to say. People, stop complaining on how Christopher Meloni is no longer on the show! He chose to left. It wasn't because the network refused to increase his pay. He left because he was tired of playing the same character for twelve years! No matter how much you complain, he won't be coming back full time. Also if you left because you think the show won't be as wonderful without him, you are seriously mistaken. The premiere was actual great with how it handled the issue and it looks interesting yet again. So stop boycotting and rejoin us!
Another issue that people seem to can't get into their heads is Mariska Hargitay's role this season. She WILL be appearing in all 22 episodes this season, NOT just the first 13 as previously reported. She will continue to be playing the same tough Detective Olivia Benson and still be a major factor in each episode. Also contrary to other reports, as of RIGHT NOW it is unclear whether or not this will be Hargitay's final season. She is seeing how this year turns out creatively before making that decision!
It has really bugged me on how ignorant all of these people have been. On every forum I go on, I see people post the stuff that I just denied. People seriously be well-informed before posting lies on any webpage.
Now enough with that mega-rant and onto the actual season premiere. First off, I have to say how the overall cinematic feel of the episode was definitely different than the show has been before but I actually really enjoyed it. The direction made many things pop more extravagantly. It also had a more modern tone and ensemble feel to it.
The detectives of the Special Victims Unit are called to the scene when a hotel maid reports being assaulted by Italian diplomat Robert Distasio. Newly appointed Bureau Chief Mike Cutter (from Law & Order) and returning ADA Alex Cabot prosecute the high-profile case, which quickly grows more complicated as the maid's credibility is publicly questioned. Detective Amanda Rollins joins the Manhattan SVU from Atlanta, while Benson struggles to cope with the fall-out from the shooting in the precinct.
The case of this week was inspired by the Dominique Strauss-Kahn sexual assault case from last May. I will admit that the details of this case were awfully close to reality but unlike others I will not be attacking the show for this. New showrunner Warren Leight announced that the script for this episode had to be revised multiple times because the DSK case was constantly copying what they had written. I wasn't pleased with how they are actually talked about DSK in the episode but that was really my only complaint with this case. It was very nicely done and written and the order aspect of it reminded me of the early seasons of the show.
The season opener also featured the arrival of new cast member Kelli Giddish as Det. Amanda Rollins. I was fascinated by her character but I need to see more from her to see if I truly love her. She is dedicated to her work but I don't think she has been scuffed up too much yet. I kept wanting for her character to have just a little bit more bite. She is the new girl and is very eager to please everyone but sooner or later she'll learn that she can't. I did think she had great chemistry with Fin and Munch but not so much with Cragen and Benson. No doubt that throughout the season her character will grow and I'm putting my trust in the writers to make that happen.
The biggest question everyone had going into the night was how the show would be writing out Meloni's character, Detective Elliot Stabler. The action all occurred offscreen with the audience hearing the effects as Capt. Cragen told them to Olivia. Instead of going through anger management and counseling after an IAB investigation, Stabler decided to retire from the force. It was obvious that Olivia was traumatized by this throughout the entire episode but she had to put on a face to do her work. No matter how hard she tried though, her job had changed because she started doubting herself and her witness. It wasn't until the end when she had a complete breakdown in an interrogation room that her sadness was truly captivated.
Law & Order: SVU season thirteen shines under the direction of Warren Leight despite the cloudiness surrounding the departure of Meloni. The show has once again found itself and has returned as a great ensemble showpiece.
Now, before I get to the actual review for this particular episode, I have a few things I would like to say. People, stop complaining on how Christopher Meloni is no longer on the show! He chose to left. It wasn't because the network refused to increase his pay. He left because he was tired of playing the same character for twelve years! No matter how much you complain, he won't be coming back full time. Also if you left because you think the show won't be as wonderful without him, you are seriously mistaken. The premiere was actual great with how it handled the issue and it looks interesting yet again. So stop boycotting and rejoin us!
Another issue that people seem to can't get into their heads is Mariska Hargitay's role this season. She WILL be appearing in all 22 episodes this season, NOT just the first 13 as previously reported. She will continue to be playing the same tough Detective Olivia Benson and still be a major factor in each episode. Also contrary to other reports, as of RIGHT NOW it is unclear whether or not this will be Hargitay's final season. She is seeing how this year turns out creatively before making that decision!
It has really bugged me on how ignorant all of these people have been. On every forum I go on, I see people post the stuff that I just denied. People seriously be well-informed before posting lies on any webpage.
The detectives of the Special Victims Unit are called to the scene when a hotel maid reports being assaulted by Italian diplomat Robert Distasio. Newly appointed Bureau Chief Mike Cutter (from Law & Order) and returning ADA Alex Cabot prosecute the high-profile case, which quickly grows more complicated as the maid's credibility is publicly questioned. Detective Amanda Rollins joins the Manhattan SVU from Atlanta, while Benson struggles to cope with the fall-out from the shooting in the precinct.
The case of this week was inspired by the Dominique Strauss-Kahn sexual assault case from last May. I will admit that the details of this case were awfully close to reality but unlike others I will not be attacking the show for this. New showrunner Warren Leight announced that the script for this episode had to be revised multiple times because the DSK case was constantly copying what they had written. I wasn't pleased with how they are actually talked about DSK in the episode but that was really my only complaint with this case. It was very nicely done and written and the order aspect of it reminded me of the early seasons of the show.
The biggest question everyone had going into the night was how the show would be writing out Meloni's character, Detective Elliot Stabler. The action all occurred offscreen with the audience hearing the effects as Capt. Cragen told them to Olivia. Instead of going through anger management and counseling after an IAB investigation, Stabler decided to retire from the force. It was obvious that Olivia was traumatized by this throughout the entire episode but she had to put on a face to do her work. No matter how hard she tried though, her job had changed because she started doubting herself and her witness. It wasn't until the end when she had a complete breakdown in an interrogation room that her sadness was truly captivated.
Law & Order: SVU season thirteen shines under the direction of Warren Leight despite the cloudiness surrounding the departure of Meloni. The show has once again found itself and has returned as a great ensemble showpiece.
