One of the things that has given me pleasure overtime is watching re-runs of the 'Law and Order' franchise, my evening often comprising of watching 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit'. It has been great that relatively recently the early seasons have been airing more, when for a long time it tended to be post-Season 7. To me, the early seasons are superior although the show's mid years have grown on me and have some great episodes. The show from personal view hasn't been the same for a while now.
"Dolls" is an episode from 'Special Victims Unit's' earlier seasons and is a fine example of the show at its best. To me it is one of Season 4's best (the season's previous episodes bar one being good to brilliant), as well as among its creepiest and saddest, and despite a lot of fans loving the episode it deserves even more credit than it does. Have always loved "Dolls", although it is typically not an easy watch, and still do. More so perhaps now and it's one of the best ever Fin-centric episodes.
Can't fault the slick production values, understated enough music or the direction. The script is beautifully written and balanced, with a lot of thought-provoking, tension and emotion. A line that has always chilled me to the bone is the one where the murderer justifies their actions and a strong example of the extent of their delusion.
The story manages to be easy to follow while having enough twists and turns to not make things too obvious too early. The motive is one of the creepiest of the season and was a real surprise, one does not expect such horrific crimes having that reason behind it. A strong reminder of how truly creepy people can be, even ones that seem trust-worthy. "Dolls" is a case that unsettled me on first viewing, not just the motives but also twisted the perpetrator is and one may not being able to look at dolls in the same way again for a while. And still does for the same reasons. It is also an incredibly sad episode, the emotional factor is high here.
Season 3's "Denial" proved that Fin is a very interesting character when focused upon more and being more than hard-boiled intense. He showed a softer and more sympathetic side in that episode and he does here in "Dolls" too when one sees how much the case affects him. When the show has episodes where certain characters take the case too personally the execution has always varied, Fin here stays in character (he still is tough-talking even with a softer side to him) and any unprofessionalism is not taken to extremes. It is always interesting when Olivia is partnered with a team member other than Stabler and she and Fin, who is seen more with Munch, are a good match.
All the acting is extremely good, Ice-T even giving one of his best performances of the show. Susan Misner's portrayal is hard-hitting, and one feels empathy in a parent's worst nightmare and shock towards her with her less than innocent actions. David Harbour is very unsettling in his role.
To conclude, outstanding episode, a Season 4 high-point and deserves even more love than it gets. 10/10
"Dolls" is an episode from 'Special Victims Unit's' earlier seasons and is a fine example of the show at its best. To me it is one of Season 4's best (the season's previous episodes bar one being good to brilliant), as well as among its creepiest and saddest, and despite a lot of fans loving the episode it deserves even more credit than it does. Have always loved "Dolls", although it is typically not an easy watch, and still do. More so perhaps now and it's one of the best ever Fin-centric episodes.
Can't fault the slick production values, understated enough music or the direction. The script is beautifully written and balanced, with a lot of thought-provoking, tension and emotion. A line that has always chilled me to the bone is the one where the murderer justifies their actions and a strong example of the extent of their delusion.
The story manages to be easy to follow while having enough twists and turns to not make things too obvious too early. The motive is one of the creepiest of the season and was a real surprise, one does not expect such horrific crimes having that reason behind it. A strong reminder of how truly creepy people can be, even ones that seem trust-worthy. "Dolls" is a case that unsettled me on first viewing, not just the motives but also twisted the perpetrator is and one may not being able to look at dolls in the same way again for a while. And still does for the same reasons. It is also an incredibly sad episode, the emotional factor is high here.
Season 3's "Denial" proved that Fin is a very interesting character when focused upon more and being more than hard-boiled intense. He showed a softer and more sympathetic side in that episode and he does here in "Dolls" too when one sees how much the case affects him. When the show has episodes where certain characters take the case too personally the execution has always varied, Fin here stays in character (he still is tough-talking even with a softer side to him) and any unprofessionalism is not taken to extremes. It is always interesting when Olivia is partnered with a team member other than Stabler and she and Fin, who is seen more with Munch, are a good match.
All the acting is extremely good, Ice-T even giving one of his best performances of the show. Susan Misner's portrayal is hard-hitting, and one feels empathy in a parent's worst nightmare and shock towards her with her less than innocent actions. David Harbour is very unsettling in his role.
To conclude, outstanding episode, a Season 4 high-point and deserves even more love than it gets. 10/10