"Anchor" was hardly one of those doomed from the get go sort of episodes. Was very worried hearing that there would be political/social commentary, because when the franchise gets political it is not subtle about it too often. The topic though is a hard hitting one and actually as relevant today as it is now. Certainly didn't mind that there was a lot of focus on Fin, there are plenty of good Fin-centric episodes and he is great in support and lead.
Unfortunately, "Anchor" could have been so much better. The topic was so promising and did have power when it was focused upon, but more often than not it was lost amidst the overuse of the politics. Was really looking forward to taking a break from Stabler, Olivia and their unprofessionalism (well certainly in this season at least) and more of Fin and Munch, but "Anchor" is proof that not every episode that isn't related to them is immediately good. Of Season 11, this is one of the weakest outings and a disappointment after two great episodes.
It is not all bad. It's well made, intimately photographed and slick with no signs of under-budget or anything. The music didn't sound melodramatic or too constant and enough of the direction is accomodating while still having pulse.
Two lines have relevance, the one about hate speech from authority figures (chilling in its truth) and Munch's "before the internet" rant. Ice-T is excellent in a fine showcase for Fin, Richard Belzer has amusing moments and Bruce McGill is deliciously unsettling.
Despite starting off intriguingly, "Anchor" is a mess once the case comes to court and when it starts taking shots at media personalities and getting political. It can be fun seeing media personalities being taken a swipe at and being challenged for their beliefs, but this felt more than poking fun and more like a personal attack. Am also getting tired of seeing media personalities, same with medication and video games, being used as reasons for crimes committed and in an over-generalised way. The political slant pretty much completely takes over the case to the extent that it was easy to forget what the episode was about in the first place and it did waste what was a promising start.
And sadly the commentary is very in your face and preachy, it is very clear which side of the argument surrounding this tough subject the writers were on and it is obvious in the writing for the defense lawyer. The dialogue is clunky and ham-fisted, especially for the defense lawyer (whose dialogue was sometimes distasteful), and the shoehorned in love interest and even Fin's writing is beneath him. Really disliked how Cabot was written, she comes over as very stupid and not very professional, especially her rant at Garrison which was pure soapbox level. Also did not care for John Larroquette, he is usually a watchable actor but he comes over as very hammy and his Southern drawl is one of the worst accents in 'Special Victims Unit' history. The story starts promisingly but then gets predictable and subtlety-deprived, before ending on a very rushed, last minute and slap in the face note.
Overall, very disappointing. 4/10.
Unfortunately, "Anchor" could have been so much better. The topic was so promising and did have power when it was focused upon, but more often than not it was lost amidst the overuse of the politics. Was really looking forward to taking a break from Stabler, Olivia and their unprofessionalism (well certainly in this season at least) and more of Fin and Munch, but "Anchor" is proof that not every episode that isn't related to them is immediately good. Of Season 11, this is one of the weakest outings and a disappointment after two great episodes.
It is not all bad. It's well made, intimately photographed and slick with no signs of under-budget or anything. The music didn't sound melodramatic or too constant and enough of the direction is accomodating while still having pulse.
Two lines have relevance, the one about hate speech from authority figures (chilling in its truth) and Munch's "before the internet" rant. Ice-T is excellent in a fine showcase for Fin, Richard Belzer has amusing moments and Bruce McGill is deliciously unsettling.
Despite starting off intriguingly, "Anchor" is a mess once the case comes to court and when it starts taking shots at media personalities and getting political. It can be fun seeing media personalities being taken a swipe at and being challenged for their beliefs, but this felt more than poking fun and more like a personal attack. Am also getting tired of seeing media personalities, same with medication and video games, being used as reasons for crimes committed and in an over-generalised way. The political slant pretty much completely takes over the case to the extent that it was easy to forget what the episode was about in the first place and it did waste what was a promising start.
And sadly the commentary is very in your face and preachy, it is very clear which side of the argument surrounding this tough subject the writers were on and it is obvious in the writing for the defense lawyer. The dialogue is clunky and ham-fisted, especially for the defense lawyer (whose dialogue was sometimes distasteful), and the shoehorned in love interest and even Fin's writing is beneath him. Really disliked how Cabot was written, she comes over as very stupid and not very professional, especially her rant at Garrison which was pure soapbox level. Also did not care for John Larroquette, he is usually a watchable actor but he comes over as very hammy and his Southern drawl is one of the worst accents in 'Special Victims Unit' history. The story starts promisingly but then gets predictable and subtlety-deprived, before ending on a very rushed, last minute and slap in the face note.
Overall, very disappointing. 4/10.