"Daydream Believer" continues the Gregory Yates, a character loosely based on Ted Bundy, arc started in 'Chicago PD', which is introduced on this show in this 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit'/'Chicago PD' crossover (the second one for this show after "Chicago Crossover"). The character was a great one, though his episodes varied, with his earlier ones being very good but the ones with Dr Rudnick felt like one or two episodes too far.
This is an episode that really stuck in my mind on first watch, namely for the creepiness of the beginning and Dallas Roberts' performance. Sticking out more vividly than most Season 16 episodes. "Daydream Believer" thankfully is one of the episodes that got better with each of my three viewings. While not mind-blowing, it is on the most part a very good episode and one of the better ones of the season and certainly of the very up and down second half of the season.
So much is done right. As ever, the photography and such are fully professional, the slickness still remaining. The music is used sparingly and is haunting and non-overwrought when it is used, and it's mainly used when a crucial revelation or plot development is revealed. Have never been able to hear the song "Daydream Believer" or The Monkees in the same way again after hearing how it is used here. The direction has some nice tension while keeping things steady, without going too far the other way. The script is thought provoking and is lean with very little fat, none of it is dumbed down or over complicated.
Moreover, the story is gripping and has the right amount of tension evident from the very creepy beginning to the close. The two teams work very well together, really like the chemistry between Olivia and Vought, and for a crossover it succeeds in not feeling like too much of one show and not enough of the other (much more successful than the 'Law and Order'/'Homicide: Life on the Street' crossovers. The performances are on the most part great and more, with steely Mariska Hargitay standing out of the regulars, Raul Esparza bringing a lot of energy, Tamara Tunie is a welcome presence and truly freaky Dallas Roberts steals the show.
Was less keen on Jason Beghe, his line delivery is too much of one tone and inflection (gravelly and mumbling). Am not a fan generally of the character too, his motivations and tactics are questionable but having said that it is a little more understandable here than in most cases.
Also, some of what Yates says and does earlier in the episode should have raised more alarm bells for the people he was practically incriminating himself to.
Very good overall though and one of the better episodes of the season. 8/10.
This is an episode that really stuck in my mind on first watch, namely for the creepiness of the beginning and Dallas Roberts' performance. Sticking out more vividly than most Season 16 episodes. "Daydream Believer" thankfully is one of the episodes that got better with each of my three viewings. While not mind-blowing, it is on the most part a very good episode and one of the better ones of the season and certainly of the very up and down second half of the season.
So much is done right. As ever, the photography and such are fully professional, the slickness still remaining. The music is used sparingly and is haunting and non-overwrought when it is used, and it's mainly used when a crucial revelation or plot development is revealed. Have never been able to hear the song "Daydream Believer" or The Monkees in the same way again after hearing how it is used here. The direction has some nice tension while keeping things steady, without going too far the other way. The script is thought provoking and is lean with very little fat, none of it is dumbed down or over complicated.
Moreover, the story is gripping and has the right amount of tension evident from the very creepy beginning to the close. The two teams work very well together, really like the chemistry between Olivia and Vought, and for a crossover it succeeds in not feeling like too much of one show and not enough of the other (much more successful than the 'Law and Order'/'Homicide: Life on the Street' crossovers. The performances are on the most part great and more, with steely Mariska Hargitay standing out of the regulars, Raul Esparza bringing a lot of energy, Tamara Tunie is a welcome presence and truly freaky Dallas Roberts steals the show.
Was less keen on Jason Beghe, his line delivery is too much of one tone and inflection (gravelly and mumbling). Am not a fan generally of the character too, his motivations and tactics are questionable but having said that it is a little more understandable here than in most cases.
Also, some of what Yates says and does earlier in the episode should have raised more alarm bells for the people he was practically incriminating himself to.
Very good overall though and one of the better episodes of the season. 8/10.