Anybody who has read any of my other reviews for for example individual episodes of the 'Law and Order' shows, am slowly working my way through writing reviews for all the episodes of 'Law and Order, 'Special Victims Unit' and 'Criminal Intent' with a long way to go, will know already how much admiration there is from me for anything that tackles difficult and controversial themes and issues. That for "Strain" is one of the bravest and most controversial to tackle.
"Strain" on the most part was a very good episode, with the good things being numerous and excellently executed. It also generally explores the subject well up to a point. Actually would have gone as far to call "Strain" close to great, until one part left a bad taste in my mouth and stuck out too much like a sore thumb to overlook. So much so that it did bring the episode down a couple of notches, am very sorry if it sounds nit-picky in advance.
Will start with the good things first. Visually "Strain" is well made, especially the intimate photography. It looks stylish and slick with a more refined look than when 'Special Victims Unit' first started all the way back in 1999, while maintaining the show's grit. The music doesn't overbear and is not overused. The direction keeps things moving well while letting the drama breathe. The acting is very good from all the regulars, while Brian Bloom's performance is passionate and oddly affecting despite hating his actions. Olivia and Fin work really well together and nice to see Ken again.
The script is tightly structured, made me think and as usual had an uncompromising edge. It also flows very naturally and doesn't feel rambling, sleazy or over-serious. Some of the best writing is in Novak's closing argument, summing up the case and issue perfectly. It did remind me actually of an early 'Law and Order' episode from Season 7 called "Deadbeat", where one can understand the point of view of the responsible while totally understanding too that there can be no statue of limitations on murder.
On the other hand, "Strain" did for my tastes get heavy-handed at the end, Novak's closing argument aside. Maybe the episode could have done with more tension and twists, while clever and all solidly executed there is not much out of the ordinary.
My biggest problem was the defense closing argument, which to me was in bad taste to a tone deaf degree, pretty much did justify the crimes and it was quite an extreme reach to compare the victims and what they did to what they're compared to, it's also one that wouldn't hold up today. It stuck out because the rest of the episode was actually quite tactful in tackling this controversial subject, but that section of writing is not something that would go down well with some.
In conclusion, did like most of the episode a lot apart from that mentioned section. 7/10.
"Strain" on the most part was a very good episode, with the good things being numerous and excellently executed. It also generally explores the subject well up to a point. Actually would have gone as far to call "Strain" close to great, until one part left a bad taste in my mouth and stuck out too much like a sore thumb to overlook. So much so that it did bring the episode down a couple of notches, am very sorry if it sounds nit-picky in advance.
Will start with the good things first. Visually "Strain" is well made, especially the intimate photography. It looks stylish and slick with a more refined look than when 'Special Victims Unit' first started all the way back in 1999, while maintaining the show's grit. The music doesn't overbear and is not overused. The direction keeps things moving well while letting the drama breathe. The acting is very good from all the regulars, while Brian Bloom's performance is passionate and oddly affecting despite hating his actions. Olivia and Fin work really well together and nice to see Ken again.
The script is tightly structured, made me think and as usual had an uncompromising edge. It also flows very naturally and doesn't feel rambling, sleazy or over-serious. Some of the best writing is in Novak's closing argument, summing up the case and issue perfectly. It did remind me actually of an early 'Law and Order' episode from Season 7 called "Deadbeat", where one can understand the point of view of the responsible while totally understanding too that there can be no statue of limitations on murder.
On the other hand, "Strain" did for my tastes get heavy-handed at the end, Novak's closing argument aside. Maybe the episode could have done with more tension and twists, while clever and all solidly executed there is not much out of the ordinary.
My biggest problem was the defense closing argument, which to me was in bad taste to a tone deaf degree, pretty much did justify the crimes and it was quite an extreme reach to compare the victims and what they did to what they're compared to, it's also one that wouldn't hold up today. It stuck out because the rest of the episode was actually quite tactful in tackling this controversial subject, but that section of writing is not something that would go down well with some.
In conclusion, did like most of the episode a lot apart from that mentioned section. 7/10.
