There are a number of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' episodes that got much attention for its guest stars, many of them more than living up to the hype. When it came to the episodes overall, there were a number that were worthy of the guest star in question but there were also a number where the guest star was a lot better than the episode and deserved better. It is hard to not expect a good deal when a guest star for anything gets a lot of attention, and that can be said for Delroy Lindo.
"Baggage" is one of those episodes where the guest star performance was better than the episode itself, of the episodes with guest star turns that got a lot of attention Carol Burnett for "Ballerina" and Brenda Blethyn for "Persona" were the closest the season got to an episode being as good as the star. Not because it is a bad episode, actually thought it was rather good if not great on the whole. As far as previous Season 10 episodes go, "Lunacy" with James Brolin is another episode where this applies but this is the better one as it is not as predictable. There are a number of great things, but it is frustrating that the way the case is handled is severely flawed.
Am going to start with listing the flaws, a lot of it being to do with the way the SVU handle the case which was an issue in quite a number of Season 10 episodes. There is too much baseless conclusion jumping, where the team immediately decide that the suspect is guilty without evidence. Then resorting to sackable offense-worthy actions with little consequence. The police work is sloppy, and it does take a little too long for them to get to the truth (which was not that complicated).
Did think that it was on the rushed side at times, especially when it became too crammed towards the end. And yes, the not questioning a suspect and the arraignment decision didn't ring true or make sense.
Having said all of that, "Baggage" is still worth seeing for the performances. Especially Lindo, who does abrasively intense and tortured very believably without resorting to over-acting (unlike for example Anthony Anderson in Season 7's "Fat"). He has great chemistry with Christopher Meloni, also excellent. This is also one of Stabler's better pairings with anybody not from the SVU, being one of the few ones that work. Namely because Lindo's character is actually interesting, the writers don't over-egg any conflict and Lindo's character also has a conflict that is relatable and not too soap operatic.
Script is tight and intelligent, never sounding rambling or overripe. Much of the story is fine, it has tension and packs an emotional punch. The production values are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough without being leaden.
On the whole, good but not great yet with a great guest performance. 7/10.
"Baggage" is one of those episodes where the guest star performance was better than the episode itself, of the episodes with guest star turns that got a lot of attention Carol Burnett for "Ballerina" and Brenda Blethyn for "Persona" were the closest the season got to an episode being as good as the star. Not because it is a bad episode, actually thought it was rather good if not great on the whole. As far as previous Season 10 episodes go, "Lunacy" with James Brolin is another episode where this applies but this is the better one as it is not as predictable. There are a number of great things, but it is frustrating that the way the case is handled is severely flawed.
Am going to start with listing the flaws, a lot of it being to do with the way the SVU handle the case which was an issue in quite a number of Season 10 episodes. There is too much baseless conclusion jumping, where the team immediately decide that the suspect is guilty without evidence. Then resorting to sackable offense-worthy actions with little consequence. The police work is sloppy, and it does take a little too long for them to get to the truth (which was not that complicated).
Did think that it was on the rushed side at times, especially when it became too crammed towards the end. And yes, the not questioning a suspect and the arraignment decision didn't ring true or make sense.
Having said all of that, "Baggage" is still worth seeing for the performances. Especially Lindo, who does abrasively intense and tortured very believably without resorting to over-acting (unlike for example Anthony Anderson in Season 7's "Fat"). He has great chemistry with Christopher Meloni, also excellent. This is also one of Stabler's better pairings with anybody not from the SVU, being one of the few ones that work. Namely because Lindo's character is actually interesting, the writers don't over-egg any conflict and Lindo's character also has a conflict that is relatable and not too soap operatic.
Script is tight and intelligent, never sounding rambling or overripe. Much of the story is fine, it has tension and packs an emotional punch. The production values are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough without being leaden.
On the whole, good but not great yet with a great guest performance. 7/10.
