Nick Amaro was something of an up and down character. Really liked him in Seasons 13 and 14, and he settled much quicker than Rollins did. Once more of his personal life was revealed and became too prominent, the less likeable he became and he became too much like a Stabler imitation. 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' really did vary when it came to focusing on primarily one character and focused heavily on personal life drama.
This could have been a lot worse than it turned out. It didn't sound all that exciting on paper and sounded like a potentially tired revisiting of a sort of story we have seen a lot. Seeing how Amaro came to be the way he became, how he was before, his circumstances and his motivations was necessary though and overdue, so it was great to see the episode address that. It is not a great episode or one of the best of Season 16, but it was quite good with a lot of strong things.
Which will be mentioned first. Danny Pino has the right amount of intensity which sears when the episode is particularly dramatic. Armand Assante is suitably loathsome and did so well at making one dislike his character without making him too much of a caricature. They have great chemistry together. Raul Esparza was always a pleasure throughout his entire time on the show, and despite preferring Barba's character writing in other episodes he was still one of the best things about the latter seasons.
It was great o finally get some insight into Amaro and see clearly where his anger and control issues come from. Now it is more understandable why he became the way he did. Production values as ever are slick and with the right amount of muted grit, the photography doesn't try to do anything too fancy or gimmicky while not being claustrophobic and keeping things simple. The music doesn't overbear with the theme tune still memorable and the direction is accommodating yet tight enough. The script is thought probing and doesn't ramble while the story boasts some nice tension and intriguing conflicts.
Didn't love everything about the episode though. There is some negative racial stereotyping, how Barba is made to react came over as unrealistic and hypocritical on the writers parts. Such as a line regarding Cubans.
Olivia also comes over as rather too cutting and condescending. Lastly, the reason(s) for the behaviour of the mother and sister could have been made clear and elaborated on.
Concluding, better than expected but not great. 7/10.
This could have been a lot worse than it turned out. It didn't sound all that exciting on paper and sounded like a potentially tired revisiting of a sort of story we have seen a lot. Seeing how Amaro came to be the way he became, how he was before, his circumstances and his motivations was necessary though and overdue, so it was great to see the episode address that. It is not a great episode or one of the best of Season 16, but it was quite good with a lot of strong things.
Which will be mentioned first. Danny Pino has the right amount of intensity which sears when the episode is particularly dramatic. Armand Assante is suitably loathsome and did so well at making one dislike his character without making him too much of a caricature. They have great chemistry together. Raul Esparza was always a pleasure throughout his entire time on the show, and despite preferring Barba's character writing in other episodes he was still one of the best things about the latter seasons.
It was great o finally get some insight into Amaro and see clearly where his anger and control issues come from. Now it is more understandable why he became the way he did. Production values as ever are slick and with the right amount of muted grit, the photography doesn't try to do anything too fancy or gimmicky while not being claustrophobic and keeping things simple. The music doesn't overbear with the theme tune still memorable and the direction is accommodating yet tight enough. The script is thought probing and doesn't ramble while the story boasts some nice tension and intriguing conflicts.
Didn't love everything about the episode though. There is some negative racial stereotyping, how Barba is made to react came over as unrealistic and hypocritical on the writers parts. Such as a line regarding Cubans.
Olivia also comes over as rather too cutting and condescending. Lastly, the reason(s) for the behaviour of the mother and sister could have been made clear and elaborated on.
Concluding, better than expected but not great. 7/10.
