"Forty One Witnesses" struck me as quite a powerful and well done episode on first watch, despite some of it being on the obvious side and easy to solve sooner than it was. The subject is another tough one and 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' often had a strong track record of its pull no punches way of tackling controversial or difficult issues. This aspect was handled a lot more consistently in the early seasons, but had many instances later on of doing this aspect well.
Luckily, "Forty One Witnesses" is one of those episodes. My feelings on it are still quite positive with more good found with it than bad. The story is not a perfect one and the extra something (such as more surprises, tension etc) that make the best episodes of 'Special Victims Unit' so good isn't quite there. It does do a good job with one of the tougher and most relevant subject matters of Season 17 and is a major improvement over the underwhelming previous episode "A Misunderstanding".
Sure, it doesn't hold very many surprises and is rather slow to begin with.
The character writing isn't flawless either, with Rollins being unusually unsympathetic and Olivia's sight sighted-ness and pushiness is getting old.
However, a lot is good. The production values are still slick and suitably gritty (without being too heavy in it). The music is not too melodramatic and is not used too much, even not being too manipulative in revelations. The direction lets the drama breathe while having enough tautness too, so things don't get dull. Barba is a sassy and authoritative breath of fresh air as always and Carisi is a strong presence too.
Furthermore, the script on the whole is well done, provoking thought throughout the length and is like a lean steak cooked just enough to not have too much fat while not losing the flesh. The story grabs the attention later on and intrigues and frightens. The acting is very good, especially from Raul Esparza and Peter Scanavino. Patrick Breen has the most interesting supporting character with a unique way of thinking ( that the episode did well exploring) and plays him compellingly.
In conclusion, good but not great. 7/10.
Luckily, "Forty One Witnesses" is one of those episodes. My feelings on it are still quite positive with more good found with it than bad. The story is not a perfect one and the extra something (such as more surprises, tension etc) that make the best episodes of 'Special Victims Unit' so good isn't quite there. It does do a good job with one of the tougher and most relevant subject matters of Season 17 and is a major improvement over the underwhelming previous episode "A Misunderstanding".
Sure, it doesn't hold very many surprises and is rather slow to begin with.
The character writing isn't flawless either, with Rollins being unusually unsympathetic and Olivia's sight sighted-ness and pushiness is getting old.
However, a lot is good. The production values are still slick and suitably gritty (without being too heavy in it). The music is not too melodramatic and is not used too much, even not being too manipulative in revelations. The direction lets the drama breathe while having enough tautness too, so things don't get dull. Barba is a sassy and authoritative breath of fresh air as always and Carisi is a strong presence too.
Furthermore, the script on the whole is well done, provoking thought throughout the length and is like a lean steak cooked just enough to not have too much fat while not losing the flesh. The story grabs the attention later on and intrigues and frightens. The acting is very good, especially from Raul Esparza and Peter Scanavino. Patrick Breen has the most interesting supporting character with a unique way of thinking ( that the episode did well exploring) and plays him compellingly.
In conclusion, good but not great. 7/10.
