Season 1 of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' delivered very well, for a vast majority of the episodes, in having a wide range of emotions that makes one feel shocked, emotional and angry. There were episodes that mounted in tension, ones that hits one hard and ones that brings a lump to the throat. Most of the episodes of the season, and the show in general, are not the easiest of watches, some more so than others, but that is something that adds to the quality.
"Contact" is a strong example of not being an easy watch. It mounts in tension, especially when the truth is revealed, really did hit me hard as parts are disturbing and it did bring a lump to my throat as it is quite sad. It is not quite one of the best episodes of the season (and it did have potential to be), as there are a couple of things that frustrated and could easily have been avoided, but the good things are many and are brilliantly done.
The episode does require some suspension of disbelief, namely the crimes happening in such a public place (showing that one isn't really safe anywhere) and nobody seems to notice let alone intervene and how Olivia didn't even get into further trouble for her unprofessionalism (the only episode of the season where she is more unprofessional in my mind is "Wanderlust").
Other than the suspension of disbelief, the case is compelling and quite harrowing. It was incredibly gutsy to open the episode with the single most graphic, with the first time on the show where the crime is shown explicitly rather than just the build up to it and aftermath, scene of Season 1 as well as the season's most disturbing opening scene. Found the dynamic between Olivia and NIck to be intriguing and also very creepy when Nick takes the re-enactment too literally, which clearly scares Olivia as well as the viewer. How that plot strand ends felt immensely satisfying. The identity of the culprit is surprising and the culprit evokes chills, especially the motive which is enough to freak anybody out. The final scenes are hair-raising, where sympathy and hatred is directed at all the right people.
Have no problem with the slick production values and little problem with the taut script that handles a difficult subject and moral dillemmas with tact. Munch's response to Avelino's line about being a house painter was not particularly tasteful though, regardless of there being truth to what is said. Cragen's line about Catholics may, not will, go either way as well, but that's just my view. The chemistry within the team is as dynamic, would have liked to have a little more of Stabler and Olivia together though, and how they work is cohesive and intrigues. Munch's dry humour never feels out of place and makes one smile. The acting shows an ever strong performance from Mariska Hargitay and Tom McCarthy and Sal Viscuso competing for who is the bigger creep.
Altogether, very solid with a couple of frustrations to do with some lack of realism and some unprofessionalism. The wide range of emotion felt throughout the episode, a truly gutsy opening scene, Hargitay and powerful final scenes make than compensate though. 8/10
"Contact" is a strong example of not being an easy watch. It mounts in tension, especially when the truth is revealed, really did hit me hard as parts are disturbing and it did bring a lump to my throat as it is quite sad. It is not quite one of the best episodes of the season (and it did have potential to be), as there are a couple of things that frustrated and could easily have been avoided, but the good things are many and are brilliantly done.
The episode does require some suspension of disbelief, namely the crimes happening in such a public place (showing that one isn't really safe anywhere) and nobody seems to notice let alone intervene and how Olivia didn't even get into further trouble for her unprofessionalism (the only episode of the season where she is more unprofessional in my mind is "Wanderlust").
Other than the suspension of disbelief, the case is compelling and quite harrowing. It was incredibly gutsy to open the episode with the single most graphic, with the first time on the show where the crime is shown explicitly rather than just the build up to it and aftermath, scene of Season 1 as well as the season's most disturbing opening scene. Found the dynamic between Olivia and NIck to be intriguing and also very creepy when Nick takes the re-enactment too literally, which clearly scares Olivia as well as the viewer. How that plot strand ends felt immensely satisfying. The identity of the culprit is surprising and the culprit evokes chills, especially the motive which is enough to freak anybody out. The final scenes are hair-raising, where sympathy and hatred is directed at all the right people.
Have no problem with the slick production values and little problem with the taut script that handles a difficult subject and moral dillemmas with tact. Munch's response to Avelino's line about being a house painter was not particularly tasteful though, regardless of there being truth to what is said. Cragen's line about Catholics may, not will, go either way as well, but that's just my view. The chemistry within the team is as dynamic, would have liked to have a little more of Stabler and Olivia together though, and how they work is cohesive and intrigues. Munch's dry humour never feels out of place and makes one smile. The acting shows an ever strong performance from Mariska Hargitay and Tom McCarthy and Sal Viscuso competing for who is the bigger creep.
Altogether, very solid with a couple of frustrations to do with some lack of realism and some unprofessionalism. The wide range of emotion felt throughout the episode, a truly gutsy opening scene, Hargitay and powerful final scenes make than compensate though. 8/10
