Alex Cabot to me was a great character. It may have taken a while to get used to her iciness, but she had a lot of presence in the courtroom and when she was talking about prime suspects with the detectives or in chambers. Mostly too she was by the book while making some clever manoueveurs (like in her extradition persuasion scene in "Manhunt"), with a couple of exceptions (i.e. "Guilt"). Stephanie March did play her wonderfully and it was sad to bid farewell to her.
What an amazing episode "Loss" was. It was easily the first outstanding episode of Season 5 and not just a strong contender for the best episode of Season 5, but also one of the best of the whole show. And there have been some brilliant ones before and since. Cabot's last appearance couldn't have been handled any better, one of the best of the whole 'Law and Order' franchise in my view, and "Loss" is one of the most tense and most poignant episodes of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit'.
"Loss" is well made visually. The photography is slick and subtly gritty as usual and while the locations are limited in number they are still pleasing to look at and the more intimate ones aren't claustrophobic. The music is haunting while not going over the top and not being intrusive, too constant and melodramatic music would have ruined the mood and would not have let the dialogue do the talking as effectively.
The script is also beautifully balanced, intelligently written and provokes a lot of thought. The intrigue, tension and emotion are balanced so well together and are hugely effective individually too. The story is hugely absorbing and taut, with some of the things that happen not what one expects. Including an explosion that had me on the edge of the seat hands clapped over my mouth. The standout scene, and what makes "Loss" such a special episode, is the ending, one of not many endings of 'Special Victims Unit' to have me uncontrollably sobbing. Such a poignantly written scene with sincerely understated acting.
March is absolutely brilliant here and to me she was never better. She has the authority but she also shows how good she is at displaying so much emotion in more than just the line delivery. The other regular standout was Mariska Hargitay, the chemistry between her and March was heart-wrenching and what wrenched my heart just as much was seeing Olivia as upset as she was. David Thornton is wonderfully smarmy, while Jacinto Taras Riddick is terrifying as Zapata. Not many episodes at this stage of 'Special Victims Unit' had intimidation tactics that had me cowering to the same extent as here.
Overall, just outstanding and very special. 10/10
What an amazing episode "Loss" was. It was easily the first outstanding episode of Season 5 and not just a strong contender for the best episode of Season 5, but also one of the best of the whole show. And there have been some brilliant ones before and since. Cabot's last appearance couldn't have been handled any better, one of the best of the whole 'Law and Order' franchise in my view, and "Loss" is one of the most tense and most poignant episodes of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit'.
"Loss" is well made visually. The photography is slick and subtly gritty as usual and while the locations are limited in number they are still pleasing to look at and the more intimate ones aren't claustrophobic. The music is haunting while not going over the top and not being intrusive, too constant and melodramatic music would have ruined the mood and would not have let the dialogue do the talking as effectively.
The script is also beautifully balanced, intelligently written and provokes a lot of thought. The intrigue, tension and emotion are balanced so well together and are hugely effective individually too. The story is hugely absorbing and taut, with some of the things that happen not what one expects. Including an explosion that had me on the edge of the seat hands clapped over my mouth. The standout scene, and what makes "Loss" such a special episode, is the ending, one of not many endings of 'Special Victims Unit' to have me uncontrollably sobbing. Such a poignantly written scene with sincerely understated acting.
March is absolutely brilliant here and to me she was never better. She has the authority but she also shows how good she is at displaying so much emotion in more than just the line delivery. The other regular standout was Mariska Hargitay, the chemistry between her and March was heart-wrenching and what wrenched my heart just as much was seeing Olivia as upset as she was. David Thornton is wonderfully smarmy, while Jacinto Taras Riddick is terrifying as Zapata. Not many episodes at this stage of 'Special Victims Unit' had intimidation tactics that had me cowering to the same extent as here.
Overall, just outstanding and very special. 10/10
