Although Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson are great, interesting characters and their chemistry is in a way the heart of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit', it is always great when there is more of the other characters in the team and seeing them on an equal level. Rather than a couple of them being underused or with too little to do, which sometimes was the case later on in 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' in my view when Stabler was still in the show (so Seasons 1-12).
"Runaway" is one of the episodes where the whole team shines and that we see more of every character. Not just Stabler and Olivia. There were times where John Munch was not used enough in the show, but he and his dry wit really delight as does some development for relatively-newly introduced Fin and their chemistry together. Like "Countdown", a brilliant episode, the story concept-wise is not new but there is a real freshess to how it's executed here. Making for a great episode and a great representation of not just Season 2 but of the early seasons overall.
It is not always easy to follow in the early portions, this is one of the Season 2 episodes where full attention is needed, the backing and forthing structure taking a little getting into. Otherwise there is so much to love.
Like has been said already, absolutely loved how the regular characters were written and that everybody had a lot of screen time with continually interesting material. Rather than having a couple of characters that are very prominent and others present but near-sidelined, everybody is treated equally here. Similarly loved the team interaction, which is cohesive, entertaining and emotionally investable. Stabler and Olivia always gelled beautifully together, managing the right amount of tough and sympathetic.
Nice to see Jeffries again, though admittedly she never was one of my favourite 'Special Victims Unit' characters, and one can really see the passion Cragen has for his job, obvious in the interview snippets. The best interaction was between Munch and Fin, especially when undercover. They contrast so well and their chemistry makes sense. The interestingly structured (different for back then in the show's run) case is tense and unpredictable, especially towards and at the end. It's a brilliantly scripted episode, where there are so many memorable quotes. Full of emotion, tension-building, intrigue and even wit. Standouts being Stabler's "I can keep a secret" line (partly too for Olivia's reaction), the bit between Munch, Fin and the lawyer and Cabot's brilliant answer when questioned about Cragen. The supporting characters are colourful in personality, couldn't help feeling sorry for Foster while not condoning what he does.
Have no issues with the acting, lead and supporting with one of the episode's surprises being seeing Darrel Hammond in a serious role and doing quite well in it. It's a great showcase for Ice-T, in a way that not many of his previous appearances were as much. The production values are suitably slick and the music is not overpowering or constant even in the most dramatic of revelations. The direction ensures that the suspense in the latter parts doesn't slip.
To conclude, great episodes and one of Season 2's better episodes. 9/10
"Runaway" is one of the episodes where the whole team shines and that we see more of every character. Not just Stabler and Olivia. There were times where John Munch was not used enough in the show, but he and his dry wit really delight as does some development for relatively-newly introduced Fin and their chemistry together. Like "Countdown", a brilliant episode, the story concept-wise is not new but there is a real freshess to how it's executed here. Making for a great episode and a great representation of not just Season 2 but of the early seasons overall.
It is not always easy to follow in the early portions, this is one of the Season 2 episodes where full attention is needed, the backing and forthing structure taking a little getting into. Otherwise there is so much to love.
Like has been said already, absolutely loved how the regular characters were written and that everybody had a lot of screen time with continually interesting material. Rather than having a couple of characters that are very prominent and others present but near-sidelined, everybody is treated equally here. Similarly loved the team interaction, which is cohesive, entertaining and emotionally investable. Stabler and Olivia always gelled beautifully together, managing the right amount of tough and sympathetic.
Nice to see Jeffries again, though admittedly she never was one of my favourite 'Special Victims Unit' characters, and one can really see the passion Cragen has for his job, obvious in the interview snippets. The best interaction was between Munch and Fin, especially when undercover. They contrast so well and their chemistry makes sense. The interestingly structured (different for back then in the show's run) case is tense and unpredictable, especially towards and at the end. It's a brilliantly scripted episode, where there are so many memorable quotes. Full of emotion, tension-building, intrigue and even wit. Standouts being Stabler's "I can keep a secret" line (partly too for Olivia's reaction), the bit between Munch, Fin and the lawyer and Cabot's brilliant answer when questioned about Cragen. The supporting characters are colourful in personality, couldn't help feeling sorry for Foster while not condoning what he does.
Have no issues with the acting, lead and supporting with one of the episode's surprises being seeing Darrel Hammond in a serious role and doing quite well in it. It's a great showcase for Ice-T, in a way that not many of his previous appearances were as much. The production values are suitably slick and the music is not overpowering or constant even in the most dramatic of revelations. The direction ensures that the suspense in the latter parts doesn't slip.
To conclude, great episodes and one of Season 2's better episodes. 9/10
