User reviews

Quite a lot of episodes of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' had at least one interest point. The interest point for "Twenty Five Acts" was that it was the debuting episode for Rafael Barba. Absolutely loved him as a character, even in the mediocre at best episodes (and there were quite a lot of them in later seasons), and in his stint he was a contender for the best addition the show had since Stabler left. Not to mention he was the only non-Cabot or Novak prosecution ADA to have personality and an appealing one.

"Twenty Five Acts" is a very good debuting episode for him, where he comes off incredibly strongly. It is also a very good episode of 'Special Victims Unit', in the better half of Season 14 and is a very good episode for anything in its own right. So much is done right and the supporting cast here is one of the best of Season 14 and perhaps of the latter seasons. "Twenty Five Acts" may not be a flawless episode or a show high point, but there is very little to fault here.

Starting with the numerous positives, 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 making sure that the tension and emotion never slipped. While the regulars are very strong indeed, this is a case of the supporting cast being even better.

Raul Esparza makes a fantastic show debut and already Barba is a much needed breath of fresh air. The episode also has Roger Bart at his creepiest, Adam Baldwin suitably stoic and Anna Chlumsky being alluring and making one uncertain or whether she is telling the truth or not.

Moreover, the script is tightly structured, made me think and as usual had an uncompromising edge. It also flows very naturally and doesn't feel rambling, sleazy or over-serious. The story is gripping and twisty, especially in the excellent second half. The tension is quite intense in the legal scenes.

However, "Twenty Five Acts" could have been even better than it turned out. Some of the first half is predictable.

Also found Rollins very condescending here and got the sense that at this point (she did get better at this) that she had little understanding of how to deal with victims.

Overall, very good with many excellent things. 8/10.

"You may not like me when we're done."

And the curtain opens: Raphael Barba

It is the first appearance of Raul Esparza (Raphael Barba). We love you so much.

"SVU: The only unit where the victim's word is not good enough. You have to prove that a crime has been committed." Olivia says.

Now, the svu starts solving the root source of the problems. The only and most correct way to do this is through law and and order. That's why we will see more courts, judges and lawyers in svu.

She appears in Rita Calhoun (Elizabeth Marvel), a character I love.

It was great to see d.a Stephanie March (Alex Cabot) and d.a Diane Neal (Casey Novak) alternate last season. But unfortunately we won't be able to see it anymore...

I miss Elizabeth Donnely from the old seasons so much.

Adagio detail was nice.

As a final word, "Long Live the Law!

Long Live the Order!"

And Long Live SVU !!!

While Adam Baldwin is temporarily in charge of SVU the squad catches a case that's going to be difficult no matter which way it goes. A popular author of erotic works Anna Chlumsky after appearing on Roger Bart's talk show is raped by her host. And then he does it again after a police report is made. Clearly Bart does not know from 'no' and thinks he's powerful enough to get away with it.

His reason for thinking so is that Chlumsky has based her whole career on what a free and easy orgasm seeking woman she is.

Bonding with Chlumsky is Mariska Hargitay, but this will be one tough case for the DA to win.

Bart and Chlumsky are a matched pair of adversaries, this is a good one.