I think this is actually a tribute to the talent of Delaney Williams. He manages to portray his character in SVU, John Buchanan, as such a convincing negative contribution to the universe that every time he appears I want some mad character to appear and blow him out of existence. I do hope the script writers provide him with a suitable comeuppance in the not too distant future.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series)
Star-Struck Victims (2016)
User Reviews
Review this title7 Reviews
Victim Not Credible
wrenleung18 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It's always difficult to watch when the victim is not credible, even though the perps are truly guilty. It also doesn't help when the intimidating Buchanan is their defence lawyer. The verdict was not a surprise but the final scene... wow! I love a good last-minute splash of drama before they run credits.
Karma would be so satisfying
melanie-7352227 July 2021
As I've noted in comments for other episodes in which he's featured, it would be so satisfying to have karma visit Delaney Williams's character and his family. He usually seems to represent the worst of the worst...they just have money, so he gets paid well.
Not so star struck
TheLittleSongbird28 September 2022
This is another episode that has a type of story that tends to leave me rather eh. There are times where it has been done very well on 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit', where it's hard hitting and thought provoking. But when it is not done well, it's heavy handed and too sleazy, the worst of them being on the sensationalist side. The episodes in the latter seasons that had this type of story tended to be on the latter side, or at least close to it.
"Star Struck Victims" doesn't completely fall into that category, but there are too many times where it comes very close to being. It is not a terrible episode at all, more slightly above average with major reservations, and other 'Special Victims Unit' episodes executed this type of story a lot worse. It does though fall into the biggest traps that come with this concept and has a few of the things that make me not a fan of this type of story.
Am going to start with the good. The production values are slick and professional, not lavish but it is not that type of show. The music is haunting while not intrusive or overused. The direction is sympathetic without being too low key. Dodds Jr's character writing here has improved vastly compared to his previous appearances, much more personality. He especially shines in his chemistry with Rollins, wasn't crazy about her here on the whole and their chemistry was enjoyable to watch.
Did think that there was some taut and thought provoking lines, and Barba's sarcasm comment was gold. The acting is very good all round.
In my view though, most of the team are too underused and some of the character writing for the regulars didn't quite work. Especially with Olivia's hypocritical and sanctimonious attitude towards Rollins, and Rollins being beyond unprofessional to the point of being criminal.
Furthermore, not much sympathy was felt for the victim here on my part. Too many story changes and contradictions. While Delaney Williams has always done a great job as Buchannan, (every prosecution witness' worst nightmare for good reason), there are times where you wonder why he still has his job with the things he says frequently, the worst of which are distasteful as can be heard at times here.
Concluding, slightly above average but not great. 6/10.
"Star Struck Victims" doesn't completely fall into that category, but there are too many times where it comes very close to being. It is not a terrible episode at all, more slightly above average with major reservations, and other 'Special Victims Unit' episodes executed this type of story a lot worse. It does though fall into the biggest traps that come with this concept and has a few of the things that make me not a fan of this type of story.
Am going to start with the good. The production values are slick and professional, not lavish but it is not that type of show. The music is haunting while not intrusive or overused. The direction is sympathetic without being too low key. Dodds Jr's character writing here has improved vastly compared to his previous appearances, much more personality. He especially shines in his chemistry with Rollins, wasn't crazy about her here on the whole and their chemistry was enjoyable to watch.
Did think that there was some taut and thought provoking lines, and Barba's sarcasm comment was gold. The acting is very good all round.
In my view though, most of the team are too underused and some of the character writing for the regulars didn't quite work. Especially with Olivia's hypocritical and sanctimonious attitude towards Rollins, and Rollins being beyond unprofessional to the point of being criminal.
Furthermore, not much sympathy was felt for the victim here on my part. Too many story changes and contradictions. While Delaney Williams has always done a great job as Buchannan, (every prosecution witness' worst nightmare for good reason), there are times where you wonder why he still has his job with the things he says frequently, the worst of which are distasteful as can be heard at times here.
Concluding, slightly above average but not great. 6/10.
Get yours ducks in a row
bkoganbing25 February 2016
Although Olivia Benson certainly was put in harm's way during her years at SVU as part of the job, she's not happy when Kelli Giddish does this to get evidence on popular actor Craig Bierko who with a buddy double teamed some young woman in a club he owns.
Sad, but true when you're taking on a celebrity defendant one really has to have the case rock solid. Which is why Raul Esparza thinks it's not prosecutable. That's when Detective Amanda Rollins goes into action.
I won't say any more but a certain justice is meted out to Bierko when all is said and done. And it turns out Giddish has some real friends in the squad. Her deep concern and Bierko's arrogance are what makes this SVU story a really good one.
Sad, but true when you're taking on a celebrity defendant one really has to have the case rock solid. Which is why Raul Esparza thinks it's not prosecutable. That's when Detective Amanda Rollins goes into action.
I won't say any more but a certain justice is meted out to Bierko when all is said and done. And it turns out Giddish has some real friends in the squad. Her deep concern and Bierko's arrogance are what makes this SVU story a really good one.
Benson lets Rollins have it
marysammons-422201 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Olivia Benson is always right. She wouldn't even listen to Rollins about leaking the tape and even when Dodds basically admits to doing it she doesn't even apologize to her or even tell her until Dodds is dead a few episodes later. Still no apology though. Olivia is always giving Rollins a hard time. Like in season 15 when Rollins got into a big mess because of her gambling. Olivia basically told her she didn't want her there. Didn't give a damn she was struggling. How many times did Cragen give Olivia a pass?
Another Terribly Written Episode
mishael5318 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Once again, the SVU writers think we the audience are absolute morons. Rollins going rogue and not telling her superior that she's going to set a trap? Without a warrant ready? Without authorization?? While the investigation is ongoing?? Is Rollins 12 years old in her 1st year on the force that she doesn't know how the law works?? It's beyond ridiculous. Along with this, Benson herself has gone rogue so her character to all of a sudden act like she's "Follow All the Rules Saint" Benson is also ludicrous and out of character.
And don't get me started on the annoying vlogger girl. She has over 100,000 followers? That means she makes money from her site and therefore is an open target to get sued for libel because she has no evidence to prove her case AND she kept changing her story. No one drops that kind of information when they've gotten that big without consulting a lawyer. Once again, treating us the audience like we're ignoramuses. And if they want to show the complexities of her situation, then they should've focused on that, as well as not make her one of the most annoying people so there's zero empathy for the victim.
All in all, this episode left me eye-rolling yet again. It could've been a good episode if they had just worked a little harder and didn't assume we would fall for the drama. This was written in the latter half of the 2000s - the audience doesn't fall for cheap antics.
And don't get me started on the annoying vlogger girl. She has over 100,000 followers? That means she makes money from her site and therefore is an open target to get sued for libel because she has no evidence to prove her case AND she kept changing her story. No one drops that kind of information when they've gotten that big without consulting a lawyer. Once again, treating us the audience like we're ignoramuses. And if they want to show the complexities of her situation, then they should've focused on that, as well as not make her one of the most annoying people so there's zero empathy for the victim.
All in all, this episode left me eye-rolling yet again. It could've been a good episode if they had just worked a little harder and didn't assume we would fall for the drama. This was written in the latter half of the 2000s - the audience doesn't fall for cheap antics.
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