Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series) Great Expectations (2017) User Reviews

Bullying Hockey Dad

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 22 November 2018]

Many years ago Law And Order prime had an episode involving a hockey dad as a perpetrator, but that guy was nothing compared to the vicious creature that Brent Sexton portrays here.

Young Christopher Paul Richards is assaulted in the locker room of his hockey rink with a hockey stick in a most private place where he later develops an infection and dies from same.

The perpetrator was one of the sons of Brent Sexton who is raising his kids to be bullies on and off the ice. His idea of toughening them up. He was a player back in the day and now lives vicariously through his kids' achievements.

This is one abusive dad and the struggle for the SVU squad is to make them see that so that culpability is properly parsed out.

Sexton really steals this one, what a piece of work.

Doesn't quite live up to great

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 31 October 2022]

One knows from the outset from the subject matter alone, well before reading the plot synopsis, that "Great Expectations" would be a difficult episode to watch. The subject matter is such a disturbing one and anything that deals with the dangers of something so dangerous should be raised awareness of as much as possible. Especially when it is still so relevant. This episode did hit me quite hard on first watch.

And it still did hit me quite hard on rewatch. "Great Expectations" is not perfect or great, but it has many great elements, hardly sugar coats the subject matter (while not being heavy handed) and is to me one of the better episodes of the first half of Season 18. A half that on the whole was rather disappointing, though while the season was not a great representation of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' generally it did improve later. "Great Expectations" as far as the season goes is closer to being one of the better episodes than one of the worst.

"Great Expectations" has a lot that works. It is as ever shot with the right amount of intimacy without feeling too up close, even with a reliance of close up camerawork. That the editing has become increasingly tighter over-time is great too. The music isn't over-scored, manipulative or used too much. There is intimacy and tautness in the direction.

The script is lean and thought provoking, dealing with a difficult issue in a pull no punches yet tactful way. The story also pulls no punches and evokes a lot of emotions, especially in the meatier second half. The acting is very good, with Peter Scanivino being the standout of the episode and the acting honour going to a chilling Brett Sexton as a truly vile individual. Really appreciated the insight into Carisi.

However, "Great Expectations" had room for improvement too. There are no real surprises, the only surprise was the tragedy concerning the victim which did feel unnecessary. Did feel that it could have done a lot more with the why try the perpetrator as an adult, that would have made for an interesting discussion but the episode didn't do it. That everybody else involved in the attack got off too leniently did push my suspend disbelief buttons.

Was really put off by Rollins' self-righteousness for no reason. It was generally not like her as well when she has been for a while one of the more sympathetic characters.

Overall, good episode if not great. 7/10.

Fix: Missing the Shot

[yazguloner · 10/10 · 22 February 2022]

It is the anger and oppression that causes domestic violence, dressed in hockey. It is a good example of the difficulty of accepting anger and violence in the family.

Difficult subject, good story... We saw a similar story in Stabler's time. In this story, the emotional side is enhanced by sadness.

The family is trying to be persuaded for the irreparable side of the incident.

The best shot of this story will be done in the 20x1 and 20x2 episodes.

It's just that Carisi's story and Olivia's and Rollins' reactions to it didn't feel very sincere. It was very ordinary. I think they wanted to reinforce the dramatic side of the story. But I don't think it was the right move.

A scene like this that I didn't feel intimate was in the 20x7 episode. It was in a conversation between Olivia and Rollins.