Fin returns to his military roots when a fellow Army ranger attempts to recover from a sexual assault.Fin returns to his military roots when a fellow Army ranger attempts to recover from a sexual assault.Fin returns to his military roots when a fellow Army ranger attempts to recover from a sexual assault.
- Detective Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola
- (as Ice T)
- ADA Rafael Barba
- (credit only)
- Jose Marquez
- (as a different name)
- Judge Colin McNamara
- (as Stephen Bradbury)
- General Brad Fuller
- (as Christopher LaPanta)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBenson mentions her extensive work helping rape victims, Mariska Hargitay actually is a trained rape crisis counsellor. She was inspired to pursue her certification, and founded the Joyful Heart Foundation in 2004, after she began receiving mail from fans disclosing, many for the first time, that they were survivors of sexual assault and/or abuse.
- GoofsWhen Captain Williams is seen in the first few minutes, it's mentioned that she was awarded the "Silver Star". It is seen on her uniform in the appropriate position. She wears the Silver Star, Army Commendation, and Army Achievement ribbons in the top row. In the closing scenes, the Silver Star is gone. She is only wearing the Commendation and Aceivement ribbons in the top row.
- Quotes
[last lines]
Captain Beth Williams: Good afternoon. As you know, Michael Reid was just indicted for rape. I instructed the court to not refer to the victim as Jane Doe. I feel it is my duty to step forward, to tell the world the truth. My name is Captain Beth Williams. On January 8th, I was raped. This does not lessen my ability or worth as a soldier. It will not define me. It will not break me. I'm not ashamed of what happened. I stand here with one mission only: to encourage other survivors of sexual assault to do the same. There is only honor in being a survivor.
- ConnectionsReferences Superman (1978)
"No Surrender" fared pretty much the same on rewatch, meaning still not caring for it for the same reasons (some being also general issues with the season). It is not a terrible episode for me as there are a few things that work, but a lot does not and it is a below average outing overall. As far as Season 18, which was not great, goes, "No Surrender" is one of the weakest episodes (though others did fare worse, including Episodes 2-5).
Am going to start with the good. The photography while very close up doesn't come over as too static or filmed play-like, while the production values are typically solid and have subtle atmosphere while not being drab and keeping things simple. When the music is used it is haunting and has a melancholic edge that is not overdone.
The regulars are very good and do valiantly with what they are given.
However, there are too many shortcomings for me to recommend "No Surrender". The case is very thin and predictable, with no tension or suspense. It is also hurt by that it is very difficult here to sympathise with the victim, she isn't given much depth so we don't get to know her. Also felt Sarah Booth's performance to be on the cartoonish side. The dialogue is mundane and has the subtlety of an axe.
Sticking out like a very sore thumb too is the heavy handed and one sided portrayal of the military, 'Special Victims Unit' do not have a great track record when it comes to its portrayal of the military (the original 'Law and Order' however has generally been very tactful in this regard) and "No Surrender" is one of the worst examples. The episode really should have been Fin centric, considering his background it would have made a lot more sense for him to be the lead. Instead he is far too under utilised. The lead instead is Olivia, and here this is a good example of how increasingly unlikeable she became since her promotion, for reasons given in my reviews for the previous Season 18 episodes and for some of those from the previous two seasons.
Very disappointing all in all. 4/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Oct 31, 2022