This actually is a very satisfying episode the hypnosis theme goes back as far as early Columbo episodes. But it has a fantastic and technical update here. And for that person who says hypnosis wouldn't let someone who doesn't want to do something like sex that's true and that's why it's rape. Difficult case for Barba and the team to prove because of the complexities that's what makes it another very intersting epusode.
5 Reviews
Wishing for karma again.
melanie-735225 August 2021
Nothing spellbinding
TheLittleSongbird2 November 2022
Quite the opposite unfortunately. "Spellbound" actually had a very interesting concept, one of the most interesting of Season 18 and quite unique for 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit'. Really this is an episode with this good a concept that should have worked. Season 18 had a mix of interesting topics/concepts, ones that didn't sound appealing and ones that could go either way in execution, "Spellbound" did sound promising on paper.
But it sure didn't deliver on the execution. While not quite the worst episode of Season 18 (not quite as bad as "Imposter", "Heightened Emotions", "Rape Interrupted" and "Conversion"), but one of the lesser episodes for me and the biggest potential waste. A prime example of having such a promising idea and doing practically nothing with it in a poorly paced and sloppily executed episode with some of the worst legal portions in a long time for 'Special Victims Unit'.
"Spellbound" has its moments. Visually, it is a slick episode, typical for 'Special Victims Unit' and the 'Law and Order' franchise, and one with the right amount of muted grit, the photography doesn't try to do anything too fancy or gimmicky while not being claustrophobic and keeping things simple. The music doesn't overbear past the early stages with the theme tune still memorable.
The beginning intrigues. Also thought that the acting from lead and supporting was good and successful in rising above what they were given to do.
However, a lot of things could have been done better. As said earlier on in the review, "Spellbound" has an interesting concept but practically nothing is done with it. What too little there is of a story is flimsy, confusing and with nothing unique. The pacing is all over the place. Far too long is spent on scenes that serve little to no relevance, scenes that drag, the opening is overlong, while the courtroom scenes are rushed and completely lack tension. The writing is tepid at best and lacks tautness. Olivia's dialogue is incredibly condescending here and after feeling for her in the excellent previous episode "Real Fake News" she is every bit as intolerable as she was in "Imposter".
Did find the courtroom scenes a bit of of a disaster actually other than the chemistry between Barba and Culhorn. The prosecution case itself is extremely weak to the point that the case could easily be thrown out and so many mistakes are made in how the case was conducted. Such as having too few witnesses, the lack of an expert regarding the hypnotising, not proving the validity of the recording and relying on the perpetrator to testify was one big risk. Barba is unrealistically incompetent, he doesn't usually make such rookie errors when building a case for the reasons already listed.
Overall, nothing spellbinding here. 4/10.
But it sure didn't deliver on the execution. While not quite the worst episode of Season 18 (not quite as bad as "Imposter", "Heightened Emotions", "Rape Interrupted" and "Conversion"), but one of the lesser episodes for me and the biggest potential waste. A prime example of having such a promising idea and doing practically nothing with it in a poorly paced and sloppily executed episode with some of the worst legal portions in a long time for 'Special Victims Unit'.
"Spellbound" has its moments. Visually, it is a slick episode, typical for 'Special Victims Unit' and the 'Law and Order' franchise, and one with the right amount of muted grit, the photography doesn't try to do anything too fancy or gimmicky while not being claustrophobic and keeping things simple. The music doesn't overbear past the early stages with the theme tune still memorable.
The beginning intrigues. Also thought that the acting from lead and supporting was good and successful in rising above what they were given to do.
However, a lot of things could have been done better. As said earlier on in the review, "Spellbound" has an interesting concept but practically nothing is done with it. What too little there is of a story is flimsy, confusing and with nothing unique. The pacing is all over the place. Far too long is spent on scenes that serve little to no relevance, scenes that drag, the opening is overlong, while the courtroom scenes are rushed and completely lack tension. The writing is tepid at best and lacks tautness. Olivia's dialogue is incredibly condescending here and after feeling for her in the excellent previous episode "Real Fake News" she is every bit as intolerable as she was in "Imposter".
Did find the courtroom scenes a bit of of a disaster actually other than the chemistry between Barba and Culhorn. The prosecution case itself is extremely weak to the point that the case could easily be thrown out and so many mistakes are made in how the case was conducted. Such as having too few witnesses, the lack of an expert regarding the hypnotising, not proving the validity of the recording and relying on the perpetrator to testify was one big risk. Barba is unrealistically incompetent, he doesn't usually make such rookie errors when building a case for the reasons already listed.
Overall, nothing spellbinding here. 4/10.
Hypnosis that's the name of the game
bkoganbing1 May 2019
I found this particular SVU story not truly satisfying. When under hypnosis one
cannot do anything that goes against one's grain. And that includes consenting
to be raped.
Which is what happens here as the SVU squad gets a complaint that she was raped by some wealthy new age guru played by Stuart Townsend.. The squad also uncovers a second victim who is now dead. But the tox screens came up completely negative.
This episode was not particularly well thought out.
Which is what happens here as the SVU squad gets a complaint that she was raped by some wealthy new age guru played by Stuart Townsend.. The squad also uncovers a second victim who is now dead. But the tox screens came up completely negative.
This episode was not particularly well thought out.
Weak Case
Greatgatsby420 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
The prosecution couldn't prove that the lady was hypothesized and raped but still the jury reached a guilty verdict based on the defendant's character flaw that happened 18 years ago.
It seems the SVU must win every case in the series even if the case cannot be proven. The writers of this episode needed to do much better.
The case could have easily been thrown out. There were no professional witnesses on the side of the prosecution. The defence definitely had a better case and should have won.
Well....it's television and the heroes must have a win at the end of the day. Overall it was a poorly written episode. They need to do better.
It seems the SVU must win every case in the series even if the case cannot be proven. The writers of this episode needed to do much better.
The case could have easily been thrown out. There were no professional witnesses on the side of the prosecution. The defence definitely had a better case and should have won.
Well....it's television and the heroes must have a win at the end of the day. Overall it was a poorly written episode. They need to do better.
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