Really wanted to like "Alien" so much more. The subject is a very interesting one and very complex, actually did worry on first watch that it would be too complex. It is also a subject that is very relevant, it was back then and it still is, and it had potential to be relatable to anybody who is in same sex relationships who has had long-term abuse and generalisations thrown at them. 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' was great in its prime, so in the early seasons, and was known for its uncompromising yet tactful handling of difficult subjects.
Which sadly is not the case with "Alien". This was a complex issue that was handled badly, and it is hardly surprising that such negative attitudes towards what is dealt with it still exists. It is a very rare example of a 'Special Victims Unit' episode that is about bigotry while managing to be pretty bigoted itself, "Raw" (also from Season 7) had an even tougher and hard hitting subject that saw bigoted characters but was actually a lot more tactful in execution. Season 7 was more variable than the previous six seasons and "Alien" is not just one of the worst from the season but also one of my least favourite episodes of the show's early period.
"Alien" is not irredeemable. The production values are slick, gritty and professional. The music is haunting while not spelling out the emotions too much.
There are some thought provoking lines, when showing the points of view of a few of the regular characters. Especially Munch's. With one exception, the acting is very good. Can't fault any of the regulars and Amy Pietz's performance in particular of the supporting characters hits hard.
However, 'Special Victims Unit' is usually much more tactful and sensitive in its dealing of controversial and complicated subjects. Here the execution felt very heavy-handed, very over-generalised and very one-sided. Did see that in Season 7 onwards that it was becoming clear on what the writers' thoughts, or judgements, were on some subjects. It was crystal clear here in "Alien", with it going too far with particularly what religion has to say about same sex relationships, with nearly all the supporting characters referring to it.
'Special Victims Unit' did much better in many other episodes at expressing more than one point of view and seeing it from both sides, here it's near one hundred percent one-dimensional. Am going to be another person to agree about there being too much content and that it is too complex an issue to explore in a short period of time, this could easily have been a two parter which would have given ample opportunity to go further on exploring motivations, characters' thoughts, tying up loose ends and presenting more viewpoints. The writing has its moments but feels too talky, not always focused and pretty preachy, a lot of it is also very soapy.
It is an episode that starts off very promisingly but too early and quickly becomes ridiculous and heavily unrealistic once the emphasis on Emma's background completely over-shadowed the earlier crime (treated as an afterthought later on), rather than the powerful episode it should have been. Was just too annoyed with the one-sidedness and heavy-handedness and confused from the many loose ends to be moved. Found myself disliking all the supporting characters, even the ones one is meant to feel sympathetic towards. Emma to me came over as inconsistently written and with everything she said constantly contradicting with what was being said and shown before and with reality. Raquel Castro's performance was overwrought at times. Lets not get started on the most unprofessional and twisted defense lawyer of the show, who should have gotten more than just removal from the case. Or the patronising and alternate reality-like ending, that sends a bad message of what people can get away with and what others get punished for.
Overall, very disappointing episode. 4/10.
Which sadly is not the case with "Alien". This was a complex issue that was handled badly, and it is hardly surprising that such negative attitudes towards what is dealt with it still exists. It is a very rare example of a 'Special Victims Unit' episode that is about bigotry while managing to be pretty bigoted itself, "Raw" (also from Season 7) had an even tougher and hard hitting subject that saw bigoted characters but was actually a lot more tactful in execution. Season 7 was more variable than the previous six seasons and "Alien" is not just one of the worst from the season but also one of my least favourite episodes of the show's early period.
"Alien" is not irredeemable. The production values are slick, gritty and professional. The music is haunting while not spelling out the emotions too much.
There are some thought provoking lines, when showing the points of view of a few of the regular characters. Especially Munch's. With one exception, the acting is very good. Can't fault any of the regulars and Amy Pietz's performance in particular of the supporting characters hits hard.
However, 'Special Victims Unit' is usually much more tactful and sensitive in its dealing of controversial and complicated subjects. Here the execution felt very heavy-handed, very over-generalised and very one-sided. Did see that in Season 7 onwards that it was becoming clear on what the writers' thoughts, or judgements, were on some subjects. It was crystal clear here in "Alien", with it going too far with particularly what religion has to say about same sex relationships, with nearly all the supporting characters referring to it.
'Special Victims Unit' did much better in many other episodes at expressing more than one point of view and seeing it from both sides, here it's near one hundred percent one-dimensional. Am going to be another person to agree about there being too much content and that it is too complex an issue to explore in a short period of time, this could easily have been a two parter which would have given ample opportunity to go further on exploring motivations, characters' thoughts, tying up loose ends and presenting more viewpoints. The writing has its moments but feels too talky, not always focused and pretty preachy, a lot of it is also very soapy.
It is an episode that starts off very promisingly but too early and quickly becomes ridiculous and heavily unrealistic once the emphasis on Emma's background completely over-shadowed the earlier crime (treated as an afterthought later on), rather than the powerful episode it should have been. Was just too annoyed with the one-sidedness and heavy-handedness and confused from the many loose ends to be moved. Found myself disliking all the supporting characters, even the ones one is meant to feel sympathetic towards. Emma to me came over as inconsistently written and with everything she said constantly contradicting with what was being said and shown before and with reality. Raquel Castro's performance was overwrought at times. Lets not get started on the most unprofessional and twisted defense lawyer of the show, who should have gotten more than just removal from the case. Or the patronising and alternate reality-like ending, that sends a bad message of what people can get away with and what others get punished for.
Overall, very disappointing episode. 4/10.