Of all the episodes of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit's' Season 8, "Responsible" is one of the more polarising ones. There have been criticisms of the case being thin, not containing any character worth rooting for and not being realistic. There are also been people who have praised "Responsible" for the courageous and very relevant subject matter and how it tackles it. Both sides actually are understandable and plays a big part as to the episode for a long time being a difficult episode to rate and review.
"Responsible" is not one of the best episodes of 'Special Victims Unit' or of its Season 8. It is also not one of the worst of the show or the season and is somewhere in the middle. When it comes to the case, it is actually very understandable as to why people haven't connected to it. But that "Responsible" even tried to tackle this subject and the way it approaches it is to be lauded, even if the episode didn't work for me it still would have been an "appreciated it" episode for even trying.
To me, it is not great. There are definitely other 'Special Victims Unit' episodes with far stronger cases. Ones that are meatier, more plausible and have more tension. As the case itself is on the thin side and the pacing in particularly the first half could have been tighter, which would have made the episode feel less routine to begin with.
Also was not crazy about the writing for the supporting characters. They could have been written with more complexity, almost everybody comes off badly here including the one one should be feeling the most concern for.
However, there is a huge amount to appreciate about "Responsible". The production values are slick and professional, not ever resorting to cheap or untested gimmicks or anything. The music is haunting in the right places and isn't constant or too loud. The direction has breathing space but also momentum. All the acting from lead and supporting is never less than fine, Judith Light being a bright spot. Also found the script very thought-provoking and insightful in what it has to say about the subject.
What is especially good about "Responsible" is the informative and uncompromising tackling of the issues it addresses. Covering teenage drinking, alcohol abuse and actions and attitudes of the parents. Very brave and ahead of the time themes to address back then on film and television and especially in this way. The way that they are tackled are harrowing and heart-wrenching, especially when one sees the consequences. The episode has a lot to say about the issues and is very informative in doing so.
So much so that it would be a worrying sign if there is anybody who after watching doesn't think twice regarding addressing what is said and shown. This is the episode that contributed towards me decreasing my alcohol intake when it started becoming a problem last year. It is also very well balanced, making the point that these were and still are real problems in serious need of addressing and to not have a "it won't happen to me" attitude. But it also does so while showing the good and bad sides of parenting and what happens when you obey and disobey the law.
Overall, appreciated the episode highly without loving it. 7/10.
"Responsible" is not one of the best episodes of 'Special Victims Unit' or of its Season 8. It is also not one of the worst of the show or the season and is somewhere in the middle. When it comes to the case, it is actually very understandable as to why people haven't connected to it. But that "Responsible" even tried to tackle this subject and the way it approaches it is to be lauded, even if the episode didn't work for me it still would have been an "appreciated it" episode for even trying.
To me, it is not great. There are definitely other 'Special Victims Unit' episodes with far stronger cases. Ones that are meatier, more plausible and have more tension. As the case itself is on the thin side and the pacing in particularly the first half could have been tighter, which would have made the episode feel less routine to begin with.
Also was not crazy about the writing for the supporting characters. They could have been written with more complexity, almost everybody comes off badly here including the one one should be feeling the most concern for.
However, there is a huge amount to appreciate about "Responsible". The production values are slick and professional, not ever resorting to cheap or untested gimmicks or anything. The music is haunting in the right places and isn't constant or too loud. The direction has breathing space but also momentum. All the acting from lead and supporting is never less than fine, Judith Light being a bright spot. Also found the script very thought-provoking and insightful in what it has to say about the subject.
What is especially good about "Responsible" is the informative and uncompromising tackling of the issues it addresses. Covering teenage drinking, alcohol abuse and actions and attitudes of the parents. Very brave and ahead of the time themes to address back then on film and television and especially in this way. The way that they are tackled are harrowing and heart-wrenching, especially when one sees the consequences. The episode has a lot to say about the issues and is very informative in doing so.
So much so that it would be a worrying sign if there is anybody who after watching doesn't think twice regarding addressing what is said and shown. This is the episode that contributed towards me decreasing my alcohol intake when it started becoming a problem last year. It is also very well balanced, making the point that these were and still are real problems in serious need of addressing and to not have a "it won't happen to me" attitude. But it also does so while showing the good and bad sides of parenting and what happens when you obey and disobey the law.
Overall, appreciated the episode highly without loving it. 7/10.