An AIDS activist is suspected of murdering a gay couple, and Detective Tutuola discovers something about a family member.An AIDS activist is suspected of murdering a gay couple, and Detective Tutuola discovers something about a family member.An AIDS activist is suspected of murdering a gay couple, and Detective Tutuola discovers something about a family member.
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- Detective Elliot Stabler
- (credit only)
- Special Agent Dr. George Huang, M.D.
- (as B.D. Wong)
- CSU Technician Millie Vizcarrondo
- (as Paula Garces)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaLike several SVU episode titles, "Strain" has a double meaning of both the more deadly strain of HIV dealt with here as well the strain in the father son relationships presented in this episode.
- Quotes
Casey Novak: [during her closing summation] Millions dying of AIDS is an unimaginable tragedy, but does that mean two more deaths, two murders, don't matter? The defense argues that these murders were justifiable, because they prevented future deaths. It might sound rational, but consider this. Tobacco executives, they make cigarettes and hundreds of thousands of people who smoke die of lung cancer. Would it be all right to murder the tobacco CEOs? Do you think that two situations aren't the same? Think again. People who smoke, they know the risks, and they choose to smoke, despite them, just like people who choose to get high and have sex without a condom. So don't blame the victims. Gabriel Thomason broke the law. He killed two men. He knew what he was doing, and he knew it was wrong. You must hold him responsible.
"Strain" on the most part was a very good episode, with the good things being numerous and excellently executed. It also generally explores the subject well up to a point. Actually would have gone as far to call "Strain" close to great, until one part left a bad taste in my mouth and stuck out too much like a sore thumb to overlook. So much so that it did bring the episode down a couple of notches, am very sorry if it sounds nit-picky in advance.
Will start with the good things first. Visually "Strain" is well made, especially the intimate photography. It looks stylish and slick with a more refined look than when 'Special Victims Unit' first started all the way back in 1999, while maintaining the show's grit. The music doesn't overbear and is not overused. The direction keeps things moving well while letting the drama breathe. The acting is very good from all the regulars, while Brian Bloom's performance is passionate and oddly affecting despite hating his actions. Olivia and Fin work really well together and nice to see Ken again.
The script is tightly structured, made me think and as usual had an uncompromising edge. It also flows very naturally and doesn't feel rambling, sleazy or over-serious. Some of the best writing is in Novak's closing argument, summing up the case and issue perfectly. It did remind me actually of an early 'Law and Order' episode from Season 7 called "Deadbeat", where one can understand the point of view of the responsible while totally understanding too that there can be no statue of limitations on murder.
On the other hand, "Strain" did for my tastes get heavy-handed at the end, Novak's closing argument aside. Maybe the episode could have done with more tension and twists, while clever and all solidly executed there is not much out of the ordinary.
My biggest problem was the defense closing argument, which to me was in bad taste to a tone deaf degree, pretty much did justify the crimes and it was quite an extreme reach to compare the victims and what they did to what they're compared to, it's also one that wouldn't hold up today. It stuck out because the rest of the episode was actually quite tactful in tackling this controversial subject, but that section of writing is not something that would go down well with some.
In conclusion, did like most of the episode a lot apart from that mentioned section. 7/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Apr 7, 2021