'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' "Murdered at a Bad Address" (2019)
Opening thoughts: On first watch, "Murdered at a Bad Address" moved me in a way that no other Season 21 episode did as much and the quality pretty much wowed me (a rarity for Season 21). It also surprised me in that the aspect that this reviewer was not expecting to work, on the basis of my relatively low opinion of them in their previous 'Special Victims Unit' appearance, was one of the best assets. Once again, the subject is a tough one and memories of my first watch were that it was handled unsettlingly and movingly.
"Murdered at a Bad Address" on recent rewatch bowled me over and actually better than remembered. The previous episode "At Midnight in Manhattan" saw a needed step in the right direction, though it should have not taken until five episodes in for the quality to finally improve. "Murdered at a Bad Address" improves significantly on that, that episode was good but this turned out to be surprisingly great and easily the best episode of Season 21 (with it being the only great one).
Good things: Nearly everything works and brilliantly. The production values have the right amount of slickness and grit, while the music, even when more cinematic sounding than the previous seasons, isn't too loud or constant while also not spilling out the emotions too much. The direction is alert to the tension of the drama while also giving it breathing space which allowed the emotion to resonate.
The script has a lot of punch and is taut, thought provoking and sensitive. Never did it feel too soapy to me. The story didn't feel over-stuffed or too slight, quite a lot going on while with breathing space, and the character quantity was just right too. It is also very suspenseful and incredibly moving, the final act tear up worthy, and it is the only Season 21 episode that could easily pass for old 'Special Victims Unit' and this is absolutely meant in a good way. Where it was all about the case and the people it centered around without focusing on melodramatic personal drama, sloppy police work or the writers over exaggerating negative character traits.
All the acting is great, with the biggest surprise of "Murdered at a Bad Address" being how good Wentworth Miller was. Compared to his previous 'Special Victims Unit' episode, Season 11's "Unstable" but as a different character, the difference between his bland and affected performance to this to his truly authoritative and poignant one here is huge.
Bad things: It is not perfect, the episode that is. Didn't buy that the DA was still in such a stressful job despite having an illness that realistically would have made it impossible for them to work to full strength, no matter their tenacity. If one is to say goodbye to a recurring character and round off a previous well worn story arc, the character in question should have gotten more screen time. Will give some credit in that it was the first time the character did anything for me emotionally.
Closing thoughts: Concluding, excellent.
9/10.
