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Season 10 saw a small number of episodes where the guest performance was better than the episode itself, where the guest performance was good or more and lived up to the hype but the episode wasn't as strong. It happened with James Brolin for "Lunacy". It happened with Martin Mull for "Retro". It happened with Michael Trucco with "Smut". It happened with Delroy Lindo for "Baggage". Brenda Blethyn ("Persona") and Carol Burnett ("Ballerina", Matthew Lillard applies too) were examples of guest star and episode equally living up to the hype and Ellen Burstyn for "Swing" was close.

"Crush" is another episode of Season 10 where the main guest performance was better than the episode and where the episode benefitted hugely from it. Certainly did not hate the episode not at all, never have and still don't, and it is an episode that has actually grown on me a little. "Crush" has always struck me as a bit uneven though and a case of the second half generally being better than the first quarter. It's moderately recommended but not one of the essential episodes in my view.

The good things are many. The photography while very close up doesn't come over as too static or filmed play-like, while the production values are typically solid and have subtle atmosphere while not being drab and keeping things simple. When the music is used it is haunting and has a melancholic edge that is not overdone. The episode is sympathetically yet uncompromisingly directed.

Most of the writing is thoughtful and gritty, with no signs of rambling. The story is generally compelling once it got going (a quarter of the way in). The second half on the most part is great and the conflict surrounding the judge has tension. The judge is also a fascinating character that one loves to hate, we do know that there is more to what she is doing other than bias but the what and why is not so obvious until late in. The regulars are excellent, but this is an episode where the guest star steals the show and Soozie Kurtz absolutely has a blast and relishes her role.

Did feel though that "Crush" takes too long to get going, with a routine first quarter. While the ending is absolutely ingenious and one of the episode's interest points, it also felt a little rushed and too busy.

Although Stuckey actually serves a point in getting the evidence (didn't like how he did it though), that doesn't stop him from being a real annoyance as a character. Also found Kathleen's role on the contrived side and it would honestly have made a lot more sense if it was Huang instead.

In summary, uneven but has a good deal to recommend. 6/10.

I get in the mood for an SVU episode when I've had a long day and need some entertainment and catharsis. On Peacock, I choose from the Elliott episodes, which are generally better. This episode is a mixed bag, but the parts with Swoosie Kurtz are so entertaining that I can slog through the overly long and not so compelling first half, in which there is a lot of spouting of statistics and lecturing to each other. That gets tiresome quickly. The characters aren't interesting at all, except for a pre-"The Flash" Ezra Miller, who--troubled or not--skillfully makes the most of his role. Even though the second half is rushed and highly improbable, I am willing to suspend disbelief and enjoy it. Catharsis achieved.

Always disliked this episode because the ending was so contrived. SVU is always fast and loose with the rules of law, but this was ridiculous. No way the final scene is ever allowed to occur. Besides Stabler never testified in her court before? She would accept a bribe when she knows she is being closely watched? This was clearly a case of entrapment and would never go anywhere. Everyone in that court room would have lost their jobs and disbarred. The case would have never been put before her to begin with. It is insulting.