King of the Moon

Mariska Hargitay directing for the first time since the pandemic was exciting, but this clunky episode written by Julie Martin and David Graziano wastes her talents, as it does terrific guest stars Bradley Whitford and particularly Nancy Travis, who is onscreen for maybe a woeful 2 minutes tops. Weird.

A writer with dementia thinks he killed his wife, and Carisi sensing he didn't, calls in Benson to help. That's the first stretch.

"Up"-style intro was a fun OOC move for SVU (the fantasy ending is out of the box as well), but why compete with an animated classic no one will ever top?

Then there's Benson throwing out a ridiculous one-liner about how the only people she meets are emotionally unavailable.

Yet just three weeks ago didn't Stabler drive four hours roundtrip to bring her young son back to her, then confront her in her kitchen, more available than ever?

Dick Wolf always thinking a lack of continuity is some kinda flex is one of the weirdest things about this man's broadcast empire, as is leaving Benson and Stabler in this embarrassing undefined limbo for 24 years.

Why he's so intent on not using the one ratings draw he really has in this franchise is another unexplained mystery.

Episode's sub-plot about Velasco possibly being dirty was also a bore, a super-thin premise that could have been an email.

A line about Mariska's icon mom Jayne Mansfield (a first in SVU's 24 years) was sweet but felt forced, even in Whitford's capable hands.

And when Benson reads the children's book, King of the Moon, (as in the episode's title), one couldn't help think it was a badly concealed promo for a real book coming any day. Big overhyped blehh all the way around.

Really just want to address the other reviewers who are upset about the lack of a tribute to Richard Belzer within the episode. What were you expecting the show to do mere days after his death? This episode was shot and edited weeks prior to its airing. Of course I hope they give him and his character a worthy tribute later this season, but let's take it easy on the writers for not being able to alter an already finished episode in order to do it.

As far as the episode goes, I thought it was one of the best ones they've done in recent years. It feels reminiscent of the big guest star episodes of the past. Bradley Whitford does a fantastic job, and we got to see a lot more of the acting chops from the rest of the main cast than we normally do. It was nice seeing Carisi involved in a case. It feels like his role on the show has diminished since switching professions.

Great directing by Mariska Hargitay.

Bradley Whitford makes everything better, of course. Ferraris go faster when he's behind the wheel, parties become livelier when he arrives, and he simply refuses to lose his good looks as he pretends to age. We all know this.

But his turn in this episode showed what SVU can achieve when the Muse is upon the Writing Room and the casting director works hard to hook top talent. And top talent he is.

The STORY in this episode was so poignant and relevant that it engaged me more than the stories of any previous episodes.

The ending was a real tear-jerker, both sweet and sad, and perhaps sprinkled with just a little hope for the future.

In all my years watching SVU (since 1999) I have never been moved as much as I have with this episode.

Beautiful episode I really enjoyed Bradley Whitford, he's a great actor. The side story was boring and i don't really understand why it went on for so long. But the main reason for my 6/10 is that there was no dedication to Richard Belzer at the end of this episode when it was shown in the UK...what is that all about?! Of course we know the man, he was the best character in Special Victims Unit got years! So why don't we get to see the special dedication to him at the close of this episode?? Sick of Americans treating us like we don't know as much as they do or that it's not relevant, it's absolutely ridiculous.

As a loyal viewer of LAOSVU from day 1, at some point you stop looking for a different episode. The cases themselves are quite interesting but the story telling is well known.

And then you see an episode like this with two very distinct arcs, one of them being a love story with a tragic end. Clearly not your typical SVU episode but one that creates a different feeling around a crime and the role of police and DA.

Special mention to Bradley Whitford. If you have seen him in The Handsmaid's Tale, he is as impressive here. I can't imagine a better casting for this role. He delivers everything you want for this character.