#42 Minutes (X2)
SVU Season 20 began as it ended last season with two back-to-back episodes that only needed to be one. Rollins is pregnant, Stone is coping via women, Prosecco, and eggs, Benson's getting old, Fin commiserates, but he's like, ah, fuck it, and Carisi, well, he's still cute and I'm gonna place the long shot bet on him being the baby daddy.
The episode itself was a predictable, not very creative mishmash of relevant, timely topics, but the combination of toxic masculinity, psychological and sexual abuse, and mass shootings was woven together in a tiresome, predictable plot. Benson's implied abortion revelation did provide the spark I needed to power through until eleven, though.
We can also add rabbits to the previously mundane, innocuous items SVU has rendered taboo.
Verdict
Not sure if Benson is just getting old or if there's more to the weakening lungs and lead legs story. She did look like shit when she and Carisi went to visit Mrs. Conway for the first time. But let's be real, I'm not confident Wonder Woman herself wouldn’t be able to last long sprinting in ninety degree heat clad in blazer and heeled boots. Take a cue from Fin, Benson, and get in the car. You're the boss for Chrissakes.
Rollins being pregnant again is so her, but, you know what? I get really annoyed when she talks about "back home" like it's the freaking Vatican. I give a C+ for hiding the bump from her colleagues; it was obvious when she was standing. Concealment was easier at the interrogation table. Poor Kelli Giddish--the blocking for her lines must have been filled with Rollins leans forward. So, if the doctor is the father she has a dilemma--go it alone again or give the dude a chance to step up...and be a man. We'll see. Rollins might be man enough for both of them.
 |
| 20:1 he's the father. |
I read a tweet this morning speculating Benson's advice about regret wasn't actually meant to be inferred that she had an abortion at some point; rather, it was Benson wishing she could take back or relive past decisions (such as the one where she let Tucker walk out of her life). If it's the former, I'm intrigued, but not as much as I was last night. Actually, the more I type about it the more I'm annoyed at the superfluous bombshell. Lazy.
The actual cases--father raping his son; enraged son becoming suicidal school shooter-- doubled as a vehicle for Carisi and Stone to do battle with daddy issues and baseball issues and metaphysical what-is-all-this-for issues. And I'm no negotiator, but I counted at least five cringe-worthy WTF are you saying moments in Carisi's baseball field talk-down. I also counted at least fifty zillion too many instances of Peter Stone preaching. Note to Nooch: This is Olivia Benson's show.
Finally, Benson's got the parenting blues because she's trying so hard to be a good mother, she's installed an LED peace sign in Noah's room and filled it with toys and antique trucks and what does she get in return? A shove goodnight. Well, that'll probably trigger a whole bunch of "oh, my God, his genes" and that little brat better be contrite in the morning, but, hey, Benson, he's growing up and has a mind of his own and where is Eddie and I'm confident Jack-as-Noah would have never behaved that way.
 |
| Ah, the good old days... |
Quotable:
"If they have to suffer to be close to Him..." I get Stone going religion (not that I care), but Benson's heaven comment was weird but then again maybe she's been hitting Unitarian services again, or she will be after that last scene. Love thy mother, Noah you brat.
"Mandatory Reporter..." Yeah, Benson knows all about that, thanks.
"John wasn't preaching strength, he was preaching power over others. That's not being a man. That's criminal." Good one, Stone. See? I don't hate him all the time. Well, yes I do.
"Peter."
"Peter."
"Peter."
SHUT UP WITH THE PETERS!
"Good, I don't want any statements thrown out later." Thanks, Stone, we weren't sure how all this works.
 |
| Cynical much, Fin? |
Is It Next Thursday Yet?
The previews for next week's episode look decidedly more promising than ManUp/Man Down. Now that I think about it, I was never very excited for this premiere mostly because of the lackluster preseason hype and the knowledge we'd see a lot of Stone wrestling with his guilt (yawn) and Rollins dealing with an unexpected pregnancy (yawn) and Benson getting old (duh). I'm also about done with Noah-related Benson angst. It's overused and boring and also I was blocked by Buggle on Twitter so I harbor some animosity.
 |
| Here's your token representation, people! |
