The #42Minutes:
There's no easing into the new ADA job for Carisi when, on the night of his going away (?) party (at a pub where Gunsmoke was playing on one of the screens), a young aspiring actress shows up at SVU and accuses entertainment mogul Sir Tobias Moore of sexual assault during an audition. Most of the episode focuses on how excruciatingly difficult it is to bring the wealthy and powerful to justice and how even people who should be fighting for victims (Tobias' assistant, shame on you!) either actively or passively enable predators.
The Verdict:
I'm not a fan of carbon copy ripped from the headlines episodes because they're often too predictable than poignant. This episode teetered along that line and, around the thirty minute mark, lost a bit of steam as the detectives and Carisi painstakingly tried to make a case that would stick. Choosing to have a character bring up Weinstein acted as a subtle insistence that this episode, though the players and circumstances mirrored those of the actual case, wasn't about him. It was to point out there are more Weinsteins out there, and, more importantly, more victims' stories that haven't been told.
Has there ever been a smarmier guest star than Ian MacShane? Damn, he killed that role. Oh, and btw, if anyone was playing Drink when you hear someone say "Sir Toby," you have a vicious hangover this morning, dontcha? Also, is it just me, or is Pilar the default name for Latino women on SVU?
I'm bouncing up and down with excitement anticipating the new dynamics with Carisi as ADA. He's already rubbed his boss the wrong way and at some point his allegiance to Benson, Fin, and Rollins is sure to cause professional and personal angst. I'm envisioning all sorts of scenarios--Benson thinking she can work him, Rollins assuming she can charm him, Fin getting pissed off at him--I. Cannot. Wait.
I'm also all about Barth-as-Adversary. Not quite Rita Calhoun, but I'll take it. I'll also take Benson's incredulous, WTF expressions directed at Attorney Barth. Pleeeeease tell me she's recurring!
I'm not sad about Chief Dodds leaving, but I have to wonder if his transfer will weigh on Olivia's mind throughout the season. I'm also glad the promotion to Captain wasn't overdone especially since we all knew it was happening. Thank you, Twitter.
I had to chuckle a couple of times--the pics of moustached Carisi at the bar, and, was that a bit of shade thrown at all the classic-movie remakes out there?
Baynard Rustin Houses? Intentional error?
Quotable:
"This case blows up, it won't touch her."
"We're NYPD, we arrest people all the time without the DA signing off."
Dodds' little hints at politics...he didn't play nice and got transferred. Buckle up, Captain Benson!
"Guys like this they rule by fear. Nobody likes them."
"Sonofabitch."
"Ugh, I can't."
Thank gawwwwwwd we're back to people writing Benson who write like they know Benson.
"Spoiler alert..."
Carisi, you're sounding like Barba already.
Wardrobe
It's not quite trench coat season, but COORDINATING POLKA DOTS on party night! How adorable!
And I Cannot Forget About...
I'm thinking Tucker was probably watching Noah when Benson was "up early on a Sunday morning" and goddam, Benson and Dodds in the bar and he says "stick your neck out" and she says he's "a good man" and all of these lines remind me of Tucker who can be considered a polarizing recurring character, no?
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| Fin and Benson waiting, watching, and listening...reminiscent of Collateral Damages |
Is It Next Thursday, Yet?
The episode looks intense! Bring it!
