*Blogged while listening to The Replacements' classic 80's alt rock album, Tim, because, for reasons unknown, I woke up in a mischievous, jaunty mood and thought, Hey! It's a Paul Westerberg kind of morning!
Wednesday Hype:
Thursday--The #42Minutes:
The first thirty minutes breezed by in a fairly predictable first act. The squad bolts from their respective New Years Eve festivities to investigate the reported kidnapping of Nydia who had been entrusted to the care of AJ, an ACS worker. Cue alarm bells. Maybe I've watched this show for too long, but I immediately knew something was fishy when he described her running away from the house after an argument and giving chase only to end up foiled by some guys in a white box truck. It doesn't take long for AJ to be arrested and subsequently shot to death on his way to Rikers by Nydia's Wounded Warrior father Mickey.
Bring on Barba!
At Benson's and Fin's hush-hush "request", Barba pays Carisi a visit, and, after some friendly banter, goes further than planned and names himself as Mickey's attorney. Though the circumstances align for an insanity defense, Barba boldly eschews the strategy which I initially chalked up to pure hubris, but Benson ends up seeing right through her old ally's sudden passion to free his client. Truthfully, I didn't recognize the parallels between this trial and the Baby Drew case until Benson pointed it out at the end of the #45; my dopey brain had concluded Barba was itching for something to do, and toying with Carisi while defending a man who needed to stay in rehab rather than go to prison seemed like a worthwhile venture.
A few episodes in SVU's history (think Assaulting Reality) contain scenes that make me chuckle despite the content of the show and there were a few amusing moments last night.YES I KNOW the safety kisses were Covid necessary but I still had to laugh because...AWKWARD. Barba having absolutely no respect for Carisi's space--flinging the remote control back at him, sitting on the prosecution's desk--also made for a bit of hilarity in the middle of what turned out to be a heart wrenching case.
Checking in With:
Kat: Not a ton of screen time for her tonight, but, with a superstar returning, someone had to lose their minutes. Sorry your date was ruined, Officer, but, once again, Welcome to SVU.
Carisi: He's pissed and rightfully so. Benson and Fin did him wrong. I was surprised to see him at the bar with everyone else after the verdict. As he distances himself from the squad, his relationship--whatever it is--with Rollins will be tested as will his convictions. Keep the Pepto around, Sonny. Bravo on the cross at the end, Counselor! You managed to channel both your mentor and Tom Cruise in A Few Good Men.
Rollins: Nothing groundbreaking or shocking in the Amanda department. I do wish she and Sonny would sort out their feelings once and for all. There's something there, right? Oh, and she should remember Benson doesn't like triangles the next time she thinks about convincing Carisi his former boss is not trying to undercut him.
Fin: Congrats, Sergeant! Even though I'm permanently annoyed, scarred, frustrated, etc. with everyone else getting some love in their lives and now Fin gets to be married (or does he?) and we didn't have time for Ed Tucker in Liv's life. Anyway, end rant. For now.
I felt bad for him all dressed up and ready to propose, but he eventually got the job done. Speaking of jobs--at work, battle lines have been drawn. He's always kicked Carisi around like he was a nobody. How will Fin react when he needs something from the DA's office and Carisi refuses to give him, or the squad, a break? This could get ugly. Fin doesn't take much personally, but Carisi and Benson certainly do. The dynamic among these three is sure to combust at some point.
Chief Garland: Understandably irritated at catching Barba in the precinct charming his old colleagues, Garland tells Benson and Barba to enjoy catching up before storming out of her office. I get it, Chief, I do, but I loved the scene because it captures perfectly how many new guys feel when a treasured member of an old crew returns. It was a totally WTF moment for Garland and it was perfecto.
Benson: At first I was all "oooo, you did Sonny wrong" but then I remembered her summoning people like Bayard Ellis from time to time over the years and realized the Barba move was not surprising at all. However, Benson often operates with blinders, and she was so focused on securing decent representation for Mickey she didn't have the foresight to consider Carisi-related repercussions. Personally, she's clearly harboring a great deal of sadness, and I hope there are brighter days ahead for her. She's missing Barba, consumed with Tucker-related regret, perhaps reeling from Simon's death, and seems to be struggling to get sure footing to move on. But, she does a hell of a good job with NYE apartment decoration!
Looking ahead
While we sit around and wait for Stabler to come waltzing back into the picture...
Benson's case from the first ep is still pending. Will this turn into a major storyline or be settled off camera? How will the dynamics change now that Carisi knows the old loyalty he enjoyed with the squad has eroded? Will Barba make an appearance every once in a while? Will Noah get to watch the recorded ball drop via You Tube or have his phone privileges been revoked? Will Phoebe stick to her word and excuse Fin from herbal tea?
So many questions, so few Thursdays from 9-10 EST.
Have a great weekend everyone!
