All the previous episodes of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' ranged from above average to amazing. Each of the previous three seasons did have one or two episodes that weren't up to par with the overall standard of their respective seasons, but they still managed to have a lot of good to great things. Really liked to loved all the previous four episodes of Season 4 with the season premiere "Chameleon" being especially outstanding and "Vulnerable" hit me hard.
With "Disappearing Acts" however came for me 'Special Victims Unit's' first big disappointment and the first one to underwhelm drastically. Not a terrible episode as such but has always left me very conflicted on what my thoughts are. Didn't care for it on first viewing with too many things that frustrated, and on a few re-watches it's the first episode of the show to leave me rather cold and unsure. Am usually definite on my overall opinions of each episode of the show and of other shows, but there are times where a not easy to review episode comes my way and "Disappearing Acts" is one of them.
"Disappearing Acts" does have good things. The production values are still slick and suitably gritty (without being too heavy in it). The music is not too melodramatic and is not used too much, even not being too manipulative in revelations. The episode is well acted, not just the regulars but Pam Grier also makes a strong impression.
It also starts off very well, where it actually feels like 'Special Victims Unit' and the set up for the case was neat. Some of the dialogue is taut and thought-provoking. There is a very tragic and not easy to watch event that is really quite shocking.
Unfortunately, "Disappearing Acts" goes downhill not long after that event. Most of the SVU are underused, which is a real shame because Munch and Fin do have some fun dialogue. Meanwhile there is too much of the whole conflict between Stabler, Olivia and the Feds, which initially had tension but then that got tired, and too many sackable offense-worthy actions that really unbalance the case and distracts one from it. Actually ended not caring enough for finding out who was responsible for the crimes and the ending was too abrupt.
There is not enough of most of the SVU and too much of Stabler and Olivia, regardless of the good performances of Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay and their strong chemistry. Sadly, neither of them are likeable here and show no regret for their actions, especially Stabler. Cabot's anger and frustration at them is very rootable in this episode. While Grier is strong in her performance, Claudia is not an easy character to like either and dominates too much (also getting away with too much).
Concluding, underwhelming which is probably not going to be a popular opinion. 5/10
With "Disappearing Acts" however came for me 'Special Victims Unit's' first big disappointment and the first one to underwhelm drastically. Not a terrible episode as such but has always left me very conflicted on what my thoughts are. Didn't care for it on first viewing with too many things that frustrated, and on a few re-watches it's the first episode of the show to leave me rather cold and unsure. Am usually definite on my overall opinions of each episode of the show and of other shows, but there are times where a not easy to review episode comes my way and "Disappearing Acts" is one of them.
"Disappearing Acts" does have good things. The production values are still slick and suitably gritty (without being too heavy in it). The music is not too melodramatic and is not used too much, even not being too manipulative in revelations. The episode is well acted, not just the regulars but Pam Grier also makes a strong impression.
It also starts off very well, where it actually feels like 'Special Victims Unit' and the set up for the case was neat. Some of the dialogue is taut and thought-provoking. There is a very tragic and not easy to watch event that is really quite shocking.
Unfortunately, "Disappearing Acts" goes downhill not long after that event. Most of the SVU are underused, which is a real shame because Munch and Fin do have some fun dialogue. Meanwhile there is too much of the whole conflict between Stabler, Olivia and the Feds, which initially had tension but then that got tired, and too many sackable offense-worthy actions that really unbalance the case and distracts one from it. Actually ended not caring enough for finding out who was responsible for the crimes and the ending was too abrupt.
There is not enough of most of the SVU and too much of Stabler and Olivia, regardless of the good performances of Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay and their strong chemistry. Sadly, neither of them are likeable here and show no regret for their actions, especially Stabler. Cabot's anger and frustration at them is very rootable in this episode. While Grier is strong in her performance, Claudia is not an easy character to like either and dominates too much (also getting away with too much).
Concluding, underwhelming which is probably not going to be a popular opinion. 5/10