"Svengali" definitely is one of those 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' episodes that stays in the memory for a while. Conceptually it is not innovative, but the execution on first watch had the skin crawling creepiness factor. Thanks to a truly frightening modus operandi and Jared Harris left a big impression on me. With a few exceptions (such as a few nice scenes with Fin), Chester Lake though didn't click with me as a character throughout his stint and "Svengali" is no exception.
On subsequent re-watches, "Svengali" lost none of what made it the memorable episode that it is. Of a very hit and miss Season 9, it is easily for me one of the best episodes (one of not many great and more ones) and one of the creepiest. One mustn't forget the immensely satisfying ending. It's not perfect, few of Season 9's episodes were but a few came close, but other than one major problem it is truly great and a fine example of what 'Special Victims Unit' is all about.
Am going to get what doesn't work out of the way first. The only major issue is Lake, too much of a know it all and uncharismatic and seemed indifferent to danger. Adam Beach's performance feels phoned in.
Nothing else feels phoned in however. 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 direction lets the drama breathe while making sure that the tension and emotion never slipped.
Writing is taut and intelligently crafted. The story is very diverting and has a real unsettling creepiness, like the discovery of the perpetrator's deadly symbol on the floor. The modus operandi makes the skin crawl. Also was not expecting the truth to be the way it turned out and there is some great suspense, especially in the middle.
Love the very amusing pizza bomb scene and even more so one of the show's most satisfying and clap-worthy endings in a while. The regular performances are terrific, apart from Beach, and Harris makes for one frightening individual in a sinister and inexplicably underrated performance. One really roots for him not getting his wish.
Overall, just great. 9/10.
On subsequent re-watches, "Svengali" lost none of what made it the memorable episode that it is. Of a very hit and miss Season 9, it is easily for me one of the best episodes (one of not many great and more ones) and one of the creepiest. One mustn't forget the immensely satisfying ending. It's not perfect, few of Season 9's episodes were but a few came close, but other than one major problem it is truly great and a fine example of what 'Special Victims Unit' is all about.
Am going to get what doesn't work out of the way first. The only major issue is Lake, too much of a know it all and uncharismatic and seemed indifferent to danger. Adam Beach's performance feels phoned in.
Nothing else feels phoned in however. 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 direction lets the drama breathe while making sure that the tension and emotion never slipped.
Writing is taut and intelligently crafted. The story is very diverting and has a real unsettling creepiness, like the discovery of the perpetrator's deadly symbol on the floor. The modus operandi makes the skin crawl. Also was not expecting the truth to be the way it turned out and there is some great suspense, especially in the middle.
Love the very amusing pizza bomb scene and even more so one of the show's most satisfying and clap-worthy endings in a while. The regular performances are terrific, apart from Beach, and Harris makes for one frightening individual in a sinister and inexplicably underrated performance. One really roots for him not getting his wish.
Overall, just great. 9/10.