The main reason for seeing "Swing" was, other than finding 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' brilliant at its best (though it started to vary wildly from Season 7 onwards), Ellen Burstyn who has continually impressed me ever since being blown away by her performance in 'Requiem for a Dream'. While remembering it being a very good episode on first watch, expectations were a bit mixed, seeing as the previous two episodes did very little for me and the episodes that centre heavily around personal lives have always varied.
"Swing" still struck me as a very good episode and while falling a little short of being outstanding it is one of the better episodes of a season that wasn't all that great. As well as being easily the best of the lacklustre first quarter (pre-"Persona") of Season 10, being the only above good one. "Swing" has its shortcomings, namely pacing and Stabler has been much better written in other episodes, but the superb acting is the main reason as to why it should still be checked out.
It isn't perfect. "Swing" did feel dragged out and melodramatic at times, especially everything with the false story, which was one that didn't really ring true.
While understanding how complex the situation is, Stabler is a real jerk to a near-unrootable degree and everything he does makes things worse for everybody, it was good to see not one but two characters to spot on call him out on his denials and behaviour. Olivia's final line seemed to be an attempt at being cute and funny but it felt more like an embarrassing rubbing it in your face quip.
However, "Swing" is well worth the watch. As said, what makes it worth seeing is the acting which is all round superb. Christopher Meloni gives a performance of intense steel, despite disliking the way Stabler is written here the blame doesn't in any way lie at Meloni's door. Burstyn's performance in the final third or so is very powerful and one of the season's best guest turns. Allison Siko made me care about Kathleen for the first proper time. CHH Pounder really commands her screen time as does sympathetic yet tough talking Mariska Hargitay. Only Micaela McManus is bad, but her screen time is mercifully brief and doesn't stick out as badly.
Although not perfect, the story does have tension and poignancy. One that provides one of the better, more insightful and more investable looks into Stabler's personal life, with it showing how and why he came to be but more so for the first time since Season 7's "Ripped". The script is mostly taut and intelligent, despite lapses of melodrama. The production values are slick and have a subtle grit, with an intimacy to the photography without being too claustrophobic. The music isn't used too much and doesn't get too melodramatic. The direction has enough taut urgency when needed while giving the case breathing space.
Overall, very good if not outstanding. 8/10.
"Swing" still struck me as a very good episode and while falling a little short of being outstanding it is one of the better episodes of a season that wasn't all that great. As well as being easily the best of the lacklustre first quarter (pre-"Persona") of Season 10, being the only above good one. "Swing" has its shortcomings, namely pacing and Stabler has been much better written in other episodes, but the superb acting is the main reason as to why it should still be checked out.
It isn't perfect. "Swing" did feel dragged out and melodramatic at times, especially everything with the false story, which was one that didn't really ring true.
While understanding how complex the situation is, Stabler is a real jerk to a near-unrootable degree and everything he does makes things worse for everybody, it was good to see not one but two characters to spot on call him out on his denials and behaviour. Olivia's final line seemed to be an attempt at being cute and funny but it felt more like an embarrassing rubbing it in your face quip.
However, "Swing" is well worth the watch. As said, what makes it worth seeing is the acting which is all round superb. Christopher Meloni gives a performance of intense steel, despite disliking the way Stabler is written here the blame doesn't in any way lie at Meloni's door. Burstyn's performance in the final third or so is very powerful and one of the season's best guest turns. Allison Siko made me care about Kathleen for the first proper time. CHH Pounder really commands her screen time as does sympathetic yet tough talking Mariska Hargitay. Only Micaela McManus is bad, but her screen time is mercifully brief and doesn't stick out as badly.
Although not perfect, the story does have tension and poignancy. One that provides one of the better, more insightful and more investable looks into Stabler's personal life, with it showing how and why he came to be but more so for the first time since Season 7's "Ripped". The script is mostly taut and intelligent, despite lapses of melodrama. The production values are slick and have a subtle grit, with an intimacy to the photography without being too claustrophobic. The music isn't used too much and doesn't get too melodramatic. The direction has enough taut urgency when needed while giving the case breathing space.
Overall, very good if not outstanding. 8/10.