While investigating a separate case involving a paramedic suspected of rape, Olivia discovers that Vivian from her serial rapist case is still in town, and her actions could jeopardize her g... Read allWhile investigating a separate case involving a paramedic suspected of rape, Olivia discovers that Vivian from her serial rapist case is still in town, and her actions could jeopardize her guardianship of Vivian's son Calvin.While investigating a separate case involving a paramedic suspected of rape, Olivia discovers that Vivian from her serial rapist case is still in town, and her actions could jeopardize her guardianship of Vivian's son Calvin.
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- Special Agent Dr. George Huang, M.D.
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis episode is partially based on the 2010 Duke University faux sex thesis controversy, which was a 42-page PowerPoint document written by Karen Owen, a 24-year-old senior. The document was privately written and distributed to just a few friends. During homecoming weekend, one of the friends forwarded it, and it was widely circulated. The bulk of the controversy surrounded whether she invaded her partners' rights to privacy, and whether the subjects of Owen's faux thesis had a right to sue.
- GoofsThe syringe Tinta used to inject an air bubble into his jugular vein wasn't nearly big enough to cause a fatal air embolism. Fatal air embolisms are very rare when dealing intravenous access and are virtually impossible with standard sized syringes, Tinta appeared to have a standard 10 mL syringe. It would take at least 100 mL of air injected very quickly to cause a fatal embolism.
- Quotes
Donald Cragen: [to Stabler] Is your partner okay?
Elliot Stabler: Yeah, she's fine. She'll be better once Vivian Arliss is in custody, so we'll call you when I track her down.
Donald Cragen: You're off the case too.
Elliot Stabler: Who is going to accuse me of stealing anyone's kid? I already got five of my own.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards (2011)
"Rescue" is not one of the best or worst episodes of Season 12. It is also not in either category when talking about 'Special Victims Unit' as a show. As far as Season 12 goes, it's around low middle. Not a terrible episode and watchable with some strong good things, but somewhat bland and disjointed and the balance didn't seem right. There were a small handful of episodes that feel like too much of two halves and "Rescue" is one of those.
There are good things here. The production values are typically slick with the right amount of grit, nothing is too fancy or too gimmicky. Nor is anything too static, drab or garish. The music is not too constant or emotionally manipulative, meanig not over-emphasising the emotion to make one think that's how we should be feeling. The direction has moments where it has enough alertness and breathing space.
Mariska Hargitay and Maria Bello both give great affecting performances, Hargitay in particular makes one feel sorry for Olivia expertly. Especially at the end. The case does start off very well and in an unsettling way.
However, the episode could have been a lot better, especially considering that there are many brilliant Olivia-centric episodes (i.e. "911"). It does feel like two episodes in one, or more like two stories in one, one marginally better than the two while not living to full potential. The case starts off creepy but there is not much memorable about it and the more it progressed the sillier and duller it got due to too little tension and because the teams professionalism goes out the window.
Furthermore, the ending for the case came over as ridiculous and contrived. Olivia's subplot fares worse, there is far too much of it and much of it is melodramatic soap opera that doesn't go very far a lot of the time, making it feel dragged out and lacking in variety. It was not interesting enough in "Trophy", though it is less shoe-horned in here, and to me it really did feel like one episode too far. The writing is bland and awkward.
In conclusion, watchable but didn't care for it all that much. 5/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- May 31, 2022
Details
- Runtime42 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1