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Reviews
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Perverted (2009)
A thriller
Unfortunately, season 11 has a bit of a quality decrease compared with previous seasons. This particular episode, however, stands out.
Although, the little court time notwithstanding, the structure is mostly standard as far as the Law and Order franchise goes, the drama around Olivia is well-performed for something different. The plot twists are impressive and many, but generally smooth and coherent.
Themes like framing, dirty cops and biker gangs were well woven into the story. Some further exploration might arguably have made the episode more colorful, but the somber tone is welcome. It all plays out well.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Authority (2008)
Great villain delivers everything the series is about
Before Breaking Bad and Netflix changed continuity paradigms, television series had a hard time fleeing from cliches. This is specially (and still) true for the police drama genre, which relies on a very rigid structure.
Cliches, however, should not be mistaken for themes. Law and Order: Special Victims Unit is great precisely for how it works out themes such as trauma, moral ambiguity and dilemmas, and power. Not to mention the dazzling plot twists.
This episode delivers an exceptional working of these points, making it true to itself while still outstanding. Robin Williams plays a simple man who turns out to be an evil mastermind with a point. Definitely one of the most complex criminals ever portrayed on the show. There are just so many layers for so few minutes.
If anyone asked me for an introductory episode for the series, I would point to this one.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Confession (2008)
Intense but overambitious
The problem with this episode is that it creates more plot points than it's able to wrap up.
The moral debate on how to deal with pedophiles who control their urges was presented through two complex characters, Eric and Berlin. Eric is conflicted with thoughts of abusing his own stepbrother, while Berlin mentors him in not abusing children. It's suggested but not confirmed that the stepbrother has been abused. The ending reveals Berlin killed Eric precisely because he had actually abused another child. Berlin also harasses Stabler by publishing his daughter's picture online. In the end, we're stuck with characters who are complex and coherent, but insubstantial.
It's still a very thrilling episode, though.