Law & Order: SVU (Old Thread)

[CC Fan]

Doubt.

What. The. Hell. Was. That?

[Trublu]

Well apparently you had the same reaction as me CC. After that episode, i could help but think *what the heck just happened here?*

1. Elliot getting separated from Kathy- totally unprepared for that. Not only did it come out of NOWHERE, but it opened some doors that i had hoped would remain locked. E/O shippers must be having a field day with this, and us A/O and C/O shippers are squirming in our seats....

2. The cliffhanger ending- would have been cool had they done it before CI did... now it just seems gimicky.

3. Where was that shocking courtroom ending?- if the cliffhanger was it... they need to hire some new writers. Michele Fazekas & Tara Butters are the ones who wrote eps like "Charisma", "Loss", "Guilt", "Monogamy", "Abomination" and "Mean". Enough said, they need more writers like these two!

[Trublu]

Speaking of which... i just voted at NBC.com <not guilty> and these are the results so far:

Guilty: 18%
Innocent: 67%
Need More Evidence: <there was no number but im going to assume everyone else was here> 15%

I say that we definitely could use more evidence... but im not sure why they included it as a poll choice. Duh, everyone knows there wasnt a ton of evidence on one side or the other, thats why the poll!! We've already heard closing arguments, so there isnt anymore evidence that we're going to see.

[CC Fan]

K, so now that I've recovered from the shock of that terrible ending, let me talk about the episode.

For one, up until the ending, it was one of the best episodes I've ever seen. It really pulled me... one minute I believed the girl, and then another minute I believed the guy. It was so good, and I loved how Olivia and Elliot were divided.

The seperation thing was out of the blue, but I kind of liked it that way. I mean, I'm glad it wasn't a huge deal and I liked that we found out when everyone else did. I liked Olivia's reaction, that she was a little hurt that he hadn't told her.

So overall, minus the ending, it was an awesome episode. But that ending just sucked. I mean, I just don't understand the point. I don't care what viewers think the ending should be, I wanna know what happens on the show. If I cared what viewers thought, I'd read fanfics.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

[Trublu]

CC said:

So overall, minus the ending, it was an awesome episode. But that ending just sucked. I mean, I just don't understand the point. I don't care what viewers think the ending should be, I wanna know what happens on the show. If I cared what viewers thought, I'd read fanfics.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Thank You CC. It almost sounded more like the ending of a fanfic that has TBC at the bottom... definitely not something they should have gone for, esp. with the Elliot/ Kathy thing in the same episode. (BTW, ive already seen fanfiction on this!!!)

[TVFan]

I agree with you TruBlu, after CI pulled this same obvious ratings stunt, I felt it was gimmicky. The only saving grace about the gimmick was the fact that it wasn't advertised to death nor was it released before the ep, so it was a total surprise. My theory on it was that the audience was basically a jury for this ep. As you guys mentioned, we were pulled in both directions right along with Olivia and Elliot. In the end, I really had no idea what to believe. I think they ended this way b/c they wanted us to decide the character's fate just as we would an accused rapist in a real trial setting. I suppose they're not all cut and dry.

Having said this, I wasn't a fan of the gimmick. The rest of the episode was amazing as CC Fan has said. I've never seen an hour of programming where I constantly went back and forth, and even in the end I was undecided. I knew the girl was going to say something about Elliot when that scene unfolded. As soon as he agreed to take her home, I knew it was trouble.

Well, I guess we kind of predicted the demise of Elliot's marriage on here. Can't say I'm happy about it. It really serves no purpose other than to set of a possible relationship between Elliot and Olivia - something I'm not a fan of for the same reasons I'm not a fan of a Lilly/Scotty relationship. Oh well, I guess I'll reserve my judgement for future eps.

Overall, a great ep.

[CC Fan]

Speaking of getting personal... (www.zap2it.com)

Hargitay Takes 'SVU' Personally

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) On Tuesday (Nov. 30), NBC will broadcast the 125th episode of "Law & Order: SVU." And for the 125th time, Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni will play the show's lead detectives, Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler.

Given that the show is a spinoff of "Law & Order," which is as famous for its cast turnover as for its longevity, the stability of "SVU's" regulars is pretty remarkable. Dann Florek (Capt. Don Cragen) and Richard Belzer (Detective John Munch) have also been with the show from the start, while regulars Ice-T and B.D. Wong have been around since season two.

Hargitay has a theory as to why that is. "The mothership ['Law & Order'] is much more 'Just the facts, ma'am' than our show is. There's just not as much to play," she says.
"We're dealing with much more personal matters, personal issues," Hargitay says of "SVU," which deals primarily with sex-based crimes like rape and child molestation. "There's much more of, I think, the human condition and the complexity of it."

Because the cases Benson and Stabler deal with are often so intimate, "SVU" is a little freer than its "Law & Order" counterparts with doling out personal information about its characters. We know, for instance, that Benson was conceived as the result of a rape. Viewers also learned in the Nov. 23 episode that Stabler's wife and children, who provide a balance to the grisly work he does, have moved out.

"There's just no way to do the show without having that personal stuff," Hargitay says. "Even ['L&O' creator Dick Wolf], who did fight it at the beginning, doesn't fight it anymore. [Executive producer] Neal Baer tells him, 'This is what we're doing,' and he loves it."

Viewers seem to be enjoying it as well. So far this season, "SVU" is the only one of the three "Law & Order" shows to increase its audience over last season (although both the original and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" are facing tougher competition this season). It draws about 13.7 million viewers per week, up 1.3 million from last year.

Hargitay is particularly proud of the current batch of episodes, starting with last week's "Doubt," a he said-she said sexual assault case that caused a rift between Benson and Stabler. She says that even after playing Benson for five-plus years, she's still capable of being surprised by the character's strength.

"In the beginning, I think Elliot was a lot stronger than Olivia. ... It's been interesting to see the tables turn and me be the rock, me be the one that has to calm Elliot down and get him refocused. The characters go through different strengths and weaknesses -- different things set them off to where they can't hack it. ... In these next few episodes, you see him lose it a couple times, and Olivia has to step in."

That she can feel so excited about a string of shows 125 episodes into "SVU's" life, Hargitay says, is a good indicator for her that she'll keep playing Benson for a while.

"I feel like the writers have hit their stride, and they're giving us great stuff, peppering in these personal moments that are very informing to the characters and the story," she says. "The integrity of the procedural is never compromised, yet the audience feels closer to the characters because ever week, they get to know them better."

[Trublu]

Thats a great article CC. Im glad that we can at least count on one character sticking around for a while. One of the things that really draws me into a show are characters that i like. I cant watch a show if there arent characters i enjoy. *Now, if we could get an ADA to stick around for a while... we'd be all set *

[TVFan]

Weak -

This was a pretty solid episode. I thought that Amanda Plummer was amazing as Miranda. That perp was all sorts of wrong. First, he's attacking women who have some sort of disability, then he's "pretending" (in quotes b/c I couldn't figure out whether he was or not) to be gay and deceiving a man who seemed to really care about him. And, he used his own illness to fool the detectives and beat the DNA test! He was so dispicable.

I wasn't a big fan of the Mary Stuart Masterson character. She just seemed to get in the way and cause friction between Olivia and Elliot. Speaking of which, I thought Olivia's rebound comment was a little out of line. I thought the same thing about Elliot, but I thought that Liv actually saying it was wrong.

Overall, a good, strong ep.

[CC Fan]

Yeah it was a pretty amazing episode. Amanda Plummer was brilliant! I didn't mind the new doctor and I kind of liked the different dynamic, however, I'm getting a little tired of Elliot and Olivia arguing over every case.

I agree, Olivia's comment was out of line, but I have to say, it made me smile because... well, I might as well say it, I'm a Benson/Stabler fan.

[Trublu]

CC said:

I agree, Olivia's comment was out of line, but I have to say, it made me smile because... well, I might as well say it, I'm a Benson/Stabler fan.

*stumbles back with shocked look on face* :faint:

Benson/Stabler fan huh? :spin: Ah well, at least there is SOME sort of developement on the romance front. Not the kind i had hoped for, but oh well. I though that Olivia's comment was wayy out of line too. Seemed a little out of character, she always supported Elliot. But then again, he was constantly bringing in the doctor, which i thought was unessecary and again out of character. So a good case, but not such a good ep for characterization.

[TVFan]

"Haunted" -

The ads for this episode were very deceptive. For once though, I'm glad. This episode was so much better than the way it looked. The shooting in the beginning ended up being a minor part of the story, and the city never turned aganist Fin (as the ad had us believe).

Even though the whole team wasn't involved in this ep, I really liked it. It was nice to see Fin get some well-deserved character development and screen time. He carried the episode, and he did it well. I thought for sure that the son was going to make a return visit at the end, but he didn't. I'm glad they left that storyline open b/c it would have been unrealistic to have everything wrapped up.

SVU always does a nice job of taking the viewer into the heart of the drug business (think "Loss"). This episode was no exception. I was horrified and shocked at the woman who ran a daycare and let T.D. cook his meth while the children slept and played. The baby was on the kitchen counter! With all those dangerious fumes nearby, it's a miracle that not a single child was hurt. It was just sick.

I liked the rookie from narc. He was adorable, and his laid back style seemed to work well as a balance to Fin's in-your-face style. Overall, a well done episode and kudos to Ice-T for a job well done carrying the bulk of the story!

[Trublu]

Copying from one board to another are we
*makes sure no one is looking, then copies from the other board too* ;D

Im glad someone liked the episode. It did nothing for me.

First, im not a Fin fan, and it was Fin-a palooza. we saw Olivia, Elliot, and Munch for about a minute. I know that people have been wanting to see more Fin and Munch, they have been a little scarce. But this was rediculous.

Second, the case had nothing to do with SVU. Casey even mentions in her 39 seconds of screen time (yeah, i have a friend who timed it) that cragen never mentioned anything about the case. This isnt L&O: Narcotics.

Third, there were so many fillers in the ep. For example, Casey. They really didnt need her for anything, their visit just consumed time. The scene with Fin's son too. If they had made it a little more meaningfull, it would have made sense to put it in, but again, we saw him for about a minute also. Thats about enough time to say hello and goodbye.

I see what your saying about the day-care TV. In the context of the story though, there could be a logical explaination. as you mentioned, SVU does portray the horrors of drug cartels quite nicely. So, assuming that T.D. is dangerous as well, a logical explaination was that he bullied his way in. But, it was sick either way.

Overall, i didnt think that this episode was worth my time. But, i guess we cant all be pleased at once. As long as they keep people coming back for more.

[CC Fan]

I hated this episode! I've never been so bored. It's nothing against Finn.... but I really just wasn't interested. I liked the idea of his son coming to see him, but it lasted like 2 minutes and then he was out the door. I guess my problem was that I didn't really understand what his motive was... besides that he felt guilty. I mean, well, ok, so he wanted to find the child, but I guess for me, I didn't really feel any connection to the case. Normally, I connect with the victim and I'm invested in the case but for some reason, I didn't really care.

[Trublu]

CC- I dont know how i did this, but apparently I missed your last post. Sorry. About it though... i couldnt agree more.

Anywoo... this is something that you guys may-- or may not-- be interested in. Apparently, Stephanie March will be returning to SVU as Alex!! One episode in February. This is according to an article that i got through the Casey Novak Yahoo! Group. It is from an interview with Neal Baer.

FROM DEC 26- JAN 1 TV GUIDE
LAW & ORDER ALUM RETURNS
Speaking of cool sweeps stunts, Law and Order: SVU
is welcoming back the much missed
Stephanie March this February in an episode that
promises to answer one of TV's most
enduring mysteries: What the heck happened to her
character, ADA Alex Cabot after she
was enrolled in the Witness Protection Program
nearly two years ago? "We'll find out where
she's been, what she's done and what her new name
is," reveals executive producer Neal
Baer. "I dont't like television shows where
characters disappear, and you never hear about
them again. People leave, then quit, they die, but
you still talk about them." Some of us even obsess
about them.'

[CC Fan]

Yes! I'm so excited! I loved her character and was so sad to see her leave. I don't mind Casey as much as I did at first, but I don't think anyone could really replace Alex.

It will be interesting to see how her lifes been since then.

[TVFan]

I'm glad she'll be returning, even if it's only for one ep. Somthing to look forward to!

[Sputnik1220]

wait, i don't quit get all this cuz i started watching the show like 3 months ago. The episode where she left was on tonihgt, but my dad's gf's daughter was listening to music really loud and i was on the comp after being deprived for 3 days! so i didn't really pay attention. What exactly happened?? All i saw was the headline and i was like "no!!" so i thought she was dead till i read that news thingy...plz explain...

[Trublu]

Arighty first, you need to know that this whole thing starts because of a case against members of a drug cartel, mainly Raphael Zapata. A man named Caesar Valez is also involved. A hit is put on Alex because she is the prosecuter of the case, and well, she pisses Zapata off with her no-nonsence-i-dont-take-crap-from-no-one- attitude. A hit is also put on her mother. One night when the squad goes out for drinks, Alex is also there. When they leave the bar, a car drives by and the passenger leans out the window and fires a gun in Elliot, Olivia, and Alex's direction. Needless to say, the bullet hits Alex.

After Alex gets shot, the next thing we see is her badge and a newspaper article that says "No Leads in Slain A.D.A Case". So, we are lead to believe that she is dead. But then, Olivia and Elliot get a call from DEA Agent Hammond, who was working with them on the case, and was Agent Donovan's partner(This would be a good place to also mention that Agent Donovanwas played by Josh Hopkins, who also plays Kite). So, back to the call... Hammond tells Olivia and Elliot he needs to see them, something about closing out the case. So they drive to this remote, deserted location, and Hammond says something like "Real stubborn one this one," and opens the door to an SUV. Yup, you guessed it, Alex. This is the best and worst part. Best because the acting is wonderful. The looks on the faces of Olivia and Elliot; Olivia begins immediately to cry, and Elliot looks like he's seen a ghost. Worst part, because, well it's just plain sad! Ok, so then Alex talks, and says that she is going into Witness Protection until Valez is exrodited or "otherwise dealt with." So basically, Olivia and Elliot are the only two people who know that Alex is still alive.

So, the news that she is coming back is because she was not actually killed. She has been in the Witness Protection Program, and supposidly we are going to get to find out what she's been up to since she left.

[Sputnik1220]

ooooh thank you thank you thank you!! heh. That clears stuff up