All the previous episodes of Season 3 ranged between good and brilliant, a standard that continued throughout the whole season too with a couple of exceptions that disappointed a little. So pretty much the same as the previous two seasons. "Wrath" and "Stolen" being the best of the previous four episodes, both excellent, while the other two were very good with enough things to make them very close to great (with a couple of short-comings, that some may feel come over as nit-picky).
"Tangled" is the season's fifth episode and is as good as the previous four. Also a worthy episode of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit', while being nowhere near one of the best. If the ending was better executed, "Tangled" had real potential to be great with so many things working in its favour. The story sounded very intriguing and 'Special Victims Unit' in its prime years (which for me were the earlier seasons) always excelled in tackling heavy themes in a pulling no punches way.
Where "Tangled" could have fared better was with its ending. It felt rather rushed and almost last minute, especially the revelation of the motive. Which was a surprising one but a bit of a stretch.
Pacing early on could have been a little tighter.
Have nothing though to criticise the production values for, it looks slick and the editing is increasingly becoming smoother and tighter. Not that there was anything wrong with it in the first place, it was always fine before but it just got even better. The music is not obvious or overdone, even in the more dramatic moments. The direction lets the drama breathe while giving some urgency, shining in the character interaction, without being heavy-handed. The acting is typically fine, with the regulars all giving their usual solid performances.
Liza Weil is also no exception in a role very different to her Paris from 'Gilmore Girls'. The episode is scripted thoughtfully, making events easy to understand enough while giving enough complexity too. The story absorbs and has enough to keep one guessing without being confusing. It is a shame that the ending was a little lacking.
Otherwise, this is very good. 8/10
"Tangled" is the season's fifth episode and is as good as the previous four. Also a worthy episode of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit', while being nowhere near one of the best. If the ending was better executed, "Tangled" had real potential to be great with so many things working in its favour. The story sounded very intriguing and 'Special Victims Unit' in its prime years (which for me were the earlier seasons) always excelled in tackling heavy themes in a pulling no punches way.
Where "Tangled" could have fared better was with its ending. It felt rather rushed and almost last minute, especially the revelation of the motive. Which was a surprising one but a bit of a stretch.
Pacing early on could have been a little tighter.
Have nothing though to criticise the production values for, it looks slick and the editing is increasingly becoming smoother and tighter. Not that there was anything wrong with it in the first place, it was always fine before but it just got even better. The music is not obvious or overdone, even in the more dramatic moments. The direction lets the drama breathe while giving some urgency, shining in the character interaction, without being heavy-handed. The acting is typically fine, with the regulars all giving their usual solid performances.
Liza Weil is also no exception in a role very different to her Paris from 'Gilmore Girls'. The episode is scripted thoughtfully, making events easy to understand enough while giving enough complexity too. The story absorbs and has enough to keep one guessing without being confusing. It is a shame that the ending was a little lacking.
Otherwise, this is very good. 8/10