Season 9 of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' started off very well with "Alternate", though it was a case of the guest performance being better than the episode itself. It sadly continued with a season low point and one of the worst episodes of the early seasons in "Avatar". Season 9 generally was a mixed bag of a season, with some great episodes, many that were in between decent and very good and some real misfires. A few of the highest rated episodes for me weren't that good either.
"Impulsive" is neither one of the best episodes of Season 9 or one of the worst. It is a solid in between instead and is a huge improvement over "Avatar" (not that it would have been hard to do so). "Impulsive" is not great with it being a case of one half being a good deal better than the other one, but what does make the episode worth watching is because the superior half is extremely good and a far cry from the rather ordinary other one. Not a must but worth watching definitely.
A lot is good about "Impulsive". It's well made, intimately photographed and slick with no signs of under-budget or anything. The music didn't sound melodramatic or too constant and the direction is accomodating while still having pulse. The writing doesn't ramble, although as usual there is a lot of dialogue to digest, and really provokes thought, disturbs and brings a lump to the throat. It is especially intriguing and thoughtful in the second half.
The episode does get a lot better later on, thanks to more twists that includes a shocking change of events. Ones that were more surprising and had more tension. Did like that we were kept in suspense as to who is guilty and is not sure until all is revealed. All the regulars are great, likewise with the guest turns. Novak really shines in one of her most personal cases, that sees her get the most emotionally involved since the end of Season 6.
Having said that, "Impulsive" has shortcomings. It can feel rushed and jumped-about-like. For instance it actually could have explained what happened in the long gap between the crime and the present day events. The first half is not much different at all from other "she said, he said" sort of stories that 'Special Victims Unit' did a fair bit with varying success.
Consequently, it is very predictable and ordinary with the suspense not kicking in until the shocking turn of events. Do miss Munch as well.
On the whole, pretty good but not great. 7/10.
"Impulsive" is neither one of the best episodes of Season 9 or one of the worst. It is a solid in between instead and is a huge improvement over "Avatar" (not that it would have been hard to do so). "Impulsive" is not great with it being a case of one half being a good deal better than the other one, but what does make the episode worth watching is because the superior half is extremely good and a far cry from the rather ordinary other one. Not a must but worth watching definitely.
A lot is good about "Impulsive". It's well made, intimately photographed and slick with no signs of under-budget or anything. The music didn't sound melodramatic or too constant and the direction is accomodating while still having pulse. The writing doesn't ramble, although as usual there is a lot of dialogue to digest, and really provokes thought, disturbs and brings a lump to the throat. It is especially intriguing and thoughtful in the second half.
The episode does get a lot better later on, thanks to more twists that includes a shocking change of events. Ones that were more surprising and had more tension. Did like that we were kept in suspense as to who is guilty and is not sure until all is revealed. All the regulars are great, likewise with the guest turns. Novak really shines in one of her most personal cases, that sees her get the most emotionally involved since the end of Season 6.
Having said that, "Impulsive" has shortcomings. It can feel rushed and jumped-about-like. For instance it actually could have explained what happened in the long gap between the crime and the present day events. The first half is not much different at all from other "she said, he said" sort of stories that 'Special Victims Unit' did a fair bit with varying success.
Consequently, it is very predictable and ordinary with the suspense not kicking in until the shocking turn of events. Do miss Munch as well.
On the whole, pretty good but not great. 7/10.