Was very surprised and impressed by the previous episode, the Season 11 opener "Unstable". My initial thoughts on "Sugar" (we are talking five plus years ago though mind) were mixed, loved the animosity between Paxton and Stabler and Eric McCormack impressed me a lot. But the ending struck me as unrealistic and Paxton at that time annoyed me. There are 'Special Victims Unit' episodes that didn't do much for me on first watch but improved a lot on re-watches.
"Sugar" is one of those episodes. Likewise my opinion of Paxton is much higher now than it was on first watch, due to getting more out of her. Like "Unstable", "Sugar" is not perfect and one scene in particular underwhelms so the episode could have done with more spice. It is though well done on the whole and to me while not amazing Season 11 at this stage was leagues better than Season 10, which was very rocky for a vast majority of its first half.
It is not a perfect episode, with the biggest issue (like with "Unstable") being the rather ridiculous and rather melodramatic ending that makes the SVU look like incompetent idiots. We are talking "Trade" level here. It has to be said though that the consequences for the show up to this point are unusually graphic.
Also didn't like the master baiter schtick, which came over as tired and immature. Snarkiness doesn't fit Benson in my view too, it needs a less serious character like Munch or Fin for it to work. The physics in regard to the crime do requires some disbelief suspension and actually the truth was pretty predictable some time before it was revealed.
However, a lot is good. All the regulars are great, while Christine Lahti proves herself to be a good and refreshing addition. McCormack is excellent in his guest turn and seeing this side to him after growing up with seeing him on 'Will and Grace' (was very fond of that show for a long time) was an eye opener. Melissa Farman is very good too, especially in her chemistry with McCormack in the final quarter. Loved the tension between Stabler and Paxton, and Paxton despite criticisms of her meanness now strikes me as a breath of fresh air. While not agreeing with some of her actions, she is one of those people that says things that can be agreed with or understood.
The production values as ever are slick and with the right amount of muted grit, the photography doesn't try to do anything too fancy or gimmicky while not being claustrophobic and keeping things simple. The music doesn't overbear and the direction is accomodating yet tight enough. The script is generally tight and intriguing and the story is suitably disturbing and diverting, even if not having enough twists.
Overall, another good but not great episode. 7/10.
"Sugar" is one of those episodes. Likewise my opinion of Paxton is much higher now than it was on first watch, due to getting more out of her. Like "Unstable", "Sugar" is not perfect and one scene in particular underwhelms so the episode could have done with more spice. It is though well done on the whole and to me while not amazing Season 11 at this stage was leagues better than Season 10, which was very rocky for a vast majority of its first half.
It is not a perfect episode, with the biggest issue (like with "Unstable") being the rather ridiculous and rather melodramatic ending that makes the SVU look like incompetent idiots. We are talking "Trade" level here. It has to be said though that the consequences for the show up to this point are unusually graphic.
Also didn't like the master baiter schtick, which came over as tired and immature. Snarkiness doesn't fit Benson in my view too, it needs a less serious character like Munch or Fin for it to work. The physics in regard to the crime do requires some disbelief suspension and actually the truth was pretty predictable some time before it was revealed.
However, a lot is good. All the regulars are great, while Christine Lahti proves herself to be a good and refreshing addition. McCormack is excellent in his guest turn and seeing this side to him after growing up with seeing him on 'Will and Grace' (was very fond of that show for a long time) was an eye opener. Melissa Farman is very good too, especially in her chemistry with McCormack in the final quarter. Loved the tension between Stabler and Paxton, and Paxton despite criticisms of her meanness now strikes me as a breath of fresh air. While not agreeing with some of her actions, she is one of those people that says things that can be agreed with or understood.
The production values as ever are slick and with the right amount of muted grit, the photography doesn't try to do anything too fancy or gimmicky while not being claustrophobic and keeping things simple. The music doesn't overbear and the direction is accomodating yet tight enough. The script is generally tight and intriguing and the story is suitably disturbing and diverting, even if not having enough twists.
Overall, another good but not great episode. 7/10.