The suspect in a rape and murder investigation threatens to reveal the secrets of those working the case.The suspect in a rape and murder investigation threatens to reveal the secrets of those working the case.The suspect in a rape and murder investigation threatens to reveal the secrets of those working the case.
- Detective Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola
- (as Ice T)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaJason Bowen previously appeared in a prior episode, December Solstice (2015), as a different character.
- GoofsLieutenant Benson says that the suspect has killed the victims "every two weeks for a month." To have three victims, one might assume the suspect would have needed six weeks, with a victim every two weeks. But actually, "every two weeks for a month" produces three victims, when counting the month from the date of the first victim's death to the date of the third victim's death. If the first victim is killed on the 1st, then two weeks later, on the 15th, the second victim is killed. Another two weeks later, on the 29th, the third victim is killed. Therefore, in one month, there are three victims, killed every two weeks.
- Quotes
[last lines]
Rafael Barba: Word is Willard's attorney's already scrambling to make a deal.
Olivia Benson: Look, unless he pleads to murder, I say try the case.
Rafael Barba: Me, too, but I have no input. I'm off the case.
Olivia Benson: I'm so sorry about all of this, Rafael.
Rafael Barba: What I did was wrong, but the truth is I'd do it again. Not everything done in the dark is shameful.
Olivia Benson: So now what?
Rafael Barba: I have a meeting with the D.A. in five minutes. He'll tell me what happens next. You know, I love this job. Oh, I really do, but sometimes...
Olivia Benson: Oh, I know.
"Know it All" is one such example. It is not quite one of the best episodes of Season 18 ("Real Fake News", "Net Worth" and "Motherly Love" being the best), but it is a long way from being one of the worst (the likes of "Heightened Emotions" and "Conversion") and a lot less sensationalist and more tactful than what the synopsis and episode title indicates. Perfect "Know it All" isn't, but the good things are many and the best of them even great.
Am going to begin with mentioning what isn't so good. The initial crime, which had a lot of potential, was too abruptly discarded and never resolved. Made me question why it was even there in the first place. Not many surprises here either.
Barba's secret was nowhere near as shocking or as big as it was made out, found it pretty anaemic and added very little to his character.
Much is good, great at best, on the other hand. The photography and such as usual are fully professional, the slickness still remaining. The music is used sparingly and is haunting and non-overwrought when it is used, and it's mainly used when a crucial revelation or plot development is revealed. The direction is tight enough while allowing some breathing space when necessary.
The script is lean and thought provoking, not being heavy handed while not trivialising. Nothing comes over as sordid either. The story is full of intrigue and suspense with no signs of dullness, and did appreciate hugely that it was all about the case with little signs of personal life drama (the latter of which being done pretty badly this season). Really liked how the team worked and nobody dominates too much, again better than most Season 18 episodes. The acting all round is very good with no exceptions.
Not a great episode but a good one overall. 7/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Oct 30, 2022