"Dependent" has always stuck out vividly in my mind. Especially the second half, though actually not in the best of ways. While really liking to loving a vast majority of the episodes from Seasons 1-6, Season 6 was especially very consistent, it was with Season 7 where 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' became more up and down in quality. At its best in Season 7 onwards, 'Special Victims Unit' was very good to great. At its worst, the episodes were massively disappointing.
This is neither one of Season 8's best ("Infiltrated", "Burned", "Scheherazade") or worst ("Outsider", "Sin", "Annihilated") episodes. It has a few major problems, but "Dependent" also has a lot of fantastic things that raise the quality of the episode considerably. It starts off incredibly well, but the final third or so was less impressive. "Dependent" is another one of the good but not great episodes and somewhere around high middle when ranking the variable Season 8.
Shall start off with what could have been done better. Things are resolved far too easily, for my tastes the final scene came completely out of left field and didn't make sense. Considering everything seen before with the two people it centres around, feeling more like a shoehorned in attempt to finally give Stabler some happiness.
Also did not buy how long it took for the truth to be revealed and for the real cause of death to be determined, especially with somebody as experienced as Warner. Communication was not very good at this point of the episode with a couple of important details neglected until late on. Some of the pacing felt rushed, especially in the final third.
However, "Dependent" has a lot that is excellent about it. Production values as always for 'Special Victims Unit' are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough without being leaden, while having enough momentum to make the drama sing in its atmosphere. The regular acting is very good as usual, particularly from steely Christopher Meloni and Tamara Tunie (nice to see more of Warner). The supporting cast are uniformly strong, especially Emily Van Camp, actually thought that Cary Elwes was fine.
Furthermore, the story has a brilliant first half, that was quite unique actually for 'Special Victims Unit'. It was also very suspenseful and the father's attitude towards the truth of the crime was surprising and quite powerful. Stabler was easy to root for here and it was great to see more of Warner and Olivia being so supportive when things are looking bad.
In summary, another good but not great episode with a brilliant first half but patchy final act. 7/10.
This is neither one of Season 8's best ("Infiltrated", "Burned", "Scheherazade") or worst ("Outsider", "Sin", "Annihilated") episodes. It has a few major problems, but "Dependent" also has a lot of fantastic things that raise the quality of the episode considerably. It starts off incredibly well, but the final third or so was less impressive. "Dependent" is another one of the good but not great episodes and somewhere around high middle when ranking the variable Season 8.
Shall start off with what could have been done better. Things are resolved far too easily, for my tastes the final scene came completely out of left field and didn't make sense. Considering everything seen before with the two people it centres around, feeling more like a shoehorned in attempt to finally give Stabler some happiness.
Also did not buy how long it took for the truth to be revealed and for the real cause of death to be determined, especially with somebody as experienced as Warner. Communication was not very good at this point of the episode with a couple of important details neglected until late on. Some of the pacing felt rushed, especially in the final third.
However, "Dependent" has a lot that is excellent about it. Production values as always for 'Special Victims Unit' are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough without being leaden, while having enough momentum to make the drama sing in its atmosphere. The regular acting is very good as usual, particularly from steely Christopher Meloni and Tamara Tunie (nice to see more of Warner). The supporting cast are uniformly strong, especially Emily Van Camp, actually thought that Cary Elwes was fine.
Furthermore, the story has a brilliant first half, that was quite unique actually for 'Special Victims Unit'. It was also very suspenseful and the father's attitude towards the truth of the crime was surprising and quite powerful. Stabler was easy to root for here and it was great to see more of Warner and Olivia being so supportive when things are looking bad.
In summary, another good but not great episode with a brilliant first half but patchy final act. 7/10.
