"Savior" is something of a polarising episode, with a mixed critical reception and strong opinions on all sides. Some found it powerful. Others found it too soapy and uninvolving. Season 11 did have a few great episodes previous to this, "Turmoil", "Perverted" and especially "Shadow", but did have misfires (including the previous episode "P. C.") as well. The case on paper didn't sound all that interesting, but the franchise has made frequently interesting episodes out of concepts that don't so was hoping this would be the same.
Unfortunately, it was not. While marginally better than "Anchor" and "P. C.", "Savior" is one of the weaker episodes of an inconsistent but not too bad season and to me one of the few to not really feel like an episode from 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit'. "Savior" definitely has its good things and it does sadden me to be the dissenting voice here, but considering how brilliant 'Special Victims Unit' can really be at its best or close to it this should have been better.
Am going to start with the good. The production values are fine, have always liked the photography's intimacy and grit and the look of the show has come on a good deal over-time (and it was good to begin with). The music doesn't intrude and has a haunting quality, have not always remembered that the theme tune is easy to remember and holds up.
It was great to see Olivia's more maternal side, which sees a different side to her, and the ending is heart-wrenching. The acting is very good from the regulars, while Mischa Barton is affecting in her guest turn. Lee Tergesen does freaky so well, making much out of an underused cliche of a character. Delaney Williams sure has authority in the courtroom.
The story on the other hand didn't grab me. It spends far too much time on the plight of Gladys, which is little more than melodramatic soap-opera. Was expecting it to not be an easy watch and feel a lot of emotions watching this, but this was just too soapy and comes at the expense of the work of the SVU. The case itself is very slight, is badly lacking in momentum and is pretty predictable too. The episode is very investigation-light, and what there is is routine and not particularly illuminating or new. A couple of strands could have been better done, the power of attorney stuff was far too cruel and it was a mistake for the whole baby dilemma to be left as a loose end.
Moreover, the script was in serious need of a tweak. Too talk-heavy and over-heated and it was hard to ignore the contradiction concerning Stabler's line regarding the DNA, where the writers had clearly forgotten that "Perverted's" ending existed. Somehow it didn't feel like 'Special Victims Unit', with far too much of Gladys and with the investigative and legal stuff, so basically what the show and franchise are all about, being not used enough. The direction felt going through the motions like.
Bottom line, not terrible but could have been a lot better. 5/10.
10 out of 11 found this helpful.
Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
