SVU uncovers a sex scandal involving New York City's mayoral front-runner, but is A.D.A. Barba too close to the case to prosecute objectively?SVU uncovers a sex scandal involving New York City's mayoral front-runner, but is A.D.A. Barba too close to the case to prosecute objectively?SVU uncovers a sex scandal involving New York City's mayoral front-runner, but is A.D.A. Barba too close to the case to prosecute objectively?
- Detective Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola
- (as Ice T)
- Captain Donald 'Don' Cragen
- (credit only)
Storyline
Did you know
- Trivia"October Surprise" is littered with Broadway vets. In addition to regular Annaleigh Ashford, they have Raúl Esparza, James Riordan Leslie Odom Jr. and Karen Olivo
- GoofsWhen the detectives question the political campaigner about the suspect who fled to Tel Aviv, the Hebrew text on the John F. Kennedy poster on the wall ("Kennedy for President" in Hebrew) is written from the left to right. But the Hebrew language must be written from right to left.
- Quotes
A.D.A. Rafael Barba: [to Amaro] I am not cutting Munoz a break just because he's my friend.
Nick Amaro: No, I get that. It's not about friendship. It's about you. You're afraid to go after Munoz because while he stayed in the hood, in el barrio and played man of the people, you went off to Harvard and pretended you were one of the gringuitos.
A.D.A. Rafael Barba: I know where I come from.
Nick Amaro: Yeah, so does Munoz and he's playing you, mi socio, and making you feel like a sellout. Un arrepentido.
A.D.A. Rafael Barba: Thank you so much for the bodega psychoanalysis, detective. Compay? No te equivoque conmigo.
- ConnectionsReferences Fatal Attraction (1987)
Unfortunately, my initial feelings of mixed feelings are pretty much the same now for "October Surprise". It is not a terrible episode or one of the worst of Season 15, as far as previous episodes of the season go it is better than "American Tragedy". At the same time, 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' was capable of such brilliance in its prime (Seasons 1-6 and it still had flashes of brilliance when it became more hit and miss) and "October Surprise" was not reflective of that.
It is made watchable by the performance of Raul Esparza, he brings a lot of much needed spark at a point where the show was really needing it and also brings a lot of heart that was missing elsewhere in the episode. What was great about Barba in the previous episodes is still present in "October Surprise" while also giving him some illuminating development that doesn't feel like going round in circles. His backstory compels.
The supporting cast are also fine and there are some amusing moments from Fin which was nice and stopped "October Surprise" from being overly serious. It is slickly made visually and the music isn't too melodramatic or overused.
Really do wish that the case itself was much stronger than it was. It is far too thin, like 25-30 minutes stretched to twice as long. The truth is also obvious and established too early which renders the final act unnecessary. The pace felt rather slack which made the episode feel pedestrian. Tension and suspense are lacking, which made it bland as well, and with everything that needed explanation being obvious prematurely it came over as very predictable.
Also don't know what Amaro's problem is with Barba, his behaviour towards him seems hostile in a dispproportionate sense and Amaro's character writing had regressed quite a lot by this point. Did not like how sanctimonious he is here. The regulars all seemed tired and have all been better before and since, only Esparza shines with some moments from Ice-T.
Overall, very mixed. 5/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Aug 2, 2022