SVU uncovers disturbing activities in a New York City college football program when a high school player disappears after a recruiting trip.SVU uncovers disturbing activities in a New York City college football program when a high school player disappears after a recruiting trip.SVU uncovers disturbing activities in a New York City college football program when a high school player disappears after a recruiting trip.
Ice-T
- Detective Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola
- (as Ice T)
Raúl Esparza
- ADA Rafael Barba
- (credit only)
Tyrien Obahnjoko
- Jerome Fields
- (as Ty King)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaMost of the scenes at the college were filmed at Wagner College in Staten Island, NY.
- Quotes
Odafin Tutuola: If you ask me, the only difference between a football team and a gang is gangs don't wear helmets and kneepads.
Featured review
Soldiering on
As of now, "Gridiron Soldier" is the lowest rated episode of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit's' Season 15. Personally found it a very good and brave outing on first watch, with a lot of great things. It was not one of the standout best viewings, but also a long way from being one of the worst. It takes a lot of guts to tackle a subject like this on any form of visual media and it is one that could be executed either way of powerful or preachy.
"Gridiron Soldier" to me was in the former category and absolutely do not agree with it being as lowly rated as it is. In fact, of all my recent re-watches, it was among the better ones and is leagues better than the previous episode (an episode that did nothing for me initially and was even worse rewatching). "Gridiron Soldier" may not be a season or show high point, but in no way is it the worst season 15 episode as indicated when seeing all the seasons individual episode ratings. The subject is one of the bravest and most relevant and an admirable job is done with it. Am really not sure as to whether it's the subject that put others off or if something was objectionable to them.
It is by all means not a perfect episode. More could have been done with the ending, which was a little too much like an afterthought in my view
There is for my tastes too much of Rollins' gambling dilemma which feels like set up
Olivia's gay joke is not near as bad as some have made out. It was inappropriate within the context of the job, but it is nowhere near as offensive as any of the rape jokes in the previous episode.
However, the regular acting all round is very good and Greg Finney unsettles and moves as a very interesting character. He particularly shines in the intense and poignant confrontation between him, Mariska Hargitay and Danny Pino (both on fine form). The episode is hard hitting and affecting, tackling a tough subject (one of the toughest of those explored in Season 15) with force and tact.
Furthermore, on a visual level the episode is 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 script is tight and made me think long and hard after, nothing soapy or preachy here.
Summing up, very good and much better than given credit for. 8/10.
"Gridiron Soldier" to me was in the former category and absolutely do not agree with it being as lowly rated as it is. In fact, of all my recent re-watches, it was among the better ones and is leagues better than the previous episode (an episode that did nothing for me initially and was even worse rewatching). "Gridiron Soldier" may not be a season or show high point, but in no way is it the worst season 15 episode as indicated when seeing all the seasons individual episode ratings. The subject is one of the bravest and most relevant and an admirable job is done with it. Am really not sure as to whether it's the subject that put others off or if something was objectionable to them.
It is by all means not a perfect episode. More could have been done with the ending, which was a little too much like an afterthought in my view
There is for my tastes too much of Rollins' gambling dilemma which feels like set up
Olivia's gay joke is not near as bad as some have made out. It was inappropriate within the context of the job, but it is nowhere near as offensive as any of the rape jokes in the previous episode.
However, the regular acting all round is very good and Greg Finney unsettles and moves as a very interesting character. He particularly shines in the intense and poignant confrontation between him, Mariska Hargitay and Danny Pino (both on fine form). The episode is hard hitting and affecting, tackling a tough subject (one of the toughest of those explored in Season 15) with force and tact.
Furthermore, on a visual level the episode is 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 script is tight and made me think long and hard after, nothing soapy or preachy here.
Summing up, very good and much better than given credit for. 8/10.
helpful•130
- TheLittleSongbird
- Aug 3, 2022
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