SVU 01/08 (superficial CI similarities) ...

[deathroe]

.. and Mariska screams (note:spoilers)
**

Ok, I have a couple of quick comments about this one ("Signature"), but first of all, was it ever dark. Why are all three shows progressively darker? Murder mysteries aren't, necessarily, but it seems like this is becoming more the norm on the L&O shows. And that this apes CSI, but I digress (don't watch CSI but found this one rather CSI-like. I also don't watch SVU nearly as often as I do CI, so take all this fwiw).

Posting to remark: there were a bunch of superficial similarities to "Blind Spot" in particular. The FBI agent assigned to work with Olivia (presented somewhat as an Olivia junior) had a mentor who lost his rep over a serial killer case (a la Declan Gage). Her name rhymed with Goren (Lauren, ok so that's a reach, but still ;)) She and Benson discover a hideout somewhat like where Eames was kept in "Blind Spot" (again, VERY disturbing stuff ... even for SVU. No comic respite whatsoever).

And then (spoilers, SPOILERS)
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*
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In the final scene, said agent shoots herself in the head in front of Olivia right after making some odd remark about the person hunting a monster becoming a monster (kind of like "Siren Call"). If you saw the NBC preview, this is where Benson does something way out of character and screams ...and I don't blame her. I'd be curious to hear others' reactions to this whole episode--first because it was clearly about Olivia facing her demons a la Goren but also because of the direction that episodes like this take both for the show and for the franchise. As I say, very bleak.

On a side note, there were CI previews all over the place, so that was nice to see.

note: link to episode summary

[untitled]

I didn't notice the similarities between the episodes, but I did think the ending to the SVU episode was predictable. Though I do agree with you on them getting darker, the torture chamber scene reminded me of a creepy scene from "SAW". To me one of the most disturbing scenes on SVU.

[untitled]

I read in "TV Guide" the other day that in the next new episode of SVU. Olivia is going to go undercover in a women's prison. No Joke.

[deathroe]

In an evening dress, probably.

Personally, I do like Olivia. This plot line would be enough to pull me back to the "dark side" (aka regular SVU viewership)--but we know they'll rerun it fifty times on USA anyway

[deathroe]

Didn't mean to stir the pot about this ... Meloni and Hargitay are both IMHO extremely charismatic. Love watching them. Don't always love the show and have some theories unflattering to society about why SVU is so freaking popular--but I didn't mean to cast aspersions on them. I just wish D'Onofrio AND Erbe would get some respect, for something.

I tend to argue more strongly for Erbe getting such recognition. VDO's merits are glaring. By contrast, I think it would be easy for someone who's not as obsessed with CI as I am to miss out on how correspondingly well-drawn and nuanced Erbe's Eames is. It's not the big emotive moments in "Amends" that get me; it's all those little details she puts into each episode. To me, Mariska is a great actress and charismatic, but she lacks that subtlety--also, that honesty. Even when something of Erbe's jars me, I always find her acting to be extremely honest.

[DonnaJo]

I just wrote about this on the Emmy thread. That subtle acting doesn't get you anywhere in Hollywood. The Emmy nominations are always for over the top performances. Rarely is the nuanced talents of a Kate Erbe noticed by viewers (except as you say, the die hard fans like us deathroe).

[deathroe]

We posted almost at the same time I think ...

Someday (probably when I'm trying to get away from a pile of papers) I'll post a list of my top Eames moments. The subtle ones--the snarks are also much beloved, obviously All that orientation to detail is in many ways what I appreciate most about the show whether it be from her, from D'Onofrio, or from the writing and direction.

[Patcat]

I think both Mariska Hargarity and Chris Meloni are fine actors, capable of subtle work. Unfortunately, the recent scripts of SVU don't allow them much of a chance to show that.

I agree entirely that Mr. D'Onofrio and Ms. Erbe have been horribly overlooked for awards. At least they appreciate each other's work, which may mean more to them than any award.

Patcat

[deathroe]

the recent scripts of SVU

True, that. Although ... that show was always weird :/ Love-hate for me, definitely. Sometimes I watch it and I'm in love; sometimes I watch it and I'm completely flabbergasted.

[deathroe]

So is anybody else watching "Mariska Undercover"? Really great performance, but really disturbing, soapy stuff (I know: SVU disturbing?! shocker). [spoilers follow]



Not too many parallels to the Goren story other than superficial: she has Cragen's support and Eliot and Finn are apparently along for the ride (more and more realistic). No dimension of personal drama (unless you include Olivia's back story of being a product of rape ... one of the prison guards tries to rape her).

[ragincajun]

I didn't like it, Wonder how the Chief of D's felt about this one? Putting a Det. at risk for being raped? Oh but it was nice seeing Dr. Borman again.

[deathroe]

Wonder how the Chief of D's felt about this one

That's a good point. What's good for the goose should be good for the gander. Nor do I like it if there's any sense of discontinuity between the franchise shows ...

But then I also think that Kathryn Erbe should get an Emmy nomination so what do I know, really?

[DonnaJo]

Watch. Just watch.

Benson will get a commendation for doing whatever it takes to nail the perp (getting herself almost raped, probably against NYPD rules) meanwhile, Goren is called insane & gets suspended.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr....I really, really hate that Chief.

[deathroe]

reply and more spoilers





Now apparently she's sleeping with someone from the Ledger, what?
I really do like Mariska, but--what???

On another score can always hope that Nicole and the Chief of D's have a death match or ... something.

[Techguy]

The similarities between CI and SVU might become less superficial. I'm reading rumors of a possible crossover between the two shows in an upcoming SVU episode during May sweeps. I'll post more when I find out, unless someone beats me to the scoop.