'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' "Can't Be Held Accountable" (2019)
Opening thoughts: "Can't Be Held Accountable" is the first part of the "...Held Accountable" two parter. Which on first watch and rewatch was very uneven overall, and had issues with both parts (the other being "Must Be Held Accountable"). But both parts were still watchable with important aspects being done very well. Uneven is a good way to sum up the overall standard of the previous episodes, with only one great episode (which was also the only great one of the season) and the season overall wasn't really anything special.
While still well worth watching and much better than the previous episode "We Dream of Machine Elves", "Can't Be Held Accountable" could have been better considering how good it sounded on paper and that it is a two parter. 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' has varied with its two parters, some great ones, some average or less. The "...Held Accountable" one is neither one of the best or worst of them, liked one part despite serious reservations and was mixed on the other.
Good things: There are plenty of good things. It is a slickly made episode, the editing especially having come on quite a bit from when the show first started (never was it a problem but it got more fluid with each episode up to this stage). The music is haunting and not too overbearing, while the direction in the second half is alert and accomodating. The script is thought provoking and intriguing.
Did think that the second half did improve on the first, with more tension and an anger inducing verdict that makes one understand what drives Bucci to do what he does next. The acting is very good all round, particularly from Nicholas Tuturro.
Bad things: On the other hand, "Can't Be Held Accountable" could have been better. It does take too long to get going, with an overlong beginning, where the plotting is very thin up to the first commercial break. The first half is a little on the slow side due to the slightness.
Tamin is still too over zealous and opinionated, despite having good intentions her actions are unprofessional. Jamie Gray Hyder's acting hasn't improved.
Closing thoughts: In conclusion, pretty decent but not great.
7/10.