
TheLittleSongbird
Joined Jan 2009
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'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' "Dance, Lies and Videotape" (2020)
Opening thoughts: Despite it being a premise that could go either way in execution (with it either being harrowing and creepy or too sleazy and predictable), the dance setting really intrigued as a big fan of ballet and have always loved it when stories in the 'Law and Order' franchise revolve around music or dance. What was also notable was the casting of cult director/writers John Waters, which got a lot of hype when advertised and 'Special Victims Unit' does have a good track record on the whole with heavily hyped casting living up to the hype.
On first watch, "Dance, Lies and Videotape" (wonderful title that has a cult film ring to it) was another Season 21 episode that didn't come together for me and the hype wasn't really lived up to. On rewatch, it still left me with very mixed feelings and really wanted to like it more. Didn't love it, didn't hate it, instead being pretty borderline. There are good things but also a lot of problems, there were definitely worse episodes in Season 21 but also better in what is something of a middling episode in ranking the season.
Good things: There are good things about "Dance, Lies and Videotape". The production values are typically solid, with the right amount of grit and slickness. The music has presence without dominating and the dramatic moments are quite haunting. The ballet setting is great, with a good sense of how tough professional dancing is, and loved what was seen of the dancing. Wish there was more though.
Almost all the script is not particularly good, but there was a bright spot. Which was Rollins' dig at Carisi in regard to whether he had any ideas or keep playing the I'm the DA and I want more. The acting is all fine, with Waters making the most of his screen time and doing a good job.
Bad things: Having said all of that, this is an example of hyped guest casting that doesn't quite live up to it. While Waters' performance is absolutely fine, one would think that with how much hype it got before airing that it would be a quite big role. When in actuality his screen time is not large and for my tastes too short. The dialogue really lacks spark and tautness, shining only with Rollins' Carisi dig.
Story wise, "Dance, Lies and Videotape" promised more than it delivered, really appreciated it tackling this difficult subject that is important to address but it could have done a lot more with it. It's a hard hitting subject but even with some no frills scenes it did feel a bit too safe and phoned in with the way it's executed here to the extent that the episode was very forgettable shortly afterwards. It is also not always easy to follow, with too many characters (almost all of them bland except for Ashley) and an over stuffed second half that tries to do too much with not enough time to tell it. There is not enough suspense and the pace drags in the first third from taking too long to set up.
Closing thoughts: Concluding, watchable but pretty forgettable.
5/10.
Opening thoughts: Despite it being a premise that could go either way in execution (with it either being harrowing and creepy or too sleazy and predictable), the dance setting really intrigued as a big fan of ballet and have always loved it when stories in the 'Law and Order' franchise revolve around music or dance. What was also notable was the casting of cult director/writers John Waters, which got a lot of hype when advertised and 'Special Victims Unit' does have a good track record on the whole with heavily hyped casting living up to the hype.
On first watch, "Dance, Lies and Videotape" (wonderful title that has a cult film ring to it) was another Season 21 episode that didn't come together for me and the hype wasn't really lived up to. On rewatch, it still left me with very mixed feelings and really wanted to like it more. Didn't love it, didn't hate it, instead being pretty borderline. There are good things but also a lot of problems, there were definitely worse episodes in Season 21 but also better in what is something of a middling episode in ranking the season.
Good things: There are good things about "Dance, Lies and Videotape". The production values are typically solid, with the right amount of grit and slickness. The music has presence without dominating and the dramatic moments are quite haunting. The ballet setting is great, with a good sense of how tough professional dancing is, and loved what was seen of the dancing. Wish there was more though.
Almost all the script is not particularly good, but there was a bright spot. Which was Rollins' dig at Carisi in regard to whether he had any ideas or keep playing the I'm the DA and I want more. The acting is all fine, with Waters making the most of his screen time and doing a good job.
Bad things: Having said all of that, this is an example of hyped guest casting that doesn't quite live up to it. While Waters' performance is absolutely fine, one would think that with how much hype it got before airing that it would be a quite big role. When in actuality his screen time is not large and for my tastes too short. The dialogue really lacks spark and tautness, shining only with Rollins' Carisi dig.
Story wise, "Dance, Lies and Videotape" promised more than it delivered, really appreciated it tackling this difficult subject that is important to address but it could have done a lot more with it. It's a hard hitting subject but even with some no frills scenes it did feel a bit too safe and phoned in with the way it's executed here to the extent that the episode was very forgettable shortly afterwards. It is also not always easy to follow, with too many characters (almost all of them bland except for Ashley) and an over stuffed second half that tries to do too much with not enough time to tell it. There is not enough suspense and the pace drags in the first third from taking too long to set up.
Closing thoughts: Concluding, watchable but pretty forgettable.
5/10.
'The Storyteller: Greek Myths' "Theseus and the Minotaur" (1987)
Opening thoughts: Was a big fan of 'The Storyteller' as a child and still do consider it a timeless classic. Didn't even know that 'The Storyteller: Greek Myths' even existed until it appeared as a recommendation when working my way through reviewing all the episodes of 'The Storyteller'. It immediately interested me, as someone who has always really liked Michael Gambon and who loves Greek mythology. While loving the original story, "Theseus and the Minotaur" was not quite as highly anticipated as the other three, having seen some very badly designed and characterised minotaurs in film and television.
Luckily, that was the complete opposite in "Theseus and the Minotaur". In fact, the minotaur is the main interest here in another truly excellent episode of 'The Storyteller: Greek Myths'. "Theseus and the Minotaur" may not have "Perseus and the Gorgon's" creepiness (or at least quite in this case) or "Orpeheus and Eurydice's" poignant emotional impact, but everything that is so great about the show is obvious here and it is a great accessible introduction to the story.
Good things: It still holds up incredibly well, it is beautifully and atmospherically shot and has the standout setting of the show with the genuinely creepy maze. Also notable is the look of the minotaur, was honestly expecting it to look cheap and goofy considering the show's age but it is actually pretty imposing and scary. The minotaur is also genuinely sinister in characterisation.
Music is rousing in parts and haunting in others, in a way that never jars. Writing never came over as awkward or cheesy and is always intriguing and thought provoking. The storytelling is also spot on and truly arresting, mixing rousing adventure and dark suspense adeptly sometimes in a way reminiscent od something like 'The Dark Crystal'.
Everything in the maze is suspenseful in a nail biting way and the climax thrills. Theseus is a strong, heroic and relatable hero and the minotaur as said is very memorably sinister, one of the creepiest minotaurs seen for me actually. The acting is fine from all, though actors in the other episodes stood out more. The minotaur comes off best.
Closing thoughts: Overall, excellent.
10/10.
Opening thoughts: Was a big fan of 'The Storyteller' as a child and still do consider it a timeless classic. Didn't even know that 'The Storyteller: Greek Myths' even existed until it appeared as a recommendation when working my way through reviewing all the episodes of 'The Storyteller'. It immediately interested me, as someone who has always really liked Michael Gambon and who loves Greek mythology. While loving the original story, "Theseus and the Minotaur" was not quite as highly anticipated as the other three, having seen some very badly designed and characterised minotaurs in film and television.
Luckily, that was the complete opposite in "Theseus and the Minotaur". In fact, the minotaur is the main interest here in another truly excellent episode of 'The Storyteller: Greek Myths'. "Theseus and the Minotaur" may not have "Perseus and the Gorgon's" creepiness (or at least quite in this case) or "Orpeheus and Eurydice's" poignant emotional impact, but everything that is so great about the show is obvious here and it is a great accessible introduction to the story.
Good things: It still holds up incredibly well, it is beautifully and atmospherically shot and has the standout setting of the show with the genuinely creepy maze. Also notable is the look of the minotaur, was honestly expecting it to look cheap and goofy considering the show's age but it is actually pretty imposing and scary. The minotaur is also genuinely sinister in characterisation.
Music is rousing in parts and haunting in others, in a way that never jars. Writing never came over as awkward or cheesy and is always intriguing and thought provoking. The storytelling is also spot on and truly arresting, mixing rousing adventure and dark suspense adeptly sometimes in a way reminiscent od something like 'The Dark Crystal'.
Everything in the maze is suspenseful in a nail biting way and the climax thrills. Theseus is a strong, heroic and relatable hero and the minotaur as said is very memorably sinister, one of the creepiest minotaurs seen for me actually. The acting is fine from all, though actors in the other episodes stood out more. The minotaur comes off best.
Closing thoughts: Overall, excellent.
10/10.
'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' "Eternal Relief from Pain" (2020)
Opening thoughts: Of all the Season 21 episodes, "Eternal Relief from Pain" was the one watched with the lowest expectations on first watch. Not because of the case, which did sound interesting, but the return of Rollins' truly annoying sister Kim filled me with dread. None of the Rollins family drama storylines have worked at all for me, and reading the synopsis that indicated such heavy emphasis on it part of me was convinced that the episode was going to be a major failure.
To my surprise, on first watch "Eternal Relief from Pain" was nowhere near as bad as expected. It was a heavily flawed episode and the execution of the family drama was pretty much what was expected, but the case was so strong this time that it was enough to make the episode above average. On recent rewatch, "Eternal Relief from Pain" still is the very uneven and flawed episode it was on first watch, but like first watch what could and should have been a total disaster didn't turn out to be too bad. And it is certainly miles better than the pretty bad previous episode "Swimming with the Sharks".
Good things: Am going to start with the good. Visually the episode is solid and it is neither static or gimmicky in the way it's filmed. The music doesn't jar and is suitably melancholic, didn't find it too much either. The acting is mostly very good, particularly from Kelli Giddish. The dialogue in the case story is tight, thoughtful and isn't mundane or preachy.
"Eternal Relief from Pain" is compensated massively by the case. If the case hadn't have been as good as it turned out, this episode would have been a dud. It deals with a very tough subject and handles it uncompromisingly and also insightfully and movingly, it also isn't thin or over stuffed and neither is it too easy to figure out or confusing.
Bad things: Unfortunately, the Rollins family drama subplot brings the episode down massively. There is far too much emphasis on it and it suffers from the usual problems whenever Rollins' family life rears its ugly head. It is far too melodramatic, is dully paced, doesn't have much going on in it and what there is has no surprises and lacks tension.
Kim as ever is terribly annoying and overacted and have always disliked how naive and easily manipulated Rollins comes over as in these storylines. That she is that much so and has anything to do with Kim has always been a major credibility stretch. The dialogue is over heated in this subplot too.
Closing thoughts: Very uneven episode, with one great story and one rather bad story but it could have been so much worse.
6/10.
Opening thoughts: Of all the Season 21 episodes, "Eternal Relief from Pain" was the one watched with the lowest expectations on first watch. Not because of the case, which did sound interesting, but the return of Rollins' truly annoying sister Kim filled me with dread. None of the Rollins family drama storylines have worked at all for me, and reading the synopsis that indicated such heavy emphasis on it part of me was convinced that the episode was going to be a major failure.
To my surprise, on first watch "Eternal Relief from Pain" was nowhere near as bad as expected. It was a heavily flawed episode and the execution of the family drama was pretty much what was expected, but the case was so strong this time that it was enough to make the episode above average. On recent rewatch, "Eternal Relief from Pain" still is the very uneven and flawed episode it was on first watch, but like first watch what could and should have been a total disaster didn't turn out to be too bad. And it is certainly miles better than the pretty bad previous episode "Swimming with the Sharks".
Good things: Am going to start with the good. Visually the episode is solid and it is neither static or gimmicky in the way it's filmed. The music doesn't jar and is suitably melancholic, didn't find it too much either. The acting is mostly very good, particularly from Kelli Giddish. The dialogue in the case story is tight, thoughtful and isn't mundane or preachy.
"Eternal Relief from Pain" is compensated massively by the case. If the case hadn't have been as good as it turned out, this episode would have been a dud. It deals with a very tough subject and handles it uncompromisingly and also insightfully and movingly, it also isn't thin or over stuffed and neither is it too easy to figure out or confusing.
Bad things: Unfortunately, the Rollins family drama subplot brings the episode down massively. There is far too much emphasis on it and it suffers from the usual problems whenever Rollins' family life rears its ugly head. It is far too melodramatic, is dully paced, doesn't have much going on in it and what there is has no surprises and lacks tension.
Kim as ever is terribly annoying and overacted and have always disliked how naive and easily manipulated Rollins comes over as in these storylines. That she is that much so and has anything to do with Kim has always been a major credibility stretch. The dialogue is over heated in this subplot too.
Closing thoughts: Very uneven episode, with one great story and one rather bad story but it could have been so much worse.
6/10.