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Five reasons why “Law & Order: SVU” makes me sadLast night's episode of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit was not as bad as I expected. It contained a number of features that could have made it bad — a special guest star, a disabled child, a terrorism subplot — but I managed to watch the whole thing without uttering, “I hate this show.” And that's the main thing that makes me sad about SVU: It's best assessed these days in degrees of bad.
I take no pleasure in derogating the only network show I watch religiously. (Mariska Hargitay is just too lovely to abandon.) But the show tries my patience. A lot. Although I was initially reluctant to watch “the rape show,” I eventually got into it and have remained faithful. But the show seems to have forsaken its loyal viewers. Here's why the show makes me sad. 5. There are too many special guest stars. Special guest stars are an indication of jumping the shark, and SVU is definitely guilty of abusing this practice. Almost every episode features one. (Last night's was Aidan Quinn. Last week it was Melissa Joan Hart.) Sometimes they're good. Cynthia Nixon did a creditable job a few weeks ago. (Here's a clip.) But there are just too many of them. Did we really need Bob Saget, or Jerry Lewis as Munch's homeless uncle?
4. They seem to have a problem with scope. In the early years, the show was about the investigation of a crime — either a sex crime or a crime against a child. They didn't even have a dedicated A.D.A. in the first season. Then they brought Alex Cabot (Stephanie March). How I miss her.
But that's not really my point. The point is that the case often seems to be a pretext to get to some enormous issue such as how the army treats its soldiers, or homeland security or the diabetes epidemic. When an episode begins with a hostage standoff and ends with a Manhattan A.D.A. issuing a subpoena to Donald Rumsfeld, you know the show has gotten out of control. 3. They go overboard with the diagnoses, conditions and defense theories. So far this season alone, we've had Williams Syndrome, sex-somnia, juvenile sex-addiction and brilliantly-faked Dissociative Identity Disorder. The sex-somnia and juvenile sex-addiction were respectively successful and unsuccessful justifications for rape. I realize this is supposed to be Manhattan and thus you're going to see a little bit of everything, but enough already. 2. Their personal lives intrude too much. One of the hallmarks of the Law and Order franchise is that it's not about the personal lives of the detectives and lawyers. We get glimpses of their lives (and sometimes we get to see them awkwardly come out as they get fired). But the show is not really about their personal crap. Until the last few seasons. Then Elliot's wife left him and he turned into Andy Sipowicz — always brooding and scowling and turning into rogue cop. And Olivia got obsessive about her father and newly discovered brother, and she became a rogue cop, too. Then there was the whole will-they-or-won't-they dynamic between Elliot and Olivia that led Olivia to briefly and bizarrely join the computer crimes division. Then they complicated matters even further by bringing in Detective Dani Beck.
Of course, to get Olivia (pregnant Mariska) out of the way for a while, they had a special guest star (Marcia Gay Harden) send her deep undercover to fight eco-terrorism. (For the record, Mariska does not expect Elliot and Olivia to ever actually do it.) But the bottom line is that both principal characters got seriously out of control. I am, however, cautiously optimistic that they're getting reined in. At least Elliot is back with his pregnant wife.
But he's not really happy about it. 1. The writing is god-awful. The other four reasons are essentially subsets of this one, but I thought it deserved special mention. Yes, the show is in its ninth season, and there are probably only so many stories to “rip from the headlines.” But that doesn't mean the stories have to be stupid or that the writing has to be lazy. For example, last season ended with every character in major crisis and becoming a source of scandal for the department. They deal with that this season by sacking the captain for one episode and having a member of the troubled department take over. Chaos ensues. So they bring the captain back at the end of the episode. Uh-huh. However, not everything is bad. Mariska's hair looks good again this season.
There's Tamara Tunie.
It's easy to like her. And Law and Order: SVU was the inspiration for a brilliant, albeit surreal, Sesame Street sketch: “Law and Order: Special Letters Unit."
Watch the clip here. The Munch Muppet is perfect! What do you think? Is the show getting better, or is it down for the count? Submitted by on October 17, 2007 - 11:01am. |
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casey novak -- why won't you love me
i'll admit that the show has gotten a little melodramatic for the past season ot two and i didn't even watch it at all while olivia was out doing the baby mama thing. however, you did forget the one real reason to watch the show: diane neal. for as long as the lovey and talented casey novak is playing softball and bailing their collective asses out every week i'll watch for sure.
Casey
I did think about her, but wasn't sure what to say. I certainly don't think she detracts from the show, but she just doesn't do it for me. I guess my heart still belongs to Alex.
Have you noticed that Diane Neal is looking kind of pregnant, btw?
YES! I thought she's looked
limers, holla!
i started out as an alex fan, but casey is really just more my style. i hated her at first and around my house when something didn't measure up i started saying "we'll, that's no alex cabot." but now i'm all over casey and when i say "that's no alex cabot" i mean that it's better than the original.
oh, and no i didn't notice the pregnant thing but i'll definitely check the tivo when i get the chance.
It's interesting that most
It's interesting that most of the reasons you cite for hating the show are the very same reasons critics and audiences give for making this the only Law and Order version still on network TV.
"Out of the box is where I live." -Starbuck
It's Not the Same
I am a die-hard SVU fan, and I have to admit that almost everything you have stated is true. I have always missed Stephanie March, I was extremely disappointed that she left the show. I get excited when she returns for guest spots, not frequent enough if you ask me. The show has been on for a long time and there's only so much you can write about before it gets redundent. The actors are better than what they are given and the storylines are becoming very melodramatic and boring. And honestly, what the hell was with Detective Beck? I understand that Mariska was having a baby so they needed to pull her away from the show for a while, but why did they have to replace her? It was a pointless story arc. I do not expect the show to get better, but I wish they would kill the show before it becomes a joke.
"Normal is not something to aspire to, it's something to get away from."
Jumping the shark
I think they did that with the avatar episode when they all agreed that he was hiding a body in the game. It was sooooo bad!!!
I really hope they pull this show together. It is one of my favourites.
Oh my god, when they turned
Oh my god, when they turned on the sun in the MMO, I was flabbergasted...
I hate Billy Flay and I blame him for Stephanie March's leave!
I still love this show, it's one of the few on TV I'll only watch. Damn USA Network for playing reruns and marathons all the time, turning me into a couch potato
SVU
I'm a huge fan of SVU -
I'm a huge fan of SVU - especially Mariska and Diane Neal - and I agree with most of what you've said. The writing really has gotten pretty terrible and the stories are less and less exciting. There is a definite "I really hope this episode is good" feeling on Tuesday nights, which is frustrating.
I am, however, a fan of the personal story-lines. I love character-driven shows and I think the lack of that is what kept me away from the Mothership (the original L&O) and CI and it's what has drawn me into SVU. I love the "will they or won't they"-ness and there's always the thought that maybe - just maybe - the writers will have the brilliant idea to have Olivia and Casey hook up. ... okay, so that was a bit of a tangent... still - I'm a fan of the show overall and just hope that it picks up some speed this season.
I didn't like Dani Beck at all - just for the record. But I did LOVE Marcia Gay Harden on the show - I really really really wish she could join the cast fulltime. She's soooo funny!
Interviewer: "Why do you write these strong female characters?"
Joss Whedon: "Because you're still asking me that question." - Equality Now speech
If I'm borrowing your icon, I'd be happy to give you credit, just let me know :)
You are so right. Except
You are so right. Except that I loved the subpoenaing Donald Rumsfeld thing. I think it said a lot about Casey. She's not afraid to do the outrageous to get her point across (and her argument with Branch was brilliant). It was both ridiculous and subtle at the same time, and I loved it. It was also the moment when I was finally able to move on from Alex.
But we never see Casey anymore. Or Munch or Fin. This season's been a little better, but the show turned into "The Olivia and Eliott UST Hour" (sometimes interspersed with the "Mariska Hargitay Cries, Giver Her an Emmy Hour") and that's not the show I want to watch.
If Alex were still around (insert wistful sigh), we'd never see her either. Or they'd have ruined her character (I pretend Conviction never happened - though the writers really ought to have learned their lesson with the personal lives thing) with some ridiculous melodrama. I'll just stick with fanfiction.
I don't think
I don't mind the guest stars, the writing might be a little bad, but I'm one of the few people who made it through the last two seasons of the x files, so I guess nothing can shock me anymore ;-)
And Mariska's hair is back to normal, that's really all I care about :-p.
Mariska's hair
Sucktacular!
This show is TERRIBLE! For all the reasons you mentioned and more. My Flist on LJ has to resort to a drinking game in order to watch it. In other words, total and complete inebriation is necessary for long-time, die-hard fans to even stomach this dreck any longer. Terrible writing, egomaniacal stars (yes, I'm talking to you Mariska!) who've Fonzed their characters (note to actors: this is a 'character' you are playing, this is not 'you'), ridiculously overcomplicated storylines and villains (aren't there any rape victims anymore?), and scenery-chewing special guests all add up to a SUCKTACULAR! I loved this show when it was a gritty, dark procedural. I don't even recognize this grandstanding showcase for the B-list stars and MESSAGE it has become.
Although it is becoming sort of the Rocky Horror of procedurals, which is worth something. We laugh at the terribly cheesy lines, we mock the ridiculous plot, we throw things at the screen...if only there were a musical episode, the shark jumping would be complete.
[/rant]
what exactly do you mean by
Holy crap, SVU is still on?
Holy crap, SVU is still on? I thought that ended years ago.
Well, good for them... I guess.
=}
I don't think there's anything wrong with guest stars...
I just watch for Novak and Benson...hmph...
"You motherf---in' liar! F--- you, you lyin', lowdown, nanny-f---in' motherf---er"- Kit porter
"You can take it or leave it, but I'm not going to change, not for anyone."-Christina Aguileralet's face it people
if there was no Olivia and Alex we would be sad.. I love this show! It needs to go on for as long as it can. If I could not see Mariska, I would be too sad and really, how long do you think USA will play reruns? That is alot of dvds I have to buy. Mariska makes me happy and her hair is awesome!! And I will watch this show and reruns and marathons cause Olivia is hot! Actually, alot of the women are hot! I thought Dani was kind of hot and eventhough she was kind of rushed through something had to go on while Mariska was away! So, every Tuesday I am happy cause it brings me more Mariska looking hot!
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMARISKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'll fight you all for MARISKA!!! LOL
for someone who claims she hates this show...
... seems like you keep "punishing" yourself week after week for the ninth year.
<rolls eyes>
I love this show. Writing is brilliant, never boring, characters are dynamic and multi layered, superb acting, the stories are important to tell, and the guest stars are one of the best things about it. Last year it was Leslie Caron, this year so far it's Cynthia Nixon.
not *yet* seen season 9
but... if it's anything like Season 8 then I'm with you on the whole ..."testing my patience".. Like you, I was cautious about watching the show but got drawn in by the performances of Mariska Hargitay and Stephanie March, as well as the great storylines.
Then out of nowhere we get season 8, which can only be described as diabolical. Olivia's angst over her brother.. the whole Elliot/Dani/Olivia/Kathy thing was just *boring* Olivia's clothing style was just rubbish, as if the wardrobe department had recieved a memo saying "stop making her look Gay and make her look like J:LO".. the writing got lamer, what the hell was that last episode? Rubbish!
If season 9 is indeed heading in this direction then I will be left wondering how much more I can stomach?? The network has decided to kill off all that was good about the show and pander to the lowest denominator. bad move. The scriptwriters should buck up their ideas and do what they used to do best, ignore the network.
There is always someone who
There is always someone who says something along the lines of "if you hate it, why watch it?"
The reason I personally "punish" myself week after week is because I so want it to be good, for 5 years/seasons SVU was a must see for me. Then around 6 and 7 it became a 'omg what are they doing but I'll watch anyway' and now it's just "what happened to my SVU that I loved, please bring it back." I keep watching because I keep hoping. I didn't watch S8 but I heard about Mariska's haircut and was curious to see if this indicated a positive change.
Still the same old someone taking it personally etc etc For me the biggest turn off was Mariska claiming to be the mum of the show *blugh* and Olivia becoming someone who wasn't the strong women we all loved.
Guest stars, ripped from the headlines, taking it personally and the fact that this show has become the simpsons (opening scenes having nothing to do with the actual story...or in fact an SVU case) mean I find it hard to watch.
Time to Move On?
I have been a fan since Day 1 and all b/c of Mariska. Then the Alex factor drove the temperature up. I suffered through the bad haircuts and pink outfits. But I think I've finally succumbed to the bad writing. I watched the Cynthia Nixon episode because it was the premiere, but have not been able to sit through the rest.
I am gonna give the Aiden Quinn epi a chance when it's rerun on Sat (if NBC is still doing that)but I have practically given up. Not even 'Rishka can save it.
Basically if I need a sexy babe fix I'll stick with Sarah Shahi ("Life" is good) and Angie Harmon (welcome back to my tv screen, you and that voice. I melt.)
We'll always have "Guilt". Best Alex HoYay Episode Ever.
Down for the count
Loyal Fan
I will not tell a lie. I miss Stephanie March, but after a rocky start I think Diane Neal has come into her own as ADA Novak. She has had some fantastic storylines so far this season.
The writing has changed, I don't know if I would classify it as bad, but definately not of the same caliber of, say season 3 or 4.
The personal lives of the characters irks me. I wouldn't mind it so much if it weren't so over the top. They went from almost nothing to a weekly over load of it. Between Elliot and his preganant 40 year old, should have divorced her a long time ago wife and Olivia's not so stable brother, I can't take it!!! Don't even get me started on the FBI guy, Porter. He is just pointless.
However, with everything that has changed with the show, I still find myself in front of my television every Tuesday night, without fail and will continue to do so until they pull the plug, then it is off to syndication heaven on USA!
Mariska's hair is simply fabulous! Love it!!!
another reason why stephanie rocks...
she's played gay! she was gretchen thomas on 30 rock - the girl that alec baldwin tried to set up with tina fey's character!!
for "Ace"
Hi, I hope you don't mind but I linked to your blog here on AfterEllen, on two LiveJournal communites that I am part of. One if an Alex/Olivia shipper site and the other a Casey/Olivia shipper site.
From the responses I have been getting there seems to be a strong agreement with your comments from LJ users. Everyone seems to feel that Law and Order:SVU has indeed lost it's way and has "jumped the shark" oh dear.
Alex site is http://community.livejournal.com/alex_liv_lovers/725545.html?nc=17
Casey site is http://community.livejournal.com/casey_olivia/120562.html?nc=11
Hope this is ok
hysteria74
(ps I dont know how to make links in AfterEllen, so I have just copied their URL's for you)
Sadly it is true
I've been a die-hard fan of SVU since the first time I saw it.
Now, I live in the Netherlands, and we're sort of behind, so I've only seen a couple of new season episodes so far, you're true.
Sadly. It is true.
The new episodes are just.. getting unrealistic.
I also TOTALLY agree on Mariska making it impossible to stop watching, and I don't really mind the show putting the limelight on her, the thing with her brother took it a bit too far (the scene where she lost it was sort of worth it though...).
But I really wish this season is just a bit off, and things will get back to normal again.
Since almost everyone I heard agrees on you and me, I do hope the writers pick this up as well.