This season of Law & Order SVU has been full of DRAMA. Moving to Wednesday night at 9p.m.; the 11th season of the very popular show is proving that no matter what day or time, it is always great to watch. So far this season, the audience has seen a rape victim who fell in love with a cop who didn’t like suspects and possibly threw one out of a window to his death; an Assistant District Attorney who talked bluntly to victims and had no remorse, only to end up drunk in court and suspended; and a detective father whose son may have been kidnapped, get the Captain suspended because he couldn’t stay away from his son’s case. And that’s just the first six episodes. SVU is bringing the drama and the pain. The unit is remaining faithful and loyal to its victims and Benson and Stabler still give 110%.
Christine Lahti turned in killer performances as A.D.A. Sonya Paxton until Stephanie March returned as A.D.A. Alexandra Cabot. Cabot comes back to a position that is now under investigation by the state courtesy of Lahti’s drunken A.D.A and two lead detectives who are very loyal to each other in addition to being under suspicion of losing a victim’s recant of a rape. In the meantime, Olivia Benson, played by the brilliant Mariska Hargitay has asked for a new A.D.A. because she feels Alex put her job before the victim. Finn and Munch are still around though it would be great to see a lot more of them. Munch should have more screen time since he is now in charge of the group while Captain Cragen is out on suspension.
The ratings for the drama filled crime show have been pretty steady since moving to Wednesday night at 9p.m. Law and Order SVU faces stiff competition from Criminal which has consistently won the top spot each Wednesday and the ABC comedy hour of Modern Family and Cougar Town.
The guest stars have been absolutely amazing this season. Christine Lahti, Wentworth Miller, Rosie Perez, and Scott Foley have become their characters and played very convincing roles in their appearances. Rosie Perez was spectacular in her role as the mother of a molested child. Christine Lahti’s character was quite brutal but so fun to watch.
If there were any complaint it would be that Elliot Stabler appeared to have no scars from the attack from Stuckey last year. Stuckey tortured Elliot by tying him up and knifing his chest several times. However, in a recent episode when Stabler was in solitary confinement with his shirt off, his chest looked unscathed which would have taken one heck of a plastic surgeon. And if you know Stabler, you know that he is not the plastic surgery type of guy. It would have been nice to see the scars on Stabler and maybe have him in some type of therapy as a continuation of the gruesome torture he went through at the end of season 10.
All in all this season is delivering fresh stories with energetic performances and the fabulous twists for which Law and Order SVU is known. This is still a show worth watching that continues to define what a true crime drama is. Keep posted for more on the SVU 11th season.
