Garland's Baptism by Fire

Been watching for over 20 years (literally) and it's nice to finally focus on a new face and give us some context.

Great watch!

First, I thought this was an excellent episode. I did not perceive it as "Christian bashing". But, that's just me. The main purpose of my comment here is actually quite trivial. A minor detail that most would pay no attention to, but it jumped out at me. Near the end of the episode, the minister's attorney met with Olivia, and at the end of their meeting, they shook hands. The attorney was standing on the left, Olivia on the right. The camera briefly zoomed in on their clasped hands. One hand was large and powerful looking, the other dainty. BUT, it was the hand on the right (Olivia???) that was powerful looking, and the hand on the left (much larger attorney) that was dainty. That momentary closeup must have been filmed from the other side. Like I said, trivial.

'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' "Garland's Baptism by Fire" (2020)

Opening thoughts: What is meant by that is that the 'Law and Order' franchise has varied wildly whenever it has tackled any story revolving around religion. The original 'Law and Order' made a fair share of compelling and hard hitting episodes, but then there have been episodes from especially latter seasons 'Special Victims Unit' that represent it in a very one sided and heavy handed manner. The subject though is an interesting one and 'Special Victims Unit' has proven many times that it can tackle heavy themes really well.

This is apparent in "Garland's Baptism by Fire". While not a great episode, it has a lot of great things (more so than the not so good) and is one of the better episodes of a mostly disappointing season. And it is not near as heavy handed or as one sided as some 'Special Victims Unit' episodes centered around religion (it's certainly no "Conversion" from Season 18, thank goodness). Its approach to the subject is scarily uncompromising and shocking, and when it comes to the character development episodes from Season 21 "Garland's Baptism by Fire" is one of the better ones.

Good things: "Garland's Baptism by Fire's" good, no make that great, things are many. Photography while very close up doesn't come over as too static or filmed play-like, while the production values are typically solid and have subtle atmosphere while not being drab and keeping things simple. When the music is used it is haunting and has a melancholic edge that is not overdone. The episode is sympathetically yet uncompromisingly directed. The script is tight, full of punch and thought provoking, while managing remarkably to not be preachy.

Furthermore, the story is very interesting that finally gives some much needed and overdue depth to Garland. Which is done very well indeed, being emotionally investable without descending into melodrama. It also shows very well how scary it is when there are close knit communities that criminals hide in or are well respected in, which is why coming forward against them is hard. Garland is developed beautifully here, in some of the season's best character development (so much better than "Redemption in Her Corner's" attempt with Tamin) and is relatable in a very hard situation for him, which saw him very perceptive yet conflicted. The acting is very strong, especially from Dermot Barnes, bringing sincerity and dignity to Garland. Did feel for him.

Bad things: It is admittedly though a rather predictable episode, the truth never being in doubt with it not being much different from episodes with similar cases. Did think that some of the content later on felt over-stretched when the case thinned a little.

Did feel that the supporting characters could have been written with more subtlety and been less one dimensional.

Closing thoughts: Overall, not a great episode but an impressive and very well done one. 7/10.

T's always a grabber when a series regular becomes directly involved in a criminal case, this time Garland, when his church and friends there are accused of sexual crimes.

Matters of trust figure prominently in this story, with the usual whodunit aspects replaced by which trusted figure in the community is really hiding some secrets that will land him or her in jail. Hush money payments, now recently in the Trump headlines, figure prominently in the investigation. And the religious angle adds meat to the bones of the fraud case and sexual accusations.

Fine acting by the ensemble punches this story across.