Ballad of Dwight and Irena

The last episode was so dumb that this one felt miles better.

In a way, I guess it kinda is -- it's a classic whodunit story that makes you second-guess yourself until the very end. At first, I thought I already understood the motivations of the supposed perp and why the crime had to be covered up. The twist on the twist did surprise me though, so I'd consider this a good one. I love it when my guess turns out to be wrong.

Casting-wise, it was great. I enjoyed the acting of the guest cast, especially the mother. I think I've seen her somewhere before but I'm not too sure. I think it was definitely another procedural show, though, maybe even an older episode of SVU.

Who murdered who? This episode goes back to the "Whodunit?" formula that they used a lot in earlier SVU seasons, and I loved it. And what a treat to see Pippa Cox back! Since this case involved children, I was really hoping she would guest star. I'm very pleased.

The episode felt pretty solid with some old-school SVU. But again, the way they managed the masks... Horrifying. People really just couldn't keep the damn things on. The worst was when Olivia was at the hospital talking to the mom without a mask. A. HOSPITAL. I wan't to scream every time someone takes their mask off for no reason.

'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' "Ballad of Dwight and Irena" (2020)

Opening thoughts: Season 22 really wasn't one of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit's' better seasons, though it on reflection was quite a lot better than Seasons 20 and 21 and the misses while very underwhelming were not on the same level as the worst of Seasons 16-20. It though did have a higher number of good episodes than those two seasons, even if few were above very good, and the season did finish a lot stronger than it began. Was not expecting a huge amount from this episode in all honesty.

Due to being so unimpressed by the previous episode "Guardians and Gladiators", which was such a lacklustre start to the season. The good news is that "The Ballad of Dwight and Irena" is an improvement over "Guardians and Gladiators", not that that would have been too difficult. The not so good news is that it is still not particularly good, with it being a case of familiar territory being done a lot better elsewhere and also of the surprisingly good personal life subplot faring much better than the flawed case.

Good things: "Ballad of Dwight and Irena" has good things. The slick, subtly gritty and intimate production values are still present, while not going too far on the intimacy that it becomes too drab and closed up. The music lets the writing do all the talking without over-emphasising the emotions. Most of the acting is fine, especially tough and sympathetic Ice-T.

Fin comes over very well and the only character that is well written. Fin's story is a lot more interesting and investable than the case, that could easily have been soap operatic but actually made me root for Fin without feeling forced to.

Bad things: Unfortunately "Ballad of Dwight and Irena" is one of those episodes that has a good subject but does too little with it. While it is a relevant everyday issue, the case that it revolves around is just not interesting enough. Have seen everything present in this case before in Season 12's "Pop" (a much better episode), except it was more powerful and relatable in that than here. The tension and emotion are lacking, which makes the episode bland. Didn't find myself caring for the characters, the sole exception being Fin.

Moreover, the writing is too often awkward and lacks tautness. The second half has a running out of steam quality, where momentum does sag. Rollins and Tamin don't connect together as a partnership, no tension or respect, and Tamin has little personality and is also annoying from what was unlikeable about her in the previous season still being present here. Jamie Gray Hyder plays her with very little personality, so she comes over as flat.

Closing thoughts: Concluding, better but very average.

5/10.

Personally, I liked this episode. Yes. There has been episode in the past where tge kid did it to protect his mom but the show is more or less based on actual incidents and wouldn't you know. Yea, that's happened more than once in the world! Should they only do 1 episode of rape? 1 episode of child abuse? Where would the show be then? Done before even 1 season. I think too many ppl would rather just look for things to nit pick and complain about to leave bad reviews instead of actually just enjoying the show. Most ppl that complain about episodes are the same ones who leave a bad review on dozens of episodes and even say things like tge show is so horrible now, please let this be the last season. If you think the show sucks so much, you do have the option of NOT watching it anymore!.... just saying.....instead of spending all thus time watching a show you think sucks and then more time complaining about it , it's so simple, just change the it to a different show..... I never not watch something based on if other ppl say it wasn't good because everyone has a different opinion. Yes, it had alot of political views here n there but, they have to add certain stuff based on what's going on in the world wether they want to or not and if you haven't noticed, EVERY show, even half hour comedy shows have changed to add all that in or the show will get dropped. Instead of looking for stuff to complain about, maybe ppl should just enjoy the program they are watching. No show is perfect every episode!