Behave

Have been doing a lot of rewatching over-time of the three big shows in the 'Law and Order' franchise, especially of the most regularly aired 'Special Victims Unit' (the longest running and the only one still running, though it has not been the same for a while). "Behave" was a standout episode on first watch, especially for Jennifer Love Hewitt and the powerful storytelling, and definitely one not forgotten for a long time after.

Numerous re-watches since, "Behave" is still a standout. As of now, it is the highest rated episode of Season 12, and that is richly deserved (only "Locum" and "Totem" of the season are on the same level). Also one of the highest rated 'Special Victims Unit' episodes, again absolutely deserved. "Behave" is one of few mind-blowingly outstanding Season 12 episodes and one of the top 10 best episodes of the Seasons 7-12 (when the show became a lot less consistent) period. If you found the synopsis odd when reading, don't be put off as that is not something that this episode is.

Finding a starting point to listing out everything that "Behave" executes greatly (which is everything and actually pretty phenomenally), a good one would be the the performance of Hewitt. Which is nothing short of amazing, a moving and gut wrenching turn that sees her at her very best and one would not think looking at some of her other performances that she was capable of this quality of acting. Of all the Season 12 guest stars (and there were many solid ones), she ties with Jeremy Irons as my favourite. The perpetrator is also chillingly smarmy and the regulars are all great.

The teamwork is great, cohesive, hard boiled and sympathetic with an equal goal. There are some satisfying moments, my favourite being Olivia's priceless owning of the perpetrator. Hewitt's character is completely rootable and was on her side all the way, while the perpetrator is one sinister creep. The story is a tense and edge of the seat one, with enough twists to satisfy without being strange or confused. Appreciated too that it was all about the case and the victim, and that unprofessionalism and personal life dramas were not a distraction, also that the subject of untested rape kits was handled uncompromisingly but also sensitively.

It's well made, intimately photographed and slick with no signs of under-budget or anything. The music didn't sound melodramatic or too constant and the direction is accomodating while still having pulse. The writing doesn't ramble, although as usual there is a lot of dialogue to digest, and really provokes thought, disturbs and brings a lump to the throat.

Overall, fantastic. 10/10.

Most SVU episodes hold up to a standard, which explains why this series has held on for so long: intriguing plots; decent to great acting; interesting questions of morality and values vs the law and its loopholes; sex crime victims advocacy; main characters that are well developed but still leave space to the episodes' own storyline and guest actors... It's a great recipe, with infinite topics to touch on.

But this episode blows it out of the park!

I remembered it from seeing it on tv more than 10 years ago, it had stayed with me. And when I saw it again today by chance it had the same effect.

It's the same SVU recipe but pushed further, with more tooth and a stronger flow. There's a powerful, sometimes violent realism that most episode just skim over.

A dark storyline; simply amazing acting from Jennifer Love Hewitt; the trauma of a rape kit collection; the shocking backlog of unprocessed DNA evidence in the US; the law's shortcomings and the frustration of justice not being served...

This episode is a step above all prior ones and it opens the door to a new strength in the episodes that follow.

The sensitive issue of whether or not the rape kit should be used has been handled. It's about a monster that repeatedly rapes its victim to tell the hunters how a path has been opened.

1o of Svu. After the season, a strong step was taken to start solving the real problem.

The rape kit examination is given in great detail. Scenes that are hard to digest. The difficult scene was also able to convey the emotion.

The subject could have been handled better with a better script. In Season 6 Episode 8, doubt, this situation was more implicit and well conveyed. Directly reflecting the sharpness of the subject and the painful bare reality. In my opinion, it should not be used much in svu dynamics. Thankfully, the intensity of emotion and the sensitivity of the subject were always given by the power of writing.

What bothered me was what the team did while chasing the hunter. At that time, the svu team carried out many illegal acts. There was a lot of things like presumption of innocence, human rights, court decision.

I couldn't match the actions they took to hit the monster with his own tactic. Felt like I was zapping another show. Svu example takers may misunderstand this situation and harass innocent people as perpetrators. I did not find it correct at all in terms of its results and message. The last person to do this should have been the svu team.

In my opinion, that short scene rape kit subverted the messages of sensitive topics like police bureaucracy. The story writing was very bad, even though the topics were very strong. Why did this happen? What was it that year 2010? It must have something to do with nationalism. You are being criticized for politics ... look, this is the scene, it was politics.

I will always remember this episode with this scene. At least, don't let Svu do that. You already have a style and attitude. Believe me, everyone understands what is being said in some way. Svu doesn't need such articles and attitudes at all. It is very clear that there is a text change in Season 12 on Svu.

But I didn't like this situation. This story got me thinking, too. Especially after Season 12: Chris Meloni thought the series was starting to end and left. Mariska also performed CPR on the knee and revived it.

I call this story the titanic of Svu.

Frankly, I noticed and watched Svu in the middle of season. I found all the episodes and I'm watching now. I'm currently in Season 12. And now I understand why changes started in writing.

I always give 10 points. You will understand when you look at the comments. Because I don't see Svu as a series. I see it as a special and sensitive lesson in democracy and human rights. Today I was going to drop zero and give just one point. But the rape kit thing got me thinking. I'm baffled right now...

Jennifer Love Hewitt is such a great actress. The number of emotions that she portrays in this episode are all over the place in a good way. The detectives have to go through so much to try to prove what they know is true. Plenty of twists and turns, steps forward and dead ends. But the last line said it all.

Actually, the title of this review is all I wished to say. I often get tired of the arrogant bullying of Stabler, or the odd investigative omissions of Benson, but in this episode it all came together wonderfully as a result of all other actors being in submission to the eye-opening performance of Jennifer Love Hewitt.

I had no idea she is such a wonderful actress.

Unquestionably, this season is one of the most engrossing they've had for awhile. There have been interesting "guest stars," expositions of police procedures, greater roles for the side-cast (the other detectives) and good judges (even though some of these top actors are slighted in the number of lines given).