"Mercy" was another Season 4 episode of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' that struck a chord with me emotionally on first viewing and wasn't an easy episode to forget in a hurry. Just the devastating subject matter alone is enough to move one to tears, even those that don't have children (like me). Not that this surprised me though because the show often is a harrowing watch, because of its unyielding approach to tough topics which has always been one of its, and the franchise's, most admirable traits.
This was a brilliant episode, after a slight quality dip with "Rotten" (which still wasn't a bad episode) the season and show are back on form with "Mercy". It explored its theme very sensitively and in a non-biased way and had a lot of emotion, one of the most emotional episodes of the season. As far as Season 4 goes to, "Mercy" is for me, and always has been, one of the best episodes. Anybody about to sit down for the first time watching the episode should be warned about not expecting it to be an easy watch, though actually considering the subject and the show itself that can be expected.
As always, it's a slickly made episode, the editing especially having come on quite a bit from when the show first started (never was it a problem but it got more fluid with each episode up to this stage). The music is sparingly used and never seemed melodramatic, the theme tune easy to remember as usual. The direction is sympathetic enough without being too low key on the whole.
Furthermore, the script is thoughtful and flows well. Munch (who has a bigger role here, yay!) has some truly powerful dialogue, that is very different from his customary dry humour, and has great exchanges with Cabot that sees him feeling very strongly about the case (understandably), as does the always-a-pleasure-to-watch Donnelly. That was one hard-hitting closing argument too from Cabot. The story is truly heart-wrenching and the most emotional parts devastating, was actually welling up even in the first scenes which just shows how much and how quickly the subject connected with me.
Have no issues with the acting from any of the regulars. Or from a nuanced Elizabeth Mitchell (who later went on to give one of the latter seasons' best guest performances in Season 12's superb "Totem") as an interesting character that is not one-dimensional or obvious.
Concluding, brilliant and very affecting episode. 10/10
This was a brilliant episode, after a slight quality dip with "Rotten" (which still wasn't a bad episode) the season and show are back on form with "Mercy". It explored its theme very sensitively and in a non-biased way and had a lot of emotion, one of the most emotional episodes of the season. As far as Season 4 goes to, "Mercy" is for me, and always has been, one of the best episodes. Anybody about to sit down for the first time watching the episode should be warned about not expecting it to be an easy watch, though actually considering the subject and the show itself that can be expected.
As always, it's a slickly made episode, the editing especially having come on quite a bit from when the show first started (never was it a problem but it got more fluid with each episode up to this stage). The music is sparingly used and never seemed melodramatic, the theme tune easy to remember as usual. The direction is sympathetic enough without being too low key on the whole.
Furthermore, the script is thoughtful and flows well. Munch (who has a bigger role here, yay!) has some truly powerful dialogue, that is very different from his customary dry humour, and has great exchanges with Cabot that sees him feeling very strongly about the case (understandably), as does the always-a-pleasure-to-watch Donnelly. That was one hard-hitting closing argument too from Cabot. The story is truly heart-wrenching and the most emotional parts devastating, was actually welling up even in the first scenes which just shows how much and how quickly the subject connected with me.
Have no issues with the acting from any of the regulars. Or from a nuanced Elizabeth Mitchell (who later went on to give one of the latter seasons' best guest performances in Season 12's superb "Totem") as an interesting character that is not one-dimensional or obvious.
Concluding, brilliant and very affecting episode. 10/10