Season 9 generally was a mixed bag of a season, with some great episodes ("Savant", "Undercover"), many that were in between decent and very good and some real misfires ("Avatar", "Harm"). A few of the highest rated episodes for me weren't that good either (was conflicted on "Paternity" personally) and a couple of episodes rated a good deal lower turned out a lot better than episodes that were panned by fans but rated higher ("Snitch" for example is a lot better than for example "Avatar" with it actually being a good episode).
"Inconceivable" is another one of the lower rated episodes to be a lot better than indicated. Actually think that it is a great episode and one of Season 9's better ones. The idea does sound old, on paper it's seen it before-like, but actually when it comes to the execution "Inconceivable" manages to do something new with it. For example adding a race against element which really amps up the tension without trying too hard to.
My only issue is that to me it was a little slow to begin with, not the first or last time with the show.
Otherwise, "Inconceivable" is great. The production values are fine, have always liked the photography's intimacy and grit and the look of the show has come on a good deal over-time (and it was good to begin with). The music doesn't intrude and has a haunting quality, have not always remembered to say that the theme tune is easy to remember and holds up. The direction is impeccable.
The writing is tight yet also sensitive, more than appropriate with this subject. A subject that could have been approached in too heavy-handed and one-sided a way, and where the writers would make too much of a judgement. Actually thought it was handled with tact, and while the cases intrigues hugely and gives the creeps it is Olivia's heart-breaking personal story that makes even more of an impression. Doing so without dominating too much, which is remarkable seeing as it was around this middle period where the personal life subplots started dominating and became increasingly soapy.
Love Stabler and Olivia's sweet chemistry here, with some of their best interactions of the season. Especially when Olivia opens up. The acting is excellent all round.
Great episode all in all. 9/10.
"Inconceivable" is another one of the lower rated episodes to be a lot better than indicated. Actually think that it is a great episode and one of Season 9's better ones. The idea does sound old, on paper it's seen it before-like, but actually when it comes to the execution "Inconceivable" manages to do something new with it. For example adding a race against element which really amps up the tension without trying too hard to.
My only issue is that to me it was a little slow to begin with, not the first or last time with the show.
Otherwise, "Inconceivable" is great. The production values are fine, have always liked the photography's intimacy and grit and the look of the show has come on a good deal over-time (and it was good to begin with). The music doesn't intrude and has a haunting quality, have not always remembered to say that the theme tune is easy to remember and holds up. The direction is impeccable.
The writing is tight yet also sensitive, more than appropriate with this subject. A subject that could have been approached in too heavy-handed and one-sided a way, and where the writers would make too much of a judgement. Actually thought it was handled with tact, and while the cases intrigues hugely and gives the creeps it is Olivia's heart-breaking personal story that makes even more of an impression. Doing so without dominating too much, which is remarkable seeing as it was around this middle period where the personal life subplots started dominating and became increasingly soapy.
Love Stabler and Olivia's sweet chemistry here, with some of their best interactions of the season. Especially when Olivia opens up. The acting is excellent all round.
Great episode all in all. 9/10.
