TV review by Merrill Barr, co-host of The Idiot Boxers

Show: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Airs: NBC, Wednesdays, 10/9pm
Episodes: Season Eleven Finale

There is a reason why Law and Order: Special Victims Unit is one of NBC’s highest rated programs and the most critically acclaimed of the franchise, because it has character. The characters in SVU are all amazing, even the one episode criminals hold water. One of the great things is, you can judge a show like SVU episode to episode. There are no stories that carry over from episode to episode so each one stands alone. Without a doubt, the finale of season eleven was not only one of the best finales in years, but it was also one of the best episodes.

This episode was great because they save the twist, which in SVU usually comes midway through the episode, for the very last minutes. Not to give it away, but this is one you don’t see coming. We also got to finally see some of the cast in true danger again. At the midway point, where the twist usually is, Benson, a civilian, Dr. Warner, and Marlowe are all taken hostage by a deranged mother who has just gone through a traumatic experience (which shapes the entire first half of this episode, it was great).

I won’t say who, but someone does get shot. The problem with SVU when it comes to supporting characters is that no one is safe. It’s like 24, you could die at any moment on SVU if you are a supporting character. Because of the shows documentary feel, you feel like this is what would happen in real life. No slo-mo, no glitz, no glamour, just raw emotion.

There isn’t much more to say because, while this episode was great and a must see, it is still the same old SVU. Not to say that, that is a bad thing. But there just isn’t much else to say without going into spoilers. Just watch the finale and wait for the awesomeness of next season.

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Tags: Law & Order, NBC, Special Victims Unit, SVU