NemoToad369 Reviews

SVU: The Beginning (2003 Video)

Good short on how SVU began, but it could have been better.

[5/10 · 2 July 2015]

I have been an avid fan of the Law & Order Universe since I was a teenager. Special Victims Unit was always my favorite out of all of Wolf's series, because of how deeply the scripts were written to reflect the characters lives (you never really see that in Wolf's other series). For the first time, you get a view into the character's personal lives and how being a Civil Servant (whether it's the Police, District Attorneys, Forensic Psychiatrist or even the Medical Examiner) directly and indirectly affects their lives and everyone around them (and that my friend, is EXCELLENT story telling).

The fact that we get to see the characters "grow and change" throughout the years, is what has kept me attracted and dedicated to the show. But I never knew the short existed in the Box Set of Season One (bonus content), So naturally I watched it immediately. It made me nostalgic, and reminded me about how I felt over some characters, their own story and their departure from the series.

The short itself is enjoyable if one wants to see how SVU began, and how Wolf cast the actors in their roles. I tend to feel that it's a bit outdated but, it was filmed in 2003. I would still LOVE to see a special containing interviews with the cast on how their characters have developed and how they feel about them. Lastly, I must say that Dick Wolf definitely chose the best actors for the part.

Weeds: All About My Mom (2009) Season 5, Episode 13

One of the Best Episodes in the whole Series!

[10/10 · 2 July 2015]

This episode is probably one of the best because for the first time in the show we get to see one of Nancy's own Family members protecting her out of love. We all dropped our jaws at that scene and I swear I must have replayed it like 5 times to actually believe what had happened. Nancy has proved over and over again that her children come before anyone and she will do whatever it takes for them to survive. She is not afraid to show that Mother Lioness maternal instinct when her own blood is threatened. So we have this heated scene where Pilar is threatening to kill Nancy and her children and as Pilar continues dishing out hypothetical details... WHACK!!! and we see young Shane holding onto a croquet mallet as Pilar galls unconscious in the pool. And though Shane protects his Mother and Family by killing Pilar, Its funny to note the look of confirming horror on Nancy's face as she realizes her son is a straight-up sociopath with no remorse, lol! What a way to end the season on a cliffhanger!

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Her Negotiation (2013) Season 14, Episode 24

The First of a Five Episode Character Arc for Benson that Dramatically Changes Her Life. Unbelievably Suspenseful!

[10/10 · 2 July 2015]

I honestly believe that this particular story-line revived the whole SVU series. First off, The acting is just absolutely 110% there with everybody giving their best, including Hartigay (Olivia Benson) & Schreiber (William Lewis). Throughout these 5 episodes and the few or so in-between (when Schreiber doesn't appear), we get to see a total transformation of Benson as her character goes through an unbelievable ordeal with a Serial Killer/Rapist. Everything from supporting characters to costumes and special effects, right down to the music chosen (When Two Worlds Collide) could not have been more captivating. I have to say that the acting was far beyond superb and the dialog was written so perfect that the first episode of this ARC just draws you in on the edge of your seat holding your breath in suspense. Schreiber was so convincing in playing his part and Hartigay hasn't had that great of a chemistry with anyone since Christopher Meloni was her partner. I gotta say that the suspense of waiting a whole summer what happened definitely renewed my interest and many of the people I know who were avid fans SVU. And the 1st episode of Season 15 picks up right were it left off becoming "Part II" of this incredibly shocking and suspenseful Story-line. We get to see how Benson becomes traumatized as she becomes the victim and become bewildered how her character endures on while she breaks down.

I tried not to mention anything that would spoil it if you haven't seen it. If you still have not seen them and you are a fan of SVU in particular, than it is definitely worth renting or buying the seasons on Amazon's Instant Video and watching them in a one or two day marathon. Trust me, you won't regret it! It will be some of the best acting you have ever seen on television.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Surrender Benson (2013) Season 15, Episode 1

Best Character ARC in the whole Franchise!

[10/10 · 2 July 2015]

I honestly believe that this particular story-line revived the whole SVU series. First off, The acting is just absolutely 110% there with everybody giving their best, including Hartigay (Olivia Benson) & Schreiber (William Lewis). Throughout these 5 episodes and the few or so in-between (when Schreiber doesn't appear), we get to see a total transformation of Benson as her character goes through an unbelievable ordeal with a Serial Killer/Rapist. Everything from supporting characters to costumes and special effects, right down to the music chosen (When Two Worlds Collide) could not have been more captivating. I have to say that the acting was far beyond superb and the dialog was written so perfect that the first episode of this ARC just draws you in on the edge of your seat holding your breath in suspense. Schreiber was so convincing in playing his part and Hartigay hasn't had that great of a chemistry with anyone since Christopher Meloni was her partner. I gotta say that the suspense of waiting a whole summer what happened definitely renewed my interest and many of the people I know who were avid fans SVU. And the 1st episode of Season 15 picks up right were it left off becoming "Part II" of this incredibly shocking and suspenseful Story-line. We get to see how Benson becomes traumatized as she becomes the victim and become bewildered how her character endures on while she breaks down.

I tried not to mention anything that would spoil it if you haven't seen it. If you still have not seen them and you are a fan of SVU in particular, than it is definitely worth renting or buying the seasons on Amazon's Instant Video and watching them in a one or two day marathon. Trust me, you won't regret it! It will be some of the best acting you have ever seen on television.

Conviction (2006)

Awesome Addition to the Law & Order Universe. Sad that it only lasted 1 season...

[10/10 · 2 July 2015]

A.D.A. Alexandra Cabot was definitely without a question my favorite out of all the ADA's in the entire Law & Order Franchise. I thought this show was awesome! It opened the door for so many crossovers with all of the different L&O Series. I also thought that it was a good idea that Wolf decided to do a spin-off centering around The District Attorney's point of view. I have no idea why they canceled it. Everybody I know that is a L&O fan loved this new series. And honestly, who more better and qualified to handle that job then the Ice Queen Cabot. She totally kicked butt as SVU's Liaison and definitely had a command presence about her character. It was so disappointing when they wrote her out of the series again after coming back in 2011.

There were so many amazing ADA's in the whole franchise that they could have used them all as a revolving cast for the spin-off to have kept it going for fans. Every fan has at least One ADA that was their favorite and they would have liked to seen more of.