Careless

This particular episode was made in 2004, when Children's Services, by whatever name, was under scrutiny for neglect of children they placed in foster care. It should be viewed in that context.

Just as in 2020, it is blame the police. There was no way for Finn to know the social worker would shoot herself until it was too late to prevent it.

Real-world politics aside, this episode is typical SVU, full of twists and turns. It is hard to say the writing stands out from any of the other episodes. There are a few good performances, CCH Pounder as the defense attorney and Julie Hagerty as the overburdened social worker. Even Malinda Williams does a good job as the foster mother who is wound a little too tight. Unfortunately they are let down by a script more interesting in is surprises and forced point of view.

One can tell from the plot synopsis and even the title that "Careless" was not going to be an easy watch, quite the opposite. Also if one knows of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit's', and the 'Law and Order' franchise's, reputation of exploring heavy topics in an uncompromising way. It was certainly of no surprise to me that this was not going to be an easy watch, especially as the show and some other shows had episodes with a similar feel, even when the subject was not the same.

"Careless" is another great episode. It is not one of the best episodes of Season 5, as far as the previous episodes go "Loss", "Control", "Shaken", "Ritual" and "Mean" were superior episodes. As one expects (in a way) from 'Special Victims Unit', "Careless" is hard-hitting and it is a very emotional and shocking episode. Yet also a truly fine one with so many great things. Anybody that likes Fin and likes it when there is more of him, or development to him, should love the episode, though "Ritual" did in my view did it better.

A lot of things are done brilliantly in "Careless". On a visual level, the episode is solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough without being leaden, while having enough momentum to make the drama sing in its atmosphere.

The script is tight and has always made me think long and hard after (most 'Special Victims Unit' episodes do), with grit, class and tact. While it was clear which side the writers were on in their portrayal of the foster care system (understandably when taking into account that the system was in scrutiny at that time), it was not done in too one-sided a way and reinforces truthfully that the foster care system and foster care parents have failings from time to time. The moral dilemmas of the case and subject are written honestly yet not too heavy-handedly.

Moreover, "Careless" has a very absorbing story. That is incredibly emotional with an outcome that makes one both sad and angry, and it doesn't sugarcoat the matter. Did appreciate the development to Fin and how the case affects him, without it being too soap-operatic, another episode to show that he has a sympathetic side to him as well as a tough side. Admittedly, in real life he would not have gotten away with what he does here (my one criticism of the episode).

Have no issues with any of the acting, with Ice-T showing that when he has particularly meaty material and when he isn't underused and has more than showing a tough person in action and comic relief that he can bring nuance as well as intensity to Fin. CCH Pounder and Julie Hagerty are excellent as well.

In conclusion, great. 9/10

The ending of this episode only shows how hypocritical the law and its people governing can be. Why wasn't Finn fired, dragged through the court and media for murder, and sentenced by the court for contributing to the suicide of a social worker?

-CDM