'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' is one of those shows that was good to brilliant in its early seasons. Thought initially that it "jumped the shark" later on, but re-watching the show over-time while the earlier seasons are quite a bit better the later seasons have grown on me somewhat and has seen some strong episodes. Not every episode in the earlier seasons worked from personal opinion but most did and the best of them fared brilliantly.
Of a solid and remarkably well settled if not completely consistent Season 1 (one of the better first seasons of the 'Law and Order' franchise), "Limitations" is not one of the best. Actually consider it one of the weaker ones, with the weakest ones of the previous episodes being "Wanderlust" and "Stocks and Bondage", while still finding a lot to like about it. It's just that the best episodes of Season 1, such as "Payback", "Uncivilised", "Stalked" and "Closure", are so good.
Will say what is good about "Limitations" first. It is as ever slickly shot without being drab or static while not being elaborate (which would not have been right). The music is only used when necessary and isn't over-the-top when it is used. The script has the mix of thoughtful, taut while having time to breathe and nuanced without being too loose mostly just right, apart from occasional lapses in realism.
The story mostly compels, especially in the latter stages with a big twist that genuinely shocks and lifts the episode, already interesting to begin with, to a better level. The ending is a genuine surprise. Great to have the courtroom scenes back after having a few episodes that were dominant on the police investigation and at times the personal lives and that aspect is done well. The acting is mostly fine, with Mariska Hargitay managing as ever a mix of a firm edge and empathy. What was very striking, other than the non-heavy handed portrayal of many of the different aspects of rape (the main ones like the psychology of it, the dilemmas the police face and legal system limitations handled with ease, was the portrayal of Quakerism. Which is mostly done very fairness, sensitivity, non-bias and not passing judgment.
Not everything works with a few things being off. Namely to do with the victim, not just the rather detached way she's written and performed (Jenny Baker lacks the necessary emotion for my tastes) but namely her refusal to tell the truth which was overdone, infuriating and not particularly realistic. Both also being against Quaker beliefs and behaviours too, rather too big an issue as they are fundamental.
A tighter pace at times would have helped at times too, the initial parts of the case are slightly on the dull and ordinary side.
In summation, decent but could have been better. 7/10
