"Stranger" struck me as quite a powerful and well done episode on first watch, despite some of it being on the obvious side and easy to solve sooner than it was. The subject is another tough one and 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' often had a strong track record of its pull no punches way of tackling controversial or difficult issues. Did find that this aspect was executed a lot more variably in Season 10, which had moments of greatness but promised more than it delivered generally.
My feelings on "Stranger" are still quite positive with more good found with it than bad. The story is not a perfect one and the extra something (such as more surprises, tension etc) that make the best episodes of 'Special Victims Unit' so good isn't quite there. Having said that, the episode is one of the better ones of Season 10 on the whole (which is actually saying quite a bit) with a lot to admire. There are better episodes of 'Special Victims Unit', but there is more than enough in "Stranger" to show why the show was, and still is (despite being nowhere near as good as it was for a while), so popular.
There are plenty of good things here in "Stranger". Photography while very close up doesn't come over as too static or filmed play-like, while the production values are typically solid and have subtle atmosphere while not being drab and keeping things simple. When the music is used it is haunting and has a melancholic edge that is not overdone. The episode is sympathetically yet uncompromisingly directed, especially in the more tense second half.
Furthermore, the script is intelligent and thought-probing, with a lot of talk but not in a way that rambles or feels padded. The story disturbs and saddens, more than appropriate for this subject which is disturbing, sad and anger inducing. Loved how each team member shone in their own way while still being in character and how the team interacted together. The regulars are very good, while Ellen Woglom gives an affecting guest turn and Peter Gray Lewis is chilling.
However, "Stranger" could have been better at the same time. While the ending was a shock, it was also a little corny and difficult to get the head round at first. Have always felt that it takes too long for the team to get to the truth regarding the identity, as that should have been considered a possibility from the get go.
Munch really should be listened to more as he was, like the viewer, 5-10 minutes ahead of the rest of the team for much of the episode. Micaela McManus has no warmth or likeability as Greylek and always came over as robotic.
In summary, good but not great. 7/10.
