My previous watches of "Hooked" have always seen me hold a very high opinion of it. A few of the highlights being a well developed Stabler (he to me was very interesting this season, though do know people that weren't so crazy seeing him more angsty), an unforgettably shocking ending in an episode full of surprises and an atypically cast at the time Hayden Panettiere. Admittedly though, it did take a couple of viewings to understand everything straightaway.
All of those positive feelings on "Hooked" held up brilliantly on my recent rewatch. It is actually one of those episodes that got better and better with each viewing with more gotten out of it and observed each time. "Hooked" is a marked improvement over the previous episode "Game" (don't dislike that episode though), though it is not quite on the same level as the four particularly brilliant episodes in a row that preceeded that. Close though.
Production values are slick and professional, not ever resorting to cheap or untested gimmicks or anything. The music is haunting in the right places and isn't constant or too loud, and the direction gives the drama urgency and breathing space. The acting is one of the best aspects of "Hooked". As well as his tough side, it was great to see more of Christopher Meloni's more empathetic side. Panettiere shows a side to her that one wouldn't think she had in her judging from her previous roles (she has matured a lot since for example voicing Dot in 'A Bug's Life' less than a decade before).
It is not easy not making a compulsive liar too annoying or too impossible to like, but Panettiere avoids that and despite hating what she says she is layered enough to have made me by the end understand her. The script is tight and beautifully balanced in tone, with a tight structure and a wide range of emotions.
Similarly loved the story, which is one of the most unpredictable and cleverest of Season 6. Where one thinks they know the truth more than once but are led in another direction once again in a way that doesn't become too dizzying or too confusing. And in a way that continually surprises, which is truly remarkable for an episode that has so many twists and turns. The identity of the responsible, the motive and the rationale all left me floored.
My only issue with "Hooked" was that some of the team were on the underused side.
Other than that, wonderful. 9/10
