'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' started off superbly with "Payback", one of those first episodes so good that it beggered belief for me that it was a first episode. The next episode "A Single Life" was a step down somewhat but still very good if starting a touch on the rough side. While "Or Just Look Like One" was an improvement and although the subject of the dark side of modelling was not novel it still made for a suitably uncomfortable watch.
"Hysteria" is even closer than "Or Just Look Like One" in being very nearly as good/on the same level as "Payback". Not one of the best 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' episodes and maybe there is a slight finding the feet feel (the original 'Law and Order' had that too, and 'Criminal Intent'), but like a lot of prime-'Special Victims Unit' "Hysteria" disturbs and compels as it should do. Very difficult not to expect much and it delivers.
Did find the ending on the abrupt and rushed side though, it was definitely shocking and does leave one floored but part of me felt it could have been revealed earlier.
And this is more of a nit-pick, but wouldn't have said no to more of the order side of the show, which there was more of when the show went on and fully settled when at this early stage there was more of the law.
That was not a massive problem though, because the case was gripping with a fair share of surprising twists and turns, and another that was not an easy watch, and the crime solving was intriguing and rang true. Elliot's subplot was pretty charming, didn't feel soap-operatic or featured too much, maybe a bit awkward but it seemed a situation where the awkwardness would be understandable. Loved the small scene between Cragen and Briscoe (always worth watching as is Jerry Orbach) and Munch's role and humour is priceless, can't pick a favourite because it was all funny.
Writing is thoughtful and has tautness and the odd touch of humour with Munch. The gritty visual style is still here, as is the spare but not intrusive music. The acting is just fine, with the standout of the SVU team being for me an amusing Richard Belzer. Garrett Brown is suitably unsettling in his role, which didn't feel written over-obviously.
Summing up, great. 9/10
