My feelings of "Bound" have always been the same on previous viewings (4 previous viewings, this recent rewatch was my fifth when the earlier seasons started airing again very recently)), very positive if not ever considering it one of the best of Season 5 or of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit'. On first glance reading the synopsis the episode does sound quite ordinary, but as 'Special Victims Unit' and the franchise frequently showed a knack of making a lot out of ordinary-sounding premises that didn't bother me massively.
"Bound" on fifth viewing is still a great episode of 'Special Victims Unit'. It is not one of the season's very finest and would certainly put many episodes of the show over this one anyday. There is so much to love however about "Bound", and it is evidence of how much Season 5 improved (it very briefly started off rocky whereas it did pick up a third or so of the way through, "Loss" and "Control" being the best episodes from this period). And that the second half of it is a lot better and more consistent than the first on the whole.
There is actually very little wrong with the episode. The only issue for me was the over-obvious identity of the murderer, "Bound" did initially do a good job in making one think it was someone else but once a major turn of events occurs one immediately has doubts and it becomes a case of it could only have been one person.
Otherwise, "Bound" has so much to recommend about it. It is as ever shot with the right amount of intimacy without feeling too up close, even with a reliance of close up camerawork. That the editing has become increasingly tighter over-time is great too. The music isn't over-scored, manipulative or used too much. There is intimacy and tautness in the direction.
It is a very thoughtfully scripted episode, not that that was unexpected. Especially in the final act with an absolutely brilliantly written final scene, one of my favourite interrogation scenes of the early seasons. The story never ceases to be compelling, despite not being surprised by the truth. With some great scenes elevating the case above the ordinary by the very entertaining and suitably tense fake fight, the priceless court order scene (that subplot is Novak at her funniest) and the very powerful, creepy and oddly moving final scene.
Furthermore there is fine chemistry between the leads, especially between Stabler and Olivia. The performances are spot on across the board, with Jane Krakowski playing her last scene beautifully.
All in all, great. 9/10
