There is so much to admire about the previous two seasons of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit', where even the weakest episodes were still decent and the best brilliant and classics of the whole 'Law and Order' franchise. The same can be said with Season 3 as well, which quality-wise is hardly inferior and for me actually it's the most consistent quality-wise between it and the Seasons 3 of the original 'Law and Order' and 'Criminal Intent'. "Repression" is very good" and "Wrath" is excellent.
So is "Stolen". It is one of the more emotional episodes of Season 3, with a very hard-hitting and sensitive subject tackled. It was great too to see Cragen get more prominence, which he didn't get enough of in the early seasons, and have less emphasis on Stabler and Olivia every now and again. Don't get me wrong, they are great characters but it is nice when there are episodes that focus on a different team member(s) and previous and succeeding episodes have been brilliant at this. Notably Season 2's "Manhunt", centered around Munch and Fin, and the episodes where we see a softer side to Munch ("Remorse" and especially "Legacy").
In "Stolen", the slick grit and the sharper and tighter visual look is still maintained, and equally had no problems with the generally understated and not too melodramatic music. Nor with the sympathetic but crisp direction or the strong performance all round. The standout here being Dann Florek in an authoritative and moving performance, that is up there among his best of the show.
Furthermore, "Stolen" is a wonderfully written episode. With tense exchanges between Cragen and Cabot (Stephanie March suitably icy) about how the case is conducted, how thoughtfully and poignantly done the courtroom scenes are and even some welcome dry humour from Munch. As well as a poignant reference to the original 'Law and Order's' Season 2 opener "Confession".
Plus the story is a powerful one and also very emotional. While the kidnapping case had tension and had a beautiful moment with Stabler and the baby, the whole Tyler custody battle plot is even more powerful and ends in a way that makes one feel sad and also angry.
Did feel though that the biological father is treated rather unfairly when he is not even the "villain", who should have been treated more harshly, of the story.
Bottom line, another excellent episode and anybody who likes Cragen will think no different. 9/10
