A Hudson University co-ed dependent on financial aid is found murdered with an unexplained influx of cash. Her wealthy roommate is found with one of her rings, making her a suspect as the tw... Read allA Hudson University co-ed dependent on financial aid is found murdered with an unexplained influx of cash. Her wealthy roommate is found with one of her rings, making her a suspect as the two were not friends. Benson, Fin, and Stabler have several theories about her murderer and ... Read allA Hudson University co-ed dependent on financial aid is found murdered with an unexplained influx of cash. Her wealthy roommate is found with one of her rings, making her a suspect as the two were not friends. Benson, Fin, and Stabler have several theories about her murderer and their motive and investigate the various suspects; the roommate, her childhood friend, and... Read all
- Director
- Writers
- Stars
- Detective John Munch
- (credit only)
- Special Agent Dr. George Huang, M.D.
- (as B.D. Wong)
- Gloria Kulhane
- (as Trieste Dunn)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
Eventually Benson, Stabler and Tutuola settle on Will Estes, a childhood friend of the victim who has similar financial problems. Estes is also reaching for the moon in other ways. He's going out with the victim's roommate Trieste Kelly Dunn who is one high maintenance girl. It's what leads to his downfall.
Both Dunn and Estes shine in this SVU episode. The cost of education is certainly high, too high for some.
"Class" is neither one of the best or worst Season 7 episodes of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit'. Personally put it in the firmly in the middle category. It does deal with its subject quite well and most things are present and correct. Somehow though it is one of those episodes that lacks the extra something of the season's, and show's best episodes. Nothing here is executed disastrously in "Class", just wasn't amazed by the execution at the same time.
Plenty of good things here in "Class". The 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. The performances are all great from the regulars, while Trieste Kelly Dunn and especially Will Estes are very strong presences in well written roles.
The writing is suitably gritty and is also thoughtful, without being too overly-serious. The story generally intrigues, particularly excelling in showing the dark side of gambling and what gambling does to you. Even though it doesn't say much that is illuminating, most people know gambling is not good and that it can have negative repercussions, this aspect was handled tactfully while making its point forcefully (without ramming down the throat).
Furthermore, the story intrigues enough, with the killer being an interesting character and not one of the ones that one feels sickened by but instead it's a case of the hateable character not being the one one expects. While it is sad to see so little of Olivia and not see her and Stabler together, Stabler works very well with Fin (nice to see more of him) and Stabler talking about his past when talking about the killer was a well written scene and not soapy.
Having said that the pacing could have been tighter, there are times where the story did feel thin and it was not one of those filled with shocking twists and turns sort of episodes. So the case did feel bland in spots.
Although interesting and well written, this is an episode that feels like it was lifted from a different show and would have been more at home as an episode of the original 'Law and Order' or 'Criminal Intent'.
In summary, didn't amaze me but well done in a lot of respects. 7/10.
I highly recommend this episode 👌
Did you know
- TriviaMost people think that the United States Secret Service's (USSS) job is just to protect current and former presidents and other high ranking government officials and diplomats; this is true but that is not the only area under the jurisdiction of the Secret Service. The other primary mission of the USSS is to investigate and protect the monetary and financial systems of the United States, including counterfeit U.S. currency, bank & financial institution fraud, illicit financing operations, cybercrime, identity theft, intellectual property crimes, and any other violations that may affect the United States economy and financial systems. The USSS mainly focuses on large scale criminal organizations who's criminal activities have a high dollar value and impact on the US economy, including organized illegal gambling clubs.
- GoofsThe Secret Service used to investigate illegal gambling back when it was a part of the Treasury Department, however once the FBI was formed illegal gambling falls under their jurisdiction. These days the Secret Service's main mandate, other than protecting key government officials, is investigating currency and credit card counterfeiting and bank and wire fraud.
- Quotes
Odafin Tutuola: [interrupting a college class to remove a suspect] Sorry for interrupting. Stay in school.
- ConnectionsReferences Casablanca (1942)