Thoughts on "Haystack" on first watch was mostly positive, though it was for me an example of an episode that started off unsure but got better and had a character that didn't do much for me even for the type of character she is. A character fortunately that is outweighed by the many characters that come off very strongly. On first watch, it was an interesting episode if not a great one with there being better and worse in the season (and certainly of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' on both counts).
My generally positive but with reservations thoughts on "Haystack" are very much the same now as it was back then. Still an example of an interesting episode, and at its best very good, if not great. It's not one of the best episodes of a Season 8 that started and ended very, very well but was inconsistent in between. It is also not one of the worst, as far as Season 8 goes "Haystack" is somewhere around high middle and while it is not one of the essential episodes of 'Special Victims Unit' it's worth watching.
Production values are slick and have a subtle grit, with an intimacy to the photography without being too claustrophobic. The music isn't used too much and doesn't get too melodramatic. The direction has enough taut urgency when needed while giving the case breathing space. Most of the script is thought probing and has enough meat without being too fatty. All the performances are strong, while Christopher Meloni and Diane Neal are very good my favourite performance actually came from authoritative and at times catty Judith Light.
Despite starting off patchy, the story is mostly absorbing once things become not what they seem and has enough tension and emotion. The tragic event that changes things makes one both saddened and angry. Stabler and Novak are so good to watch together, love their chemistry and their predicament is worth rooting for. The prologue is intriguing and sets up a personal life subplot well. Donnelly is a joy to watch as usual, always great to see her. The DNA also intrigues, and the realistic and appropriately anger-inducing portrayal of reporting, epitomising everything that is bad about reporting.
"Haystack" however isn't flawless. It is too slow and predictable to begin with, so up to the tragic event the episode is very routine. Stabler should have gotten a lot more heat than he did for being partially responsible for why the tragic event happened, realistically that is close to sackable offense worthy.
Even for somebody that one is supposed to hate, Marino's incompetence, sleaziness and over-zealousness are all taken to extreme levels so it is impossible for anybody to feel another other emotion other than the most seething of rages. Her being insulted about to another character in her unintended presence was actually rewarding oddly.
In conclusion, well above average but could have been better. 7/10.
