"Hardwired" saw the return of two regular characters, George Huang and Alexandra Cabot. Both great characters that were missed. Their return was the main interest point of the episode, and the hype surrounding Huang (and there was a lot at the time) held my interest as well. The subject matter is as tough as one can get, and 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' often did so well with difficult subjects and handling them in a take no prisoners manner.
While not one of my favourite 'Special Victims Unit' episodes, "Hardwired" is another solid episode. All the previous four episodes were well above average, apart from finding "Solitary" particularly uneven. "Hardwired" is a long way from perfect, but it handles a difficult subject harrowingly and movingly and a lot more tactfully than Season 10's "Confession" that had a similar topic. Regarding the returns of Cabot and Huang's, Cabot was pretty much nailed but Huang could have been handled a lot better.
There are a lot of good things about "Hardwired". The production values are still slick and suitably gritty (without being too heavy in it). The music is not too melodramatic and is not used too much, even not being too manipulative in revelations. The script is gritty, taut and intelligent more often than not, and doesn't get as melodramatic as the previous four episodes did at times.
Did find the storytelling incredibly powerful, it really hits hard with the subject matter and doesn't sugar-coat or trivialise while not being in your face. Not an easy subject and appropriately the episode is a tough watch. It is also very emotional, with a truly heart-wrenching courtroom scene. Did appreciate that it was one cohesive story, rather than one case leading to another bigger one with varied success, and that it had an early seasons feel. For the first time this season, the ending satisfied. Absolutely loved Cabot here, she is on top form and it was like she had never left. She's ruthless but also by the book, and one is completely on her side in the combative moments. Can't fault the regulars, or Stephanie March who has lost none of what makes Cabot such a great character. Every bit as good are the supporting cast, with tear-jerking performances from Cruz Santiago and especially Rosie Perez (who manages to make a character that on paper sounds frustrating come over as real) and chilling ones from Jim True-Frost and the ever creepy Garrett Dillahunt.
Once again however, the conduct of the SVU is beyond unprofessional and Stabler unleashing his anger physically and verbally to most people has been old for quite some time. His behaviour here is not just sackable offense worthy, but also borderline criminal. This may sound petty, but it has been a repeated occurance for a few seasons now and has always stuck out like a sore thumb. Also thought that what happened at the beginning was too glossed over and the lack of resolution made it too much of a loose end.
Huang could have been handled better, though BD Wong does play him beautifully. His character writing does not live up to the hype it got when advertised. The big revelation (one that was very personal to me, due to having a very close family member who's been there) not only comes out of nowhere, it also is treated indifferently and too thrown in-feeling. Huang felt out of character as well, he is usually so calm and perceptive and not quick to make judgements so it was very shocking and hard to buy seeing him so rage-filled and quick to judge in a situation where he is usually so collected.
Good overall, if not great. 7/10.
