Just like the previous episode "Scorched Earth" was notable for introducing Amanda Rollins, "Personal Fouls" is most notable for being the debut of Nick Amaro. Personally liked Amaro in his earlier seasons of the time he was on the show (which was up to Season 17) but he did for me become less likeable in his later seasons when the writers tried to make him too much like late-seasons Stabler. The subject, a very tough one, is also interesting and is always worth addressing.
"Personal Fouls" to me was a very good episode and even better than the still solid and promising "Scorched Earth". When it comes to the character introductions seen in these episodes, Amaro's fared quite a bit better than Rollins (Rollins was one of the weaker aspects of that episode whereas Amaro showed a lot of promise) and Amaro as a character settled much quicker. "Personal Fouls" may not be one of the very best episodes of the season, but is one of the better episodes of the first half of it.
So much is good. On a visual level, the episode is solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough without being leaden, while having enough momentum to make the drama sing in its atmosphere.
Already, the writing is much tighter, more focused, more natural sounding and less soapy than the dialogues in a lot of Seasons 10-12. Also significantly improved is the storytelling, which had an early-'Special Victims Unit' vibe (a good thing, seeing as Seasons 1-6 were where the show was at its best). Due to having an uncompromising yet sensitive approach to a difficult topic, making for a tense and emotional episode, with it being all about the case and the people involved with little of the team's personal lives. The legal scenes are a big improvement over the ones in Seasons 10-12 and Cabot is a big plus.
Like has been said, Amaro is a worthy and promising addition with an already well established strong personality. Danny Pino looks comfortable and has a stronger connection and chemistry with the rest of the team than Kelli Giddish did in "Scorched Earth", the tough edge and sympathy believable. There is great chemistry between regulars, even without Stabler (who surprisingly is not missed) the interaction is more connected and cohesive than with Seasons 10-12 which suffered from too much emphasis on personal drama and character underuse and closer to when the show was in its prime. Have no issues with the regulars, while tough and vulnerable Michael Brooks and creepy Dan Lauria being even better.
"Personal Fouls" occasionally is a little slow, especially in the first third.
Did think too that Amaro's smooth talking was on the cringey side but both issues are nit-picky.
Very good episode all in all. 8/10.
