Spiraling Down

A somewhat mild criminal episode given the past, usual fare of SVU, this one shows off the genuine acting abilities of the ensemble and guest performers, the most prominent of whom are Treat Williams as Jake Stanton and Andre Braugher as his attorney Bayard Ellis. Too, the camera work is quite splendid, adding dramatic panache to a particularly fine script.

The episode covers so much ground - teenage prostitution and early-onset-athlete dementia - without any maudlin overtones or polemic. Truth is, this would have made for a fine movie; it is, in my humble estimation, the best episode of the SVU series.

Season 13's "Spiralling Down" sees the return of Bayard Ellis, a great refreshing character wonderfully played in all his appearances by Andre Braugher. His first appearance was in "True Believers", also from Season 13, and he made that episode (one of those episodes with a high quality guest star and mixed feelings storytelling) better, elevating what easily could have been average to pretty decent. So it was great to see him return.

And Ellis is far from wasted. In fact "Spiralling Down" makes the utmost most of him and plays to his strengths as a character. As an episode, it is outstanding and not just the best Season 13 episode up to this point (one of only two to be great or more, the other being the not quite as good "Russian Brides") but also one of the best of the whole season. With "Spiralling Down" doesn't see quality spiralling down, it sees it go up by quite a lot.

The episode is worth seeing primarily for three things. One is Braugher, whose performance here is every bit as good as it was in "True Believers". He has such great authority and while he can be intimidating because of how well he does his job but also his coolness. Two is the other main guest star Treat Williams, who is exceptional. Was really expecting to be repulsed by his character but actually surprisingly it turned out to be the complete opposite once the truth for why he did what he did is revealed.

Lastly, the big cross examination is absolutely devastating, the best, most emotional and most dramatically riveting one of the franchise in a long time. Cabot fans like me are going to love that she is in a bigger role here, this is not one of those returns of loved character that does too little with the character in question but one where her role is not small and her strengths are played to. The personal drama in "Spiralling Down" is present but wisely is not focused upon too much and it certainly does not overshadow the case, it does further Amaro's character too.

Here the writing is concise and has enough meat while not too much fat, while the story is both disturbing and poignant. The regulars are very good, but not as good as Braugher and Williams. The production values are 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 accomodating yet also alert.

Wonderful episode all in all. 10/10.

Most episodes of SVU are masterfully and thoughtfully written. This one is no exception. Within minutes, you are emotionally invested in the plight of a young girl who is heartlessly kidnapped and pimped out. Then, comes the development that became almost cliche with SVU episodes during this era. Attention is shifted to a new yet related character and a new subject. Not so much a plot twist, but a plot turn. Now we are invested in the plight of a retired football star who is deteriorating mentally. For 95% of the episode, we have a well-written plot, only for it to devolve into another trope of so many SVU episodes - the tragic climax. Most of the episodes that have these feel warranted and realistic. This one however, feels tacked on, off color and out of left field. It's as if a producer had to put their mark on the screenwriter's draft before the principal shoot started because they thought the episode was "too tame." The words what are they trying to prove come to mind. Considering that this series has little to prove in the way of drama, authenticity or quality, that question is especially odd.

Really? The dad is upset that ONE out of 200 johns get acquitted? I usually like SVU but this episode was too meandering and full of holes.

For the life of me I can't understand why the dad is so upset at the end? Also the 14year old is suddenly a choir girl clutching her pearls. Unbelievable.

Treat Williams is putting out a great game. Friendly and fun...

Ellis is already gorgeous...

In the end, the way chosen to understand a damage... I can't continue would be spoilers.

Svu is the first episode I started following, it's special.

I really like Ps Ellis and Olivia.