Flight Risk

I love this show. But the latter seasons are frustrating to watch. The way writers seem to indulge in simplistic storytelling lately, is really annoying. I remember thinking this show was the best written crime series to date. Because if the complex and unbiased way of tackling hard societally aware subjects. But it was turned into an after school special for adults. And this episode, don't stray from that dumbed down new approach. Simplicity don't necessarily mean relevance, and this episode of a long list of SJ(sorry)VU « new era » seasons, is only proving how things regressed lately, and interesting cases like these are handled the same way it is in kids shows. No subtleties, just a list of commonplaces and a very preachy message, viewers can eat up with a spoon...

The topic in "Flight Risk" is the kind that can go either way in execution, and the type of story likewise. It can either be tactful yet uncompromising, or it could be one sided and preachy. Have seen both extremes throughout the franchise in regard to similar settings and not always in a way that's deserved. Especially in regard to the military, which the original 'Law and Order' has always handled much more handfully. Am aware that this episode is not about the military, but there's something about the premise that reminds me of this show's portrayal of the military.

"Flight Risk" is a good episode with a subject that is always worth addressing and does well with exploring something that could have gone either way. A way that generally is hard hitting and tactful and not preachy or one sided. As far as Season 19 goes, "Flight Risk" is neither one of the best or the worst. More solid high middle, with a lot of good things but also with a couple of jarring things that could have been done a good deal better. 'Law and Order: Special Victims Victim' has been capable of brilliance many times and often has been, but not every episodr has been said and "Flight Risk" is not an exception while still being a good episode.

A lot of good can be seen here. 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 direction lets the drama breathe while making sure that the tension and emotion never slipped.

Most of the script is very thought provoking and taut, or at least most of it. The airplane planes are excellent and they have the right amount of tension and suspense that were missing in too many of the previous Season 19 episodes. As well as intrigue. The acting is uniformly good and more from the regulars and from support.

It is not a perfect episode having said that. The over-generalised testimony regarding male pilots did not sit right with me and came over as discriminatory.

Did also think that consequences of the closing statement were also ridiculous and rather extreme.

Concluding, good episode. 7/10.

I have to agree with anyone who's sick of Benson's higher than thou attitude. She is INSUFFERABLE! Every WOMAN that cries rape is a victim and their crimes should always be excused away if she's a rape victim. How Benson hasn't had her badge taken away or how she's even still in charge after constantly going against her superiors is baffling to me. And what's even worse is that she does NOT look at male victims the same way. When a man has been victimized in any way but still commits a crime she does not fight as hard, or at all, for them, because this show has just turned into an extreme feminist anti man, Benson the metoo justice warrior. Like others have said, ever since she became the boss she is more annoying that nails on a chalkboard!! I cannot stand her character and I cannot stand what the writers and Dick Wolf have done to the show. Who's ass are they trying to suck up to!? Only leftist liberals?? Getting raped does not excuse committing crimes! Yes her rape should be investigated and prosecuted if possible but she should still herself be charged with what she did! Like Dodds said himself "She had options, she could've walked away etc" she CHOSE to get on that plane with her rapist! And because of that all the passengers had to suffer PTSD? Such bull! And I am more than sick of Benson's disapproving glance at anyone that talks against her beliefs and opinions. Why does Benson never have to face any sort of consequences when she does something wrong? Why are we never shown her feeling regret for her wrongdoings? Why are they always just validated in the end? It's frustrating as hell. I'm not just talking this episode, but others where Benson has gone against everyone to fight her one woman justice war against rape (even if there is no actual rape) but even when proven wrong there are never any fallouts! She never feels remorse because she can always just fall back on "I'm just doing my job". The writers have ruined this character that used to be multi faceted and interesting.

"Women's Rights are Political." Therefore, established rules that destroy women must be changed.

I wish, first, the minds of men/women on this subject changed first.

Unfortunately, women are again the main responsible for what is done to women. Like sexist ads at the airport in this episode.

Barba and Olivia enter the most sexist field: Airports and pilots.

Barba becomes legendary with her jury speech.

Sexism is a crime, it should be flushed. It's that simple.

In just watching this now, I realize that the show and it's writing has gotten so lazy over the last few years.

All it really always comes down to most of the time is waiting (or bullying) for some miraculous past victim(s) to come forward and/or people to come to them with secret information.

They rarely every do police work anymore.