Law & Order: SVU finally gave us an episode that was like the series’ classic era.
How well did it work?
Our TV Fanatics Laura Nowak, Jasmine Blu, and Jack Ori discuss whether the long cold open was necessary, if we were surprised that Frank didn’t retaliate against Kyra, and all other aspects of Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 11.
Was that long cold open necessary, or would it have been stronger if it was shorter?
Laura: After I had seen that sneak peek of Jay announcing his sister was missing, I was hoping that was the major part of the open.
It was way too long and should have opened with that scene.
Jasmine: The entire opening, I kept thinking, “why is this so long?” I think I even tweeted about it.
So yeah, it was a long cold open for me. Way too long. Why do they keep doing these?
Far be it for ME to get on anyone else about being too lengthy on anything, but they’re poorly edited.
Jack: These super-long cold opens are one of my pet peeves.
I’m thrilled Law & Order: SVU is going back to basics.
Now can we stop having pre-credit sequences that are so long that they feel like a pilot to a new series?
Law & Order managed to get it under control this season, so when is SVU going to get with the program?
Do you think the discussion at the beginning about OT hours will lead to a story in the future?
Laura: I agree with your Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 11 review that it was strange to mention, but I’m unsure how it’ll play into a future storyline.
Jasmine: I don’t actually think it will, which is what makes the whole discussion and us being privy to it stranger.
Jack: Maybe this is me having an overactive imagination, but I can’t help thinking this discussion is more significant than it seems. If it leads to a conflict between Benson and 1PP about how much funding her department needs, I’m all for it.
Was it right that the actual rapist on Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 11 got charged only with a misdemeanor because he testified against Frank, or was this plea deal going too far?
Laura: This is the second time in recent weeks the series has done this. This time it sat with me even worse since he suspected Kyra was being gifted to him as payment, even if he felt guilty about it.
Jasmine: I agree, Laura. It bothered me when they did this before.
This time, I was seething all over again.
But such is life. It made things interesting.
Jack: I agree with both of you.
I get the concept of giving the littler fish a deal so they can catch the big fish, and that taking out traffickers will do more to protect victims than locking up individual rapists involved in the scheme.
Still, it doesn’t sit well when it comes to rape cases.
Ultimately, the guys getting off easy committed a heinous crime, and it feels like they’re getting away with feigned ignorance or an “I was following orders” type defense.
Were you surprised that Frank didn’t try to retaliate after Kyra decided to go ahead with the case against him?
Laura: I think he thought he’d get off but he wasn’t so lucky this time. I’m glad he didn’t retaliate, though.
Jasmine: He really was too arrogant. I think Frank was a guy who happily wielded his power and operated as if the rest of the world submitted to his type of power and influence.
When people are like that, they really don’t anticipate ever failing. I don’t think he felt he needed to retaliate.
Jack: That’s a good point, Jasmine.
I was surprised because I figured a guy who is trafficking women to close deals and threatening to fire the victims if they don’t comply would also try to intimidate them out of testifying against him, but what you said makes sense.
What did you think of how Benson handled Grace, the COO who was defending Frank and looking the other way when he had trafficked her too?
Laura: Those were some of my favorite scenes on Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 11. I loved how she suspected Grace had been a victim of Frank’s too, and understood things were different then but encouraged her to do better.
Jasmine: I loved the layers to this issue and how they played it out.
And I loved that it was handled in a way that didn’t leave me frustrated with the Saint Olivia shtick that usually happens. I enjoyed those scenes a lot, too.
Jack: The fact that Benson got involved without getting obsessed was one of my favorite aspects of Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 11.
I thought she did a great job of confronting Grace and convincing her to do the right thing, and she went the extra mile without going overboard.
Anything else not covered above.
Laura: SVU is really suffering from budget cuts, as are many shows.
It’s obvious since each week someone is missing.
I noticed Bruno was gone since he’s usually paired with Silva.
I enjoyed seeing her interact with Fin and Olivia, but it was still noticeable.
Jasmine: The budget cuts issue is rough, and for whatever reason, it deeply impacts the Dick Wolf Universe in a way that always feels more noticeable.
I have the same issues with One Chicago and the FBIs.
But I also think that SVU hasn’t properly adapted to actually utilizing the characters well when they do have them.
It can minimize the void they leave behind during their off episodes when you do that.
Jack: I agree that the budget cuts are hurting SVU.
There is no point to having a full team if some characters are missing for multiple episodes. If they’re going to do cast rotation, they need to find a better way to do it!
Also, Velasco claimed all that overtime was legit, but he didn’t have much to do on Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 11 besides that, which made his claim seems strange.
What was your favorite scene, quote, or storyline from Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 11?
Laura: This was definitely one of the best episodes this season.
I loved how Olivia approached Grace.
I also appreciated how good Silva was with Jay. She seemed like a natural with kids.
Jasmine: As much as I hated how long the cold open was, Jay and his sister’s moments were sweet, and I loved how mature and insightful he was.
But yeah, again, I really like Silva when the show remembers she’s there.
She’s great with victims, with kids, with the other characters.
Jack: I also thought that Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 11 was one of the best episodes of this season, Laura!
I liked the way Benson emphasized that it was up to Kyra whether to keep moving forward with the case.
So many shows, including SVU sometimes, push the narrative that if a survivor chooses not to press charges, it is her fault if someone else gets hurt. That’s BS, and I’m glad that Benson didn’t perpetuate it this time.
Plus, as I keep mentioning, Benson’s role shrank to a normal size instead of her being a savior for everyone she crosses paths with.
This is a huge improvement over who Benson has become in the last few seasons.
Over to you, Law & Order: SVU fanatics.
What were your opinions on Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 11?
Hit the comments with your answers to our questions or any other thoughts about this story.
Law & Order: SVU airs on NBC on Thursdays at 9/8c and streams on Peacock on Fridays.
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