"Serendipity" is most notable for being the first appearance of Casey Novak, replacing Alex Cabot. Diane Neal was no stranger to 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit', having shown a completely different side to her in Season 3's "Ridicule" as a character on the other side of the law. It would have been a herculean task following on from one of the show's best episodes "Loss", and for viewers to immediately warm to Novak after such a big change.
On the most part, "Serendipity" does a more than worthy job. It is not as amazing as "Loss", but in all honesty it would have been quite a task to make an episode equal to or better than that so shortly after. Much credit is due in making what sounds like a simple premise on paper and make the execution very intricate, while not being over-complicated or too strange. Very like the third episode of Season 5 "Mother", but does it better than that as "Mother" did have moments where it did fall in the latter adjectives whereas "Serendipity" never did.
Novak's introduction is quite interesting and it was interesting to see a replacement very different (more hands on and not as by the book) from her predecessor. Will admit though to not warming to her straightaway here in "Serendipity", she is not always very professional and her personality struck me as too cold and difficult for most of the episode. The detectives' initial attitude to her is more than understandable.
The episode is a little too conventional to begin with and ends slightly too neatly.
Which very quickly becomes a case that is a lot more complex and surprising than it initially appears to be. It is a tense episode and also heart-breaking, especially in the second half, another episode to show how 'Special Victims Unit' (and the whole 'Law and Order' franchise for that matter) had the guts to tackle difficult and relevant subjects, back then and now, and do it in such an uncompromising way. Which is a major part of the show's and franchise's appeal. The climax wrenches the gut and the scene between Novak and Branch is beautifully written and played, great to see a character like Branch have faith in her. The script is typically thought-provoking and smart with a good deal of edge.
Characterisation is terrific, where one gets to know the characters as people beyond what they do in their job. Did appreciate how Olivia's relationship with Novak grew and became more empathetic after starting off on the most wrong of feet. The acting is also terrific from all involved, with great performances from Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay and Neal making a more than credible first impression despite finding her a lot more likeable in later appearances.
Production values are slick and professional, not ever resorting to cheap or untested gimmicks or anything. The music is haunting in the right places and isn't constant or too loud, and the direction gives the drama urgency and breathing space.
Overall, very good. 8/10
On the most part, "Serendipity" does a more than worthy job. It is not as amazing as "Loss", but in all honesty it would have been quite a task to make an episode equal to or better than that so shortly after. Much credit is due in making what sounds like a simple premise on paper and make the execution very intricate, while not being over-complicated or too strange. Very like the third episode of Season 5 "Mother", but does it better than that as "Mother" did have moments where it did fall in the latter adjectives whereas "Serendipity" never did.
Novak's introduction is quite interesting and it was interesting to see a replacement very different (more hands on and not as by the book) from her predecessor. Will admit though to not warming to her straightaway here in "Serendipity", she is not always very professional and her personality struck me as too cold and difficult for most of the episode. The detectives' initial attitude to her is more than understandable.
The episode is a little too conventional to begin with and ends slightly too neatly.
Which very quickly becomes a case that is a lot more complex and surprising than it initially appears to be. It is a tense episode and also heart-breaking, especially in the second half, another episode to show how 'Special Victims Unit' (and the whole 'Law and Order' franchise for that matter) had the guts to tackle difficult and relevant subjects, back then and now, and do it in such an uncompromising way. Which is a major part of the show's and franchise's appeal. The climax wrenches the gut and the scene between Novak and Branch is beautifully written and played, great to see a character like Branch have faith in her. The script is typically thought-provoking and smart with a good deal of edge.
Characterisation is terrific, where one gets to know the characters as people beyond what they do in their job. Did appreciate how Olivia's relationship with Novak grew and became more empathetic after starting off on the most wrong of feet. The acting is also terrific from all involved, with great performances from Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay and Neal making a more than credible first impression despite finding her a lot more likeable in later appearances.
Production values are slick and professional, not ever resorting to cheap or untested gimmicks or anything. The music is haunting in the right places and isn't constant or too loud, and the direction gives the drama urgency and breathing space.
Overall, very good. 8/10
