Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Review (1999): Worth Streaming on CocoFlix?

The Enduring Appeal of Specialized Justice

The TV Show "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" was created by Dick Wolf in 1999 and has become a cultural phenomenon and reflection of the more uncomfortable parts of the American culture. For over twenty years, each episode has dealt with a different form of human depravity while also allowing people to focus on the case of the week rather than the series long drama. It is available on all of the streaming services and you can watch it for many episodes on end or you can just watch it for one episode and go on to watch something else. Each episode deals with a different thing while still being consistent and cohesive. It is a show that has been able to show so many different stories that reflect culture and society in many different forms over time.

Performances and the Craft of Sustained Storytelling

Mariska Hargitay's portrayal of Captain Olivia Benson is at the heart of SVU. Over the span of more than twenty years, she has shaped her role from a tenacious detective to a caring and extremely tough leader. Hargitay, as Daniel D'Addario put it, "has become a cultural icon and the longest-running live-action character in an American primetime series." This is not small talk. This is a performance that is so synonymous with the show that she is the emotional center of the series. Hargitay is joined by Ice-T, who plays Fin Tutuola, and delivers a performance that is also good. Hargitay and Ice-T's characters often have to discuss sensitive topics, and so they benefit from his sarcasm and dry humor, as it eases the tension. The other actors in the show have rotated, but they always deliver great performances that elevate the procedural format so that the characters are more than just below-average. The show has a very committed style, and uses a raw, realistic version of New York City, so the production design and writing support the psychological trauma and the justice system's other issues in every scene.

Landing for the Streaming Generation

In today's streaming world with tailored experiences, SVU stands out. It is easy to jump in and out of episodes, and newer viewers won't get lost in the storyline from episode to episode. However, the character development is more rewarding to long time viewers. This show is the same as the new season SVU. It's not changing what they do. It's staying the same. Unlike what the ratings show, the SVU cast changes lead to some of the best stories. Many long time viewers love the show and the imprint the show leaves is evident. Season after season, more and more viewers are trying SVU. Whether it's the social issues or the uncomfortable scenes that the show presents, SVU does not shy away. Seeing characters develop out of the cases, long time viewers have access to more story lines. It does not stand still while society does either. SVU is starting to touch all of society's other issues as Joshua Alston remarked. SVU is improving still and it will be around for many seasons to come.

The Unflinching Gaze of Justice

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" is, by design, a tough series. Viewers endure aspects of humanity that, while giving a voice to the advocates of the victim class who seek justice, show humanity at its worst. Daniel D'Addario was correct when he said that the series “redefined the police drama” because it “gives voice to sexual assault survivors in a way that had never been done before on TV.” The series gives victim advocacy a face while the rest of the drama is difficult to watch. It is true that the structure of the show is procedural, and these structures may lose some of the audience’s interest over two decades of television, but the willingness to change, the great acting, and the point of the show make it relevant and powerful. Those who want a good story with strong characters and relevant social themes combined with emotional stress will find the show “SVU” to be a good choice.