But was this the best way to wrap up the first half of Law & Order: SVU Season 26?

TV Fanatic writers Laura Nowak, Sara Trimble, Jasmine Blu, and Jack Ori discuss whether we enjoyed this episode, whether it was a fitting fall finale and more on our Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 8 Round Table.

Did you enjoy Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 8 breaking from the norm with this Carisi hostage situation, or would you rather have had an actual SVU case?

Laura: I’ve been waiting for this one for weeks, so I was excited for a Carisi-centric.

I’ll admit it seemed odd that there wasn’t a rape case, but there are other kinds of special victims that the show used to cover.

The high-intensity drama reminded me of when Olivia was kidnapped during “Townhouse Incident” (Law & Order: SVU Season 17 Episode 11)

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Sara: It was great to see Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 8 focus on Carisi since he gets less screen time as an ADA than in the SVU division.

This episode will likely be part of a bigger storyline for the second half of the season.

Carsi has to deal with the emotional fallout of not only the hostage situation and failing to stop the attack of one of the female hostages (not necessarily a rape case but still very much an SVU case) but also the stress that caused him to fixate on the child predator in the previous episodes.

Jasmine: It still fell in line with an SVU case because of that horrific assault.

Overall, I thought the hour focusing on Carisi was fine. It’s obvious that this may be a lingering issue for him for the rest of the season, so it’s not a random one-off episode for excitement.

I thought Peter Scanavino’s performance was fantastic during this episode, so I liked that he had something more to do to flex his skills a bit.

Jack: While I agree that Peter Scanavino’s work on the episode was amazing, I hated this one.

I’m sorry, but I’m not a fan of episodes where one of the main characters is taken hostage. I didn’t like “Townhouse Incident” either, for the same reason.

Rollins has also been held hostage before, so at this point, it’s a repeated beat that was completely unnecessary.

I would have rather had more of Carisi dealing with vicarious trauma during a powerful case.

Rollins rushed to the scene but mostly argued with hostage negotiators who didn’t think she should be there. Was this a good use of her character?

Laura: I initially thought Rollins and Olivia would work together, which was disappointing. However, I was relieved Rollins was there to support Sonny.

He knew she was there, and seeing her there when he came out to embrace him was so emotional. This story could not have been done without her.

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Sara: Given their close relationship, the episode wouldn’t have been believable if she didn’t show up at the scene.

I would have liked seeing her contribute to the case somehow, maybe had it tied into her new position. It seems like a missed opportunity.

She has been through enough during her time at SVU to be able to put her feelings aside and be professional.

Jasmine: It seemed like a waste of Rollins to me.

It’s not like they can put her back in for just anything, so if they were going to have her on Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 8, I feel like they needed to put her to better use.

Her being there for Carisi was great, but she and Olivia acquiesced to those around them far too easily to feel authentic to me from either character, so she was just standing there waiting and hoping. 

Jack: I enjoyed her scenes with Sonny at the end, but I agree with Jasmine that this was a waste of Rollins.

I felt like they brought her back to argue for 30 seconds and then stand around feeling helpless. That’s not true to her character and was pointless.

Did you know Carisi was going to double-cross Deonte on Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 8, or did you fall for his claim that he would help him?

Laura: I believed Carisi would help Deonte, especially after he saved him from Boyd. Deonte seemed to get mixed up in this with the wrong person and was redeemable.

Sara: It was very uncharacteristic of Carisi, who is usually more sympathetic to people who fall into the wrong situation but try to redeem it.

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Carisi’s been through a lot in the last few episodes, so his emotional state is shaky.

We could see him become a more jaded ADA due to those events.

Jasmine: I genuinely believed he was going to help Deonte. I was pleasantly surprised when he didn’t.

I think he may have even considered helping because it’s in his nature to do so, but then he kept thinking about what he and the others endured and lost Ali, and his mind changed.

I don’t blame him one bit. I struggled to find sympathy for Deonte when he had many points where he could have done the right thing before it escalated and simply opted not to… 

Jack: I’m glad to know I wasn’t the only one who was surprised.

I thought Deonte was redeemable.

It’s true he didn’t do much to stop Boyd, but it seemed like he was as intimidated by him as the hostages were.

This situation will obviously impact Carisi’s mental health, but was this story the best vehicle for giving him a mental health story?

Laura: That’s a good question.

It definitely affected him, seeing his friend die and knowing he couldn’t save a woman from being raped when that’s been ingrained as part of his job.

I liked it for him, but I can see how other ways concerning his family or children may have worked better.

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Sara: It felt like a good way for Carisi to feel powerless and vulnerable.

We’ve seen how protective he is over his family, but this method allowed us to see him as a victim who couldn’t save himself or the public.

He might start doubting himself and worry that he won’t be able to protect his family after this trauma, which could accelerate his overcautiousness about his family.

Jasmine: I struggled with this being the way to do that.

I appreciated the more subtle build-up of him as a father and what he sees and experiences as an ADA leading to something. Not everything has to be so extreme and horrifically traumatic to validate a mental health storyline.

I also struggled with essentially making such extreme violence against a random woman, serving as a jumping-off point for Carisi’s struggles.

Ali’s shooting was bad and hurtful enough, but some part of you can rationalize it as the worst-case scenario in an armed robbery situation, so you’re at least somewhat prepared for it.

But sitting there waiting for a guy to finish raping a hostage is something else entirely.

Can you tell I really had a problem with the use of rape in this episode?

Jack: Jasmine, you put that into words better than I could.

This is one of the things I hated about this episode. It felt like the rape was an afterthought.

If the episode had been about Tess, and Carisi got caught up in it after the fact, and now SVU has to try to rescue Carisi at the same time as they’re trying to get justice for Tess, that would have been fine.

But it felt to me like they stuck this brutal rape in there just to contradict the claim that this story wasn’t relevant to SVU. That didn’t sit well with me at all.

Did this story work as a fall finale?

Laura: Definitely!

It was high-stakes and involved one of their own. People will be discussing how Carisi will be faring.

Sara: I agree with Laura.

It was a great way to set up Carisi’s future and how his character will fare once the season resumes. These events could not only affect his family life but also his work relationships.

Jasmine: It was action-packed and memorable.

I probably would have preferred something that centered or utilized the entire team because too many of them have been underserved,  but it’s a finale that will have people talking, so there’s that.

Discuss anything about the episode not mentioned above.

Laura: I’m disappointed Fin wasn’t in this one since he and Amanda are close. He could have helped comfort her.

It was difficult to see Silas Weir Mitchell from Grimm play such a creepy, violent character, especially during Tess’s rape scene.

I’ve never seen him like that, and it was hard to watch.

Sara: I agree that Fin’s absence was notable, but he’s my favorite character.

This episode would have worked better if SVU had found a way to resolve the case. The entire situation felt weird.

There were numerous times that Carisi could have taken charge of the situation before things escalated.

He easily could have subdued the second suspect and stopped the attack instead of forgetting his police training and becoming a victim.

Jasmine: It did bug me that most of the characters were benched for the midseason finale.

And for the life of me, I really couldn’t grasp what made this situation so unique that it felt like the cops and SWAT were just there, not doing anything while Mitchell continued to terrorize everyone.

How much time passed?

It felt like it took forever for any authority figure to do anything, and in the end, Carisi still had to step outside of his own trauma and let his cop instincts come back to him to control the situation himself, often working against whatever the hell everyone outside was doing.

The hostage negotiator was literally useless.

The cops just seemed incompetent and useless so it was difficult to watch this episode at times because I really could not understand why it took so long to get the situation under control.

Half of what happened didn’t even need to happen. Weighing the risks, they could have breached and taken their chances after Ali was shot.

The rape was one of the most horrific and brutal just for the sake of it I’ve seen in a minute, and for no other purpose than to make Carisi, an unrelated man, feel helpless, and I’m obviously still having a hard time reconciling with that.

Jack: Everything Jasmine said above. I also really hated the gratuitous rape.

I don’t get why this was necessary for Carisi’s storyline. He was already on the path of poor mental health, so why accelerate it this way instead of continuing with the story we had?

What was your favorite scene, story, or quote from Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 8?

Laura: The emotional Rollisi hug. There is no topping that. It brought tears to my ears.

Sara: The embrace between Rollins and Carisi was moving.

Carisi lost it after the rescue and needed Amanda for emotional support. He didn’t try to hide his emotions or act like a tough guy because he was safe with her.

Jasmine: Not to keep dwelling, but the guttural, anguished cry Tess let out was chilling.

But on another note, yeah, that Carisi completely fell apart after the rescue also got to me.

I appreciate being in an era where men can express more emotions than just anger. 

Jack: It’s unanimous. Rollins being there for Carisi was the most moving scene of this episode.

Over to you, Law & Order: SVU fanatics.

What were your answers to these Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 8 Round Table questions?

Hit the comments with your thoughts.

Law & Order: SVU airs on NBC on Thursdays at 9/8c. It will return on January 16, 2024

Watch Law & Order: SVU Online

The post Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 8 Round Table: Was Carisi Being Held Hostage A Strong Fall Finale? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Did Carisi go too far? Was the case of the week done well?

TV Fanatic writers Laura Nowak, Jasmine Blu, Sara Trimble, and Jack Ori share their thoughts about this and more on our Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 7 Round Table.

What are your thoughts about the way Carisi seemed to be hyperfocusing on the pedophile who had stared at Jessie? Was it too much or was he right to be making it such a priority?

Laura: I love that the series has made Carisi a priority. We haven’t often seen the dad’s point of view since Stabler or Nick was on the show.

Carisi is different than both of them with his law background and having to raise the kids while Amanda was away.

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While it was a bit much, we know Liv would have been protective if it had been Noah, and I’m glad he brought that up.

Jasmine: I mean, they made him right and validated him, of course, but I feel as an ADA, he was doing way too much on Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 7 and overstepping a lot.

It was one of those episodes in which we saw Carisi bounce back and forth between being a cop and a lawyer.

He was definitely venturing into vigilante mode, and I was cringing the whole time. I love a good vigilante in certain situations, but it was bothering me here.

Sara: It was awkward for me as well.

Working in SVU makes you aware of the icky things most of us don’t notice. And when it came to his kids, Carisis’s father instincts went into overdrive, nearly pushing him over the line for what an ADA does.

To be truthful, he was quite annoying in this episode.

Once he realized he was right, he focused on punishing a guy for something he hadn’t done instead of helping prevent something.

Jack: I’m with you, Sara and Jasmine. I felt what he was doing bordered on harassment and misuse of his power as an ADA.

How well did Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 7 do at illustrating some of the issues that make it difficult for sex workers to come forward if they are sexually assaulted?

Laura: This was one of my favorites this season so far. I thought they did a wonderful job illustrating their challenges, from their own self-doubt to trusting cops.

Jasmine: I thought they did well.

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I especially appreciated how they depicted the community network that the sex workers have because it’s so realistic.

Certain vulnerable communities have to form their own networks because they’re either forgotten about or criminalized by the people who are supposed to crack down on things.

It reminds me of how the unhoused have their networks and communities of trusted people or queer communities.

I also appreciated that they captured the distrust and wariness of being someone of color, in this case, sex workers, dealing with the police.

Race and social class are frankly what separates some sex work from being criminalized versus others.

We see that in the distinction between street sex work, usually comprised of victims of abuse, etc, versus high-end services and sites like Only Fans or whatever. 

It didn’t matter that Bruno had helped Wallen before or that he and Fin were clear in their desires and not punishing them; the dynamic between these two entities is a fractured one with little trust.

Episodes like this are when I miss characters like Sister Peg.

Sara: This episode highlighted the struggles people on the “wrong side of the law” have when they become victims.

Because they are “criminals” in the police’s minds, their cases do not get the same attention or results.

If they don’t know better, a victim wouldn’t know they could reach out to a department like SVU, which would treat them like everyone else, regardless of social class or criminality.

Jack: Jasmine, thank you for sharing your knowledge about race and class issues.

I know of these things from my experience as a social worker, but it’s indirect, and I’d much rather hear from someone who has more direct knowledge than speak on them myself.

That said, I picked up on the race/class factor as well on Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 7, and thought that was well done.

I also thought it was interesting that one of the sex workers they spoke to was either transgender or gender non-conforming.

That’s something that also isn’t talked about enough.

They couldn’t focus on it in this episode, but many transgender young people, especially transgender women, turn to sex work if they’re kicked out of their homes by transphobic parents.

Wallen had Bruno’s card in her wallet from her previous rape. What did you think about this connection to Bruno on Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 7?

Laura: I love throwbacks to previous cases. It was heartwarming to see she still had his card and knew who to call, even if she was still distrustful of cops. I’m glad she finally opened up to him.

Jasmine: It was a good episode for Bruno. I really enjoyed his dynamic with Wallen and how much tenderness and care he showed her even when she was at her most cautious.

I love it when Bruno’s genuine passion for the job comes through, and he shows us why he’s still at this when he doesn’t actually need to be. 

He made her feel safe, and that was something she could bank on in her time of need. He definitely resonated with her enough for her to keep his card and reach out.

Sara: I loved the connection to Bruno. He’s currently my second favorite SVU officer, behind his partner Fin.

He did a great job of showing respect and compassion for the victim and proving that he wanted to help rather than just close another case.

He cares about what he does, and it’s great to see he’s not doing it for the check.

Jack: Bruno is my favorite of the newest detectives.

I’m glad Wallen had him in her corner and that she trusted him to a degree.

Did you think it was necessary for Wallen to view the video of her assault in order to help the cops catch the guy?

Laura: That’s hard. She needed to identify the guy, but watching the assault again seemed too much.

It really seemed to trigger her, and rightfully so. I felt for her.

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Jasmine: No! I thought that was incredibly traumatizing and was surprised that they resorted to that.

It didn’t feel like a last ditch effort thing, it was just sort of, BOOM. 

Sara: I found it highly odd and insensitive.

There was no reason for her to have to watch the video of her being victimized again when there was nothing to gain from the viewing.

The victim couldn’t get anything more from the video than the police, so she had no business watching it. It was traumatizing and surprising that Olivia agreed with it.

Jack: Agreed with all of the above. I felt it was unnecessary to re-traumatize Wallen that way.

They could have simply asked her to describe what the man who harassed her in the car was wearing and gotten the detail of the button being missing without Wallen watching the video.

What did you think of the subplot of the pedophile wanting help before he hurt someone?

Laura: Initially, I feared Carisi was going to hit the guy. It was an interesting way to feature pedophiles and try to stop them before they hurt someone. It was a good thing then that Carisi was focused on him.

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Jasmine: I thought it was interesting in the sense of adding some complexity to this situation.

It’s not unheard of that there are people who have these urges and have the conscience to want to prevent things.

But there’s also the matter of what preventative measures even look like. Do we need to foster an environment for people like that to seek help before offending and actually get it before they cause harm?

I thought it was something that needed more than to be a B-List storyline. I don’t know.

Sara: Other shows have taken a similar route and shown the steps that afflicted people take to get help for their problems.

In this instance, it was good that the man wanted help and that Carisi and Benson took the time to help direct him. But from what I’ve seen and read about these programs, some end up making offenders worse.

Even more terrifying, some just put different pedos into contact with each other, like a social club for pedos. It’s nauseating.

Jack: I agree with Jasmine that this should have been a bigger story so that it could be explored in-depth.

It’s a complex issue and one that mental health practitioners don’t talk about enough.

I don’t have direct experience with it, but when I was interning at a non-profit that helped people caught up in the criminal justice system, I was assigned a client who had been arrested for exposing himself on the subway and related offenses.

Through working with him, I learned that some people truly don’t want to act this way and that we can all benefit, as a society, by getting those who are open to it help so that they don’t continue to hurt people.

But again, there’s not enough research into what actually works to help people in this position, and as Sara said, some programs enable behavior instead of stopping it.

In any case “not being able to help it” should never be a reason not to hold people accountable for sexual assault.

Discuss anything not covered above that’s on your mind about Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 7.

Laura: It was great to see Curry again. Bruno and Fin really make a winning team.

Jasmine: Bruno and Fin remain my favorite duo these days. They bring humor and heart, and I’m always locked in with their storylines.

I get my best laughs and moments of levity due to them and their chemistry!

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Sara: While Fin and Bruno definitely stole the show, I found myself focusing a bit more on the female duo, since we’re still not too familiar with either of them.

I want to get to know and like all the SVU members like in the old days. It’s just so hard to connect with anyone.

Jack: I agree about Bruno and Fin. I couldn’t stop laughing when Fin made Bruno pay the ladies for their time.

What was your favorite scene, story, or quote from Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 7?

Laura: I loved the beginning when Bruno recognizes Wallen and is relieved she called him and embraces her. It was obvious he cared about her. We don’t often see him emotional in cases.

Jasmine: Bruno awkwardly holding the baby did me in. LOL!

Sara: Agreed about the baby part. I’m always a sucker for a man holding an infant.

But I also loved the part about Fin giving Bruno the shakedown and making him pay the hookers for their time. Who walks around with that much cash these days?

And did he seek reimbursement from the department or consider it money well spent since those ladies definitely needed the cash?

Jack: That was my favorite scene too, Sara. As I said above, that cracked me up big time.

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Over to you, SVU fanatics! We want to hear YOUR answers to these questions.

Hit the comments with those or any other thoughts.

Law & Order: SVU airs on NBC on Thursdays at 9/8c and Peacock on Fridays.

Watch Law & Order: SVU Online

The post Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 7 Round Table: Did Carisi Go Too Far? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 6 was the police procedural’s take on the Gabby Petito case and revolved around an abusive boyfriend who caused his girlfriend’s brain death.

Our TV Fanatic writers Laura Nowak, Jasmine Blu, and Jack Ori got together to debate whether this story was too predictable, what our favorite scene was, and more.

How long did it take you to figure out that Chris was involved in Ellie’s attack on Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 6?

Laura: Not long at all.

I recognized this case as ripped from the headlines from the Gabby Petito case. After two decades of Law & Order and Law and Order: SVU, I suspected we had seen a similar case already, and we did.

In 2022, Law & Order Season 21 Episode 3 already did something that mirrored this case.  They need new material.

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Jasmine: LOL! I love how bluntly you put that Laura, but yes, I agree.

I’m not jiving with this season all that much so far, and I can’t place specific things that bother me most.  But the case on Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 6 was familiar so I had the same thoughts, and it did okay with it.

But sometimes, I wish things weren’t so straightforward. 

Jack: I predicted it in my Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 6 spoilers.

It was obvious from the set-up, and we’ve seen this story on SVU before.

However, I think this was a better version of the Gabby Petito story than the one on Law & Order, which focused mostly on the angle of social media being destructive.

Plus, that story was hampered by trying to be sensitive to the family, as it had been only a few months since Petito’s death when it aired.

How did the subplot about whether Ellie should be taken off life support add to the story?

Laura: It showed how vicious the attack was.

Again, it would have made an interesting crossover topic since Law and Order just handled something similar. I’m unsure if Ellie really sent a message or if those were reflexes.

Jasmine: I agree that it added more context to the attack and just how horrible it was. And it offered up some of the expected moral conundrums and things like that.

I think it worked as a vehicle to make us even more invested in this case.

It added more of an emotional impact to a case that the audience most likely would’ve felt more desensitized to after the wall-to-wall Gabby Petito coverage. 

Jack: Laura, I was so annoyed that they didn’t even mention Law & Order Season 24 Episode 3. Since they just did this, it seemed like this would have been a perfect crossover opportunity.

Silva finally had her first big case. How did you think she did?

Laura: Silva has good gut instincts. I wish they would have listened to her earlier instead of blowing her off, since she was right.

Jasmine: Silva did well, and she’s growing on me. I love a woman who is incredibly intuitive, and she has that going for her.

I was excited to actually see her in action since she got benched for the entire season thus far. 

She has that dogged determination that will make her a great investigator but also someone who could burn out easily, so I’m curious to see what more they do with her character. 

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Jack: Agreed. I hate the trope of always blowing the person off who is right, which gets old after a while, but I thought Silva was great and deserves more of a central role going forward.

Did you buy Silva’s explanation on Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 6 for why she decided to transfer from Homicide to SVU?

Laura: I’m not sure about that. Like you said in your review, Jack, I think there is more to the story. Everyone has a past.

Jasmine: I definitely feel like there is more to her transfer.

Her explanation made sense for why she wanted to go into law enforcement, but there has to be something else that motivated her to full-on transfer to SVU and focus on these crimes instead.

Hopefully, they’ll dig into that the next time they give her more than two lines in an episode!

Jack: That’s exactly what I thought, Jasmine. Her explanation wasn’t really sex crimes specific.

I wonder if she has trauma of her own in her past that she’s not ready to divulge.

Clay asked Benson to step in because the NY Field Office felt the local cops had dropped the ball. How do you feel about the fact that Benson seems to be the only one whose department gets anything done in these cases?

Laura: It’s sad that Benson is the only one who gets things done.

It says a lot about other departments, but it was nice to see Clay. He’s a fun character.

Jasmine: Ahh, yes, “Clark Kent.”

I think it’s a classic case of “main character syndrome” in which the SVU as a whole has it, because while I don’t doubt the inefficiency of law enforcement for a myriad of damn reasons, I also don’t feel like shero Olivia Benson and her specialized unit are the only ones capable of getting sh*t done.

I love my girl to pieces, but it kind of reminded me of how Grey’s Anatomy used to blow smoke up Meredith Grey’s derriere. 

Nevertheless, I’m glad he actually reached out instead of the usual bit where they wait until the last minute, and someone has to force SVU into the case because there’s hostility and resistance. 

Jack: I think it’s supposed to show that Benson’s willingness to go the extra mile is unusual and that most cops don’t give a damn about sexual assault survivors.

While it’s important to point out that in real life, these crimes are often not taken nearly as seriously as they should be, it is starting to be a bit ridiculous that Benson is the only one who can do anything right.

Mention anything about Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 6 not covered above.

Laura: I know the series is on a budget constraint, but where was Carisi? Shouldn’t the DA have been present for some of the questioning?

Jasmine: I was fine with the Carisi break. What I had to power through, for what felt like the umpteenth time, was Chris’ mother coddling her son. 

I mentioned it in my Disclaimer Finale review, but I swear the footsoldiers upholding violence against women and misogyny are other women themselves.

And it usually all starts with mothers never holding their horrific sons accountable under the guise of “maternal instinct” and “protection.” 

Jack: I hate that trope too. I feel like the writers are trying to excuse it by saying that Chris (or whoever) wouldn’t have been a bad person if only his mother had been more attentive when he was young.

I know there are cycles of abuse and all that, but Chris is still responsible for his choices in this mess, and I don’t like it all being pinned on his mother.

What was your favorite scene, story, or quote from Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 6?

Laura: I don’t know if it’s a favorite, but this one was at least memorable and affected me. I liked that Silva had good instincts.

Jasmine: As a Major Crimes fan, I was really digging seeing Graham Patrick Martin again even if he played a character like Chris. He had some really great scenes. 

Jack: I was too, Jasmine. I loved him on Major Crimes, and I was excited when I got to interview him during the final season of that show.

I especially liked the final confrontation between Chris and Benson. I’ve watched it three times and find Benson’s insistence that Chris looks at the photo of Ellie in her hospital bed to be chilling.

Over to you, Law & Order: SVU fanatics.

What did you think about Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 6?

Hit the comments with your answers to these Round Table questions.

Law & Order: SVU airs on NBC on Thursdays at 9/8c and on Peacock on Fridays.

Watch Law & Order: SVU Online

The post Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 6 Round Table: Was This Story Too Predictable? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

TV Fanatic writers Jasmine Blu, Laura Nowak, Sara Trimble, and Jack Ori discuss this question.

We also debated Bruno and Silva’s chemistry, what the best moment was, and more.

How effective did you think Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 5 was at depicting the problem of sextortion and how it affects people?

Jasmine: I thought it did okay.

I felt like they could’ve done better. It didn’t feel hard-hitting enough for me, and it got too randomly convoluted.

After Kelsey almost took her own life, the emotional impact of the subject matter lost all meaning as we got wrapped up in this underwhelming sextortion operation.

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Laura: I also thought they could have done a better job.

I felt for Kelsey, but this episode did not stick with me.

Sara: It was a bit dramatized for emotional impact at the beginning but it quickly turned into a puff news piece.

I agree with Laura that it wasn’t a memorable episode.

Jack: This was my issue with the episode as well. I spent a lot of time in my Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 5 review trying to figure out what was missing.

This episode should have been powerful, but it wasn’t, and I couldn’t figure out why.

Kelsey faded into the background too quickly after her suicide attempt, making it feel like a plot point, and it was disappointing because SVU is usually so much better at dealing with mental health issues than that.

Kelsey almost lost her job when the compromising photos were sent to her co-workers. What did you think of the solution Benson came up with for this problem?

Jasmine: I’m going to be honest.

Maybe my inner Olivia Pope was coming out, but the second started saying that her job was in jeopardy over them threatening to expose pictures, I already stated she may as well let them (because they would release them anyway) and spin it that she was doing an undercover story.

I literally said by the time this was over, they’d be giving her a Pulitzer.

So, suffice it to say, it was a good spin they probably could have done sooner.

Laura: I did love the undercover story. Like Jasmine, I wished they thought of it sooner to help Kelsey save some dignity since no one should fear losing their job because of sextortion.

Sara: It was a smart solution for Benson to come up with, but I’m surprised Kelsey didn’t come up with the idea, given that she’s a journalist.

Jack: I guess Kelsey was too traumatized to think of this solution herself. I agree it was a fairly obvious way to spin the release of the photos.

What did you think of Bruno and Silva’s interactions in the van?

Jasmine: They piqued my interest. But to be fair, I’d watch Bruno with anyone.

He has a natural and easy chemistry with everyone he shares the screen with, and it’s why he’s my favorite addition in recent years.

There’s potential for something there.

What? I don’t know. But I’m here for it.

Laura: I must not have noticed these romantic undertones. I can watch Bruno with anyone, but Kate Silva has yet to pique my interest.

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Sara: I’m in agreement with my fellow fanatics.

Bruno is my second favorite member of SVU (Fin is number one), so it’s easy for me to ignore whoever else is involved.

I’m still not convinced of Silva’s character, and I hope the van incident didn’t spark any romantic connections between them.

Jack: I picked up romantic vibes right away, and I almost NEVER do, even when they’re slapping me in the face. So, I take that as a sign that this pairing needs to happen

Bronx SVU came up again as a non-helpful entity in Ruby’s case. Do you think there’s any significance to that besides it being an explanation for why Ruby didn’t get help from the cops earlier?

Jasmine: I want to say it is, especially since Silva was bringing up the lawsuit and all that with her father.

I’d love to think that it could be going somewhere with a significant storyline, but I honestly never know with Law & Order: SVU.

Laura: I hadn’t thought about it, but there has to be a reason the Bronx SVU was mentioned. Learning more about Silva’s father did make me interested.

Sara: We’ve heard of Bronx SVU several times, so it’s nice that there’s some continuation to the stories throughout the seasons.

It will be interesting, like Jasmine said, to see if they go anywhere with Silva’s father storyline or more about the lawsuit. I’ve been wanting to know more about that since we met Bruno.

It’s unlikely that Bronx SVU will get a spinoff, but we might see a future episode involving both SVU divisions. It may also hint at the potential Rollins spinoff.

Jack: My ears perked up when I heard Bronx SVU. The most incompetent SVU struck again!

When Bruno mentioned his lawsuit, I thought this had to go somewhere, but as Jasmine said, you never know with this show.

Did the plot twist on Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 5 of Neil being a victim who got to work for the sextortionists instead of giving them money make sense to you?

Jasmine: Honestly, no, because he didn’t have any money.

I know that anyone can be a victim of sextortion, and I don’t want to downplay the experiences at ALL, especially because I really hate how society doesn’t take male victims seriously.

That said, I also feel like it’s not in equal measure here. All victims aren’t created equal, you know?

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Neil’s nude pics aren’t as ruinous as Kelsey’s because of misogyny.

Going back to the emotional impact of the episode and topic, I felt like it would’ve been more impactful if we focused exclusively on Kelsey.

Laura: Not really.

They didn’t have anything to gain by hiring him. He didn’t have any money.

At best, it removed their hot seat, which only weakened the importance of this case.

Sara: Again, agreed.

It felt like a cop-out or a cheap way to include both sides of the coin in terms of sextortion can happen to anyone.

Jack: It’s unanimous.

I felt like this was the same problem as Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 1 had: it created a random plot twist that wasn’t connected to anything.

I agree with Jasmine that sextortion is a big deal no matter who it is. But why would they go after someone with no money and no real fear of losing his reputation?

That made no sense, and neither did the idea of forcing him to work for them instead of making good on their threats.

Discuss anything not mentioned above.

Jasmine: Velasco undercover was so much fun. I wish we had more of that.

Laura: I also loved Velasco undercover, especially since he didn’t look the part and had to improvise.

Sara: I wasn’t sure about Velasco in the beginning, but he’s really starting to grow on me.

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I love how smooth he is undercover, to the point that even a pro couldn’t spot that she was being played.

Jack: Velasco undercover was fun. I couldn’t stop laughing at how far short he fell of looking the part, yet he fooled the scammy “date” easily.

What was your favorite scene, quote, or storyline from Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 5?

Jasmine: Bruno asking for his watch back had me cackling.

Laura: Except for Velasco undercover, I didn’t really care for this one.

Sara: I thought the scene where Bruno gave his watch up because of the cheap suit was funny. How nice to be snobby and still slum it with blue collars.

Jack: I enjoyed the whole undercover setup, but especially Bruno and Silva’s interactions in the van.

Over to you, SVU fanatics!

What did you think about Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 5?

Hit the comments with your thoughts.

Law & Order: SVU airs on NBC on Thursdays at 9/8c.

Watch Law & Order: SVU Online

The post Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 5 Round Table: How Effective Was This Sextortion Story? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Our Law & Order: SVU Season 26. Episode 4 Round Table team discussed who was to blame when two teenage girls were sexually assaulted and choked, leading to one of their deaths.

Join TV Fanatic writers Laura Nowak, Jasmine Blu, Sara Trimble, and Jack Ori as we debate this and all other aspects of this episode.

Were Carisi and Benson right that Josh was to blame for the string of choking-involved rapes of teenage girls?

Laura: I think so.

My husband and I had an interesting conversation about this episode. We agreed that if the boys had been older, they could have been solely responsible.

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While at 13 and 16, they should have known what rape was, Josh absolutely was responsible for exposing his son and nephew to those videos and teaching them the wrong views about sex. It was such a heartbreaking case.

Jasmine: I enjoyed this case because it reminded me of one from my criminal law course. It’s complex, with various factors, and difficult to nail down.

If it had been just one incident, it would’ve been tough to hold the father responsible solely for what had transpired. Also, his son was old enough, at 16, to understand what was happening.

However, once it trickled down to other incidents with more boys, younger boys, assaulting girls, resulting in one’s death, it definitely fell on the father.

The Law barely manages to catch up to these situations. 

Sara: As a parent, it was up to the father to teach his child about proper sex, like consent, and that real life isn’t like porn.

And that different people have different tastes.

And his son should have said the same thing to the younger boys.

It was negligent for an adult to give a child violent-themed porn, and any actions that occurred due to the material should be his responsibility as much as the people who did it.

Jack: I agree with Jasmine that this was very complex.

It’s important not to absolve the boys of responsibility. They were the ones who chose to choke the girls, and the sixteen-year-old especially should have understood the potential consequences.

A thirteen-year-old may know that he shouldn’t put his hands on someone’s neck but might be naive enough to believe it’s okay if he’s been told that girls like it. Still, the kid should have realized that choking someone is dangerous and could kill them.

In any case, Josh bore more responsibility.

Not only did he expose his son (and indirectly his nephew) to violent porn, but also told him that he had to do whatever it took to seal the deal with Hannah.

He was grooming a future rapist even before the choking incident.

Curry thought it was weird that Hannah’s mother offered her home and privacy for her teenager’s first sexual experience, while Benson thought that was better than the kids hiding that they were having sex. Who do you agree with more?

Laura: While I understand Benson’s point, I agree with Curry. What mom opens up her house for her 16-year-old daughter to lose her virginity in?

Maybe I’m old, but I can’t imagine my parents being like that.

Jasmine: This was a tough one for me too. I understood Benson’s point and the thought process behind it. I get how it could beat the alternative. 

But I also felt like if she had insisted on this, then she should’ve been in the house.

I didn’t understand how their going to their friend’s house was any different than them staying at her house if the mom wasn’t going to be there. I understood not hiding the sex. 

My mother was very open about talking about sex with my brothers and me and making sure we set an environment where we all could be comfortable talking about things. But that situation was just foreign to me here.

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There’s such a fine line between mitigating and fostering issues.

Sara: As a mom with four kids — two girls — while I understood the mom’s desire to make sure her daughter was safe during sex, I can’t condone providing the place and the privacy for such.

I’m more of the “that door better stay open, and you don’t even sit next to each other if I’m not in the room” type of protective.

Too much TV (and reality) has jaded my mind far too much. Kids these days are far more willing to experiment with more experienced — and dangerous — forms of sex.

That said, parents should provide open communication with their children to make sure they get the right answers on sex and not rely on the internet or untrustworthy people.

Things could have turned out much differently if there had been.

Jack: I don’t have kids, but my sister does, and I can guarantee she would not have handled things this way.

It’s one thing to talk to your 16-year-old about birth control and safe sex.

It’s another to offer your house for them to do it in, especially with no parent present.

To me, that seemed irresponsible on the part of Hannah’s mother.

Were you surprised that Mrs. Blake had known the whole time what her husband was up to with their son when she finally admitted it?

Laura: Not entirely. Something seemed off in that family. He seemed controlling, and she gave vibes of being an abused wife.

Jasmine: Unfortunately, I was not.

It reminded me of the women who ignore all the signs of their husbands being a serial killer or something because it’s not a reality they want to face or they’re afraid of being alone.

I think the ONLY reason she wouldn’t go with the flow this time is because it directly affected her own child, and her maternal instincts overrode all else.

Sara: It wasn’t surprising, as it’s hard not to notice suspicious things when you’ve been with someone as long as they were together.

She could ignore it as long as it didn’t interfere with her life. But once it involved her child, she decided to do something about it.

Anger overrode her willingness to look the other way for propriety’s sake.

Jack: I wasn’t surprised either. She reminded me of Jessica Tuck’s character on Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 2, although that woman chose to ignore how her husband’s behavior affected their children.

Carisi finally seemed to have a reaction to the trauma of the cases he’s dealt with lately that reminded him of Jessie. How do you feel about the way this story has been handled so far?

Laura: I’m relieved he finally reacted to a case.

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Lawyer and Daddy Carisi combined are scary.

We need these personal aspects to care about the story.

Jasmine: I loved it.

It’s no secret that I’ve been underwhelmed by Carisi as a lawyer. I always preferred him as a cop.

So I enjoyed getting to see him lead first that more this episode from the beginning and how it affected him as a father, especially one to daughters.

I like the personal elements there.

Sara: It was great to see Carisi back in his investigative shoes and actually getting emotionally involved in a case.

Being a parent is hard, especially when you see the awfulness of people on a daily basis.

Like Laura said, Carisi can be a bit scary when he’s in justice mode and his protective father instincts are in overdrive.

Having to deal with the case while being the sole caregiver of young girls while Rollins was away made it more intense. There was no one to talk him off the ledge.

Jack: I was thrilled with this story.

I’ve been waiting for Carisi to be forced to confront how his job affects him as a parent.

I also think it’s good for the show — and for those in the audience who need it — to have a major male character dealing with vicarious trauma.

Benson and Rollins have had mental health issues related to trauma, so why not Carisi?

Benson promised she’d get justice after Eliza died. Did she succeed?

Laura: I felt so bad for them since the boys would only get a few years in juvie, but I felt for them too because they were also victims of Josh’s.

No one won here.

I think she did the best she could, going after Josh as the biggest fish.

Jasmine: It’s the full extent of justice she could get, so yeah. Justice rarely feels just when it comes to our criminal and legal system, so that’s always an element that hangs over everything.

Sara: I agree with the others.

It’s hard to feel like justice was served on Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 4, as the boys were almost as much victims as the girls. While they deserved to get punished, it sucks that it was due to the negligence of a narcissistic grown man.

But Josh deserved to get punished more.

Jack: I agree with all of the above.

There are no easy answers in a case like this.

Josh definitely deserved harsher punishment than the kids, and juvie won’t do them any favors, but they still have to be held accountable.

Mention anything else not covered above.

Laura: I loved seeing Jessie with Carisi, and I missed her so much. I’m curious, though, why we haven’t seen Noah, especially in a case concerning teen boys.

Jasmine: Oh, good point. It would’ve been a great episode to check in with Noah and see if he knows about consent and little things like that. 

I also loved that the new girl (whose name I forgot because she was gone for so long!) was back on Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 4!

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Sara: Again, I agreed with the others.

It’s great seeing Carisi in Daddy mode. I’m always a sucker for men who claim kids that aren’t theirs biologically.

It is surprising that we haven’t seen Noah, especially in this case. It’s hard to know who is on Benson’s team other than Fin at this point.

Jack: I was also wondering why we hadn’t seen Noah, especially when Benson was talking about how she felt about this case as a mother.

What was your favorite story, scene, or quote on Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 4?

Laura: I loved the opening scene with Carisi and Jessie and hearing him refer to her as his daughter. That warmed my heart.

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Jasmine: I enjoyed Carisi the whole episode.

He’s a character who often disappears into other people’s storylines, so I liked that this was about him as a father and how rattled he was, not just him as an extension of someone else, if that makes sense.

Sara: Shows that deal with touchy and traumatic situations like SVU often forget to show how those situations affect the characters psychologically and how they can impact their lives. This episode lets us see that stress from a father’s point of view.

It can be harder for Carisi since he’s new to parental protectiveness. It was a great insight into Carisi’s personal life.

Jack: I loved the whole Carisi-centered episode, too, but my favorite line was him calling Jessie his daughter. I love that he considers Rollins’ kids to be his.

Over to you, SVU fanatics.

What were your answers to these questions? What did you think of Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 4?

Hit the comments with your thoughts!

Law & Order: SVU airs on NBC on Thursdays at 9/8c and on Peacock on Fridays.

Watch Law & Order: SVU Online

The post Law & Order SVU Season 26 Episode 4 Round Table: Who Was To Blame For A Disturbing Case? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

But in an ironic twist for a show named after a flightless bird, the death toll really soared in The Penguin Season 1 Episode 4.

We said goodbye to some well-liked characters (“beloved” would be an overstatement for anyone on this show), and the groundwork has been laid for an all-out war between Oz and Sofia.

TV Fanatic writers Thomas Godwin and Tyler Johnson sat down to discuss the episode, the shocking deaths, and what comes next for Sofia Gigante and her former driver.

Check it out:

We said goodbye to some relatively big characters (Nadia Maroni, Johnny Viti) on this week’s episode. Is this show dispatching major players a bit too quickly, or do you like knowing that anyone can go at any time?

Thomas: I was a bit disappointed by Johnny Viti’s sudden departure. I thought that would be an interesting dynamic, especially after his empathetic speech.

It would have been interesting seeing him play second fiddle to Sofia and watching him grow in a role unfamiliar to him. Then she blew his head off and I spit out half my NOS and scared my dogs.

Tyler: It’s been a while since a show has so wantonly killed off well-developed characters portrayed by relatively famous actors. It’s bringing to mind the heyday of Game of Thrones, which is never a bad thing.

And thinning the herd in this way really helps keep the focus on the key three — namely, Oz, Sofia, and Vic. But at the same time, the varied cast of idiosyncratic bad guys (and gals) was one of my favorite things about this show, so I’m a little sad to see so many interesting characters kicked to the curb so abruptly.

I’d be worried if I thought the writers were setting up a long-running series and had plans to introduce new characters in order to replace the not-so-dearly departed.

But I’m more and more convinced that this show will be a one-and-done limited series (that was always the plan, but networks often change their plans these days), so maybe paring down the cast ahead of the final episodes is a smart move.

What do you make of the relationship between Sofia and Dr. Rush? Does she finally have someone trustworthy in her corner?

Thomas: I don’t know. He’s creepy to me. Seems awfully soft and maybe a touch sadistic to be someone Sofia can depend on. He’s that dude with the creepy white 1990s Dodge van with “free candy” sloppily finger painted on the side.

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Tyler: Yeah, there’s definitely something creepy about the good doctor. I’m usually dismissive of fan theories when it comes to this show, as the writers have made a point of subverting expectations thus far.

But there’s a lot to be said for the idea that Rush will turn out to be the Scarecrow. And hey, if that happens then he might turn out to be Sofia’s most powerful ally!

What do you think of Sofia’s decision to adopt her mother’s maiden name? Obviously, names are of major significance on this show and in the world of comics in general. Do you think the new moniker signals a shift in her character?

Thomas: I think it does. I mean, who wouldn’t? If my dad shipped me off to the local nuttery so he could hide the fact that he hung my mother, I’d probably change names as well.

Tyler: What’s in a name? Well, in the worlds of both gangsters and comic books, a lot! As Lisa Babick pointed out in her review, Sofia’s new name links her to Vincent Gigante, another mob boss who was the subject of mental health speculation.

And of course, when a denizen of Gotham changes their name, it’s usually an indication that they’ve entered a new phase of heroism or villainy. Perhaps it’ll be a bit of both in Sofia’s case.

It’s also worth noting that “Gigante” translates to “giant” or “gigantic.” Oz and her other foes might want to run and hide while they still can.

What about Sal’s escape from prison? Was it too far-fetched, or has this show earned that level of dramatic license? What does his freedom mean for the war between Oz and Sofia?

Thomas: Sal’s escape was, at least to me, the most cheesy thing I’ve seen on The Penguin.

I did my time in the Marines. You don’t take a shiv to the gut (all the way to the hilt, I might add) which probably plunged straight through his bowels and potentially the liver, bladder, kidneys, or spine, and suddenly overpower a perfectly healthy corrections officer, escape, and fail to seek any kind of medical attention.

He’s leaking his own feces into his bloodstream now, and I feel like they just needed an excuse to saddle Sofia with another untrustworthy partner and keep the Maroni family gig running. Sure, it’s fiction, but come on…

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Tyler: Yeah, that scene struck a sour note with me, which is a shame, as it was such a strong episode otherwise.

Sure, it’s a comic book show, but it’s also taken pains to maintain a certain level of realism up to this point. To throw it away with that scene when it would’ve been so easy to write a believable prison break for Sal just seems odd to me.

But hey, maybe it’ll all be explained later on.

Let’s talk shrooms. Oz is still trying to become the king of Gotham’s underground (literally), while Sofia is laser-focused on wiping out her enemies. Is Oz setting himself up for disaster with his quest to become the city’s top fungi guy?

Thomas: I love the throwback to Batman Returns with the whole underground lair thing. I also think the “plot hole” going around online (with The Penguin and Batman rubbing shoulders in the tunnels beneath Gotham) is no biggie.

Oz is at rock bottom. There’s only one direction he can go from here. Penguins can’t fly and all, but that direction is definitely up.

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Tyler: It seems like the show wants us to believe that Oz has drastically underestimated his opponent and is now literally in over his head.

That might be the case, but with three episodes remaining, there are certainly quite a few twists to come.

I think Bliss will end up having major plot significance — possibly in connection with the aforementioned Dr. Rush/Scarecrow theory. But I’ve learned not to try and predict this show. In fact, the only thing I’m sure of is that I have no idea what’s in store!

Over to you, TV fanatics? What are your thoughts on this wild episode?

Hit the comments section below to share your thoughts!

Watch The Penguin Online

The post The Penguin Season 1 Episode 5 Round Table: War Comes to Gotham appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 3 re-introduced Rollins, and we have some things to say about that.

Our TV Fanatic writers Laura Nowak, Jasmine Blu, Sara Trimble, and Jack Ori discussed our opinions about Rollins’ new role on Law & Order: SVU.

We also debated whether we’d want a spinoff starring Rollins, whether Nora’s friend was right to report the rape to Benson and more.

Did Rollins working with SVU on a joint case instead of for SVU work in this episode?

Laura: To second what Jack said in his Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 3 review, it’s always good to see Amanda Rollins!

I’m unsure if there was a better way to combine Intelligence and SVU. It was a bit of a stretch, but there was a rape involved.

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Fans wouldn’t have wanted Rollins in other parts of the universe besides SVU with her husband and friends.

Jasmine: It’s an unpopular opinion, but at best, I’ve always been indifferent about Rollins.

Nonetheless, it was interesting to see what they would do with her return.

I felt the reason for collaboration on this case was very thin, and I agree with Jack’s review about this case feeling like a mishmash of elements from various shows in the Dick Wolf universe.

But it was easy enough to work with, and I liked Intelligence.

Sara: I totally agree with what everyone else is saying about Rollins. She has never made much of an impression on me despite so much focus on her character.

But I do love her and Carisi’s dynamic. It’s always great seeing their chemistry.

However, joining two teams seemed more like gearing up for a spinoff. So, it felt a bit forced that they tried to tie one case to two divisions.

Jack: I liked the idea of Intelligence, but I also agreed with someone I saw on social media who commented that this was “like a Law & Order: Organized Crime episode without Stabler.”

Still, I was glad to see Rollins, and especially that she seems happier and more fulfilled, though I suspect the long hours could become a problem for her later on.

After meeting Rollins’ new partner and seeing Rollins in action, would you be up for a spinoff about her work in Intelligence and home life with Carisi?

Laura: 100% yes. More Amanda Rollins is good, and hopefully, they’d let us see Rollisi and the kids. I enjoyed her new partner, too.

Jasmine: By now, it’s clear that Dick Wolf could spin out another dozen series, and I’d probably still watch them. So, yeah, if it happens, I’d tune in.

I instantly loved Corgan about as much as I loved half the Hate Crimes Unit characters. But I’ll temper expectations in case we don’t get to see him again.

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Sara: The first thing I thought of when they introduced Rollins in her new role was a spinoff. I’d totally watch it because I’m a Wolfe junkie and a glutton for spinoff universes.

But I’m not sure if Rollins would have enough star charisma to drive an entire show the way Benson can. There would need to be another star power to lure me in for good.

Jack: I’d definitely be down for that, especially if we get more Rollisi scenes. When SVU first began, it was equal parts the cases and Stabler’s home life, and I miss that.

Especially with the lack of family dramas now that Blue Bloods is ending, we need more of that balance, and I think the Rollins spinoff could do it without sacrificing interesting cases.

Benson swore she’d put finding the rapist above helping Rollins catch the rest of the gang, but did she stick to that promise?

Laura: Determined Benson is the best. I love that they found the rapist, and she helped Nora cope with her rape and take care of herself.

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Jasmine: Very rarely does Olivia not follow through. She made it very clear what her intentions were and stood on that ten toes down even when it had her at odds with Rollins (which was contrived).

Sara: Benson was as driven to go the extra mile to solve the case as she always is, even if that means letting other crimes go free.

While it may comfort the victim, it does little for the rest of the city’s citizens, who could become victims of other crimes.

Benson’s sole focus on solving the rape was a bit frustrating. But she did manage to get justice for the rape victim and stop a group of criminals, so it all worked out.

Jack: Ugh, I hated that conflict with Rollins for the sake of drama. Rollins catching the perps would include catching the rapist, so what was the issue?

Benson kept her promise, but something felt off-balance, and I think it was because the show was trying to also be a backdoor pilot for Rollins’ new gig.

Thus, there was a lot of investigation going on that wasn’t directly related to Benson’s concerns.

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James doesn’t help the robbers, but Nora puts his potential reactions above her best interest at the end of the episode. Do you think he was an abusive husband?

Laura: This was a fine line.

Technically, he never even apologized for putting her in danger because of his end-of-the-world fears. However, many spouses consider their partner’s well-being above their own.

It’s that fine balance of being married, and it takes years to find it. They had only been married a year.

Jasmine: I INSTANTLY thought James was in on it.

You couldn’t tell me that man wasn’t guilty, and I waited the whole episode for some kind of confirmation.

I felt he was a self-absorbed man who gravitated to Nora because she puts him above her own self-interest, and I don’t see that as a healthy, stable relationship.

The point of a partnership is that both would be willing to do the same for one another, and I’m not getting that from them.

I can’t stand an imbalance, so I honestly hoped she dumped his ass at some point. Even if his intentions aren’t to be abusive or toxic, the results can still be the same.

Sara: Physically, I do not think James was abusive. He was too over-protective, to the point that he put his wife at risk from the dangers he created.

Psychologically, I think James knew how to put enough guilt into his wife’s mind that she thought putting him first was the way to show her love and loyalty, like how he’d convinced her that he was showing his love to her through his extreme measures.

I think James was too insecure and meek to do any physical violence to anyone, which is why he didn’t fight back.

But I also concur that their marriage was unhealthy and doomed to failure or an intense obsession with each other.

Jack: I’m with you 100% on that, Jasmine.

I also expected the plot twist to be that he was behind the robbery. That would also have explained why he was stupid enough to open the door without seeing who was there.

I’m sorry, but if the reason Nora didn’t want to report was that her husband would be upset, that’s a huge problem.

When Benson told Nora to put herself first, I was disappointed that she didn’t also add that in her experience as an SVU detective, what Nora was describing sounded like an abusive relationship even if James never physically hurt her.

Did you agree with Benson that Nora’s friend did the right thing by reporting the rape even though Nora didn’t want to involve the police?

Laura: I do. Her friend wanted to protect her and was doing what best friends do.

She even called Benson when Nora started drinking and stopped talking. I consider a true friend to know what someone needs.

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Jasmine: Yes. She had her best interest at heart, and this was something serious. 

Sara: I’m halfway on this one. While I get why the friend did what she did, it wasn’t her place to disclose that personal information if Nora asked her not to.

But I do believe that the friend was trying to do the right thing, and it worked out for Nora in the end.

Jack: I was also conflicted about this.

Nora clearly needed help, and in the context of the unhealthy relationship she was in during Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 3, it seemed like her friend was doing the right thing to protect her.

At the same time, I strongly believe that it is the survivor’s choice whether or not to report.

Nora also needed to feel some of the control that was taken from her by the rape, even if she was making the choice for the wrong reasons.

Discuss anything about the episode that’s on your mind that wasn’t mentioned above.

Laura: I was disappointed that we didn’t see or even mention Rollisi’s children for the second week in a row.

We don’t know how many episodes Amanda is in, so it would be nice to see her kids when she’s on.

Jasmine: Admittedly, I did find it odd that they didn’t do the Rollisi family thing once.

Also, WHAT was the point of introducing the new girl and then benching her for multiple episodes?

Chicago PD can get away with that, but not SVU when we know she’s part of the unit already and she’s just… not around.

Sara: I also found it odd that Benson has nearly a full SVU unit, and we didn’t see much of anyone except Fin. How are we supposed to connect with new characters if we don’t see them enough to create an impression?

And I also missed seeing Rollins and Carisi at home. Shows that find a balance of professional and personal always hit better than one focus series.

Jack: Agreed with all of the above. Especially after the case last week involving a child Jessie’s age, I felt like we needed some scenes with Rollins’ kids.

I also thought it was weird that Silva was missing again, especially because they hyped her so much before the premiere as the new detective who would be a permanent part of the team, and then after one episode, she’s gone.

What was your favorite scene, storyline, or quote from Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 3?

Laura: I absolutely loved it when Liv, Amanda, Carisi, and Fin were in the squad room discussing the case. It felt like the old squad.

Can we keep those four? I know many of the newer ones were missing, but I didn’t miss them since I had those four back.

Jasmine: Fin’s ability to have chemistry with anyone never ceases to amuse me. I loved his vibes with Amanda’s new partner.

Sara: My favorite part was when Rollins told Carisi something like, “There’s the hard ADA I married,” when Carisi decided to play hardball.

Given their professionalism throughout the episode, it was great to see them share an intimate personal moment.

Jack: I co-sign all of this. If SVU wants to go back to basics, it needs these original characters. They can also keep Corgan. I liked him.

Over to you, SVU fanatics!

You’ve heard our thoughts about Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 3. Now we want to hear yours.

Hit the comments with your answers to these questions or anything else you’d like to share about this episode.

Law & Order: SVU airs on NBC on Thursdays at 9/8c and on Peacock on Fridays.

Watch Law & Order: SVU Online

The post Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 3 Round Table: Did Rollins’ New Job Work Well? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

This week, the show explored a deeper, darker mystery by fleshing out the enigmatic Sofia Falcone.

It’s not easy to evoke sympathy for a ruthless drug lord and alleged serial killer, but the writers accomplished exactly that with the show’s most harrowing hour to date.

TV Fanatic writers Lisa Babick, Whitney Evans, Thomas Godwin, and Tyler Johnson discussed Sofia’s past, her family, and her shocking act of revenge in this week’s round table. Take a look:

Obviously, this episode was all about Sofia. How did her backstory influence your view of her relationship with Oz and her role within her family?

Thomas: Oz did what any low-level, knee-jerk henchman would do, and Sofia probably should have known that. But this was before just about everyone meaningful in her life, including her father, threw her under the bus.

Now, I think it’s a matter of how her trust issues will affect her relationships and control of a diminished Falcone empire. I also think it is interesting how Oz’s decision ultimately helps Batman, though Batman is almost a complete non-entity in this show.

Oz’s decision results in the chain of command being broken, with most higher-ups dead at Sofia’s hand and protracted internecine warfare.

Whitney: I’m glad we got this hour to give us the whole scope of Sofia’s story before we met her upon her release from Arkham. She was betrayed by all the people in her life, and no wonder she wants to take back control of her life and the family that should have been hers.

I’ve been more indifferent toward Sofia overall, but this hour was heartbreaking in so many ways. She never stood a chance in that family.

I wouldn’t trust anyone if I was Sofia. She needed Oz because she could use his ambition to her advantage, but you could tell she never fully trusted him, and she had every reason to keep him at arm’s length in a lot of ways.

Lisa: I’ve always liked Sofia, and this episode only deepened my understanding of her. Her story was truly heartbreaking, and I agree with Whitney — it’s no wonder she ended up with so much rage. The betrayals by her father and Oz shaped who she is now.

I don’t think she ever wanted this life, but the men around her left her no choice. Right now, I’m not convinced she’s interested in taking over the Falcone empire for good. It feels more like she’s driven to right the wrongs done to her, and Oz is definitely at the top of that list.

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Tyler: One of this show’s greatest strengths is fleshing out what could be one-note characters into dynamic, three-dimensional human beings.

We’ve previously seen the writers pull off that magic trick with Oz and Vic, and with this week’s episode, they may have transformed Sofia into the show’s most nuanced and sympathetic figure. On a show full of “villains,” she might be the closest thing to a hero.

We also learn a bit about Sofia’s father, Carmine, who, like most of the Falcones, is even more evil than we previously thought. Does the new information change how you feel about the family’s war with the Maronis?

Thomas: Not really. Within the parameters of the show, we don’t know much about the Maronis. It’s very likely they have some skeletons in the closet as well.

Whitney: It doesn’t change my feeling about the Maronis because, as Thomas said, we don’t really know anything about the Maronis. I’m sure the Maronis have issues too, but man, that Falcone family is pretty brutal.

Lisa: I’m with Thomas and Whitney on this. Carmine’s a monster, but as for the war with the Maronis, we just don’t know enough about them yet. We’ve only gotten some insight from Nadia and the ring in the first episode, so it’s hard to judge.

Right now, the war feels secondary, especially with Penguin playing both sides. Who knows? We might even see the Maronis and Falcones join forces against Oz, considering Sofia’s the last true Falcone standing (and Viti, but his days seem numbered).

Tyler: It’s certainly possible that the Maronis are as brutal as the Falcones (if not worse). But to me, the level of internal conflict within Sofia’s family adds an interesting wrinkle to the conflict between the two clans.

The Falcones could wind up being their own worst enemies, which certainly complicates their situation.

This episode introduces Summer Gleeson and Magpie, and it spends a lot of time in the infamous Arkham Asylum. In some respects, it leans more heavily on the previously established Batman canon than the earlier installments.

Would you like to see more of Gotham’s famous figures and locales, or do you prefer the more independent, semi-standalone mob drama approach that we’ve seen thus far?

Thomas: So far, these contributions are pretty small-scale and don’t change anything about the story. Magpie could have been replaced with (insert random name here), and the scene would have had the same effect in terms of Sofia’s character arc. It felt like a neat little cameo and nothing more.

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Whitney: Both appearances didn’t really lead to a whole lot, but it’s fun to have established characters from the Batman universe pop in to almost remind you that while the superhero may not be present, he IS a central part of this world. But I’m enjoying the show as it is and don’t necessarily need all the famous figures and locales to show up.

Lisa: It’s definitely a treat for hardcore Batman fans who love seeing nods to the universe’s deep canon, but it’s not a necessity for The Penguin. The show is about the Penguin, after all, and it stands on its own without needing to lean heavily on established Batman lore.

As for Magpie, I agree with Thomas — it felt like a quick cameo that didn’t add much beyond being the girl who ended up with her head bashed in by Sofia.

Tyler: I wouldn’t say I dislike superhero movies. In fact, I really enjoyed The Batman. But I’ve been feeling a little burnt out on them in recent years.

So I definitely wouldn’t mind if this show stuck with the gritty mob stuff and mostly eschewed the comic book lore. Obviously, we’re still in the Batman universe, but the writers have taken such an interesting, unique approach thus far.

I’d hate to see them compromise that by veering too far in the direction of typical DC fare.

The acting took center stage here, not only because of Cristin Milioti’s stunning performance but also because of Mark Strong’s debut as Carmine (John Turturro played him in The Batman).

What are your thoughts on this stacked roster of talent, and were there any acting moments that stood out to you in this week’s episode?

Thomas: It took a minute to recognize Mark Strong with hair (are there any movies or shows out there where he’s not bald?), but I felt like he was just as effectively sinister as Turturro. Both play the role with a generally calm demeanor, with the smallest undercurrent of malevolence.

The acting moment that stood out to me was when Sofia was committed. The scene was brief but conveyed much — I knew that it was going to be nothing but madness from there on out, and it was difficult not to empathize with her character at that point.

Whitney: Cristin Milioti was incredible in this hour. The Penguin is truly the Colin Farrell show, but Milioti more than holds her own opposite him, and she’s a force during this episode.

You could truly see the change throughout the hour, from a somewhat naive daughter to a wrongfully convicted prisoner to a released prisoner, understanding she can’t go back and can only make a way forward.

I loved the whole dinner scene because I am a sucker for awkward dinners in television and movies. If I don’t want to cover my eyes at least once, then it’s not awkward enough!

But Milioti was subtly gleeful, heartbroken, and determined when she faced off against the people who helped destroy her, and I loved everything about that scene and the way she played it. Cheers!

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Lisa: I agree with Whitney — Milioti’s performance was phenomenal this episode. Her range was on full display, from her innocence during the charity luncheon speech to her shock and disgust as she realized the depth of her father’s and Oz’s betrayals.

The dinner scene was a standout, but I also found her reaction to Alberto’s news that she wasn’t leaving Arkham especially powerful; it felt like the moment that truly flipped a switch in her.

Even after everything, including the bullying and shock treatments at Arkham, Sofia showed she hadn’t lost who she is inside, though she’s clearly become someone new.

Tyler: I’ve always enjoyed Milioti’s work (everyone should check out her performance in Palm Springs if they haven’t already!), but I was still surprised by the level of talent on display in this episode.

Obviously, she was the star of the show this week, but this is a cast that consistently fires on all cylinders. I’m also a fan of Michael Zegen’s, so I’m glad he’s been able to return in flashbacks.

Lastly, this episode concluded with yet another wild ending. Was Sofia’s act of revenge justified? What do you make of her decision to spare Gia?

Thomas: Sofia sparing Gia was a direct parallel to Oz sparing Vic. The two characters have much in common, and the show does a fantastic job of showing the audience what could have been and what is. Both Sofia and Oz are capable of profound cruelty, but there is a glimmer of humanity in both.

In a fictional sense, it’s easy to justify Sofia’s revenge, but it is an act of mass murder, nonetheless. Her revenge isn’t satiated either, with her sparing the most insufferable of the bunch, Johnny Viti. I imagine he has very little worth looking forward to from here on out.

Whitney: Justified? In a world like this, sure. Sofia’s own father threw her clean under the bus, and everyone at the table (sans Gia) directly or indirectly helped and was never someone she would be able to trust or work with moving forward.

So, for her to be the true head of the family, her only real choice was to literally be the only one left.

Sparing Gia definitely felt like a parallel to Oz and Vic, but it also just felt like a callback to the Sofia we met in the beginning of the episode. She still has that Sofia inside of her.

Lisa: I think Sofia saw Gia as an innocent who didn’t deserve the same fate as the others. Gia was born into the Family but wasn’t involved in betraying Sofia, so there was no reason to punish her.

As for Sofia’s act of revenge, I do think it was justified, but the way she went about it—using gas instead of a more violent method — shows that she doesn’t have the same taste for brutality as Oz.

She’s been through too much violence herself. When it comes to Oz, though, that’s a different story.

I don’t see a real parallel between Sofia sparing Gia and Oz sparing Vic. Oz’s “compassion” is surface-level at best; he’d sacrifice Vic or anyone else to save himself. There’s a reason he keeps Vic around, but I doubt it’s for anything good.

Tyler: This show keeps finding ways to deliver those bonkers twist endings. It reminds me of Breaking Bad in that way.

It’s no easy feat to continually ratchet up the tension week after week, but thus far, this show has pulled it off. As for Sofia’s act of revenge — well, it was extreme, but she lives in an extreme world.

And the writers definitely knew what they were doing when they had her rescue Gia. They had just spent an hour fostering compassion for Sofia, and it all would have been for naught if she’d killed a kid.

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The post The Penguin Season 1 Episode 4 Round Table: Sofia’s Revenge appeared first on TV Fanatic.

TV Fanatic writers Sara Trimble, Laura Nowak, Jasmine Blu, and Jack Ori discussed whether the judge’s behavior was surprising, the revelation about his wife at the end, and more in this Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 2 Round Table.

There was a lot to unpack in this one!

The SVU team went up against a powerful judge who had raped his stepdaughter years ago. Did the judge’s attempts to manipulate the situation and get out of trouble meet your expectations for the episode?

Sara: The judge’s behavior was exactly how we imagine a man of power acting once caught doing something illegal.

He believed he was above the law and had the right to get away with what he did because he’s been a moral man who put away bad guys. It was irritating and disturbing and fully believable.

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Laura: The judge’s behavior was exactly as expected. I almost expected him to go further into psychopathic behavior, like accusing his stepdaughter of lying.

I was surprised that he admitted he wrote it down, but naturally, he tried to play it off as a work of fiction.

Jasmine: I agree with Laura.

He behaved exactly as I expected him to act, and I was surprised he didn’t do more, which speaks to how freaking terrible this is and my faith and outlook on people.

The fact that he somewhat copped to it was diabolical in its own right.

Jack: I’m with you, Jasmine and Laura!

I was expecting him to be even worse.

His behavior was horrible but didn’t quite meet the standards of awfulness in Your Honor, though the judge in that show had better reasons for his abuse of power than being a pedophile who wanted to get away with raping his stepdaughter.

Did you expect Carisi to win this case, based on how it was going for most of the episode?

Sara: It’s always hard to tell with Law & Order: SVU whether justice or the bad guy will win.

It was touch and go for Carisi’s chances to win this case.

It was hard to process that the DA’s office would agree to prosecute a several decades-old case with weak evidence and a federal judge as the suspect, especially when the show’s been harsh on cases with weak physical evidence that relied mostly on repressed memories.

Laura: It’s usually hard to tell with these cases, especially when Carisi is trying a judge or the like. I had hoped the law was on his side, but the judge was a bigger fish.

Jasmine: I felt it really could have gone either way because of how high profile this was.

The judge easily could have gotten away with it despite Carisi’s efforts, or they would have been hellbent on making an example.

Jack: I did not expect Carisi to win. It’s somewhat of a tired TV trope, but SVU so often goes for the crappy. outcome at trial to make a point, and that seemed to be where this was headed.

How did you feel about the plot twist that the judge’s wife knew what was going on and chose to ignore it so that she could stay in the marriage?

Sara: It wasn’t a plot twist for me, as I saw it coming from the beginning.

She was too protective of her husband and adamant that she would know because she was a doctor.

It was obvious she was overcompensating out of self-preservation. It also didn’t shock me that she was willing to pay for her luxurious lifestyle with the innocence of her child.

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I was massively disgusted, though, and would have loved to see her go to jail, too. Couldn’t they have made a case for child prostitution or something?

Laura: It didn’t surprise me, but it disgusted me.

Her first responsibility should have been to her daughter, and it repulsed me that she thought she was taking care of her family. She only cared about herself.

Jasmine: I wasn’t surprised at all.

For one, the actress is really great at playing loathsome characters. Unfortunately, far too many women defend the indefensible to keep their happy illusion of a lifestyle intact. 

Jack: I suppose I should have seen it coming since everyone else did. I felt something was off with her but I hadn’t predicted that she was covering for her husband.

I agree that Jessica Tuck is great at playing loathsome characters, going all the way back to when she was on Days of Our Lives over a decade ago.

Should Law & Order: Season 26 Episode 2 have done anything to set up for Rollins’ guest appearance next week?

Sara: There was nothing in Law & Order: Season 26 Episode 2 that hinted that Rollins would be making a guest appearance in the next episode. It’s a missed opportunity to excite Amanda Rollins’ fans.

Laura: I would have liked to have seen a Rollisi scene with how Carisi was processing this case.

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Jasmine: Rollins is guest-appearing next week? Oh.

Jack: I was excited when I saw the promo for next week’s, but there was no indication of it during a Carisi-heavy episode, which was disappointing.

It would have been easy for him to have a one-sided phone call updating Rollins or a throwaway line mentioning her.

Did Carisi handle this case properly, given the difficulty of proving what had happened? Was there anything you wished he had done differently?

Sara: Given the difficult circumstances, it surprised me that Carisi was willing to proceed with the case.

His SVU history definitely affects the cases he agrees to try. Given the judge’s condescension and behavior, he did well staying calm and unflustered.

Laura: Professionally, I think Carisi did great.

However, Carisi has daughters. He’s always considered Jessie and Billie his, and Jessie has to be around Maggie’s age when that happened. As a dad, I wanted to see his personal reaction.

Jasmine: I’m going to be honest; Carisi does okay, but I’m rarely blown away by him as a prosecutor.

Cop Carisi definitely would’ve elicited a more emotional reaction. Sometimes, I feel like he lost his entire personality once he switched professions. 

Jack: I really like Laura’s point about Carisi not having a reaction as a father.

Many of the best Stabler episodes during the early years involved the job affecting him as a parent who had four daughters, and it would have been compelling for Carisi to go through something similar.

Discuss anything not mentioned above.

Sara: No other thoughts to mention.

Laura: This episode felt more like an old-school SVU episode, and hopefully, the rest of the season will continue like this.

Jasmine: I agree with Laura. It felt a bit more like old-school SVU, which we needed after the premiere. But there is something still off about this season that I can’t put my finger on.

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Perhaps it’s not being able to connect with most of the characters anymore.

Jack: I also thought this was closer to the way SVU used to be.

My only complaint was that we had very little of Silva. I think it’s risky to introduce a character and then immediately sideline her, as that makes it harder for viewers to get to know her.

What was your favorite scene or quote in this week’s SVU?

Sara: I love the dynamic of Fin (Ice T) and Velasco (Pisano). Their in-sync decision to stand up in the courtroom to chase down the judge’s son was gold.

Laura: I enjoyed seeing Liv and Curry in action interviewing Maggie. It felt like the women were in charge, all about the girl power.

Jasmine: I loved seeing Olivia trying to muster up every ounce of restraint. You could visibly see it all over her face in this whole case, and it was just such a mood.

Jack: I agree, Jasmine! I love the version of Benson that goes the extra mile for survivors, but I also love barely restrained, passionately angry Benson.

Over to you, Law & Order: SVU fanatics.

We want to hear your thoughts about these Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 2 questions or anything else about the episode that’s on your mind.

Hit the comments to share!

Law & Order: SVU airs on NBC on Thursdays at 9/8c and on Peacock on Fridays.

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The post Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 2 Round Table: Was The Judge’s Awful Behavior Unexpected? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Of course, The Penguin Season 1 Episode 3 still offered plenty of high-stakes drama, particularly in its wildly unexpected conclusion.

TV Fanatic writers Lisa Babick, Whitney Evans, and Thomas Godwin discussed that game-changing ending as well as what might come next for Oz, Sofia, and Vic in this week’s round table discussion. Take a look:

After a twisty and chaotic second episode, The Penguin Season 1 Episode 3 slowed down a bit (at least until the end).

We got into the logistics of Oz and Sofia’s partnership, and we learned a lot about what motivates Vic. What were your biggest takeaways from all that character development?

Lisa: I loved how this episode gave us a deeper look into the characters, especially with the dynamics between Oz, Sofia, and Vic. For me, one of the biggest takeaways was seeing Oz’s attachment to Vic deepen and how that’s going to complicate things down the line.

Oz might try to play the role of the calculating wanna-be crime boss, but his emotions slip through, especially when it comes to Vic.

The bathroom scene is a perfect example. We’ve talked about this before, but it’s almost like he sees a bit of himself in Vic, but that’s also what makes Vic such a dangerous loose end for him.

Vic’s motivations really stood out, too. At first, it seemed like he was sticking around purely out of loyalty or maybe fear, but after this episode, you can tell he’s playing his own game. His quick thinking with the cop during the drug deal showed us he’s more resourceful than we might’ve expected.

But is that enough to survive in Oz’s world? I’m not sure, especially with the way Oz manipulates and uses everyone around him. Vic’s got some smarts, but whether or not he’s cut out for this world remains the big question.

The partnership between Oz and Sofia is another fascinating layer. Sofia’s clearly not someone to be messed with, and while they might seem like partners now, I wouldn’t be surprised if Oz starts distancing himself from her soon, especially now that he screwed her over, leaving her in the alley.

He won’t be able to talk himself out of it, not only because he left her there but also because his duplicity with Maronis came to light. Oz is a traitor, and Sofia isn’t going to let that go, especially because he’s betrayed her before — she’s going to rank Oz right up there with the other “old men.”

Whitney: Oz is the star of this show, and I love seeing different sides of him. I love seeing how he thinks of his feet, but also how easily he can be triggered, like in the scene with Johnny Viti.

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He was hitting every single one of Oz’s insecurities, and if Sofia hadn’t been there and they didn’t need something from him, we could have easily seen an Alberto 2.0.

The relationship between Oz and Vic also hit that point you knew it was always going to reach. Vic hasn’t exactly had one foot out the door, but he’s also never been as invested as Oz would have liked.

With Garciela, he was finally able to hear from someone he loved about the life he was getting into, and he did waver, and it did force him to make a choice.

I’m not sure if this is ultimately the life for Vic, but this was such a great episode to flesh his character out more and give much greater insight into who he is and that pull within him.

Thomas: Vic doesn’t have a family or a purpose anymore, and it’s not surprising that he chose the Penguin over a potential love interest, even if he struggled with it throughout the episode.

Oz offers him something he can’t get anywhere else — a mentorship/fatherhood bond versus the virtual unknown of hopping on the bus and hitting the road.

Vic sees an opportunity for something more than just a stuttering kid who lost everything, and Oz sees a bit of himself in Vic. The biggest takeaway is that the rumors may be true, and we are seeing the HBOMax version of Victor Zsasz, a particularly nasty killer in the comics who lacks empathy for his victims.

The writers seem interested in exploring the parallels between Oz, Sofia, and Vic. What do you make of the ways in which they’ve all been shaped by their difficult family situations?

Lisa: The family dynamics are really interesting in this episode, and I think it’s one of the strongest aspects of the writing. All three – Oz, Sofia, and Vic – have been shaped by their families, but in very different ways. For Oz, we know his attachment to his mother is central to his character.

It drives a lot of his decisions and, honestly, his ruthlessness. He’s trying to be the crime boss, but you can tell he’s still influenced by that relationship, which makes him unpredictable. It’s almost like he’s trying to prove himself as someone powerful while still holding on to that familial loyalty.

Sofia, on the other hand, is straight-up calculating. The whole drug idea was hers, which shows just how smart and rebellious she is. Coming from the Falcone family, it’s clear that growing up in that world has hardened her.

Her emotional vulnerability comes from being fed up with her family treating her like a fragile, broken china doll. While it’s not the same kind of vulnerability we see in Oz, it’s even more dangerous.

She’s got nothing and no one to protect, so her anger drives her revenge. But like Oz, she knows how to use people to her advantage, and that’s what makes her such a dangerous player.

Then there’s Vic, who’s completely out of his depth in comparison. His family situation seems to be his Achilles’ heel. Losing his parents to Riddler’s madness has clearly left a mark on him, and while he’s resourceful, I think his family trauma might be driving him in ways he hasn’t fully processed yet.

Is he sticking around for survival, or is there something deeper — like revenge? It’s interesting how the writers are weaving in these family elements to shape their motivations, and it feels like it’s only going to get messier from here.

Whitney: There’s still a lot we don’t know about Oz, but it’s safe to say with the little we’ve seen of him and Francis, there’s a fierce devotion there.

And there’s a desire to be something his mother can be proud of, in whatever form that may be. It’s clear that trying to be somebody is perhaps the most important thing for Oz to accomplish, and I look forward to diving into his past more to fully see where that comes from.

Sofia feels a little lost sometimes but also just stubborn and desperate to make up for lost time. She’s holding onto a lot of resentment and it’s obvious that she feels alone and is very much aware that she’s alone.

Outside of Alberto, I doubt she’s trusted anyone in her family for a long time, and she’s sort of adrift. It’ll be interesting to see how she continues to make a name for herself outside of the family, while also still needing the Falcone name to make serious moves in Gotham.

Vic’s story feels like one we’ve seen before. This episode reminded me that Vic lost his family not that long ago, and he’s still very much grieving while also trying to move forward because he doesn’t really have a choice. But like Lisa mentioned, is there something deeper going on?

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Thomas: Complex characters can make or break a story, but The Penguin finds a solid balance between character building and moving the plot along. The restaurant scene is a little overdone, especially since Oz has already extended his affidavit on life previously.

But part of what makes The Penguin so enthralling is the convergence of backgrounds. Vic comes from a loving family, while Oz is the product of an overbearing mother obsessed with convincing her son that he’s stuck in a black-and-white world — all or nothing, fail or succeed.

We know some of Sofia’s background as well, but finding out how Bliss was used to keep her sedated and sedentary throughout her time in Arkham adds a rather ghastly aspect to her background. All three backgrounds are a bit different, especially where Vic is concerned, yet it seems all trails lead to the criminal underworld of Gotham City.

The episode title, “Bliss,” obviously refers to the newest drug on Gotham’s club scene. Do you think it applied to any of the other storylines as well?

Lisa: Yeah, while “Bliss” is obviously the name of the new drug in Gotham, I think the title fits a lot of what’s going on beneath the surface for the characters too. Oz, for example, is chasing his own version of bliss—power and control.

He’s got this twisted sense of fulfillment when he’s pulling the strings and manipulating everyone around him. But we know that’s not real “bliss,” it’s just temporary. The cracks are already showing, and as much as he’s trying to be this calculating and smart wanna-be crime lord, you can see that his need for control is a kind of addiction in itself.

For Vic, “bliss” might be the illusion of freedom or the idea that he can still carve out a life for himself, separate from the mess he’s found himself in.

He had a shot to leave, but instead, he’s staying in this dangerous world. Maybe he thinks he’s close to finding his own version of bliss — whether that’s revenge or security — but I feel like that’s going to slip away from him pretty quickly.

Sofia, on the other hand, seems completely uninterested in any kind of bliss. She’s all about power and survival, and I think that makes her deadly. For her, there’s no illusion of happiness or fulfillment, just the cold, hard reality of getting what she wants.

So yeah, the title might be about the drug, but it really taps into what each character is chasing—whether that’s power, control, or even revenge.

Whitney: Bliss certainly seems to be what Oz is after. He’s hellbent on being a major player in Gotham, someone who commands respect, like Carmine, someone he presumably studied and looked up to. Of all the characters, he’s the one most wanting and working toward finding a sort of bliss to bring purpose to his life.

Thomas: Like most illegal narcotics, Bliss comes at a cost. While the side effects of Bliss aren’t explicitly referenced, it’s an excellent analogy for the lives of Oz, Sofia, and Vic as they struggle to reach the top.

Every celebratory moment, success, and triumph is fleeting. Vic enjoys basking in the limelight as Oz’s bagman right before having a PTSD meltdown. Sofia and Oz patch things up after making a successful deal, only to find themselves on their knees, facing the wrong end of a gun.

Of course, the biggest headline from this episode is that wild ending. What do you think happened to Sofia? And if Oz really ditched her, what does that mean for their partnership?

Lisa: That ending was intense, right? Vic ramming the car into Nadia’s men was a bold move, but what really stood out was Oz’s decision to ditch Sofia. If she survived—and honestly, it’s hard to imagine she didn’t—there’s no way she’s going to let that slide.

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Sofia’s not someone you leave behind without consequences. Oz might be thinking he’s protecting himself or making a strategic move, but if he did leave her to fend for herself, that could completely shatter their partnership.

Oz has been walking a fine line, trying to manipulate everyone around him, but ditching Sofia might just be the step that pushes her to turn on him — again.

She’s already got her own agenda, and now that Oz has shown he’s willing to throw her under the bus when it suits him, their trust — if there ever was any — is gone. I wouldn’t be surprised if Sofia starts plotting her revenge or even teams up with someone else to take Oz down — like Nadia, for example. She’s smart, calculating, and now, she’s pissed.

As for Vic, his decision to drive off after the hit shows he’s in deep with Oz, even though he wanted to wait for Sofia.

It’s clear that he’s trapped in this world now, and I don’t think Oz sees him as anything more than a pawn. Vic’s loyalty is going to come back to bite him, and with Sofia on the warpath, things are about to get messy.

Whitney: I wondered if maybe the Maronis took Sofia, and if so, Oz should be fully exposed after 3 minutes alone with one of them.

But if that’s not the case, and she made it out of there without anyone catching her, she’ll be even more turned off from Oz than she already is. No matter how smooth his words are, Sofia does not trust that man at all.

His willingness to just leave her there, AFTER being called out by Nadia, will only show her that Oz is hiding things and only about saving himself.

Their partnership lasted a whopping day, which is kind of impressive when you think about it.

Thomas: The Oz and Sofia pairing is one of the most effective parts of episode three, and it would be a shame if it all came crashing down this early in the game.

Then again, these are not the kind of people who help the elderly cross a busy intersection. It was only a matter of time before Sofia and Oz’s newfound criminal relationship reached its conclusion. However, I’m betting Oz’s extraordinary smooth-talking talents will soothe things over in episode 4.

In a way, the ending was Vic’s finest hour. But it was also the kind of night he might look back on with regret for the rest of his life. What did you think of his decision to remain in Gotham and stick with Oz?

Lisa: Vic staying in Gotham and sticking with Oz is definitely a decision he’s going to regret. Sure, in the moment, it might feel like his finest hour — he’s thinking on his feet, saving Oz’s skin, and proving himself. But the deeper he gets into this world, the more dangerous it becomes for him.

He had a chance to leave with his girlfriend and start over, but by staying, he’s chosen to tie himself to a guy like Oz, who’s only going to use him until he’s no longer useful.

I think Vic is caught between wanting to prove he can survive in this world and knowing deep down that he’s not cut out for it.

He’s already shown he can make quick decisions, like bribing the cop and taking out Nadia’s men, but the cost of staying loyal to Oz is going to catch up with him. Vic’s not from this life, and I don’t think he’s fully realized just how deep he’s in. By choosing to stay, he’s crossed a line, and there’s no going back now.

This was a huge moment for Vic, but I feel like the regret is going to come later once he starts to see just how ruthless Oz can be. He might’ve saved Oz for now, but that loyalty is a double-edged sword, and I don’t think it’s going to end well for him.

Whitney: This is the kind of story where you know that no one’s truly going to get a happy ending, so sure, Vic will end up regretting this, but in the moment, it was badass. He thought of his feet, and he did what needed to be done to protect the person who may be sadistically cruel at times but has had his back.

Vic’s in such a predicament because he’s emotionally vulnerable, and Oz’s ideas and confidence are so alluring that you can almost see the vision in front of him.

Vic trying to convince himself sometimes to believe Oz. But he’s still so unsure of himself and his place. Saving Oz will only strengthen the mentor/mentee dynamic between the two, and I wonder how much Vic will take advantage of learning from someone like Oz.

Thomas: What interests me most about the final scene is how Vic looks at Oz from here on out. He knows how Oz is dedicated to this entire charade in order to elevate himself.

But, there has to be some consequence in watching Oz instantly choose self-preservation when more than just his own life is on the line. It will be interesting to see if Oz’s leaving Sofia behind has any bearing on Vic’s view of him.

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