Law & Order: SVU 25×01 “Tunnel Blind” isn’t exactly the best start to the series’ landmark 25th season. It’s certainly far from the worst, too, but just saying. Now, to be as fair as possible, it’s not exactly like anything about the real-world time between Season 24 and now was at all normal. So, sure. We’ll probably never know to what extent some of the (unfortunately many — we’ll highlight a couple) rough parts could have been improved without the months of “hot strike summer” and the rush back to production that came after. Even if we acknowledge that, though, there’s no getting around the fact that some of the issues are, in fact, a continuation of existing problems. Which means at least some of our benefit of the doubt breaks down.
…where do we even begin? Eh. The beginning, probably.
Can we stop with this kind of thing already?
Law & Order: SVU 25×01 picks up months after El gave his Liv a compass to lead her to the one true love of her life, aka him happiness. Throughout the episode, it is beyond clear that Captain Benson has been wearing that thing everywhere, all over, all the time — and even drawing comfort from it as if it’s her disappeared soulmate’s partner’s Semper Fi medallion or something. So…why are we playing coy with the audience whilst simultaneously doing some spoonfeeding?
In what reality would nobody have asked Liv about that thing for months? And why violate the “show, don’t tell” rule of storytelling by having this random — no, I don’t care what his name is — ask about the letters on the compass even after she’s already shut down his advances? While we’re at it, my dude, go away. She’s not only not that into you, she’s not into you at all. No is a complete sentence.
Insert Olivia Benson, “it just doesn’t make sense” gif here.
The other issue here is that, even without the very clear “girl’s taken” (or, perhaps pre-taken is a better way of putting it) symbol, why would Carisi be telling people Liv’s single? Do he and his wife never speak? Has he never seen Captain Benson interact with the bald man? Make it make sense. Also, how does a new parent have time to work, throw a party, and play matchmaker? The whole thing feels very forced, especially given the time jump. Not to mention, Fin’s whole “Phoebe’s sister” thing from a couple of seasons ago — hate to say it? — did it better.
On the plus side of this whole debacle, we’re always here for personal, joyful breaks from all the darkness. Truly. Even when it involves some forced moments here and there. And, yes, even when it’s yet another simcha (see also: “joyous event“) for others that Liv experiences for, and somewhat with, them — but also as an outsider looking in on them. (Hell of a shot of our leading lady looking through that glass, by the way. Just ouch.) But to distract from that in a way that feels like it’s insulting to the audience’s intelligence…no thanks. Cut it.
Superpowers? Or…???
The other major issue with “Tunnel Blind” comes from Liv just…happening upon the victim before she even knows there’s a case. Coincidences happen, and the encounter is a very good way to set up this story of Olivia being so unfair to herself for falling short. But, ok, first and very glaring point: Does this woman need those extra reasons to feel down at this point? Going to go with no. Not to mention, while we’ve certainly talked about Olivia Benson being a superhero many times, it’s not because she has literal, actual superhuman abilities. Empathy beyond that of mere mortals and an infinite capacity for constantly being traumatized, yet always surviving? Sure.
But the episode doesn’t make it about those powers.
Instead, Law & Order: SVU 25×01 basically hits us over the head with how much of a “moment” Liv has, to the point where it comes across more as a premonition than a moment she wants to go back and fix. Those eyes lock in on the girl in the van, and even the big sighting comes after a long, slow setup. One that sees Liv first blinded by the sun, then totally distracted, complete with “we’ll talk about it” audio that sounds almost slurred and is met with a confused Noah because he thinks they’re “talking now, aren’t we.” (They are! Liv’s, uh, not all there, though.) Then, she doesn’t even notice the traffic light changing — further proof that she definitely notices something. Because this is a big deal. Hi, viewers. Make sure you notice that she notices.
Someone who, somehow, has never seen this series before might tune in and think this is some show where the main cop lady can, like, tell when there’s a victim nearby. And — check it out! — if the victim has substances in their bloodstream, the hero can use her magical powers to feel disoriented at the same time. Basically, the setup a very bizarrely-done sequence that creates a tone of “???” from which the episode never completely recovers.
Which, to go back to the earlier point of trying to be fair, it’s possible that a more normal production schedule could’ve resulted in things being rearranged a bit. Or at least more fine tuned, maybe? But we can only comment on what’s there, not what could’ve been and offer what we would’ve liked to have seen instead.
For us, Liv’s vision (supernatural implications not intended) might’ve been a lot more effective as a flashback. Have Olivia witness, through her past self’s eyes, how obvious it all was. Or how obvious it seems after the fact, at least. How she missed what was right there in front of her. If we’re doing “hindsight is 20/20,” let’s actually do crystal-clear hindsight.
“It is on me.”
One place where Law & Order: SVU 25×01 really succeeds is in showcasing just how hard Olivia takes her mistake. (If we can even call it that.) For her, the bar is impossibly high. Not just because she’s good at her job, or because she has dedicated so many years to it, or because she started this work for a very personal reason. No. She has also made “Captain Benson” practically her entire identity. Sure, she’s also Noah’s mom, but that’s…about it. Work is life; success is the only option. Who is she, if not the one who helps the helpless? Where else can she find her own happiness, if not in her crusade?
So, as the squad investigates Maddie’s disappearance, if Olivia feels like she’s not entirely herself, it’s because she can’t be. Not when there’s a victim out there who she feels responsible for, despite all logic. Feelings don’t come from logic, after all — and even the great Olivia Benson is not immune to that. So, we can’t help but take note of all these places where Liv just looks exhausted, or where she practically bites anyone who dares to point out how there’s no way she could’ve known, or even where the bullpen just feels…like everyone is tiptoeing around Captain Fed Up Benson. Because they are spot on. This is how it feels to be surrounded by all sorts of pressure, burnt out, and adding extra pressure on yourself to be the best.
She’s Captain Benson, and this is what she does — who she is. So, how could she not have done X, Y, and Z the second she saw that girl? She knew something was off, after all. Because she had her super Liv-ey senses tell her something was off. This is what her inner voice is screaming at her, what her impossibly-high expectations for herself dictate she believe. But, even with everything she’s already accomplished, Olivia Benson is not, in fact, a superhero. Can not, in reality, be so perfect at doing detective work, she knows what — in this case, who — she’s looking for before anyone even reports a crime. For all the victims she has saved, and as much as she does make a difference, she can still never be everything to everyone. Will never be as perfect as many people see her as. As perfect as she wants — needs — herself to be.
And so, she is extremely hard on herself — won’t even consider accepting her friends’ attempts at reasoning with her. It’s very painful and difficult to watch, yet extremely well done. And that “Benson beats up Benson for what she believes to be a mistake” element speaks to the broader story, too. Specifically, it gives us a great update on Liv’s state of mind at this point. Which is, not great…to say the least. And, importantly, it shows us everything we need to know without forcing anything. Compare this with the opening sequence, and we rest our case on why that was…something.
As a surprise to no one, Mariska Hargitay does a beautiful job portraying every piece of this, including — and maybe especially — the way Liv just has to…turn herself back “on” to be around people who don’t know her as well. When she’s with Maddie’s mom, for example, it’s just…the usual outpouring of care and concern, yes. But there’s also something different. Because she’s different. This thing is eating at her. Because she has so many other things eating at her, too…but this she can drive herself to fix, whereas the other stuff, not so much.
Almost as if constantly traumatizing and re-traumatizing someone to prove how “strong” they are while not giving them a damned break or any personal fulfillment is unhealthy or something.
More on Law & Order: SVU 25×01
- On the one hand, the flashbacks and the voiceover were a touching nod to this season being a big deal. But on the other…something just didn’t seem to jive with the actual content of the premiere itself. (Though, it does work way better by the end.) Why not have Hargitay do the whole “it’s moments like these that remind me of the oath that I took to protect the innocent. This is not a solitary act. But more of a lifelong commitment” voiceover, accompanied by all those memories, as part of some kind of situation where everyone is celebrating a great milestone for Olivia? Like, I don’t know…the ceremony that never happened because Baldy in the rain?
- “…might as well toss your heart into a wood chipper.” Did the Eve 6 guy not let y’all use the “tender heart in a blender, watch it spin around to a beautiful oblivion” lyric or.
- But also: Is the wood chipper thing because she is very much spoken for? Or because she’s down on herself and figures she’s incapable of making a relationship into anything other than the inspiration for some emo band’s next album? Both?
- Exhausting to have to keep asking stuff like that.
- The Rollisi baby is a prodigy? Ok then.
- Noah is too young to babysit. Stop this.
- Missed most of these characters, did not miss McGrath. Can this man just go?
- “I should’ve known better.” Story of my life, Liv.
- “You had no way of knowing.” “I should’ve seen it in her eyes; I should’ve known.”
- “…moved from San Francisco to New York last year because of the crime.” What in the…????
- “Fin, if you say that again, we’re gonna have a problem.” She’s going to murder.
- “Are you guys saying that I’m imagining all of this? Because I’m not!!” Hell hath no fury like a woman who’s being told to “calm down” by men who don’t seem to believe her. Like, the hand gestures…and yeah. Wow, ook. If looks could kill…
- No but the Benson senses just…honing in on the broken camera almost instantly, too. It’s too much. Chill with the magic of it all.
- Maddie leaving behind her bracelet is a jarring reminder of when Liv left her necklace behind that one time…
- …but also the bracelet style is, uh…a bit obvious, given how many stops on a certain tour a certain someone attended this past year, no?
- “Other than my useless visual ID?” Me.
- Yuck to the creeper with the stalker board. Some folks might want to consider not photographing every single move someone they admire makes. Just saying!
- “Taking photos of strangers makes me feel closer to people.” Seriously. Look at how cringe this guy is.
- The Liv facepalm is back!!!!!!!
- No but seriously, WTF for all eternity with the dolls.
- Every time we see Liv seeking comfort from the compass, nature heals a little more.
- Cafeteria Carnage?????
- “An anatomically-correct teen girl, who looks exactly like our victim?” Embrace the cringe case of WTF. Lean in!
- “You may think that, but when it comes to the internet, all bets are off.” Screenshots and yentas have entered the chat.
- Ah, yes. Blame Taiwan. Original.
- Super sweet moment between Liv and Amanda, especially the way Liv just lights up when Amanda calls it “our perp.” Also very good to see Liv actually admit to someone, anyone, she’s “not really” ok. (Understatement.)
- However. There’s a fine line between working together/bouncing ideas off each other and Liv just…not being able to do this without Amanda.
- “Don’t make me miss you more than I already do.”
- We’re doing “lulz the fat guy can’t make a fast get away, so Liv’s gonna just casually walk down the stairs and still find him unable to climb the fence” in 2024, huh? K.
- “But it was too late, right?” “Yeah. It was.” She is biting.
- The devil works hard, but copaganda around fentanyl works harder.
- “To be honest, I’m getting really sick of shouting into the wind.” “Believe me, I understand.” Same.
- No but, again I say: F**ck McGrath.
- “Is this some…kind of victory?” “Well. It is a victory. Maybe not the one you want, but it’s the one that’s in front of us.” Another great reaction from Hargitay. It’s like “the audacity of this man.” Also…yeah. Nobody in Liv’s position is going to want a celebratory round when they’re nowhere near their goal. Especially when that goal is finding a missing girl.
- It’s like toxic positivity, but ramped up to a billion because McGrath and “PR.”
- “But my duty doesn’t end when the case is closed. They all stay with you, whether innocents saved or lost. My goal is for the world to be measured by how safe it is to be innocent. And after all these years, I’ve come to accept that maybe it’s not possible. But I still have a duty. A hope.” This is so pretty? Not really “normal” for the series and kinda…forced in? But pretty enough, I don’t care. Much.
- This grieving mother…powerful.
- And we end with that heartbreaking look from Liv. Because of course. Is it really SVU if Liv’s not miserable?
Thoughts on Law & Order: SVU 25×01? Leave us a comment!
Law & Order: SVU airs Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC.
