Law & Order: SVU Season 28 Episode 5 Review: Jalen Brunson Episode Is No Slam Dunk

Law & Order: SVU Season 28 Episode 5 “Forsaken” is easily the weakest hour so far this season. (Let’s hope the quality rebounds so that this remains the lowest we go.) Unlike the previous four episodes, there’s no complicated moral gray area for the squad and/or the DA’s office to contend with. In short, it lacks substance or anything compelling enough to keep our attention. Also unlike its much stronger predecessors, “Forsaken” doesn’t feature any kind of personal storytelling for our series regulars.

The closest we get on that last point is a married couple inappropriately working very closely on the investigation, in a way that’s less easy to overlook than usual. Even then, it’s not like Rollins and Carisi get anywhere near the sort of depth that we’ve seen with others so far this season. And that doesn’t actually make any sense, considering a case with a blended family and parents who choose to protect one abusive child over their other two (you know, the innocent ones) should naturally lend itself to…something emotional for the two characters who are, in fact, part of a blended family with multiple kids. So, it’s a missed opportunity…on top of Law & Order: SVU Season 28 Episode 5 being an overall miss.

Certainly, a successful SVU episode doesn’t always have to have a personal connection, or even a sticky situation that asks us to figure out what pursuing justice actually means. The previous hour had its gutting emotional scenes, sure; but without those, it still would’ve been creative and clever enough to be a success. On the other hand, there has to be some selling point—anything that makes us want to keep watching, whatsoever. There are a few scattered watchable moments here and there, but they pale in comparison to what this cast normally does.

Typically, when all else fails, we can at least count on the guest cast. Unfortunately, I can’t even say that’s the case here. Despite his appearance being heavily promoted, New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson is barely in this episode—and let’s just say I’m grateful there wasn’t more. And that’s fine! The guy’s disgustingly talented in other areas, after all. But still, what up-and-coming young actor might have been able to play that new detective Liv goes to meet? Additionally, although Brunson shouldn’t be judged based on his father’s alleged history—and he definitely doesn’t deserve any ill treatment or negative opinions based on someone else’s alleged behavior—having the father in question walk in front of Captain Benson on screen…is certainly a choice.

What kind of choice? Pick a negative adjective. It’ll probably fit. We should probably start with irresponsible. Disrespectful, as in disrespectful to survivors, also comes to mind.

And what kind of episode is Law & Order: SVU Season 28 Episode 5? Certainly not a good one. After the run we’ve been on, I’m sorry to have to say it…but I’m more sorry to have had to sit through it.

MORE: Check out our thoughts on the SVU Season 28 premiere.

More Law & Order: SVU Season 28 Episode 5 Reactions

I suppose starting the episode off with that godawful speech and the bridesmaid being like, “kill me, please” should’ve been our warning.
“It’s nice to have you back, Bruno.” Well. Small miracle: We’re at least aiming for continuity and acknowledging the break Benson made Bruno take after a triggering case.
I know for a fact that Jessalyn Gilsig is capable of spinning wild AF writing into gold after watching her as Gina on Nip/Tuck. And yet, this episode is…this.
The best we manage to get on a “Liv being Liv” level is when she gets down on her knees to make eye contact with the victim and talk to her in that soft, soft voice of hers.
But how/when did Curry and Fin get here? Also, how was Benson with Rollins one second and then, “poof!” not? Weird editing choices here at the beginning. Fitting for a weirdly “bleh” episode, I guess.
“Stop. Police.”
“Guess he didn’t want to dance.” “I must be losing my touch.”
Oh? We’re back in the “Olivia Benson magically just knows” era? Thanks. I hate it.
“And…do not. Speak.”
“Neil. Sssshut. Your mouth.”
“So. Monica has a type. That’s two partners with anger issues.” Inappropriate, and Benson should know better.
“Things are about to get really messy really quickly.” I’d make a snarky joke about how that sums up the hour and all, but…honestly? A messy episode would’ve been preferable to one that’s just bad.
“Rick” is also, uh, a choice of a name to repeatedly have to hear, given the real-life Rick who makes a brief appearance.
“You don’t need to feel like you have to preserve your mom’s relationship at your own expense.” It’s frustrating to think about the number of ways someone could’ve shaped an incredible episode around this one line/message.
But why is the usual Olivia Benson empathy and emotion absent—or barely there, at best—while Chloe’s finally disclosing?
“Because it’s not appropriate for me to be giving legal or financial advice to the defendant.”
Ok. I appreciate how disgusted Carisi is on the “family, family, family” line. Him getting p**sed off in the courtroom also got my attention—for good or bad, I’m still not sure—when my eyes were starting to glaze over listening to the bland, yet also evil and sh**ty, dad.
“Tyler has a fragile soul.” Oh, STFU.
The mom’s clearly also a victim in her own right, but at the same time, yeah…she needed to hear some of what the marrieds were saying. Delicate balance. Not exactly sure the writing was up to the task here.
The best part of this episode was the promo at the end of it. Or, no, that’s the second best part. The best part is that it’s over.