Rating: 
Summary: Gritty and Important
Review: The first Law and Order Spinoff series, Law and Order: SVU is an often stark and depressing look into the most destructive crimes being committed today. This series offers an uncompromising look into the minds of some truly disturbing sex offenders and reminds us about what happens every day that we'd rather just ignore. Occasionally lurid and often brilliant, this show combines Law and Order's entertaining, 'ripped-from-the-headlines' storytelling while reminding its audience about what is casually glossed over in the news every night.Although the original Law and Order was very much a story-driven show, this incarnation focused much more on the lives of the detectives on the Special Victims Unit. Christopher Meloni plays Detective Stabler, a family man who is very dedicated to his work. The fact that he has a wife and daughters makes him a very interesting character and adds to his movivation to get the job done, to get the bad guys off the street, so that it won't be his daughters being abused next. His partner, Detective Bensen, is played by Mariska Hargitay. She is in the work for different reasons. The fact that she herself was the product of a rape makes her also a very interesting character, as her motivations for being in the unit are very complicated. Richard Belser reprises his role from 'Homicide' as Detective John Munch, and he brings a lot of black humor to the show. It's just fun to watch him work, and Belser is a terriffic actor. His partner in the first year was Michelle Hurd, although she would later be supplanted by Ice-T. Hurd played a slightly off-kilter policewoman who wasn't quite prepared for the rigors of the job and was forced off the squad at year's end. Rounding out the cast was Dann Florek, reprising his role as Captain Cragen from the original Law and Order. I loved him in that series, and he is great here, too, walking the line between being tough and supportive with his detectives. Although more emphasis was placed on the characters, this was still Law and Order, and that meant that the stories would have to be pretty darn good. And they were. The first season dealt with a plethora of sex abuses including rape, incest, child abuse, statutory rape, and more. Subsequent seasons would have a greater variety of story devices, but the first season was definitely a firm foundation for what turned out to be a fine series. Bottom line: if you feel the need to be happy or uplifted after watching a program, this might not be for you. It is sad, haunting, and some of the stories will stick with you for a long time, much like the crimes it depicts. However, it has a ring of truth to it, it is still thrilling, and occasionally, we see an episode that really makes one think about a society which can produce such miscreants. Not a feel-good show at all, but an important one. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Glad I Bought This!
Review: The full year is here! I could watch all these episodes in one sitting. In defense of this set I shall point out that others are disturbed by 2 major factors: lack of features and the ads at the beginning. Well, there are a couple of interviews and a "making of" on the last disc. What other special featurse do you want? Nothing is really needed; the shows are all here. The ads in the beginning can not be skipped. They are reletively short anyway. Look at it this way: few commercials first, then four uncut episodes; or 15 minutes worth of commercials, plus one episode that is cut up for the commercials. The set is totally worth it for any SVU fan. Check out Christopher Meloni on OZ, those DVD sets are now available.
Rating:
Summary: Glad I Bought This!
Review: The full year is here! I could watch all these episodes in one sitting. In defense of this set I shall point out that others are disturbed by 2 major factors: lack of features and the ads at the beginning. Well, there are a couple of interviews and a "making of" on the last disc. What other special featurse do you want? Nothing is really needed; the shows are all here. The ads in the beginning can not be skipped. They are reletively short anyway. Look at it this way: few commercials first, then four uncut episodes; or 15 minutes worth of commercials, plus one episode that is cut up for the commercials. The set is totally worth it for any SVU fan. Check out Christopher Meloni on OZ, those DVD sets are now available.
Rating:
Summary: L&O Special Victims Unit - A Thought Provoking Series
Review: The poor opinion given from Florida, is just that- an opinion. Now here's my opinion: This is an enthralling show. What the original series lacked is made up for in 'SVU' namely, a close look into the lives of the characters. Meloni (Det. Stabler) is the guy you would want for a father or brother... while Det. Benson (Hagerty), is someone you'd like to just embrace and comfort her pain, (knowing of course that she'd never allow it). Most of these characters are well developed in their roles, but never cease to surprise us with something we weren't expecting. As for the DVD quality, as i recall, Dick Wolf's fight with the networks was regarding the usage of non 35mm film, for the sole purpose of giving the L&O shows a more gritty texture, and not something from a home video camera. It works. You know what they say, "If something works, don't mess with it." My only true disapointment in the show was seeing Det. Jeffries resign. But let me side bar with you for a moment, and take you down memory lane with some other shows for the purpose of contrast. The original Star Trek, The A-Team, Gilligans Island, and oh sooooo many more... what do all these shows have in common? By the end of every show, each person was back in their respective place. Those Trekkers out there know that if you wore a red uniform in the original Star Trek you were as good as dead (even if it did take 5 minutes) but no main character ever resigned or was truly killed by shows end. The 'A-Team' for those of you who don't know, were supposed to be ex-green beret, and no one ever left or died on that show! My point is that Dick Wolf's Law & Order Franchise (including SVU) broke all the stereo types. It incorporates drama with occasional humour, and draws you close enough to feel the pain of the characters involved. That's what good acting is all about folks, connecting with the audience. The Icing on the proverbial cake, however, has been the strong women throughout this series. The Assistant District Attourney's alone have been the result of some great casting. My only advice to Mr. Wolf (As if he needed any) Is to more fully develope Ice-T's character, and perhaps the M.E.
Rating: 
Summary: Great show - poor DVD quality
Review: The show is great, but the dvd is vcd quality, and the commercials at the beginning are to long, and you are forced to watch them. I would not buy any of the other Law and Order dvds based on the quality of this dvd... USA could have done a better job. I'm very disappointed with what they did to such a great show.
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST DAMN COP SHOW EVER!!!!!!!!!
Review: THIS IS AN AWESOME SHOW AND AN AWESOME BOX SET. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO GLUED TO THE TV IN MY WHOLE LIFE! EVERYTHING ELSE TOOK SECOND PLACE. MY ONLY PROBLEM NOW IS THAT I HAVE SEEN ALL OF SEASON ONE AND CAN'T FIND SEASON TWO AVAILABLE FOR SALE ANYWHERE!!!!!!!! DOES ANYBODY OUT THERE KNOW WHEN SEASON 2 WILL BE RELEASED AND WHY IT IS TAKING SO LONG?????? ENOUGH ALREADY! JUST RELEASE THE NEXT DAMN BOX-SET!!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Show with Two Small Problems
Review: This is one of the best dramas on television. It conveys the evil of humanity, but shows that there are those out there with the compassion to help the victims. There are only two things wrong with the show. First, as stated in other reviews, Munch is pushed aside more and more each season, and lines he could have are given to Ice-T who in his own way is a spectacular addition to the cast, but let's equal out the line distribution between Finn and Munch. Second, throughout the shows run, there are combinations where they blend Law and Order with Law and Order: SVU, where you see part 1 of the story on one and the second part on the other as in "Entitled" Part 1 in SVU the first year. Are we to wait ten years until Season 10 of Law and Order comes out? I think that is a bit too long. Still one of the best shows on television.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing show.
Review: This show has impacted me enough to want to spend $50 on a boxed DVD set. I watch it every night and when I am not watching it, I'm studying it. First of all, I love the first season, I must say. Mariska Hargitay looks absolutely beautiful as the empathic Detective Olivia Benson, a character I have fallen in love with. Christopher Meloni is nothing less than hot as Detective Elliot Stabler, and the chemistry between the two is absolutely extraordinary. They are what pull you in, whether you realize it or not. Of course, Richard Belzer as John Munch is great - the character's dry sense of humor is fantastic, and he can sense a conspiracy in anything. There are quite a few people that I know of who, in part, watch the show because of him. Michelle Hurd is a very strong actress as Monique Jeffries - I was very sad when she left - and Dean Winters did a good job during the duration of Brian Cassidy's too short stay. The plotlines are compelling - you are left wondering how people can do such things, especially when they get away with it. There are many amazing episodes in this season especially - Stalked comes to mind immediately. As Liv is my favorite character, this episode really struck a chord with me. But I'm drawn to those types of plotlines as it is. Overall, you can't go wrong with a cast like this. The chemistry between all of the characters - especially between Benson and Stabler - is overwhelmingly good sometimes. I really hope you take time to watch this season. The only complaint I have is the lack of the fantastic Stephanie March as ADA Alexandra Cabot - guess we'll have to wait for Season 2 for more of her.
Rating:
Summary: kick ass
Review: This show is so awesome, anyone who likes the show should buy the box set!
Rating: 
Summary: Law and Order Fans this one is for you.
Review: This was a Christmas gift and since I am a DIE HARD L & O fan I couldn't wait to get started on this. I am very pleased. Of course the commercials in the beginning are not necessary but promotion is part of the new millenium I suppose. There are 6 CD's and 22 episodes. I had tea and crumpled up in my blankie and watched a CD at a time. I would have given this 5 stars if they could have given us more on the CD's itself like special features etc. oh well....can't win them all.
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