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Law and Order: SVU

 In one of the most beloved "SVU" episodes (a season finale), Benson and Stabler look for a particular killer. "Use common sense," says one. "If you hear hooves, and you're wondering if it's a horse or a zebra....it's likely not a zebra."


But, in fact, this case involves a zebra: The killer is someone *within* SVU. Once that batshit revelation occurs, the episode spirals into lunacy. It's campy and fun.

A similar energy seems to animate "Duty to Hope," our newest season finale. The writers establish certain rhythms--then (again and again) they find a way to be shocking.

We begin with Olivia leading a conference. She is in command. This is disrupted when a crazy new DA arrives; she hijacks the meeting and makes a flashy display of her incompetence. Delightful.

Next, Fin carries out a bag of trash--and we hear, "Stop! Freeze, or I'll shoot!" A child is pointing a gun at him. This child is like the "second coming" of the DA.

Finally, when a key suspect emerges, we anticipate a "cat-and-mouse" game. (After all, this is "SVU.") Instead, before articulating even one line of dialogue, the suspect opens fire from a second-story window--and we find ourselves in an action/adventure film. (We were warned: A victim had testified that the assailant "seemed to have an unhealthy relationship with his gun.")

I appreciated the creativity in this finale. I don't care about Stabler, or the compass necklace, but I look forward to more time with the DA. Till next year.
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