‘Law & Order: SVU’ season 16, episode 10 review: Kelli Giddish gives powerful performance in ‘Forgiving Rollins’
For much of the past several weeks, we knew that the story on “Law & Order: SVU” was going to be a difficult one for Amanda Rollins. Her past with Deputy Chief Patton was going to come out, and she would in a way have to confront what happened to her so many years ago in Atlanta.
“Forgiving Rollins” was a gut-wrenching episode at times. From start to finish, Kelli Giddish was sensational, as Rollins had to ultimately untangle her own contradictions, and realize that if she wanted to put Patton away now for crimes he committed against another officer, she would have to try and take the stand herself. Rollins ultimately did come clean, but unfortunately, was not allowed to take the stand.
Part of the reason why this episode was so strong was the performance of Harry Hamlin in this episode. This has to be a difficult role for him to take on, but it is the sleaziness of this character that made him so terrifying.
Right when it seemed like Barba had the upper hand in incriminating Patton, a “heart attack” on his part seemed to turn the tide. As it turned out, it wasn’t a heart attack at all, and the trial would continue in some shape or form. It wasn’t a complete victory for Rollins and the SVU, but it never really is. Patton did enter a guilty plea, but it was for a lesser charge in return for no jail time, but a variety of other sanctions. Also, he had to enter the plea himself in court and face that embarrassment.
This episode is one that will stick with us for some time. Hopefully, Rollins can start to heal now that some of the truth is over, but we wonder: Does she find peace in helping other victims every day, or is it a reminder of her own past? These are issues that could play out the remainder of this season. Grade: A-.
(Photo: NBC.)
Michael Goldman
January 8, 2015 @ 3:37 am
“Forgiving Rollins” was indeed a tremendous episode. If Amanda was only raped once by Chief Patton(as far as we know) then everyone should be grateful. She’s had a sick look on her face since the first episode of season 16, and there must be something else going on. What other horrors did She go thru down in Atlanta? Maybe time will tell. it’s amazing what Amanda had done for her ungrateful, disgusting sister.
Michael Goldman
January 11, 2015 @ 6:03 am
After the great performance in “Forgiving Rollins, ” It’s time to start talking about what it will take to keep Kelli Giddish on SVU. Cote de Pablo was offered $200,000 per episode to stay on NCIS. Kelli shouldn’t take a dime less. Another writer said She thinks Mariska is on her way out. While I highly doubt that, it means that it’s more important to get Kelli signed and start looking for another name for the show. ICE-T could be the Sargent, Kelli could be the female lead, and they could go get Stana Katic(If Castle ends), Kristen Lehman, maybe Dreama Walker, to come in. Can this show continue without Mariska? Absolutely. Everybody only knows life with Mariska. Life without Chris Meloni has been fine. It will take great writing, great stories, and patience, but it can happen. if NBC doesn’t want the show anymore, then Dick Wolf needs to offer it to CBS or some cable network that’s willing to spend the money for it. I have zero faith in NBC, and I think they have a lot of people working there making money for nothing. That includes doing and thinking.