Showing posts with label Kelli Giddish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kelli Giddish. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

25 years of "Law & Order: SVU" and the madness of it

(Scene begins with a black background as words start to come to light, saying "The Last Of The Americans" and a voiceover done by James Faraci saying, "In the Internet Reviewer community, The people who review are expressing opinions based on what they have seen and experienced, and there are those with similar opinions, This is one of their voices." Clanging noises are heard, and fade cut into The Streets around the studio where James Faraci, The Last Of The Americans, works as James Faraci runs dressed as a Detective, and Eric Kurtzke, as a Police Inspector, joins James in Running)

Det. Faraci (Played by James Faraci):
FREEZE! NYPD! STOP THAT MAN! NYPD TO CENTRAL, WE'VE GOT A SUSPECT IN PURSUIT; HE'S A RUNNER! BE ADVISED HE IS ARMED! (Cut to the two as they run into the studio, and they follow him as the two see a gun aimed at them; we see the suspect is Ice-T! and Detective Faraci and Inspector Kurtzke drop their weapons)

Inspector Kurtzke (Played by Eric Kurtzke):
Okay, let's just not do anything wrong.

Det. Faraci:
I think there may have been a miscommunication! (Cut to Ice-T)

Ice-T:
Damn straight, there are miscommunications, playa! (Cut to Detective Faraci)

Det. Faraci:
Okay, let's see how we can clear this up. (Cut to Ice-T)

Ice-T:
Word is that there's a jackass calling himself "The Last Of The Americans" slamming me and my girl Mariska Hargitay and my friends' work on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. (Cut to Det. Faraci)

Det. Faraci:
I think I can clarify it; let me skip the intro credits; trust me, it's better this way. (Cut to the opening credits of "The Last Of The Americans" done in the way of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit with the current lineup of the team as it goes into fast forward then cutting to James dressed as "The Last Of The Americans" as Ice-T sits next to James holding him at gunpoint!)

TLOTA:
I'm James Faraci The Last Of The Americans. The Views I'm about to express are that of my own and some of yours, and I've got a guest star with me today, ladies and gentlemen: the one and only ICE-T! (Audience applause is heard as ICE-T accepts it before shooting a shot) Oh, come on, what else do I have to do! Doug, I'm sorry I will replace the sound board myself! (Cut to Doug Yaun with electrical equipment working on repairing the board)

Doug Yaun:
Don't worry, I am good at repairing this thing. (Cut to James and Ice-T)

Ice-T:
Your ass has more pressing problems, like being on my bad side!

TLOTA:
Why? Because I chose to be honest about my thoughts on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit".

Ice-T:
Not only that, You seem to think that the show has been bad as of late when we've been kicking ass and taking your lily-white ass down the peg you deserve!

TLOTA:
Are you sure you're not on something I need to know?

Ice-T:
None of your damned business! Especially when you have no idea about "SVU"

TLOTA:
Sitting through 25 seasons and keeping a modicum of sanity proves I know what's happening with "SVU." (Cut to clips of "Law & Order: SVU" season 25, "Law & Order," and "Law & Order: Organized Crime" with the theme song playing over the clips as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
The fact that it has lasted twenty-five years means it has staying power, but that doesn't mean it all has been good; case in point? This recent season! It was a slog to sit through, and because of the recent WGA/SAG-AFTRA strikes, not only was this season cut down to thirteen episodes (the shortest amount that can be ordered for a season), but it was also bogged down by one dominating case, missteps that would've taken down lesser shows and a feeling that it wasn't what it was meant to be.  However, would thirteen episodes be enough to celebrate this series fully?  (Cut to James and Ice-T physically)

TLOTA:
And can I please talk about the show honestly?

Ice-T:
As long as you don't do stupid things.

TLOTA:
I make no promises; this is Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 25. (Cut to clips of "Law & Order: SVU" season 25 as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
So, season twenty-five opens with narration by Olivia Benson talking about her career in SVU as we cut to see Sonny and Amanda's son, Nicky Carisi, being baptized. We then cut to a family where the daughter, Maddie, disappears. Olivia and her son talk about Nicky as Olivia sees the poor girl being kidnapped; the Squad, in its current iteration, does everything to rescue her, but they are getting bogged down by the pain in the ass since season 23 Chief McGrath who sees one victim rescued as the big victory, which by the way, it wasn't! Further complicating it is how they're still trying to solve other cases while trying to find Maddie. There's nothing wrong with it, but in a season this short, it bogs down everything, and again, I know the strikes caused everything to be condensed, but for the love of peat moss, focus on solving the Maddie case first and THEN try to solve the one-off case of the episodes. (Cut to James and Ice-T physically)

Ice-T:
Who says you can't have it both ways? You?

TLOTA:
This is not helping either the case of the day episodes or Maddie's case! The lack of focus is what hurts this season. (Cut to clips of "Law & Order: SVU" season 25 as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
Especially when the chief's daughter becomes a victim in episode four of the season, the chief gets involved, which is something even the most idiotic cops wouldn't and shouldn't do; Olivia has no choice but to call IAB to keep Chief McGrath out of the way. The word gets back to the family, which leads to this moment! (Show the clip of the Chief's wife saying, "Are you gunning for Tommy's job?" Cut to James and Ice-T physically as James rubs his temples to deal with his headache.)

TLOTA:
Really? Tell me, Ice, did you or any of the writers think that worked? Out loud? You couldn't have; no one on the set could've thought it could.  This poor girl's life is ruined by a rapist who was the neighbor's kid, but the bigger problem is how it will affect Chief McGrath's ability to have a job. (Slaps Table) This girl's life is totally destroyed, but the question on everyone's mind is... (Show the clip of the Chief's wife saying, "Are you gunning for Tommy's job?" Cut to James and Ice-T physically.) This girl will have to have therapy for the rest of her days with both parents worrying whether or not she will have a normal relationship, but the question on everyone's mind is... (Show the clip of the Chief's wife saying, "Are you gunning for Tommy's job?" Cut to James and Ice-T physically.) This girl will probably have issues with drugs and alcohol for the rest of her life, but the question on everyone's mind is... (Show the clip of the Chief's wife saying, "Are you gunning for Tommy's job?" Cut to James and Ice-T physically.) This girl will most likely wind up with problems when she gets to high school; if she graduates, it will be a miracle, but the question on everyone's mind is... (Show the clip of the Chief's wife saying, "Are you gunning for Tommy's job?" Cut to James and Ice-T physically.) This girl is now officially heading towards being a statistic on being a rape victim who will never, ever trust any male or female ever again, and can't even find some joy in any situation ever again..., BUT THE QUESTION ON EVERYONE'S MIND IS... (Show the clip of the Chief's wife saying, "Are you gunning for Tommy's job?" Cut to James and Ice-T physically as James hops around in a circle, biting down on a piece of wood as the line "Are you gunning for Tommy's job?".) YOU CAN NOT BE THIS STUPID ON PURPOSE! (Smacking the table while speaking) THIS SHOWS WHY PRESSING THE SOCIETAL SELF-DESTRUCT BUTTON MAKES THE SITUATION HARDER THAN IT IS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING SURE THE POLICE CAN DO THEIR JOB WITHOUT ANY COMPLICATION! (Cut to the clip from "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" Season 10 clip in which Olivia asks Miranda Pond, "Are you out of your mind?" Cut to James and Ice-T physically)

Ice-T:
Did you just...?

TLOTA:
I HAVE YET TO EVEN MAKE MY POINT, ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE TO USE THIS CLIP TO ASK THE WRITERS THIS QUESTION! AND THIS CLIP COMES FROM AN ASSHOLE WHO THINKS RAPE JOKES ARE FUNNY, COVERED FOR A SEXUAL PREDATOR, AND THREW A WHOLE SITE FULL OF PEOPLE UNDER A BUS FOR JOLLIES. BUT IT'S THIS CLIP FROM "KICKASSIA" THAT'S GOING TO BE THE SALIENT CLIP WHEN IT COMES TO THE MINDFRAME OF EVERYONE WORKING ON THE SHOW (Cut to the clip of Linkara asking Angry Joe, "Are You High?" Cut to James and Ice-T physically) YOU SEE WHAT I HAD TO DO? I HAD TO USE A CLIP FROM AN ASSHOLE, WHOM I JUST SAID QUITE A BIT ABOUT WHICH IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG AS TO HOW BAD AN ASSHOLE HE TRULY IS, TO TRY AND MAKE A POINT! THAT IS HOW DUMB THAT MOMENT WAS ICE, THAT WAS HOW DUMB IT WAS! THIS POOR GIRL'S LIFE IS DESTROYED, TOTALLY UNSALVAGABLE. SHE IS NOW NOTHING BUT DAMAGED GOODS FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE, BUT THE QUESTION EVERYONE CARES ABOUT IS... Whether or not Chief McGrath will be able to, as lousy a job as he has been doing, keep... his... (Cut to James as an explosion of fire, molten lava, and a demonic voice come out of James as he roars the word "JOB!"  for five seconds; it then cuts to James sitting down and catching himself.)

TLOTA:
Sorry, but I had to get it out of me! (Cut to the skeleton of Ice-T)

Ice-T:
I understand that things can get frustrating on a series like this, and the lack of scope can cause you to get angry, but you have to learn how to react better. (Cut to clips of "Law & Order: SVU" season 25 as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
While McGrath is done for the season and most likely the series, the SVU crew does get a shot in the arm in the form of Captain Curry, played by Aime Donna Kelly, and FBI agent Shannah Sikes, played by Jordana Spiro as the SVU, FINALLY, AFTER SO MUCH FRUSTRATION, FINDS NOT ONLY MADDIE, BUT HER NIHILISTIC KIDNAPPING MONSTER! Many a fan of the show had to quote this Christmas classic (which stars a thoroughly unlikeable asshole) when Maddie was returned home, and her monster was behind bars! (Show the "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" clip as Clark shouts, "HALLELUJAH! HOLY SHIT! Where's the Tylenol?"Cut to "Law & Order: SVU" season 25 clips as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
While Maddie's case is on the back burner, the season picks up as we check up with a victim from the past, Maria Recinos, who has decided to join the NYPD to celebrate and thank Olivia subtly for saving her life. Then, in an episode directed by Mariska, we get the moment I hoped would happen when Noah was old enough to understand the situation. 

Ice-T (V.O.):
How old do you think he should've been?

TLOTA (V.O.):
Eighteen, but I digress; the moment fans knew it was coming, they were still shocked. (Show the clip of Noah saying he googled his mom, and two big names came up, William Lewis and John Drake! Cut to Olivia's shocked face as dramatic music sting is played. Cut to James and Ice-T physically as James pulls out an orchestra conductor's wand, and he prepares the orchestra as it cuts to a group of clips of people saying "Uh-Oh" from movies and TV shows. Cut to clips of "Law & Order: SVU" Season 25 as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
At the end of the episode, Olivia concedes to tell Noah about his past; I find it interesting that it took Maddie's case to start Noah on this path of self-discovery. Speaking of Maddie's case, eleven of the 12 angry people know the nihilistic bastard is guilty, but one female seems to have the hots for the guy... Okay. (Cut to James and Ice-T Physically)

TLOTA:
Time out; the eleven should've asked for an alternate by now. Someone who knew the case, who was there for the trial, saw the evidence, heard all the testimony, and then was willing to say, "Yes, this monster is guilty!" Now, yes, I know there wouldn't be an episode, but we need to end it! (Cut to clips of "Law & Order: SVU" season 25 as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
Now, while the nihilist continues to torment Maddie and her family as the re-trial drags, by the end, everyone on the jury has gotten on the same page and finds the nihilist guilty! By episode eleven, we catch up with Amanda Rollins as she settles into parenthood with three kids and Carisi as her husband. However, she doesn't seem to enjoy being a professor and leaves. Why? Thanks to plot convenience, she is free to help with the episode's case, and I hope the door is still open for her to return to the series. (Cut to James and Ice-T Physically)

Ice-T:
It is

TLOTA:
Cool

(Cut to clips of "Law & Order: SVU" season 25 as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
After an episode that develops Shannah as it gets her closure to her pain. The Season ends with Carisi being forced to get an easy win on a case that gets Fin in the crosshairs of an angry kid of the suspect. Thankfully, the case is solved; however, Fin keeps the kid under his wing until his dad can come home, but Fin warns the kid to drop his attitude, or he'll wind up in a worse place, and Olivia decides to take a little extra time to help Maddie with her birthday. (Cut to James and Ice-T physically)

TLOTA:
If it were any other season and any other one of Dick Wolf's series, I would agree that this is an excellent finale to a season of one of the Chicago or FBI series, but this is the 25th Anniversary of a series that has lasted a lot longer than a lot of people that didn't like the show. This didn't feel like a celebration of the show or of Olivia Benson, but rather, it felt like someone trying to mock the show and laughing as it fell. (Cut to clips of "Law & Order: SVU" season 25 as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
That's not to say I didn't hate all of it. I liked the moment when Olivia tells Captain Curry and FBI Agent Sikes that she feels the job has had a reason for her being at SVU. As I have pointed out in the review, there are things I liked; it was just that this season has moments that drag it out. And yes, again, I know the SAG/AFTRA/WGA strikes didn't help. But also, the other two series under the "Law & Order" banner had to be reduced to that amount, and to get a complete fix of "Law & Order," I had to watch the original show and "Organized Crime" to have an entire season, even though different things were happening on those shows. Whether it was Jack McCoy finally retiring from the flagship show or dealing with Elliot's personal and professional woes (Things I can genuinely relate to.) and it's in "Organized Crime" that there was only one episode where Carisi guest stars, yet there's no other character from either series to help with how the series connects. If you are a fan of the entire franchise, this season should be a different celebration; hopefully, the upcoming new season will celebrate the series more appropriately, and if it makes it to season thirty, I will continue reviewing it.  (Cut to James and Ice-T physically)

Ice-T:
So you are a fan!

TLOTA:
YES! As I have been pointing out the past few times, I have talked about the series and referenced it in my reviews. (The static cuts the feed briefly as it cuts to Allison Pregler.)

Allison Pregler:
Well, speaking of reviews, guess what? Next month is October; you know what that means. (Cut to James and Ice-T)

Ice-T:
I've got more episodes of SVU to work on.

TLOTA:
It was directed at me, which means that for me (James taps his watch as it cuts to James in his October/Halloween shirt, and Ice-T looks at the event as it happens), it's "Monster-tober" time. However, I am holding off on reviewing "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire" for next year.

Ice-T:
"Monster-tober"?

TLOTA:
My workload for the next month. (Cut to Allison Pregler)

Allison Pregler:
Trust me, Phelan is doing his own thing and not out for you this year, but that doesn't mean I will not let you off scott-free! What happens when a 1990s fad meets the legendary Mary Shelly legend and is directed by Robin Williams' daughter. (Cut to James and Ice-T)

TLOTA:
Oh, god, no! (Cut to Allison Pregler)

Allison Pregler:
Oh god, yes! James Faraci, The Last Of The Americans, will be reviewing for Monster-tober "Lisa Frankenstein"! Enjoy the madness! (Cut to James and Ice-T)

TLOTA:
Pop a cap in me, Please!

Ice-T:
You're on your own! See ya, player! (Ice-T walks off)

TLOTA:
You can't expect me to just... I'm James Faraci, The Last Of The Americans, and that's my opinion! (Audio only as James walks away) Come on, get me out of this!

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

"SVU" GONE CUCKOO!

(Scene begins with a black background as words start to come to light, saying "The Last Of The Americans" and a voiceover done by James Faraci saying, "In the Internet Reviewer community, The people who review are expressing opinions based on what they have seen and experienced, and there are those with similar opinions, This is one of their voices." Clanging noises are heard, and fade cut into The Studio where James Faraci, The Last Of The Americans, works as James Faraci walks in dressed as a Detective and Eric Kurtzke as a Police Inspector)

Det. Faraci (Played by James Faraci):
Detective Faraci and Inspector Kurtzke, What have we got? (Cut to the Forensic Scientist played by Brenda Fonseca)

The Forensic Scientist:
One suicide, mass murder. 

Insp. Kurtzke (Played by Eric Kurtzke):
Let's check out what they watched and search for the 9 MM. Handgun.

Det. Faraci:
How do you know it's a 9 MM.?

Insp. Kurtzke:
Judging by the trajectory and entry wound through the heads, a noticeable amount of how quickly they dropped, I would have to say it was a 9 MM round that was modified to take out five out of the six in one shot. The Shooter then turned the gun on himself based on the blood spatter, and the trajectory of the final bullet was upwards as opposed towards the outside wall. (The CSI team turns on the TV as the head of the team, played by Ed Champion, shouts for Inspector Kurtzke and Detective Faraci. Everyone watches and then looks away in horror and disgust.)

Det. Faraci:
Turn that TV off! No wonder this happened. The pandering to its audience was a possible reason for the mental trauma of the victims and the gunman.

Inspector Kurtzke:
It is a possible and plausible justifiable on this one. SHUT THAT TV OFF NOW!

 (Fade to black Cut to "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" style opening credits with shots of Sullivan County with credits reading "Starring James Faraci," "Paulo Fonseca," "Rebecca Yaun," "John Santos," "Mike Santos," "Nick Yaun," "Renee Miller," "Olivia Horvath," "Ed Champion," "Andrew Beach" with the performers doing standing poses with the last shot being the Monticello NY Government Building. Cut to the Logo of  "The Last Of The Americans" in Law & Order style text. Cut to James and Team TLOTA standing in the Main Lobby. Cut to the Neversink Reservoir as the words "Written by James Faraci" while a soundalike to the "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" main theme. Fade to black and cut to James in his office taking off his Detective garb and his usual clothing)

TLOTA:
I'm James Faraci, The Last Of The Americans, and the views I'm about to express are that of my own and some of yours. (Cut to the Opening Credit scene of "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" then clips of seasons 21-24 "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" play as the "Law & Order: SVU" theme song plays in the foreground James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):
The last time I reviewed "Law and Order: SVU," The series was on solid ground. Then the past few seasons happened, and now it's safe to say the series has started to go off the rails and is barely keeping it together. But besides the usual duct tape and the little glue holding what's left of the series together. But is what's happening now a product of the loss of intelligence of the human race, or is it just pandering to the lowest denominator of human intelligence to get the best ratings in a world where terrestrial TV viewings are being supplanted by how many times it's being streamed and how many people are watching it streaming? (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:
Let's see if this is highlighting or trying to stop the further erosion of Western civilization as we dive into seasons 21-24 of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." (Cut to clips of Season 21 of "Law & Order Special Victims Unit" as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
Season 21 starts with a subtle nod to its status as the longest-running show and the series it eclipsed. The long-running western "Gunsmoke." Meanwhile, Detective Dominic "Sonny" Carisi has traded his shield and gun for a briefcase and a prescription of antacids as he becomes the new A.D.A. for his old friends at the Special Victims Unit. During all of this, Sir Tobias Moore, played by "Deadwood" actor Ian McShane is having his way with an ingenue. He is eventually arrested for what he's done. It's not without repercussions as Chief Dodds, who has been the Chief of the SVU since Season 16, is exiled to Staten Island. The caveat is that he'll accept exile to Staten Island if Lt. Olivia Benson is promoted to Captain! That's right, if she isn't in charge of her old unit, she is now! As the season progresses, more changes are present; with Carisi the A.D.A., a gap needs to be filled. Enter Plain Clothes Officer Katriona Tamin, played by Jamie Gray Hyder, and a new chief of detectives in the form of Christian Garland, played by Demore Barnes. Meanwhile, Olivia's son Noah has traded in his baseball glove and bat for a pair of point shoes as he tries his hand at dancing. And I like that the writers decided to play towards Noah's Actor, Ryan Buggle's strengths. The fall season finale and winter season premiere are not only a two-part episode; it's an obvious nod to the Jeffrey Epstein case, and personally, I'm glad he's gone and paying for his sins while burning in hell. During this season, Simon Marsden, played by Michael Weston, meets his nephew, Noah Porter-Benson, and his half-sister, Captain Olivia Benson. (Cut to clips of "Simon Marsden" in the episodes of past seasons of SVU as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
I might not have mentioned this for either time or lack of remembrance. Still, in the earlier seasons, Olivia discovered that she has a half-brother named Simon Marsden. During those episodes, Murphy's Law followed Olivia Benson as she was nearly forced to leave Elliot and SVU, almost costing Olivia her badge and career to help him keep his kids from ACS. (Cut to clips of Season 21 of "Law & Order Special Victims Unit" as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
Eventually, the worst happens to Simon in his last appearance this season as he dies. Initially, the final three episodes of this season would have Olivia investigate Simon's death and realize that her message to her brother was never heard because he was already dead by this point. It would've led into part of the new season, a new series they've been developing, and a revival of the original series. However, since season 21 started in 2019 and went into 2020, The Pandemic and Covid put the kibosh on what would've been a perfect season finale. Instead, Season 21 ends with The Tobias Moore trial having stalled out, Odafin Tutuola having to do what he had to do to protect a woman and her son by putting a monster who is also an abusive boyfriend and father to the Woman's son out of this world and was willing to kill them both but now Fin's career is in danger, and the world as a whole has now been thrown into chaos. (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:
Now, I understand that real-world events have to play a part in this series, but there must also be a point at which Common Sense has to come into play with the series' writers. I hope it'll be there in the next season, and the SVU will try to appease those with common sense. Let's dive into Season 22 of "SVU" and see if people can use their heads during the worst point in human history. (Cut to clips of Season 22 of "Law & Order Special Victims Unit" as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
So the season opens up with a Kate Gosselin type of Woman claiming a black man is about to rape her and her daughter when everyone stumbles across a victim which the Kate Gosselin type of Woman blames what has happened on the guy, and even though everything had pointed to him being innocent. Citizens now wanted to see the people be protected FROM the police as that summer was hell, and of course, the Pandemic didn't help. What is even worse is that even though everything was done within the book, Chief Garland isn't happy that things have gone down, and believe it or not, Garland believes this is racial bias and claims Captain Olivia Benson, who has never been even remotely racist, who has worked with Fin who is black, Chester Lake who is Native American and Nick Amaro who is Cuban/Hispanic, IS UNDER THE BELIEF THAT SHE IS AS RACIST AS A MEMBER OF THOSE KNUCKLEHEADED CLUCKING ASSHOLES! UGH! Well, things get even worse as the case in the episode crumbles, tensions grow, and everything gets worse. By the second episode, Carisi has a better case he can try to win. Apparently, things with Fin's problem case have him deposition his view of events. While a settlement is made, Fin feels like he is no different than a gun-toting thug, which is the last thing he ever WAS! He's been an army ranger and a law-abiding badass! He's been a good law officer, and now he's regretting ever picking up a badge?! (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:
One moment! (James walks away, and then we hear a bunch of loud shattering and cursing as the camera captures the noise of James' anger and roar, then more actions as James walks back, looking a little more red and disheveled. Cut to clips of Season 22 of "Law & Order Special Victims Unit" as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
So we are just TWO episodes in, and if you were new to the series, then the impression that you get is that Olivia Benson is a KKK member and Fin is someone who would put Ted Nugent to shame for all the bullets he's used to blasting bad guys WHEN IT WAS NEVER THE CASE WITH THE TWO AND THE NYPD ARE NOTHING BUT HIRED MURDERERS TO THOSE POOR INNOCENT CRIMINALS! ARUGH! While the season is just sixteen episodes long, the shortest the series has ever had, this season is a drag to sit through! While yes, Kat Tamin is eventually given her Detective status this season, and things do pick up by the fall finale and into the winter premiere as 2021 rolls in, Raphael Barba returned this time as a Defense Attorney in the first of a multiple episode return arc which would have him take on Carisi in the courtroom. And a significant victory for those who have been victimized by the corrupted members of the justice system as Carisi takes down a corrupted judge who was racist and sexist and running for Attorney General. However, these bits of good would ultimately be tested in the episode "Return of The Prodigal Son"! (Cut to James physically.)

TLOTA:
And based on what this season has been like, it will have someone legitimately guilty of rape using the Double Jeopardy standard to get himself out of jail and get away with raping again. The SVU squad realizes it's utterly hopeless, and a legacy character returns, helps them get the guy and has him put away for good, and the Squad realizes, "Hey! The Law can work to protect the real innocent and punish those who are really guilty! WHAT A CONCEPT!" But let's get into the episode proper. (Cut to "Return Of The Prodigal Son" intro as Olivia discovers Kathy Stabler's injured body from a car bomb and Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson reunite as all the "Hallelujah"s from Handel's Messiah playing in the foreground and James shrieks in joy! Cut to "Return Of The Prodigal Son" as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA(V.O.):
YES! AFTER ALMOST A DECADE AWAY FROM HIS ICONIC CHARACTER! CHRISTOPHER MELONI RETURNS AS DETECTIVE ELLIOT STABLER! (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:
And my reaction was, "Cool." (Cut to clips of "Return Of The Prodigal Son" as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
While fans were welcoming of Elliot's return, myself included, after watching a mostly tepid season of episodes that range from anger-inducing to attacks that leave you feeling like the whole thing was a waste of time. Elliot, for all intents and purposes, returned just at the right time and gave the series a new breath of life. Now, having said that, let's dive into the plot itself. The episode begins as Captain Benson is on her way to an award ceremony for her when a 10-13 is called in and discovers the victim of a car bomb attack is Kathy Stabler. And since Kathy is there, Oh Hai Elliot! While the SVU team takes the lead on the Kathy Stabler case, everyone who wasn't a part of the first twelve seasons (Basically everyone in the cast outside of Mariska and Ice-T) tries to see who wanted to kill Kathy or Elliot and see what either Fin or Olivia knows about Stabler. The only one who knows how Elliot returned to the job is Elliot because HE KNOWS WHAT HE'S BEEN DOING SINCE LEAVING "SVU." He tells Fin about what he's been doing, how he regained his Detective badge, and what he was doing in New York in the first place, while Fin tells Elliot about Olivia and Noah. Kathy is doing well. However, as the case goes on, the worst happens as Kathy Stabler becomes the Woman in the fridge to springboard Elliot into his own series. (Cut to "Law & Order Organized Crime" clips as James does a voiceover.) 

TLOTA (V.O.):
"Law & Order: Organized Crime," and there are crossover episodes between this series and "SVU" throughout it's run; my thoughts on that series are fantastic. I love Sgt. Bell, played by Danielle Mone Truitt, and Jet Slootmaekers, is amazing and played by Ainsley Seiger. While the rest of the secondary detectives is slowly coming together, I like the single-arc episodes that have the same flare as the "Chicago" series, which is also produced by Dick Wolf as well as the CBS FBI series and the success of "Organized Crime" helped surprisingly breath a breath of fresh air to "SVU." (Cut to clips of Season 22 of "Law & Order Special Victims Unit" as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
The problem is that for the rest of this season of "SVU," everyone worries that Elliot's return would somehow diminish EVERYTHING OLIVIA BENSON, BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE, HAS GONE THROUGH! (Cut to the clip of The late great Tony Stark in "Captain America: Civil War" as he shouts, "GIVE ME A BREAK!" Cut to clips of Season 22 of "Law & Order Special Victims Unit" as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
Everything Olivia has been through since Elliot Stabler left made her a better officer, detective, superb commanding officer, and a fantastic mom to Noah! Elliot's return has had NO NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON WHERE SHE IS NOW! But I digress; while there is a crossover with "Organized Crime" that does effectively give Olivia closure on the events with her half-brother Simon Marsden. The rest of the season does slightly get better, especially when a young criminal who was put in the funny farm for being psychotic back in Amaro & Rollins' second season got out by playing the sanity card when, in reality, the little punk should've been sent away for life in a prison cell! The season ends thankfully with a happy ending as it appears everyone had survived the long night of madness that swept the season at an event that was going to be a wedding but turned into a full-on celebration for everyone. Even Elliot stops by, and fans get a surprise as Amanda Rollins and Dominic "Sonny" Carisi fall in love, FINALLY, AFTER YEARS OF ROMANTIC BANTER BETWEEN THE TWO, and things may start off better than before. (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:
And with the surprise success of "Organized Crime" and renewed invigoration towards "SVU," NBC decided to revive the Original "Law & Order" with Jack McCoy, played by Sam Waterston, returning full-time, and Detective Kevin Bernard, played by Anthony Anderson, who returned as a passer of the torch to the new guys which included Jeffrey Donovan, Camryn Manheim, Hugh Dancy, and Odelya Halevi in the first season back. But how would that change things in "SVU?" Partly for the better and a little for the worse. (Cut to clips of Season 23 of "Law & Order Special Victims Unit" as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
Season 23 opens the same night at the end of the celebration, as someone deliberately tries to kill Captain Benson, and all the hints point towards "Organized Crime" main antagonist at this point, who is the mastermind who organized Kathy Stabler's murder, Richard Wheatley played by Dylan McDermott. However, as the cold opening of the two-part episode continues, we see what Elliot would look like throughout ninety-five percent of the Fall season on "Organized Crime" until Wheatley's trial in the fall finale of both "SVU" & "Organized Crime." In the meanwhile, fallout from the season finale's case. In one instance, Chief Garland's job is threatened if they can't legitimately solve the case. While that is going on, we're introduced to another new undercover detective in Joe Velasco, played by Octavio Pisano, and I am actually liking his character development as he brings something, not even Nick Amaro did when he joined the "SVU" his own shoes to the mix. He knew that he would be judged for not being one of his predecessors, including Munch, Carisi, Amaro, and of course, Elliot Stabler. But the mere fact is that he was cognizant of his predecessors and is doing his thing to catch the bad guys and rescue the good ones, which makes him excellent in my books. However, as excellent as Velasco is, it can't help the inevitable as Kat Tamin turns in her shield and gun, Chief Garland is fired and replaced by Chief McGrath, played by Terry Serpico, and right from the start, fans HATED HIS STINKIN' GUTS! By the end of the season premiere, he's talking like no one knows at Captain Benson's SVU doesn't know how to do their job. By the end of one episode, McGrath plays both the racial bias and the police officer's matter over citizens' cards, and Captain Olivia Benson finally tells that Jack-Ass where he stands. (Show clip of Olivia Benson telling Chief McGrath where he stands on how Rape Cases work and that EVERY VICTIM MATTERS! And if he involves himself in any future case, not only will she quit, she'll make his life a living hell! Show a black background with the words in white text "Moral Of The Clip? Do something stupid in Captain Olivia Benson's Eyes' YOUR ASS IS GRASS!" Cut to clips of Season 23 of "Law & Order Special Victims Unit" as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
By the fall finale of both "SVU" AND "Organized Crime" which is a crossover, Wheatley's trial for the murder of Kathy Stabler is underway, and in the corner of the people is ADA Dominic "Sonny" Carisi Jr., representing the murderous mastermind of Kathy Stabler is Rafael Barba! (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:
The first question I need to ask is, WHY?!? (Cut to Rafael Barba's reasoning as to why he is defending Richard Wheatley as the "BULLSHIT" and "UNBELIEVABLE BULLSHIT" signs from "Airplane II: The Sequel" is intercut between his pauses. Cut to clips of Season 23 of "Law & Order Special Victims Unit" as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
As the episode crosses over to "Organized Crime," Barba got Wheatley off of murdering Kathy Stabler! When that happened, and Elliot got that news while with his kids and two grandsons for a holiday shindig, my reaction was swift and righteous; RAFAEL BARBA WAS DEAD TO ME! Ugh! As "SVU," "Organized Crime," and now the returning Original series heading for their respective final episodes for their seasons. Things get better. Especially in a moment that is only available if you digitally recorded this moment because it's not on YouTube or anywhere else now unless you look somewhere because there is a moment in which Olivia Benson, while celebrating Mother's Day with Noah, FINALLY meets with Elliot Stabler. And to be honest, I really hope there are more fun moments between Noah and Elliot. I can only imagine some of the stories Elliot would tell Noah, like when he and his mom had to deal with certain things from a decade before he was born by Ellie Porter and then adopted by Olivia. But as the season continues, it feels like they are reeking of pandering to the audience by having ten-year-old Noah admit his truth to his mom, and I am fine he did. The season ends with Olivia pondering where she stands with this world and SVU as we possibly get the final legal faceoff between Barba and Carisi, with Carisi getting the minor victory against his former mentor and the a-hole who got Richard Wheatley off of murdering Kathy Stabler. (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:
And now we come to the most recent season. But this season premiere didn't just have its own episode; it's a three-hour crossover between this series, the returning original series for its latest season, and the new season of "Organized Crime." But the title of the crossover actually gave me inspiration to talk about it in a unique way. (James pulls out a guitar and starts to strum the rhythm portion of the song "Gimme Shelter" by the Rolling Stones as John Ross Santos plays the lead, Mike Santos is on the drums, Ed Champion on the keyboards, Paulo Fonseca on guitar and Vocals with Brenda Fonseca and Miranda Ellis on backing vocals with Miranda Ellis on guitar as it cuts to clips of the "Law & Order" Trinity season opener "Gimme Shelter" plays in the background.)

Paulo Fonseca (Singing):
Ooh, the war is breaking between Russia and Ukraine! New York, New York is Shelter, till a refugee's blown away! (Brenda and Miranda join in): LAW & ORDER! All Teams join the case to try and save the day! LAW & ORDER! You're just a step away! It's just a step away! 

Brenda Fonseca and Miranda Ellis (Vocalizing):
Heyy! (Blusy Guitar solo by John Ross Santos)

Paulo Fonseca (Singing):
Ooh, they get a name now, ooh, bad guy, his name! His name is Sirenko; set up a hotel bomb today!(Brenda and Miranda join in): LAW & ORDER! The hotel goes Boom today! Sirenko gets away. LAW & ORDER! You're just a step away! It's just a step away!

Brenda Fonseca and Miranda Ellis (Vocalizing): 
Heyy! 
(Blusy Guitar solo by John Ross Santos, and Miranda Ellis starts to join in to duel in the solo department before Miranda goes for the microphone)

Miranda Ellis (Singing):
HEY! OH ELLIOT! Your insider's time; it's up today! HEYY! The Caa-ase! It's about to go on trial today. The head man revealed today! HEYY! The na-aame! Rublev is arrested today; he almost got away HEYY! (Blusy Guitar solo by John Ross Santos)

Paulo Fonseca, Brenda Fonseca and Miranda Ellis (Singing):
Ooh, The Trial begins, and everything is going to hell today! Safehouse, ain't so safe as Amanda is gunned down today (Brenda and Miranda join in): LAW & ORDER! Rollins survives barely, Price gets a-angry, Witness in Canada(Eh!), Deals not-a happening, Rublev is blown away! 

Paulo Fonseca (Singing):
Sirenko's op rolled up, Benson lied, and Frank told his daughter the world's a scary place! (Brenda and Miranda join in): It might be safe her way, but ain't the right of way, right of way, right of way! (The song continues until the song reaches its ending if it was performed live.)

TLOTA:
Ladies and Gentlemen, on the lead vocals and guitar; Mr. Paulo Fonseca, On the Lead guitar; John Ross Santos, On the drums; John's brother Michael, On the Bass Guitar; Andrew "Venice" Beach, On the keyboards; Ed "Grand" Champion and give it up for the ladies singing back-up Brenda Fonseca and Miranda Ellis. Miranda is also an accomplished guitarist and musician, and I'm James Faraci, The Last Of The Americans, and...Yeah, I just wanted to use this song to set things up for the rest of the most recent season of "Law & Order: SVU" (Cut to clips of Season 24 of "Law & Order Special Victims Unit" as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
After the three-hour crossover season premiere, all three series settle into normal mode. Except for Amanda, she's been having issues since the shooting. While everyone supports her recovery, it's clear that Amanda is on her way out. And as much as I don't want to bring in behind-the-scenes drama, I have to address the elephant in the room, and that is contract negotiations between actress Kelli Gidish and the showrunners broke down during contract negotiations; While there were no hard feelings between her and the other cast members Kelli decided to gracefully leave the series in the fall finale. In the said fall finale, quite a bit happens; Amanda and Dominic Carisi decide to do the legal ceremony, Amanda tells Olivia that there's an associate professorship with her knowledge of criminal intelligence, and she is a shoo-in for that job, the caveat, of course, is that she has to resign from "SVU," in addition to that we get a subtle nod as to what we'll see in a three-part Winter Finale as we see the BX9 tag on Olivia's apartment (A reference to a gang I failed to mention due to lack of time in the original review, Sorry about that.) and a surprise that even shocks me! (Cut to the clip of Noah Porter-Benson as he tells his mom that he befriended someone who ran a DNA test to discover his friend is actually his brother! Cut to a still of Olivia Benson as she looks surprised about what Noah told her! Cut to James as he is trying to rationalize what he's heard. Cut to still photos of Noah as he gets to the age he's currently while different filters and James says "What?!?!?!" repeatedly for fifteen seconds before static cuts to James in a straightjacket with a disturbed smile on his face and a muzak version of the "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" theme song is playing. Static cuts to clips of Season 24 of "Law & Order Special Victims Unit" as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
I'm sorry, but WHAT IS GOING ON? How much does Noah know? Does he know about John Drake and fully understand what happened to Ellie Porter and discover that she was his birth mom? Could this be a setup from some other relative that the writers are pulling out of their collective tuchuses? Well, We do meet the family, and to Olivia's surprise, they're actually a loving family and welcoming to both Noah and Olivia! While Olivia is a little apprehensive about Noah's brother's family, Noah accepts them from the word go. In the middle of the upstate trip, Olivia discovers something not kosher, and it's not with the family. It's at the hotel that she notices something is off, and in "SVU," if something is off, then there is something that Olivia can solve; Amanda joins her in putting the Perpetrator away, but after the victory, Amanda tells Olivia the news she wouldn't expect. Amanda is leaving "SVU" in order to take a job as a Professor in Criminal Study, thankfully NOT at Hudson University. But as Amanda rides into the sunset with Carisi still the ADA, it's now up to see who is coming in. First up is Detective Churlish, played by Jasmine Batchelor, who reminds me of Millie's deaf friend from "Jay & Silent Bob: Reboot." Next up is Detective Bruno, played by Kevin Kane, and finally is Detective Grace Muncie, played by Molly Burnett. And of all of them, Muncie had the most screen time. But I digress; following the fall finale and the loss of Amanda Rollins, a gang that was of note a few seasons ago called BX9 has come back in full force, this time attacking Olivia in front of Noah. In a three-week multi-part episode, the SVU team meets with a Bronx Sex Crimes to help clean their house up, and it's here that Detective Bruno joins Benson's SVU. Speaking of Benson, there was a moment that was teased that fans were salivating over, which amounted to nothing. As the season continues, Tutuola has to deal with his past again, in which they briefly referenced retired Sgt. John Munch without mentioning him, and sadly the next episode, which was Directed by Mariska Hargitay and had some of the series' best imagery, would be dedicated to John Munch's actor. Earlier this year, in the south of France, Richard Belzer passed away after another battle with cancer at the age of 78. The cast and crew were devastated, but thankfully, we have his legacy of being the Snarky and Conspiritous John Munch. The season ends in a multi-part crossover with "Organized Crime," in which Detective Muncy can make up for a whopper of a mistake she made in one case earlier this season. However, from this point forward, it's crossover with "Organized Crime" time. Elliot and the Organized Crime Control Bureau bring Amanda Rollins on as a consultant. Apparently, there is a website that is about getting away with crimes like Rape and Murder, and not only is it about getting away with it, they auction off people to be killed or even less horrible crimes to happen to them, and if they have a "selfie" showing that the job was done. However, when they finally meet the mastermind behind the website, he is just some poor kid who feels like an outsider, so to give his life purpose, he came up with a site to give people a chance to take their frustrations out by either raping and or murdering people?!(Cut to a clip of Kurt Russell in "The Thing" as he says, "You've Gotta Be Fucking Kidding Me!" Cut to clips of Season 24 of "Law & Order Special Victims Unit" as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
I actually admit this is a nice twist, the twist I found myself shaking my head, wondering if these writers weren't just pulling one of my legs, but both of them, as Olivia, never opened the gift that Noah's Half Brother's adopted family gave her because she thinks there's something off about them because they come off as a "Normal Family"! (Cut to the Doctor Who clip with the Cyberman as it asks, "Is this the human condition known of madness, leader?" with the Cyber Leader replying, "It is!" Cut to clips of Season 24 of "Law & Order Special Victims Unit" as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
Olivia Benson was a product of a Rape, and while yes, that may have distorted her views on family life. That doesn't mean that under the surface of the picture-perfect family, there's an issue with the dad being a raging alcoholic and failure at the age of forty, the mom being a complete Kate Gosselin, and Junior and Missy are hoping that some adult can put the pieces together to call ACS and have the parents arrested and they wind up in a foster home! Sometimes people and events are as good as they appear to be. It's not a crime to find that bright side of life, Olivia. If you have a bright side of your life, IT'S FRIGGIN NOAH! YOU WERE THERE WHEN HE WAS A FEW MONTHS OLD AND SOLD TO CHILD PORN PRODUCERS! YOU FOUGHT FOR HIM TO FIND A GOOD HOME, EVEN IF IT WASN'T WITH YOU! YOU FOUND HIS BIRTHMOM WHILE WORKING ON A CASE! AND YES, WHEN ELLIE PORTER WAS BBQ'D AT THE HAND OF HER HANDLER, THE JUDGE MADE A GOOD DECISION TO MAKE YOU NOAH'S MOTHER! SINCE THEN, YOU HAVE BECOME BETTER THAN YOU WERE WHEN YOU ONLY HAD THE JOB AND ELLIOT TO LEAN ON! (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:
OY VEY! I haven't been this frustrated in my life! (Cut to clips of Season 24 of "Law & Order Special Victims Unit" as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
Eventually, Olivia is hurt as a hit is attempted. With Olivia and Elliot out, the rest of the SVU and Organized Crime teams find the site's mastermind. One detective is wounded and then dies from those wounds, and after some more moments, that finally leads to getting the site shut down, and, regretfully, the site mastermind spends the rest of his days in a prison cell; Detective Muncy leaves SVU for better pastures, and Elliot tells Liv he's heading out for another OCCB undercover case. But not before giving Olivia one last reminder of him and opening that gift from Noah's Half Brother's family that is "Live, Laugh and Love," which Elliot adjusts by taking the "E" out of the Live portion, thus making it "Liv, Laugh, and Love" subtle touch. (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:
Which is more than I can say about these past few seasons. They've been as subtle as well, 2020! (Cut to clips of Season 24 of "Law & Order Special Victims Unit" as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
How this series has fallen in the four years since I last talked about this show is incredible! I am buffaloed about how one of the best shows on TV went downhill like this. This series was about protecting true love and romance from those that wish to sully itself by calling what scum do "Business as usual" when it is, in fact, RAPE! The events of 2020 still linger in the air as this show, instead of trying to gain a better audience by using smart writing and brilliant storytelling with great acting and direction. Instead, they're pandering to the lowest common denominators of society, and that is how everyone is hurting. And since this year, WOULD have celebrated its 25th season. It would most likely going to be delayed thanks to the WGA and SAG/AFTRA strikes. But regardless, this series will continue its fall from grace unless, after this strike, the writers can actually do better than what they're doing now. That's not to say that Mariska and the other producers are blameless; they're the ones who are part of this mess. If I was in a producer's shoes in this show, I would be hopping mad, wanting better scripts and everything to be better. Until the series can return, it's safe to lock these seasons in prison until it finally gets sentenced to Cancellation. (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:
And since next month is October, that means it's Halloween season. (A Voice whispers, "And it's been some time since we were together, hasn't it, James.") Oh no! Not you! (Static plays, then cuts to "The Maven Of The Eventide")

The Maven Of The Eventide:
Oh yes, James, it's time for you to serve me again. (Cut to James just as he taps his Smartwatch and says "Halloween Mode" then goes into "Halloween Mode")

TLOTA:
I know you have a husband to help with the kids, but don't you have anyone else in your life? I'm not... Oh no, NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! (Cut to "The Maven Of The Eventide")

The Maven Of The Eventide:
Oh yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, YES! For October, You... (Cut to James Faraci The Last Of The Americans)

TLOTA:
Monster-tober (Cut to "The Maven Of The Eventide")

The Maven Of The Eventide:
Say what now? (Cut to James Faraci The Last Of The Americans)

TLOTA:
From now on, I'm calling my October workload "Monster-tober."(Cut to "The Maven Of The Eventide")

The Maven Of The Eventide:
Okay, for "Monster-tober," you must brace yourself for the madness of "RENFIELD!" (Cut to James Faraci The Last Of The Americans)

TLOTA:
Are you going to be involved? (Cut to "The Maven Of The Eventide")

The Maven Of The Eventide:
I'll drop by now and then. (Cut to James Faraci The Last Of The Americans)

TLOTA:
Awesome! (The scene cuts to black for five seconds before cutting to the Ninja Cats in Rowdy's tent in Anaheim.)

Perkins:
So let's see if we've got this straight. James Faraci The Last Of The Americans, disappeared in August.

Garfield:
His lady friend disappeared at the same time.

Sam:
An AI Program has created a hologram of James Faraci The Last Of The Americans

Cecil:
And James' team is on board with James' AI instead of doing the right thing?! (Cut to Rowdy)

Rowdy:
Oh, trust me, it's infuriating. (Cut to the Ninja Cats)

Cecil:
Haven't seen you this angry since...That year's World Series! (Cut to Rowdy)

Rowdy:
Trust me, I'm about to make That year's World Series reaction look tame in comparison. (Cut to the Ninja Cats)

Cecil:
According to someone inside, James' schedule is locked from now until April 2024, meaning we have some time! (Cut to Rowdy)

Rowdy:
That's the long and short of it. Now, if I were James, my first thought would be to get everyone together, with the exception of James' team. He would then contact me or my creator to ensure he was okay.  But he would also have a backup plan or ten. So hopefully, I can come upon one of them. Maybe find Alex in the meantime. (Cut to the Ninja Cats)

Cecil:
Maybe they decided to... You don't think? (Cut to Rowdy)

Rowdy:
No, James would've told me first. (Rowdy looks at a message) CRAP! (Dramatic music is heard) GET EVERYONE ON JAMES' CONTACTS HERE NOW! (Cut to Cecil)

Cecil:
It can't be that bad (Rowdy puts him in front of the monitor). Okay, it is that bad!

Rowdy:
We're out of time! You get everyone together; I've got to meet with a Professor about a teleportationinator and an AI Holograph–inator! (Rowdy grabs his Louisville Slugger as it cuts to A pod of Mermaids as Julia Alexa Miller and her new friends who have made her believe her name is now "Liquidverve" swim around the island.)

Aquafina:
Liquidverve, you have been here for a month now. Are you still thinking of your old life?

Julia Alexa Miller:
I am not thinking of that, I just have a sense that someone is...

Marintina: 
Don't say it, Liquidverve, He is not coming, and you (Marintina raises her right hand as Julia Alexa Miller looks on)

Aquafina:
Are One (Aquafina raises her right hand as Julia Alexa Miller looks on)

Oceana: 
Of us (Oceana raises her right hand as Julia Alexa Miller looks on, and it cuts to James as he continues to walk, but as the temperature drops, makes James feel freezing. James collapses as it looks like something unnatural is coming when a Sonic Screwdriver scares the being off; James regains some consciousness as a man in a brown cloak looks James over and then pulls his cloak off his head, revealing KiraKennedy dressed as Obi-Wan Kenobi.)

Kirobi-Wan Kenobiddy:
Hello There! (James continues to look up)

James Faraci:
Ben? Ben Kenobi!

Kirobi-Wan Kenobiddy:
Uh, no, Kirobi-Wan Kenobiddy! Rest easy, James, you've had quite the trek. You're fortunate to be all in one piece! We'll talk later. It's best that we head indoors, the frost beasts are easily frightened, but they will return and in greater numbers! (James and Kirobi-wan Kenobiddy walk out to fade to black!)

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

What has made Law & Order: SVU last this long?

(Scene begins with a black background as words start to come to light saying "The Last Of The Americans" and a voiceover done by James Faraci saying "In the Internet Reviewer community, The people who review are expressing opinions based on what they have seen and experienced and there are those with similar opinions, This is one of their voices". Clanging noises are heard, fade cut into The Studio where James Faraci The Last Of The Americans works at as James Faraci & Eric Kurtzke walks in dressed as Detectives)

Det. Faraci (Played by James Faraci):
Detectives Faraci and Kurtzke, What have we got? (Cut to the Forensic Scientist played by Brenda Fonseca)

The Forensic Scientist:
Cause Of Death was trying to binge 20 years worth the show in before the 21st season, I'm ruling the cause of death to be malnutrition, but the reason I called you two in was the fact that someone raped the corpses, Semen was sucked out of the men and the hymen of the women were torn post mortem! (Cut to Detective Kurtzke)

Det. Kurtzke:
It appears that it's more than that, I'm noticing wound made before they bought the farm! My guess, a .22 to the back to the ear did all of them. One shot starting here and ending in the wall! (Cut to the CSI Tech team played by John Ross Santos, Ed Champion, Mike Santos, and Andrew Beach as they cut out the chunk of the wall. Cut to Det. Faraci and Kurtzke)

Det. Kurtzke:
This one maybe harder than Chinese Arithmetic might be figuring out who'd do this to these people and why?

Det. Faraci:
The Who is obviously a "Law And Order: Special Victims Unit" fan. There's 20 years worth of the series missing from the Media Collection and now with Season 21 nearly here, the how is even harder. (Fade to black Cut to "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" style opening credits with shots of Sullivan County with credits reading "Starring James Faraci", "Paulo Fonseca", "Rebecca Yaun", "John Santos", "Mike Santos", "Nick Yaun", "Renee Miller", "Olivia Horvath", "Ed Champion", "Andrew Beach" with the performers doing standing poses with the last shot being the Monticello NY Government Building. Cut to the Logo of  "The Last Of The Americans" in Law & Order style text. Cut to James and Team TLOTA standing in the Main Lobby. Cut to the Neversink Reservoir as the words "Written by James Faraci" while a soundalike to the "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" main theme. Fade to black and cut to James in his office taking off his Detective garb and his usual clothing)

TLOTA:
I'm James Faraci The Last Of The Americans and the views that I'm about to express are that of my own and some of yours. (Cut to the Opening Credit scene of "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" then clips of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" play as the "Law & Order: SVU" theme song plays in the foreground James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):
As of this post, Law & Order: Special Victims is gearing up for it's 21st season. The series has come a LONG way from the first Spin Off of "Law & Order". This series has become a cultural landmark, having made a household name out of Mariska Hargitay, changed how rape and abuse is looked upon in the media and has become the longest running drama in the history of Television. But how has it earned that distinction? What has kept the show going after tumultuous cast departures, an episode that will never see the light of day and everything else that would've ended a series like this only a few years in? (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:
Well this will definitely not be your usual Mini-Review/Editorial, I will be talking about subjects I naturally try to avoid when it comes my work because I don't want to alienate ANYONE by going into subjects that divide people like Politics and my views on certain subjects so bear in mind if I say something that may contradict certain things mentioned as to how certain people say and or how they would do things in the real world. So let's get into the whats, the hows and whys as we find the secret that has made "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" the longest running Primetime Drama in TV History. (Cut to clips of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):
A lot of people when they talk about the show talk about how they do episodes that are "Ripped From The Headlines". Um... How do I put it gently? When they do that usually they do it from what I would consider the Hollywood Point Of View. One episode in mind comes from something that happened a few years ago. The "Gamergate" issue! In the episode "Intimidation Game" Detectives Odafin Tutuola, Amanda Rollins, Dominic "Sonny" Carisi are at a gaming event when a game that I would recommend as a part time gamer is being promoted a game called "Amazonian Warriors" in which the players were given a chance to change things for the better but the slope headed Neanderthal male games are like "We Want More of the same Violent Games, not something intelimenegnt!" and proceed to become kidnappers and rapists. OY VEY, WHERE DO I BEGIN?! I know gamers who are NOTHING like the characters in that episode. Angry Joe isn't that way, The Angry Video Game Nerd isn't like that and neither is the Irate Gamer or whatever Chris Bores goes by now a days and friggin ICE-T WHO IS A GAMER AS WELL AS A RAP ICON ISN'T THAT WAY. SO WHY DID YOU WRITE GAMERS THAT WAY?! And guess If there ever is another type of situation like the one that, do something intelligent and call in Angry Joe or James Rolfe aka The Angry Video Game Nerd to consult, that way you can get it right.

Then there are the episodes that seem to have a unique political slant like in the episodes "Anchor" & "Info Wars". In those episodes they seem to make a point to make a certain political party, a News Network and their pundits and those who watch them look like the evil empire who believe Rape is good thing and everything that is happening is because we allow the wrong to happen and love to tear the world a new one. WHERE DO I BEGIN?! Okay let's start with "Anchor" in which a Political Pundit is made to look evil even though the guy who did the wrong did it of his own volition. The Attorney defending him tried to make it sound as if the Political Pundit is the cause because of both his right wing political standings and his beliefs that Immigrants should be sent back to their home country. Now here is where I will defend certain people on that network when it comes to Immigration and Immigrants coming to our country and they do not oppose it. They are more than welcome but they also have to be sure to get in the right way. Now onto the episode "Info Wars" in which a Female Political Pundit who looks like a recently dismissed Megyn Kelly who at that point was hired and didn't connect with NBC's audience and I think it was the network's way of letting her know what they think and hope for her which didn't bode well for a well functioning relationship between the two parties. But I digress The Megyn Kelly wannabe is raped by a fanatic and rather than being grateful the Megyn Kelly wannabe is so stuck in her own reality, it makes the case impossible to be done the right way. So much so that even at the end of the episode the Megyn Kelly Wannabe doesn't apparently care and Lt. Benson is DONE trying to deal with her. WHERE TO START?! Okay first off I actually checked out all the news that I could muster and stand without wanting to take a baseball bat to the head. And from what little I saw, Nowhere in her pieces was she anti-rape, nowhere was she as cold and calculating as her Law & Order SVU counterpart (Cut to James Physically)

 TLOTA:
But those examples of where the show DOESN'T work. There are a lot of things to like about the show and I'm about to go through 20 seasons worth of a show that has been through more Ups and Downs than any show that's lasted a fraction of the time. So let's do it! (Cut to clips of "Law & Order: SVU" as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):
The first season was shaky but there were elements that worked like Olivia Benson played by Mariska Hargitay, Elliot Stabler played by Christopher Meloni, John Munch played by Richard Belzer and Capt. Donald Cragen played by Dann Florek. The stories in the episodes varied in quality but they weren't bad. As a matter of fact a few of the episodes from the first season I do recommend you check out like the pilot episode: "Payback", "Closure (Part 1)", "Chat Rooms" & "Slaves". Seasons two, three & four is where the show picked up steam. It got rid of dead weight that was Detectives Monique Jeffries played by Michelle Hurd who really didn't do that much and Detective Brian Cassidy played by Dean Winters. Now that's not to say both are bad actors I actually enjoy their works, it's just they were under utilized in the show. While Dean Winters will return in later seasons the time away actually helped develop the character. I just wish outside of a brief mention in the season ten premiere by John Munch we actually discover what truly happened to Monique Jeffries. But I digress, Season 2 saw the introduction of Odafin Tutuola played by ICE-T and ADA Alexandra Cabot played by Stephanie March. The pacing of the season picked up exponentially and Several episodes from Seasons 2-4  include "Wrong Is Right", "Honor", "Runaway", "Countdown", "Rooftop", "Greed", "Competence", "Disappearing Acts", "Fallacy" and while technically a Season Five Episode I also recommend Stephanie March's Final Episode in her first run "Loss". Season Five showed that change isn't a bad thing, especially with the new ADA Casey Novak played by Diane Neal who actually appeared in an episode where Diane Neal's character was put on trial. Anyway from Seasons Five through Eight is where the series actually finds new ground and the series sounds more like a natural reality for a solid future at least for a while anyways. Some of the episodes I recommend include "Serendipity", "Coerced", "Control", "Brotherhood", "Hate", "Sick", "Bound", "Debt", "Charisma", "Haunted",  "Game", "Demons", "Design", "911", "Strain", "Raw", "Storm", "Taboo", "Informed", "Choreographed", "Burned", "Loophole", "Dependent", "Haystack", "Sin", "Florida",  & "Screwed" (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:
Now we move on to season Nine and Hoo boy! Do we find ourselves in unique territory. (Cut to clips of Season 9 of "Law & Order: SVU" as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):
Now again this is not a bad season, I actually enjoy a lot of the episodes and I enjoyed the new character of "Chester Lake" played by Adam Beach and one of the best things is when he acted as the new audience surrogate in the season premiere episode "Alternate" when he said that the detectives at the 16th Precinct's Special Victims Unit were where the looney tunes come home to roost! If he was around for a while longer he would know how much crazier the show would get. But by the end of the season both he and Diane Neal leave the show in the finale "Cold" an episode my associate on TV Trash had discussed already. But the truth is, the rest of the season is really good. Especially the 200th episode "Authority". The episode has the late Robin Williams in the role of Merritt Rook as he got away with coercing a man to do rape in a fast food restaurant. After getting away with it, Rook makes it his goal to cause chaos within his rights. And rather than go to prison, he drowned himself. Overall the season has it's highs and lows and for me I recommend it.
(Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:
Now let's go through seasons 10-13 and how much happens in a few year span. (Cut to clips of Seasons 10-13 of Law & Order: SVU as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):
These seasons had one problem an ADA that could last a season before being replaced by a legend ADA like Novak or Cabot. My personal favorite who almost got through a season was Kim Greylek played by Michaela McManus if there was even a few minutes in an episode where we got to know more about Greylek during her season we wouldn't have gotten the ones I dislike, Sonya Paxton, Sherri West and Gillian Hardwicke. Sonya Paxton was such a beeyotch she basically told Lucy Van Pelt to hold her beer then took a double dose of everyone else's beer Lucy and Hers included! As for Gillian Hardwicke she was just so cold! And that is not a knock towards Melissa Sagemiller, She played characters that while were ruthless also showed a different side to her each time. The character of Sherri West was just a meh, as a matter of fact when she returns in her final appearance in season 13 she's a defense attorney. Meaning she willing went to the dark side to defend the scum that shouldn't be defended and they should be quickly convicted and then sentenced to death! Then there's ADA Jo Marlowe played by Sharon Stone and to Sharon's credit, it's MILES above her work in "Catwoman" but it doesn't make up for "Basic Instinct 2" by a long shot! Then we meet David Haden played by the ever smooth and fantastically awesome Harry Connick Jr. The fact he was a love interest for Olivia and was played with some less than subtle moments in his tenure. But just because there were some negatives, it doesn't mean these seasons were bad. I loved at least I'd have to say 98 percent of Season 10, 95 percent of season 11, 99 percent of season 12 and at least 85 percent of Season 13. In fact one of my favorite moments in season 12 was when Olivia and Elliot were interrogating Vincent Prochik a professor of Mushrooms. I would love to see the blooper reel from that scene. Then came the Season thirteen of SVU which in two episodes introduced us to Amanda Rollins played by Kelli Giddish and Nick Amaro played by Danny Pino after season 12's finale which we will get to it right now. Season 10's finale had stones to kill off a secondary character we all knew. Season 11's finale ended with the Kidnapped child dying and the father having set up the mother for the kidnapping and with everything ending in tragedy. Season 12th's season finale proved to be Elliot Stabler's swansong as he has no choice but to shoot someone who is out for vengeance as she accidentally kills reoccurring character "Sister Peg" leaving the entire squad in turmoil and in the crosshairs of a lot of higher ups in the NYPD. Season 13's finale was unique as it was for the first time in SVU's history was a cliffhanger! As a case was hanging on by threads as it was turns bad as it was made to look like Captain Cragen committed murder while drunk. Keep in mind Captain Cragen had a problem with the booze when he was a young officer and nearly made a mistake that cost him his career and since then stayed sober! (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:
Thankfully The Season 14 premiere would resolve the cliffhanger. The season itself was better for a lot of the right reasons. (Cut to clips of Season 14 of Law & Order: SVU as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):
First off we had for the first time in five seasons a stable ADA with Rafael Barba played by Raul Esparza and for the first time since ADA Kim Greylek, I liked him. He was likable, he played his cards close to the vest and he had a mentality towards making sure justice was served. The season itself was amazingly better than Season 13 which for me had some good episodes. Season 14 is where the series picks up a new momentum that not a lot of series get in their 10th season let alone their 14th! That wind carried them to a new level of success and it's amazing how the season was well written, well acted and well paced! The season finale while again a cliffhanger made it worthwhile TV as William Lewis played by Pablo Schreiber got into Olivia Benson's apartment and had nasty plans for her next season.  (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:
Season 15, As much as it is a solid season, me personally, I feel turned into three mini-seasons with stories from the previous seasons sprinkled in.(Cut to clips of Season 15 of Law & Order: SVU as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):
The first mini-season started after the season premiere saw the rising of Olivia Benson from the darkness of what happened to her to become a woman in command. The first step was when Sgt. John Munch retired from SVU and moved to working for the D.A.'s Detectives Division. Which is where my buddy Rowdy decided to hit the dusty trail as well. Which is a shame because the second Mini-season was the next step in The Rising of Olivia Benson as though the lives of Nick Amaro and Amanda Rollins went down the toilet. Between Amanda relapsing with her demons and Nick fighting for solid ground as his wife left him and took their daughter. Then comes the retirement of Capt. Cragen putting Olivia in charge as she had passed the Sergeant's Exam. It was during the third mini-season where we saw not only the next step as she learns how to command the squad while still working the cases we saw resolution of the events in the second mini-season. With Amanda finally bottoming out and finally coming to terms with what was wrong with her, William Lewis escaping custody and stalking Olivia and finally putting the guy in the morgue, Nick finally allowing his world to fall apart so he can rebuild it into something better and Speaking of Olivia, she discovers in the middle of a case a little baby and in the finale of this season after noticing how much of a vested interest Olivia has taken in the baby who we discover is the offspring of a trafficked hooker named Ellie Porter, the judge decides to have Olivia become the foster mother to the Baby named Noah and if in one year's time if no one has stepped forward, Olivia could formally adopt Noah.
(Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:
And now we kick it into seasons 16-18
(Cut to clips of Seasons 16-18 of Law & Order: SVU as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):
And while Olivia adjusts to single parenthood well enough, we're also introduced to someone who was only meant to be in a handful of episodes before hitting the dusty trail but people liked him so much, he became a regular by the fifth episode of the season. The newbie? (Show clip of "Dominic Carisi Jr. AKA Sonny" as he introduces himself. Cut to clips of Seasons 16-18 of Law & Order: SVU as James does a voiceover) Dominic "Sonny" Carisi played by Peter Scanavino and to his credit, he could've just phoned in his performance. But from the get-go there was an energy that was infectious. So much so Social Media took a liking to him and I understand why, he's ambitious enough to want to help, he cares about the victim and somehow reads everyone well enough. We also get some development with him in several episodes as he tries to get to pass the bar as a lawyer, has more siblings than we know and is an uncle to multiple nephews and nieces. Plus the banter between his character and both Rafael Barba and Amanda Rollins. So much so between Rollins and Carisi they've actually done what's known as "Shipped" them. Whatever that means. Anyway while this season does have the infamous "Gamergate"-esque episode this season and the next season has several episodes that crossover with another Dick Wolf produced series "Chicago P.D." . One of my favorite moments from these crossovers had Sgt. Hank Voight played by Jason Beghe was in the witness interrogation with a child trafficker and started to smack the taste out of the mouth of him much to the chagrin of Benson, thankfully cooler heads prevail but these crossover episodes help expand and connect the different shows under the Dick Wolf Production banner. But back to seasons 16-18 of SVU.  One episode of season 16 which I'm sure came back to bite both the writers and actress Kelli Giddish in the butt was when Amanda Rollins said something about not having kids because during the production break after season 16 ended and season 17 started Kelli in real life got married and pregnant. The pregnancy was written into season 17. But back to season 16 as a major revelation of Noah's parentage came into play as it turns out Johnny D who was introduced in the episode after the "Gamergate" episode is Noah's biological dad. This information comes back into play in the season's finale as not only does Johnny D turn Olivia's life into a nightmare but even worse is that Nick Amaro's career has hit a brick wall. With all that going on Johnny D is sabotaging the case. That is until a young victim named Ariel breaks the sabotage which causes Johnny D to go on a rampage shooting the Judge and taking a court officer. Nick Amaro is in pursuit when... (Show Courtroom door as two shots are heard. Cut to later in the episode as James continues his voiceover.) While Nick survived Johnny D and the court officer he took weren't as lucky. With what appeared to be all the roadblocks gone Olivia formally adopted her son Noah Porter Benson. While this is happening, Nick is recovering and decides he's retiring. Then we meet his one season replacement with Sgt. Michael Dodds who just so happens to be the Chief's son. While he does become the second person in terms of a reoccurring character to actually die on a "Law & Order" series. As a matter of fact the series 18th season has Olivia trying to come to terms with what happened while fighting certainly some of the most important cases they can handle.  (Cut to James physically )

TLOTA :
Now we must address something that is important. There's an episode which has not aired and something tells me it will most likely never see the light of day.  The episode in question is about someone who is Trump like character who probably ended up in prison. According to some sources, the writing of the episode was more than likely not up to snuff and people probably would have been very disappointed with it. So maybe it was for the best it never gets released on the home media market or the syndicated market as well. And  as for the rest of Season 18, it was really amazing. However between season 18 and 19 the young actor who played Noah was replaced. But what happens in Season 19 was just as monumental. (Cut to clips of Season 19 of Law & Order: SVU as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):
The season premiere has Fin in Cuba picking up an escaped rapist in exile and Olivia and her son Noah now played by Ryan Buggle and for the record, Ryan Buggle is awesome as Noah heading to school when a distracted Olivia took her eyes off her son and Noah nearly became a Road Pizza! That moment sets off a chain reaction that sets up her arc for the first third of the season. After a brief investigation, Olivia would be cleared of trumped up charges but the incident has a secondary chain reaction. Trevor Langan played by Peter Hermann who happens to be Mariska's Husband discovers that the mother of Ellie Porter the trafficked hooker who is Noah's Biological Mom was looking for Noah. While it took a few episodes the two try to put Noah's best interests ahead of a lot of their own turmoil. It's not until the fall finale that Sheila played by Brooke Shields put into play her plans to take Noah away from Olivia. While the fallout remains, we as an audience had little time to deal with it. Why? Because after several seasons Raul Esparza left but his final episode also was a good transitional episode for the new ADA who was in a short lived Chicago series by Dick Wolf. Enter Peter Stone played by Philip Winchester and while in his first episode he was a little too tough to digest over the rest of the season he mellowed out and he got some great development through out the rest of the season and much like Cabot, Novak, Greylek and Barba I liked him. He was smart, he was able to get the bad guys to fool themselves into providing the evidence to send themselves to jail and he quickly melded with the rest of the cast. As for the season finale it put a bullet through expectations as the intensity is ramped up. In the first part a nanny who was brought here through human traffickers finds the one who was the worst to her and tortures him. And as the case about the trafficker goes to trial, one of his associates takes the mentally ill sister of Peter Stone and when he and the squad along with ESU try to rescue her... (Show clip of Peter's sister being gunned down by the gangster and everyone filling the gangster full of lead!) Yeah, this was one of those times where even Ted Nugent would've thought it was overkill! Overall season 19 was as awesome after watching it for the tenth time on the USA Network as it was the first time on NBC! (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:
Now we come to the most recent season and HOLY COW, No Holds Barred is the understatement of the millennium with the 20th season! (Cut to clips of Season 20 of Law & Order: SVU as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):
And the best way to describe the 20th season is Nucking Futs! Between dealing with Amanda Rollins' Second Pregnancy, Olivia trying to get her son to open up to her, Peter Stone trying to come to terms with what happened with his sister being killed, All it needed was to give us a season full of amazing episodes which I am proud to say are some of the best I saw last year. There was not one episode I didn't like and one of the best moments was when something that was a loose plot point turned into something of a sticking point, A memo Chief Dodds played by Peter Gallagher had done up and it was after they captured a final third of the season long enemy in Rob Miller played by Titus Welliver and let me say the second he shook Noah's hand I knew YouTube would be BURNING up the comment section in wanting to see this guy die in the most Colossal and Painful of ways possible! Fortunately this death would not happen as believe it or not, they actually rehashed the ending to the episode "Cold" and made it work this time. (Cut to clips of the episode "Cold" as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):
This is something my buddy The Rowdy Reviewer went into detail about how they tried to make the ends justify the means as Casey Novak tried to hold off the evidence that would've let a dirty cop get off on his crime and would potentially set a chain reaction that showed a lot of bad things. But even without the evidence, the person is found not guilty and it's up to Chester Lake to put a bullet in him like Old Yeller! Meanwhile Casey's plans are sent straight to hell as not only is her rouse discovered as we discover in the second episode of season ten Casey was disbarred meaning the job offer she had at the beginning of the episode was now a moot point! And while how and why Casey returned in the 12th and 13th seasons took Gold in the Plot gymnastics at the Storytelling Olympics a lot of people thought what happened was wrong. (Cut to clips of the season 20 finale as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):
This time, it was personal for Peter Stone, During the season break, I'm willing to believe that Olivia Benson and her son Noah took Peter and gave him something positive to have in his life and the only way he felt as he could repay them was to put Rob Miller into a jail cell for the rest of his life even with the most circumstantial evidence. A move that eventually leads to Peter Stone leaving his post as the ADA for SVU however unlike Casey's departure which was because she was doing everything to put a criminal away with her somehow trying to make him slip up and convince the jury that he was guilty. Peter used everything in his arsenal and the smallest sliver of evidence linking Rob Miller to a murder that most likely he did commit. It was Peter's way of thanking Olivia and Noah in some weird and bizarre way by sacrificing his career, Peter gave Olivia and Noah some peace of mind knowing Rob Miller is in a jail cell for the rest of his life and the fact Peter knew the cost made the sacrifice more poignant. (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA :
And after going through every single last season, did I figure out what keeps this series relevant? I think so and I probably heard it so many times that it is stuck inside my head. (Show opening statement of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit". Cut to clips of the show as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):
"Sexually based Offenses are especially heinous" and in our world we need detectives dedicated to putting them away. We need that elite squadron to put the rapists and abusive boyfriends/husbands/wives/girlfriends! We need the Special Victims Unit to help make sure that love, romance and all the stuff most people take for granted doesn't become criminal acts most times when things in a romance goes south it's not the prettiest picture or when someone does wrong to someone sexually, it's going to end up in the purview of the Special Victims Unit to investigate and ensure Justice is done and everyone on the show knows it. So much so Mariska Hargitay started up a non profit charity to help in the healing process called The Joyful Heart Foundation whose mission statement is to help victims heal and find strength through all sorts of exercises and assistance. To learn more, click on the link right here: http://www.joyfulheartfoundation.org/. And to those who help keep the bad people at bay in real life and on the show I salute all of you! (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:
I'm James Faraci The Last Of The Americans and... Wait a second, Next month is October! I've always wanted to break out something different. (James pulls out his morpher and morphs into a Halloween version of his suit with a Black shirt covered in Pumpkins instead of a Red White and Blue shirt.) HOLY MOLY IT WORKED! Next time around The Top 13 Charmed episodes! I'm James Faraci The Last Of The Americans and... (A thunderous boom is heard) The Hell?! (James looks out the window and sees four witches with a cauldron in his parking lot. Cut to James) This is not going to look well to the landlords! ORAC! (Cut to black)