I think that this first episode was meant to set the tone for the show and it did that well enough I think. It is very different than how the show is now, several seasons later, as I think the some of the characters have been changed/modified. Olivia in the first episode was more typecast as the "emotional woman" who thinks more with her heart (as exhibited by when Cragen told Stabler to make sure his partner (Olivia) knew that they don't get to pick the victim). The male characters were also stereotyped into the very "macho" tough-talking kind of roles. That has changed over time in the show, but I think that for this episode to set the tone for the show and hook viewers in, it did need to be not as "deep" and more stereotypical to get viewers to relate.
This episode, and bearing in mind that it is a television show, was meant to draw viewers in and give them something they could recognize (emotional woman, strong men, effeminate gay man) though these are all major stereotypes. However, I do believe that perhaps that was necessary for them to do in order to introduce viewers to the show.
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I agree with the characterization of Olivia as the "emotional" woman. I noticed that a lot throughout the episode. Especially when she is empathizing with the victims wife while Stabler is with the kid and when she is talking to the victims. It was interesting because Stabler is usually the more emotional and angry character.
Good insight! It is true that the show needed to draw in new viewers and assure older viewers that they would be getting the familiar Law and Order banter (with dry jokes and all). I'm just glad they've changed nowadays!
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