"Bodies" is the season premiere of Season 14, which happened to be the final season for the iconic character of Lennie Briscoe (one of the longest serving characters of the franchise for good reason). A character that was much missed after his departure and 'Law and Order' didn't feel the same without him. On first watch, "Bodies" struck me as a very memorable episode for its suspense, the scariness of the ethical issues tackled and primarily the performance of Ritchie Coster.
The premise was a great one that had real potential to be good. "Bodies" turned out to be more than good. It was absolutely fantastic, one of the best episodes of Season 14 and one of the best in a while for the original 'Law and Order'. What a way to start the season. What stood out on first viewing stand out still now and even more so, but there is certainly more than just them to appreciate. Everything comes together wonderfully with no exceptions.
Production values are fine, have always liked the photography's intimacy and grit and the look of the show has come on a good deal over-time (and it was good to begin with). The music doesn't intrude and has a haunting quality, have not always remembered to say that the theme tune is easy to remember and holds up.
Script is full of tension, intelligence and tautness. Many of the lines given to Coster are truly chilling and the character interactions between the characters are some of the best and most riveting in a while. The story is neither too easy or hard to follow and especially shines in the truly scary legal ethics, that are intriguing and hard hitting. While the first half is very intriguing and absorbs, the second half is even better.
While all the regulars are excellent, especially Sam Waterston (and even Elisabeth Rohm is not a problem here, she conveys Southerlyn's distaste and fear effectively), "Bodies" belongs to spine chilling Coster. Who plays a strong contender for the most amoral supporting character of the original 'Law and Order' since Zeljko Ivanek's Swann in Season 4's "American Dream". When even the not usually easily flinched characters are intimidated by him you know that's the sign of an amoral character.
In short, fantastic. 10/10.
The premise was a great one that had real potential to be good. "Bodies" turned out to be more than good. It was absolutely fantastic, one of the best episodes of Season 14 and one of the best in a while for the original 'Law and Order'. What a way to start the season. What stood out on first viewing stand out still now and even more so, but there is certainly more than just them to appreciate. Everything comes together wonderfully with no exceptions.
Production values are fine, have always liked the photography's intimacy and grit and the look of the show has come on a good deal over-time (and it was good to begin with). The music doesn't intrude and has a haunting quality, have not always remembered to say that the theme tune is easy to remember and holds up.
Script is full of tension, intelligence and tautness. Many of the lines given to Coster are truly chilling and the character interactions between the characters are some of the best and most riveting in a while. The story is neither too easy or hard to follow and especially shines in the truly scary legal ethics, that are intriguing and hard hitting. While the first half is very intriguing and absorbs, the second half is even better.
While all the regulars are excellent, especially Sam Waterston (and even Elisabeth Rohm is not a problem here, she conveys Southerlyn's distaste and fear effectively), "Bodies" belongs to spine chilling Coster. Who plays a strong contender for the most amoral supporting character of the original 'Law and Order' since Zeljko Ivanek's Swann in Season 4's "American Dream". When even the not usually easily flinched characters are intimidated by him you know that's the sign of an amoral character.
In short, fantastic. 10/10.