"Coming Down Hard" has a very gutsy topic, 'Law and Order' and the entire 'Law and Order' franchise were no strangers to challenging and controversial subjects but not many at this point had topics that took a lot of guts to tackle at this time. Have said many times about having a lot of admiration for how 'Law and Order' and franchise approached the subjects they tackled, back in times where it would have been easy to shy away in fear of offending but that's actually not the case a lot of the time.
It turned out to be a very good episode. Almost as good as the previous outing "Brotherhood" and continues the big improvement seen with that episode compared to the first two episodes of Season 15. It does a very good job with its subject matter, which is a difficult one and not explored enough, both at the time and now. "Coming Down Hard" doesn't shy away, but at the same time it also doesn't lay it on too thick. Which is the case with any episode that explores their subjects well.
Like a lot of 'Law and Order' episodes (admittedly, and this is coming from someone who loves the show and franchise at its best), one half is better than the half. The first third or so is a bit ordinary and Fontana is still one of those characters that isn't a complete mess but doesn't have quite enough to him yet.
Elisabeth Rohm is still stiff and robotic.
However, a huge amount is great. Completely forgot to say that there is a ripped from the headlines approach to the story, that aspect didn't come over as sleazy, exploitative or too faithful to what it's based on. The episode looks slick and has the right amount of grit, while the music isn't overused or melodramatic. It's alertly yet sympathetically directed.
The script is taut and thought-provoking, particularly in the latter stages of the legal portion. The story compels and isn't too simple or convoluted, the legal half having the right amount of tension. The ending isn't too rushed this time and the episode doesn't shy away from showing the full impact of this gutsy topic. The acting is very good, while almost all the regular cast are fine it's Peter Strauss who comes off best. Playing a character where a conviction is rooted for.
Concluding, very good. 8/10.
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