'Law and Order' was a brilliant show in its prime and overall is actually my favourite of the 'Law and Order' franchise and out of it, 'Special Victims Unit' (the longest running, but has been very inconsistent for a long time now) and 'Criminal Intent' (very good Seasons 1-4 and last season but uneven in Seasons 5-9). Despite not feeling the same post-Briscoe and becoming more variable post-Season 10. "Equal Rights" is not unfamiliar territory but it is a relevant issue worth addressing.
An issue that is generally handled very well and while it is not an exceptional or a special episode "Equal Rights" is solid enough and deserves a higher rating. There may not be much new, but it is an interesting subject matter and done tactfully and not too one-sidedly. As far as Season 12 goes, "Equal Rights" is neither one of the best or one of the worst. Somewhere firmly in the middle (the general standard of most of the season's episodes), which is not too bad a position to be in.
Beginning with what could have been done better, part of me actually thought that it could have done with more surprises, other episodes of the season were twistier and the twists were a lot more unpredictable.
It perhaps could have done with more tension and emotion, from tackling more difficult subjects in a more complex and pull no punches way. The first half isn't quite as good as the second, it's interesting enough and Briscoe and Green's chemistry is great, there is just a feeling of we've seen this all before. Elisabeth Rohm comes over as stiff and robotic.
However, there is still a lot to like. The rest of the acting is more than fine, with Sam Waterston being typically authoritative and ruthless. Jerry Orbach and Jesse L Martin are also great and Bob Dishy is good value. Karen Young's performance is deeply felt. The script is tight and thoughtful, while also not being over-complicated or sugar-coated. There is a good deal of talk but it doesn't feel too much. The second half does compel a good deal and the moral dilemmas of the case are handled well. One is scared too at how what the victim was up to can happen and does happen and very easily.
Furthermore, the production values are still fully professional, the slickness and subtly gritty style still remaining. The music is sparingly used and is haunting and thankfully non-overwrought. The direction shows some nice tension in the legal scenes. The material is richer in the legal scenes, hence why the second half fares strongly. It was interesting to have one of the show's most reprehensible victims in a while and a defendant that is oddly empathetic.
Overall, pretty good if not great. 7/10.
An issue that is generally handled very well and while it is not an exceptional or a special episode "Equal Rights" is solid enough and deserves a higher rating. There may not be much new, but it is an interesting subject matter and done tactfully and not too one-sidedly. As far as Season 12 goes, "Equal Rights" is neither one of the best or one of the worst. Somewhere firmly in the middle (the general standard of most of the season's episodes), which is not too bad a position to be in.
Beginning with what could have been done better, part of me actually thought that it could have done with more surprises, other episodes of the season were twistier and the twists were a lot more unpredictable.
It perhaps could have done with more tension and emotion, from tackling more difficult subjects in a more complex and pull no punches way. The first half isn't quite as good as the second, it's interesting enough and Briscoe and Green's chemistry is great, there is just a feeling of we've seen this all before. Elisabeth Rohm comes over as stiff and robotic.
However, there is still a lot to like. The rest of the acting is more than fine, with Sam Waterston being typically authoritative and ruthless. Jerry Orbach and Jesse L Martin are also great and Bob Dishy is good value. Karen Young's performance is deeply felt. The script is tight and thoughtful, while also not being over-complicated or sugar-coated. There is a good deal of talk but it doesn't feel too much. The second half does compel a good deal and the moral dilemmas of the case are handled well. One is scared too at how what the victim was up to can happen and does happen and very easily.
Furthermore, the production values are still fully professional, the slickness and subtly gritty style still remaining. The music is sparingly used and is haunting and thankfully non-overwrought. The direction shows some nice tension in the legal scenes. The material is richer in the legal scenes, hence why the second half fares strongly. It was interesting to have one of the show's most reprehensible victims in a while and a defendant that is oddly empathetic.
Overall, pretty good if not great. 7/10.
