The theme and subject of refusing to take medications is not a new subject for 'Law and Order' and was re-visited in the franchise a fair number of times since. It is an important and relevant topic to raise and discuss, and the original 'Law and Order' was great at tackling tough issues and exploring them uncompromisingly. But it did have the dangers of being one-sided, predictable and lacking in subtlety, dangers that some episodes that explored this theme did fall into.
While highly appreciating that it even tried to tackle this subject, "Turnstile Justice" in my mind could have done so better. It is certainly not a bad episode, quite decent actually, and its efforts are commendable, but to me the issue has been tackled with more tact, insight and complexity elsewhere. A notable example being Season 6's "Pro Se". As far as Season 11 episodes go, "Turnstile Justice" is neither one of the best or worst, though will say that it is a big step down from the brilliant previous episode "Endurance".
Am going to start with what "Turnstile Justice" could have done better. It could have been handled with more tact as it did feel heavy handed in stretches when the writers made it too clear what side of the issue they were on and did so in a not particularly subtle way, disappointing considering that 'Law and Order' at this point was so good often at presenting tough topics from more than one point of view and in a way where you could see both sides.
Not much new here too, a lot of it is fairly familiar and ordinary ground other than the complexities of everything with the health care. Which did seem on the one-sided side and is not always realistic, what is said about the physician assistant was somewhat sloppy. Dianne Wiest has too little to do (though she does decently with what she has). Don't like it too when it is said and shown that medication takers resort to extreme behaviours when not taking them, that is not always the case and while it is far from unheard of the actions are not usually this extreme (it is dependent on the condition though).
Having said all of that, a lot is done well. It is made slickly and the music is unobtrusive while helping give big moments their impact. The direction is alert enough while not rushing through, especially later on. The performances are on point, with Jerry Orbach and Jesse L. Martin making for a great team and Sam Waterston is also a strong presence. Angie Harmon shows why Carmichael was always my personal favourite of the female prosecution assistants. Ray Anthony Thomas is unsettling as the character the case centres around.
Even though it is heavy handed, the script is thought-provoking and doesn't ramble with nothing being held back. Despite being nothing new, the story does compel and raises some intriguing questions. It doesn't feel dull or confusing either.
Concluding, not a great episode but worth a peek. 7/10.
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