One of the biggest appeals of 'Law and Order' has been the topics it addresses and issues that come with the topics addressed. Also with how they are explored, the execution more often than not was hardly sugar coated or trivialised and was often pull no punches in quality. The topic covered in Season 19's fifth episode "Knock Off" is a familiar one, with both 'Law and Order' and 'Special Victims Unit' having quite a number of episodes centered around cover ups, namely because it is so important to be made aware of.
The show though has been known to revisit familiar territory and not make it too stale each time. "Knock Off" is far from stale and explores the topic with a good deal of tension and intrigue. It is a great episode in my view that is on par with the first two episodes of Season 19, "Rumble" and "Challenged", and a vast improvement over the previous two "Lost Boys" and "Falling". Not quite one of my favourite episodes of Season 19 but a good example of why the season surprised me so much.
"Knock Off" is perhaps a little on the routine side to begin with.
Very quickly, that is nearly easy to overlook because of everything else being so good. The production values as ever have slickness and grit, with an intimacy without being claustrophobic. The music has presence when it's used but does so without being intrusive, some of it is quite haunting too. The direction is also understated but the tension never slips. The script is taut and intelligent, a lot of talk but doesn't ramble or confuse.
Furthermore, the story is intriguing and although there is a lot going on and quite complex stuff it manages to not be over stuffed or convoluted. A lot of tension can be seen too, especially in the meatier second half, which is also very thought provoking and easy to be riveted by. Lupo and Bernard's chemistry has come on a lot and the supporting characters are not too over the top. The acting is great all round.
In conclusion, excellent and a return to high quality after losing its way in the previous two episodes. 9/10.
The show though has been known to revisit familiar territory and not make it too stale each time. "Knock Off" is far from stale and explores the topic with a good deal of tension and intrigue. It is a great episode in my view that is on par with the first two episodes of Season 19, "Rumble" and "Challenged", and a vast improvement over the previous two "Lost Boys" and "Falling". Not quite one of my favourite episodes of Season 19 but a good example of why the season surprised me so much.
"Knock Off" is perhaps a little on the routine side to begin with.
Very quickly, that is nearly easy to overlook because of everything else being so good. The production values as ever have slickness and grit, with an intimacy without being claustrophobic. The music has presence when it's used but does so without being intrusive, some of it is quite haunting too. The direction is also understated but the tension never slips. The script is taut and intelligent, a lot of talk but doesn't ramble or confuse.
Furthermore, the story is intriguing and although there is a lot going on and quite complex stuff it manages to not be over stuffed or convoluted. A lot of tension can be seen too, especially in the meatier second half, which is also very thought provoking and easy to be riveted by. Lupo and Bernard's chemistry has come on a lot and the supporting characters are not too over the top. The acting is great all round.
In conclusion, excellent and a return to high quality after losing its way in the previous two episodes. 9/10.
