The subject matter for "Illegal" is another one that is quite bold and controversial, and has been done harrowingly more than once. Have said more than once about my long term admiration for the franchise's handling of heavy and polarising topics, some of them being ones that many shows would go nowhere near, and how it does not hold back when it approaches any of them. Regardless of the overall execution of the episodes, this aspect always is deserving of credit.
"Illegal" is another great episode and proof that the excellent previous outing "Quit Claim" wasn't a fluke. It is every bit as good as that episode and for similar reasoning, yet has the further plus of giving a previously (meaning the previous Season 18 outings) under-utilised fan favourite more screen time and in material worthy of him. It may not be one of my favourite episodes of 'Law and Order', when as far as Season 18 goes "Illegal" is one of the better ones.
Maybe the conclusion could have slowed down a little.
Otherwise, there is nothing else to be mildly critical of. It looks professional and the camerawork is neither overblown or static. The music has a haunting and not too melodramatic presence. The direction keeps things tight while allowing time to breathe. The script is intelligent, layered, lean and provokes a lot of thought. The story is compelling and is intricate without being convoluted, the moral dilemmas of the case are intensely and thoughtfully handled.
Conflict has tension and the kind where a result, and the right kind, is rooted for, while the approach to the subject is uncompromising and suspenseful while not being preachy. It was fantastic to see more of McCoy, his underuse in the previous Season 18 episodes was criminal but here not only does he play a quite active role he also has a subplot that reminds one fondly of the kinds of subplots he had in the early seasons. The content could have been over complicated, but just about wasn't.
Had nothing to fault the character interaction for, with the most dramatic moments being between McCoy and Cutter. Or with the acting, which is great all round.
In conclusion, excellent. 9/10.
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