A fundamentalist Christian goes on trial for murder, but he claims that he was protecting his daughter from Divine Retribution for learning Evolution theory in school.A fundamentalist Christian goes on trial for murder, but he claims that he was protecting his daughter from Divine Retribution for learning Evolution theory in school.A fundamentalist Christian goes on trial for murder, but he claims that he was protecting his daughter from Divine Retribution for learning Evolution theory in school.
Photos
Fred Thompson
- DA Arthur Branch
- (as Fred Dalton Thompson)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis episode appears to be based on two separate cases/incidents:
- The 2005 Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District case.
- The 2006 Alabama church fires.
- Quotes
Jacob Reese: I was just trying to protect my daughter.
Executive A.D.A. Jack McCoy: So you broke the Fifth Commandment. You not only killed, you killed the wrong man.
Featured review
Faithful unto death
Expectations were mixed prior to rewatching "Good Faith". Season 17 generally was a solid season up to this point of the season, and was a solid one overall, there were some good ideas here Melnick has always been a great character. Despite the subject being the bold one, have said more than once about not always being crazy about episodes of the franchise where religion plays a big part in the case, which "Good Faith" does.
"Good Faith" didn't work for me on the whole and is one of my least favourite Season 17 episodes. It is not a bad episode, not at all, and has its good things and moments, but this was a case of the ideas being good but the execution being heavily flawed. It is also one of the very few times where Melnick (usually a welcome presence whenever she appears) frustrated more than she delighted, or at least her arguments are.
There are good things about "Good Faith". Production values are slick and professional, not ever resorting to cheap or untested gimmicks or anything. The music is haunting in the right places and isn't constant or too loud, and there are times where the direction does give the drama urgency and breathing space in the latter stages.
Most of the acting is fine, particularly in the legal portions. McCoy and Melnick have great chemistry together and the episode shines most when they're together.
However, the story executes its good ideas pretty weakly. There is a lack of tension, the case is too thin and found the second half at times far fetched and patronising. The defense argument was insultingly lame and borderline illogical, Melnick was usually much more intelligent and professional than here, and should have been dismissed.
Also felt that the script lacked tautness and could have done with more grit. The pace is pretty dull at times, especially in the first half, which doesn't have too much to it, and then becomes rushed in the final quarter, where it also becomes on the over-complicated side. Still not a fan of Cassady and Milena Govich playing her and there is nothing memorable about them here.
Overall, could have been a lot better. 5/10.
"Good Faith" didn't work for me on the whole and is one of my least favourite Season 17 episodes. It is not a bad episode, not at all, and has its good things and moments, but this was a case of the ideas being good but the execution being heavily flawed. It is also one of the very few times where Melnick (usually a welcome presence whenever she appears) frustrated more than she delighted, or at least her arguments are.
There are good things about "Good Faith". Production values are slick and professional, not ever resorting to cheap or untested gimmicks or anything. The music is haunting in the right places and isn't constant or too loud, and there are times where the direction does give the drama urgency and breathing space in the latter stages.
Most of the acting is fine, particularly in the legal portions. McCoy and Melnick have great chemistry together and the episode shines most when they're together.
However, the story executes its good ideas pretty weakly. There is a lack of tension, the case is too thin and found the second half at times far fetched and patronising. The defense argument was insultingly lame and borderline illogical, Melnick was usually much more intelligent and professional than here, and should have been dismissed.
Also felt that the script lacked tautness and could have done with more grit. The pace is pretty dull at times, especially in the first half, which doesn't have too much to it, and then becomes rushed in the final quarter, where it also becomes on the over-complicated side. Still not a fan of Cassady and Milena Govich playing her and there is nothing memorable about them here.
Overall, could have been a lot better. 5/10.
helpful•90
- TheLittleSongbird
- Sep 13, 2022
Details
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content