The premise on paper does sound quite ordinary and not much different from episodes for any crime/mystery/legal drama with similar premises. Despite that, it is very easy to still have high expectations if a fan of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' (the case with the earlier seasons, it's not been the same for a while now) and if any previous episodes of Season 5 blew you away (the case with me, including the previous two consecutively).
On first watch, "Criminal" didn't amaze me story-wise, or at least to begin with, although primary guest star James McDaniel did impress me hugely. A few rewatches later, "Criminal" still strikes me as slightly bland, well compared to having following on from two incredibly powerful in particular episodes, but there has overtime been more to appreciate and McDaniel's performance really does elevate it to a higher level.
Do think that other Season 5 episodes have a lot more tension and emotion than "Criminal". The closest that the episode comes to having those things is the climax, which is not earth-shattering but it still grabs the attention and is well staged. Other episodes have more surprises and are more twisty, for me it was too obvious too early that there was more to the case than what it initially seemed.
Some of it feels predictable, with a quite ordinary first third that could have belonged in pretty much any show, and there is too much conclusion jumping based on past events.
What makes "Criminal" worth seeing however, despite how all of that sounds, is McDaniel who is excellent and gives his character surprising complexity that makes one unsure as to whether he is guilty or innocent. All the cast are fine, with Dann Florek doing tortured guilt quite movingly. It was great to have Cragen spotlighted and see him genuinely remorseful. Although the answer to the guilty or innocent dilemma was not a surprise, the identity of the murderer and motive were not for a while. The climax is well staged as said.
"Criminal" is very thoughtfully scripted and while the story wasn't mind blowing it did become more interesting and not as predictable later on.
It is shot with the right amount of intimacy without being claustrophobic and that the editing has become increasingly tighter over-time has been great too. Nice use of locations too. The music doesn't get over-scored or overwrought, even in the more dramatic revelation moments. The direction doesn't try to do too much and is understated but never flat or unsure.
All in all, not great and a little disappointing but worth watching for McDaniel in particular. 7/10
On first watch, "Criminal" didn't amaze me story-wise, or at least to begin with, although primary guest star James McDaniel did impress me hugely. A few rewatches later, "Criminal" still strikes me as slightly bland, well compared to having following on from two incredibly powerful in particular episodes, but there has overtime been more to appreciate and McDaniel's performance really does elevate it to a higher level.
Do think that other Season 5 episodes have a lot more tension and emotion than "Criminal". The closest that the episode comes to having those things is the climax, which is not earth-shattering but it still grabs the attention and is well staged. Other episodes have more surprises and are more twisty, for me it was too obvious too early that there was more to the case than what it initially seemed.
Some of it feels predictable, with a quite ordinary first third that could have belonged in pretty much any show, and there is too much conclusion jumping based on past events.
What makes "Criminal" worth seeing however, despite how all of that sounds, is McDaniel who is excellent and gives his character surprising complexity that makes one unsure as to whether he is guilty or innocent. All the cast are fine, with Dann Florek doing tortured guilt quite movingly. It was great to have Cragen spotlighted and see him genuinely remorseful. Although the answer to the guilty or innocent dilemma was not a surprise, the identity of the murderer and motive were not for a while. The climax is well staged as said.
"Criminal" is very thoughtfully scripted and while the story wasn't mind blowing it did become more interesting and not as predictable later on.
It is shot with the right amount of intimacy without being claustrophobic and that the editing has become increasingly tighter over-time has been great too. Nice use of locations too. The music doesn't get over-scored or overwrought, even in the more dramatic revelation moments. The direction doesn't try to do too much and is understated but never flat or unsure.
All in all, not great and a little disappointing but worth watching for McDaniel in particular. 7/10
