"Bailout" is another 'Law and Order' episode where the concept isn't anything original but still has enough to make one interested in seeing it. Personally do prefer the episodes that tackle difficult and controversial topics that are still to this day hardly outdated (which for me is what the franchise excels in doing at its best), or at least ones that are more so, but again if a fan of 'Law and Order' or wanting to see all the episodes there is no reason really to avoid "Bailout" in my mind.
It luckily is a very good episode, if falling a little short of being great despite having a lot of great things individually. Like a lot of episodes in 'Law and Order's' late seasons and actually 'Law and Order' in general, it is a case of one half being superior to the other. But not because one half is bad, just that there is one half that executes the storytelling especially even better. As far as Season 19 goes, "Bailout" is somewhere around high middle.
Starting with the good, "Bailout" is a slickly made episode, the editing especially having come on quite a bit from when the show first started (never was it a problem but it got more fluid with each episode up to this stage). The music is sparingly used and never seemed melodramatic, the theme tune easy to remember as usual. The direction is sympathetic enough without being too low key on the whole.
The script is generally taut, with little fat, and intelligent. The story does intrigue and once things become not what they seemed initially, there is tension and doesn't feel too predictable despite not being original. The character interaction is pretty much on point, have been really surprised by how much Lupo and Bernard's partnership improved overtime after a rocky start. The character writing is also strong, with a standout being the truly ruthless defense attorney that proves to be a worthy opponent in the legal portions. The acting is very good, John Ventimiglia embodies his character's ruthlessness and the regulars are without complaint.
Perfect "Bailout" isn't, with a rather formulaic first quarter and a slightly too over-crowded conclusion.
Otherwise, very good. 8/10.
It luckily is a very good episode, if falling a little short of being great despite having a lot of great things individually. Like a lot of episodes in 'Law and Order's' late seasons and actually 'Law and Order' in general, it is a case of one half being superior to the other. But not because one half is bad, just that there is one half that executes the storytelling especially even better. As far as Season 19 goes, "Bailout" is somewhere around high middle.
Starting with the good, "Bailout" is a slickly made episode, the editing especially having come on quite a bit from when the show first started (never was it a problem but it got more fluid with each episode up to this stage). The music is sparingly used and never seemed melodramatic, the theme tune easy to remember as usual. The direction is sympathetic enough without being too low key on the whole.
The script is generally taut, with little fat, and intelligent. The story does intrigue and once things become not what they seemed initially, there is tension and doesn't feel too predictable despite not being original. The character interaction is pretty much on point, have been really surprised by how much Lupo and Bernard's partnership improved overtime after a rocky start. The character writing is also strong, with a standout being the truly ruthless defense attorney that proves to be a worthy opponent in the legal portions. The acting is very good, John Ventimiglia embodies his character's ruthlessness and the regulars are without complaint.
Perfect "Bailout" isn't, with a rather formulaic first quarter and a slightly too over-crowded conclusion.
Otherwise, very good. 8/10.
