To be honest, the premise for "Know it All" didn't really appeal to me much, actually one of Season 18's least appealing. It just on paper sounds rather sensationalist and potentially exploitative, which does induce rather angry emotions within me and too reminiscent of what is felt when reading clickbait newspaper headlines. Having said that, there have been films and such seen recently that have unappealing premises but actually manage to be better than expected.
"Know it All" is one such example. It is not quite one of the best episodes of Season 18 ("Real Fake News", "Net Worth" and "Motherly Love" being the best), but it is a long way from being one of the worst (the likes of "Heightened Emotions" and "Conversion") and a lot less sensationalist and more tactful than what the synopsis and episode title indicates. Perfect "Know it All" isn't, but the good things are many and the best of them even great.
Am going to begin with mentioning what isn't so good. The initial crime, which had a lot of potential, was too abruptly discarded and never resolved. Made me question why it was even there in the first place. Not many surprises here either.
Barba's secret was nowhere near as shocking or as big as it was made out, found it pretty anaemic and added very little to his character.
Much is good, great at best, on the other hand. The photography and such as usual are fully professional, the slickness still remaining. The music is used sparingly and is haunting and non-overwrought when it is used, and it's mainly used when a crucial revelation or plot development is revealed. The direction is tight enough while allowing some breathing space when necessary.
The script is lean and thought provoking, not being heavy handed while not trivialising. Nothing comes over as sordid either. The story is full of intrigue and suspense with no signs of dullness, and did appreciate hugely that it was all about the case with little signs of personal life drama (the latter of which being done pretty badly this season). Really liked how the team worked and nobody dominates too much, again better than most Season 18 episodes. The acting all round is very good with no exceptions.
Not a great episode but a good one overall. 7/10.
"Know it All" is one such example. It is not quite one of the best episodes of Season 18 ("Real Fake News", "Net Worth" and "Motherly Love" being the best), but it is a long way from being one of the worst (the likes of "Heightened Emotions" and "Conversion") and a lot less sensationalist and more tactful than what the synopsis and episode title indicates. Perfect "Know it All" isn't, but the good things are many and the best of them even great.
Am going to begin with mentioning what isn't so good. The initial crime, which had a lot of potential, was too abruptly discarded and never resolved. Made me question why it was even there in the first place. Not many surprises here either.
Barba's secret was nowhere near as shocking or as big as it was made out, found it pretty anaemic and added very little to his character.
Much is good, great at best, on the other hand. The photography and such as usual are fully professional, the slickness still remaining. The music is used sparingly and is haunting and non-overwrought when it is used, and it's mainly used when a crucial revelation or plot development is revealed. The direction is tight enough while allowing some breathing space when necessary.
The script is lean and thought provoking, not being heavy handed while not trivialising. Nothing comes over as sordid either. The story is full of intrigue and suspense with no signs of dullness, and did appreciate hugely that it was all about the case with little signs of personal life drama (the latter of which being done pretty badly this season). Really liked how the team worked and nobody dominates too much, again better than most Season 18 episodes. The acting all round is very good with no exceptions.
Not a great episode but a good one overall. 7/10.
