In this first part of a two-part episode, a girl and two boys go missing from a school trip. Logan and Barek team up with Goren and Eames to find them. The trail leads the detectives to a se... Read allIn this first part of a two-part episode, a girl and two boys go missing from a school trip. Logan and Barek team up with Goren and Eames to find them. The trail leads the detectives to a sexual predator who likes to brag about his exploits in his Internet blog, and who turns out... Read allIn this first part of a two-part episode, a girl and two boys go missing from a school trip. Logan and Barek team up with Goren and Eames to find them. The trail leads the detectives to a sexual predator who likes to brag about his exploits in his Internet blog, and who turns out to be rather well-connected.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen Judge Garret finds out his son made a plea bargain with the DA's office, he shouts at him, "You traitor, you Iago! Iago!" He is referring to a character in William Shakespeare's play "Othello", which has several film adaptations the first being Othello (1951). The two main characters in the play are General Othello and Ensign Iago. At first Othello and Iago are friends: they are both soldiers who have fought along side each other for many years. Othello is Iago's commanding officer, and Iago hopes to get a promotion and become Othello's lieutenant and second in command. However, Othello believes Iago's talents would be better served by his remaining a soldier since Iago is a skilled warrior. Iago becomes jealous and resents being passed over for promotion by his friend. He devises a scheme to make Othello believe that Othello's wife is having an affair with the man Othello picked for the promotion Iago wanted. So Iago has allowed jealously to turn him into a liar and a traitor.
- GoofsAt 1 hour 37 minutes into Part 1 on TV, just after Judge Garrett ( Colm Meaney) first shows up to represent his son, ADA Carver tells the detectives to relax because they are about to enter, "into the eye of the hurricane," implying that things are going to become difficult. The eye of a hurricane is actually the calmest part of a hurricane.
- Quotes
[Goren and Logan, dressed in similar dark suits, leave to interview a witness; Eames and Barak watch them go]
Detective Alexandra Eames: There they go. Ocean's Two.
- ConnectionsReferences Law & Order: Criminal Intent: Sound Bodies (2003)
The previous Season 5 episodes mostly ranged from very good to outstanding, with the only disappointment being "Unchained". Both parts of "In the Wee Small Hours" are among the best of the season. The chemistry between the four leads works remarkably well and the two parter fleshes them out individually with insight and sensitivity, complete with a hugely compelling story throughout. The first part is truly great, setting up events beautifully without taking too long to do so or feeling too padded.
Goren again does feel a little subdued in involvement, he's more himself in the second part. By all means he is still a great character here and his hard boiled edge and compassion are evident what also appealed about him were his comic timing and neuroses which were more apparent in other episodes. When it comes to minor flaws though that is pretty much it.
Absolutely loved how the characters were written. Eames is particularly well done, showing that there is a softer side amongst the sassy wisecracks. Logan and Barek are true to character and while not as charismatic as Goren and Eames they didn't come over as dull to me. All four gel remarkably well, was very worried that there would be too much personality clashing and too much of a disconnect of which team is more interesting but those worries were put to one side quickly. The supporting characters are intriguing though would become meatier later. It is great that Carver has a bigger role after being underused for too long. The acting is uniformly great, lead and supporting.
Furthermore, "In the Wee Small Hours: Part 1" 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. The writing is intelligent and although, like the show in general, there is a lot of talk it doesn't feel long-winded. The story is always compelling, with a lot happening and with a good deal of surprises already. It definitely makes one want to see the second part.
Overall, great first part to one of the season's best. 9/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Nov 25, 2020