When it comes to talking about the original 'Law and Order', there is a strong preference for the earlier seasons (Seasons 1-10), the standard of the seasons were more consistent and hit hard more, they were the seasons with the more iconic characters and had none that annoyed me. Season 11 onwards was still very watchable and there were a number of great and more episodes, but the show was not as consistent or as fresh in stories and characters.
"Four Cops Shot" to me is very good, liked it very much on first watch and it is still the same now for the same reasons. Not quite great, though many individual components are, or one of the best episodes of a solid Season 20. There is though more than enough to show why the original 'Law and Order' and franchise deserve their popularity. The concept is not a novel one and not much innovative is done with it, but "Four Cops Shot's" good things are so good it's difficult to be too hard on it.
It starts off on the formulaic and routine side, though it has to be said that Lupo, Bernard and their chemistry have come on a long way since Season 18.
A bit rushed towards the end too perhaps, with the late evidence stuff being introduced a little too out of the blue.
So much works however. All the legal stuff is absolutely riveting, with plenty of snappy and thought provoking dialogue and an equal amount of tension. The case isn't simplistic, with it being one of the most intricate, twisty and hard hitting of the season. Neither does it feel convoluted or over-stuffed and the truth was a real surprise, really love it when things turn out to not be what they seem. The moral dilemmas are thoughtfully handled and don't come over as laid on too thick or one-sided.
Production values as ever are slick and with the right amount of muted grit, the photography doesn't try to do anything too fancy or gimmicky while not being claustrophobic and keeping things simple. The music doesn't overbear with the theme tune still memorable. The direction keeps things tight while allowing time to breathe. The script is thought provoking and tight and the acting from regulars and support is never less than very strong.
Concluding, very good. 8/10.
"Four Cops Shot" to me is very good, liked it very much on first watch and it is still the same now for the same reasons. Not quite great, though many individual components are, or one of the best episodes of a solid Season 20. There is though more than enough to show why the original 'Law and Order' and franchise deserve their popularity. The concept is not a novel one and not much innovative is done with it, but "Four Cops Shot's" good things are so good it's difficult to be too hard on it.
It starts off on the formulaic and routine side, though it has to be said that Lupo, Bernard and their chemistry have come on a long way since Season 18.
A bit rushed towards the end too perhaps, with the late evidence stuff being introduced a little too out of the blue.
So much works however. All the legal stuff is absolutely riveting, with plenty of snappy and thought provoking dialogue and an equal amount of tension. The case isn't simplistic, with it being one of the most intricate, twisty and hard hitting of the season. Neither does it feel convoluted or over-stuffed and the truth was a real surprise, really love it when things turn out to not be what they seem. The moral dilemmas are thoughtfully handled and don't come over as laid on too thick or one-sided.
Production values as ever are slick and with the right amount of muted grit, the photography doesn't try to do anything too fancy or gimmicky while not being claustrophobic and keeping things simple. The music doesn't overbear with the theme tune still memorable. The direction keeps things tight while allowing time to breathe. The script is thought provoking and tight and the acting from regulars and support is never less than very strong.
Concluding, very good. 8/10.