'Law and Order' was a brilliant show in its prime and overall is actually my favourite of the 'Law and Order' franchise and out of it, 'Special Victims Unit' (the longest running) and 'Criminal Intent'. Despite not feeling the same post-Briscoe. The Briscoe and Green pairing was my personal favourite of the police teamings, it is not because of it being the period that introduced me to the show but more to do with that it was the teaming with the most spark and the one that gelled the quickest.
There is a lot to like here in "Narcosis", but it didn't blow me away. Its subject matter is admirable but it could have been explored more tactfully and subtly, it also could have tried doing a little less. It is not one of the best episodes of a solid Season 10, like "Killerz", "Justice", "Marathon" and "Blood Money", all outstanding. It is also not one of the worst, being better than "Merger", "Panic" and "Surrender Dorothy" which were still watchable.
"Narcosis" could have been better. It does try to cover too much in too short a space of time, with the story being as complex as it is at points the episode wasn't always easy to follow. The conclusion could have had more time to develop, another case of trying to cram too much in.
Also felt that the subject could have been handled with more tact, it did feel heavy handed and sleazy in particularly its portrayal of the victim (one of the season's nastiest with what they were up to enough to make the stomach churn, but a bit cheaply done) and then tries too hard getting one to feel pity for the responsible. Well they are certainly not as reprehensible but their actions are just too brutal to be completely pitied.
However, a lot is great here in "Narcosis". The production values are typically slick with the right amount of grit, nothing is too fancy or too gimmicky. Nor is anything too static, drab or garish. The music is not too constant or emotionally manipulative, meanig not over-emphasising the emotion to make one think that's how we should be feeling. The direction is accommodating but also has pulse. The performances are very good all round, with a deeply felt performance from V. Craig Heidenreich resonating most.
While not subtle, the writing is intelligent and taut, leaving one deep in thought. The case is an interesting one and really draws one in in the second half, it is also one that leaves one feel both angry and sad afterwards. The moral dilemmas that come with it are handled well, with the last lines resonating. Can totally understand why the detectives feel so strongly about the findings, they would send anybody over the edge. The supporting characters are interesting, especially Burt (the character that is the one people pity by the end).
Concluding, not great but worth watching. 7/10.
There is a lot to like here in "Narcosis", but it didn't blow me away. Its subject matter is admirable but it could have been explored more tactfully and subtly, it also could have tried doing a little less. It is not one of the best episodes of a solid Season 10, like "Killerz", "Justice", "Marathon" and "Blood Money", all outstanding. It is also not one of the worst, being better than "Merger", "Panic" and "Surrender Dorothy" which were still watchable.
"Narcosis" could have been better. It does try to cover too much in too short a space of time, with the story being as complex as it is at points the episode wasn't always easy to follow. The conclusion could have had more time to develop, another case of trying to cram too much in.
Also felt that the subject could have been handled with more tact, it did feel heavy handed and sleazy in particularly its portrayal of the victim (one of the season's nastiest with what they were up to enough to make the stomach churn, but a bit cheaply done) and then tries too hard getting one to feel pity for the responsible. Well they are certainly not as reprehensible but their actions are just too brutal to be completely pitied.
However, a lot is great here in "Narcosis". The production values are typically slick with the right amount of grit, nothing is too fancy or too gimmicky. Nor is anything too static, drab or garish. The music is not too constant or emotionally manipulative, meanig not over-emphasising the emotion to make one think that's how we should be feeling. The direction is accommodating but also has pulse. The performances are very good all round, with a deeply felt performance from V. Craig Heidenreich resonating most.
While not subtle, the writing is intelligent and taut, leaving one deep in thought. The case is an interesting one and really draws one in in the second half, it is also one that leaves one feel both angry and sad afterwards. The moral dilemmas that come with it are handled well, with the last lines resonating. Can totally understand why the detectives feel so strongly about the findings, they would send anybody over the edge. The supporting characters are interesting, especially Burt (the character that is the one people pity by the end).
Concluding, not great but worth watching. 7/10.
