Self Defense

Plenty of movies, tv shows get on a soapbox and use emotion to make you feel, think a certain way. I'm not about to say L&O wasn't immune to this baloney, but 'Self-Defense' in my humble opinion is not one of those times. The case here is at the mercy of your own preconceived opinions. I however think it presents a fair and balanced look into a situation that went too far and the image of the store owner isn't unfair.

A dead man is discovered in a car and meters away another also shot dead. Store owners including Greek immigrant Costas (Alan Arkin) are mum on seeing anything, but he's quickly discovered to be lying. Soon a picture is amassed thru further evidence of a robbery that went past the point of self defense. Det. Cerreta (Sorvino) sympathizes with Costas while Logan (Noth) sees things differently. In court it comes down to the line in the sand about where standing your ground crossed over into murder, unjust vigilantism.

Notable actors in Arkin (copping an accent) and Ron Rifkin as the type of defense lawyer you love to hate punch this episode up a notch. Not to say the topic isn't already interesting on it's own and emotionally charged. However remaining level headed you'll see the slippery slope. A parting word about public opinion, mob mentality on justice rings true and leaves a lasting impression.

Because of "gun safety".. charged with 2 murders for one "extra" bullet. Bullying brother with accomplice for camera.

It's fairly obvious that Bernard Goetz the subway vigilante was the inspiration for this story. If you'll recall that was the inoffensive looking man whom four thugs decided to hassle on the IRT. He was packing a weapon and was going to be ready when these four picked on him.

Goetz might have walked completely if he hadn't pumped an extra bullet into one of them while he was prone. That reversed Goetz's role from hero to perpetrator in an instant.

Something similar happens here as two brothers rob Greek immigrant Adam Arkin's store and pay with their lives. Forensics yields a similar story to Goetz.

It's this that catches Chris Noth's attention and later Paul Sorvino who was initially a supporter of Arkin gets converted. It won't be any easier for Michael Moriarty to get a conviction than it was for the NY County DA for the real Goetz.

You'll have to check this one out.

'Law and Order' was a great show in its prime. Have said more than once about preferring the earlier seasons, and that is true for 'Special Victims Unit' and 'Criminal Intent' as well. It is a shame though that one doesn't see the pre-Season 7 episodes aired that often, or at least that's the case with me, because the show's very early period is not to be neglected. With most of the episodes being good to outstanding, with only a few disappointments that are still not too bad.

"Self-Defense" doesn't quite see Season 3, or 'Law and Order' in general, on peak form, it is not quite "The Corporate Veil" and "Wedded Bliss" as far as the previous Season 3 episodes go. It did have potential to be a brilliant episode and nearly was, and it would have been with a more consistent pace. It is still very good though and much better than the still above average but somewhat disappointing previous episode "Helpless", also with a relevant and difficult subject but addressing it more sensitively, tastefully and compellingly.

It is slightly dull and routine to begin with.

Also felt it was a little on the rushed and too neat side at the end.

Can find nothing to fault the production values for though, the slickness and grit still present and likewise with the more fluid editing. The music is used relatively sparingly and is not too intrusively orchestrated, fitting too with the mood. The direction is generally alert but also sympathetic, shining in the character interactions in the legal scenes. Liked the tautness, edge and thought-probing of the second half's writing.

Likewise with the much improved second half in general with the legal scenes. It really does pick once the complications with the case arises. It may not be as tense or as emotional as other 'Law and Order' episodes, but it does raise interesting questions about how to prosecute and approach the case and whether it was self-defense or not. Not doing it in a one-sided way and one really does think hard as to what their stance is. The acting is very good, Michael Moriarty continues to shine as Stone and Adam Arkin does well in a different role as a character that intrigues and doesn't come over as too obvious.

Overall, very good if not outstanding. 8/10