"Terminal" signals the end of Season 7. Which was a very good season on the whole, with the highest number of outstanding episodes (a vast majority of the season actually) of all the Season 7s of 'Law and Order', 'Special Victims Unit' and 'Criminal Intent' and the fewest disappointments (only two rated below 7 and they were still above average). Easily the best Season 7 of the three and the most consistent, the ones of the other two were very up and down.
What a great way to end Season 7. While not quite one of my favourite episodes of the season, "Terminal" is in the better half. It is an extremely absorbing episode and an immensely powerful one and cannot agree more with the raves about the ending and Steven Hill's performance. Do agree though that "Terminal" is at its weakest with some of the writing for the supporting characters, but luckily the great things are many and brilliantly done.
Really do wish that the supporting characters' writing had a lot more subtlety and was less one-dimensional. The special prosecutor in particular really irritates and is too much of an overdone cartoon.
However, that is overshadowed vastly by the things that are done right and that are so well executed. The production values are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough without being leaden, while having enough momentum to make the drama sing in its atmosphere.
Script is very thoughtful, and despite having a lot of (thankfully still interesting) talk it doesn't ramble. It does a fine job at showing the moral dilemmas that come with such a difficult case with a lot of obstacles to overcome. The exchanges are uncompromisingly gritty, intelligent and snappy. The story pulls no punches, with an emotionally devastating final scene that stayed with me for a long time after, with a compelling case that feels realistic. Of the Season 7 finales of 'Law and Order', 'Special Victims Unit' and 'Criminal Intent', "Terminal" had the most finality and felt the most like a season finale.
Acting is terrific from all, with the best performance coming from a very moving Steven Hill. Who in my mind doesn't get enough credit for his acting on 'Law and Order'. Perhaps because there are not a lot of episodes that have him heavily focused on or where a case or situation is personal to come.
In conclusion, truly great finale to a very good season. 9/10.
What a great way to end Season 7. While not quite one of my favourite episodes of the season, "Terminal" is in the better half. It is an extremely absorbing episode and an immensely powerful one and cannot agree more with the raves about the ending and Steven Hill's performance. Do agree though that "Terminal" is at its weakest with some of the writing for the supporting characters, but luckily the great things are many and brilliantly done.
Really do wish that the supporting characters' writing had a lot more subtlety and was less one-dimensional. The special prosecutor in particular really irritates and is too much of an overdone cartoon.
However, that is overshadowed vastly by the things that are done right and that are so well executed. The production values are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough without being leaden, while having enough momentum to make the drama sing in its atmosphere.
Script is very thoughtful, and despite having a lot of (thankfully still interesting) talk it doesn't ramble. It does a fine job at showing the moral dilemmas that come with such a difficult case with a lot of obstacles to overcome. The exchanges are uncompromisingly gritty, intelligent and snappy. The story pulls no punches, with an emotionally devastating final scene that stayed with me for a long time after, with a compelling case that feels realistic. Of the Season 7 finales of 'Law and Order', 'Special Victims Unit' and 'Criminal Intent', "Terminal" had the most finality and felt the most like a season finale.
Acting is terrific from all, with the best performance coming from a very moving Steven Hill. Who in my mind doesn't get enough credit for his acting on 'Law and Order'. Perhaps because there are not a lot of episodes that have him heavily focused on or where a case or situation is personal to come.
In conclusion, truly great finale to a very good season. 9/10.