Take-Out

Keith Carradine guest stars in this Law And Order story as a man convicted of espionage for the Chinese government who has terminal cancer. That he would stay in prison but for the efforts of his two children to prove his innocence is a given. But an investigative journalist doing a story on the case is shot and killed in what looks like a professional hit brings the NYPD and the New York County District Attorney in on the case.

Anthony Anderson and Jeremy Sisto shoot it out with the hit man and had he survived he might have told the story of who hired him. The police arrest Carradine's son Michael Esper as the one who hired the hit. But a dying Carradine tries to take the blame.

In the end with a little investigation from ADAs Linus Roache and Alana DeLa Garza the truth does emerge. It clarifies, but it doesn't entirely exculpate the family.

Nicely done by the New York County DA.

'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. Season 11 was more hit and miss and a lot less consistent than the mostly solid to good Seasons 1-10, with some great episodes but also some real disappointments. Especially true post-Briscoe. "Takeout" sounded very interesting on paper, not an original concept but it is one that always intrigues and done well a lot.

And it is done very well here in "Takeout". It is not one of the best episodes of 'Law and Order', not by a long stretch. Though certainly a long way from being one of the worst. As far as Season 19 goes, it is closer to being one of the better episodes than one of the worst. Lots of good things (great at their best) and very little wrong, both criticisms being common with late seasons 'Law and Order' and even in the Briscoe and Curtis years.

Beginning with the not so good, the pacing isn't perfect. It is a little routine and formulaic to begin with.

Furthermore, like some episodes from Season 11 and also before and since, the final quarter felt too cramped and was in need of more breathing space.

However, "Takeout" does a lot right, and what was mentioned above was nit-picky and very subjective. 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.

Most of the story is intriguing and intricate, especially in the second half and when things take an unexpected turn. The moral dilemmas are interesting and provokes a lot of thought. The acting is very good from all the regulars and the supporting players aren't too shabby either. Keith Carradine in fact is excellent.

In summary, very good. 8/10.