Severance

Marginally better than the previous episodes in the re-boot. I think other reviewers need to realize that they probably shot the majority of these many months ago, so any comments and feedback from we viewers won't have an effect on any new episodes for quite some time. Which is too bad, I hope they see how many true blue fans have been left underwhelmed by the scripts and the acting, particularly the political overtones of the show.

This episode was a bit better - there were far fewer lectures on how the audience is "supposed" to feel about race and gender issues, and a little more attention paid to legal strategy. And for once the conclusion of the show is not completely in doubt. I actually liked the final exchange between Waterston and the ADA - a nice whiff of conflict that didn't seem completely manufactured. Although what preceded it certainly did - how many consecutive cases can the ADA insist on prosecuting rather than settling despite the weaknesses of his case, and then have it pay off? Hopefully a major comeuppance is in order for this character, and I hope it becomes a major plot point at least, and at best perhaps an actual character arc.

The detectives are unfortunately still one-note characters which is too bad as I really like both actors. Manheim is still unfortunately miscast but the writers aren't helping anyone. Everything seems forced, even down to the little "whaddya got" interplays that seem stilted. As noted above, there is probably nothing the creators can do about this for some time as these episodes were probably shot months ago but I hope they will finetune. I really want to see L&O as successful as its earlier incarnation. Maybe they need some better legal advisors? The actual cases so far continue the "ripped from the headlines" style, but it doesn't seem like the writers know what to do with the stories, other than lecture on social issues.

I will keep watching, probably because nothing better to do, but the raw and gritty nature of old Law and Order is just totally gone in these episodes. Where can we see detectives sleeping off a long night like we saw in season 2 of SVU? Where can we see some intense, emotional moments like THE Anita Van Buren staring down a racist and delivering some composed sass or yanking a fleeing criminal down a flight of stairs? These episodes are the same runtime as the OG and it still flies by so fast, because nothing really substantial is happening. Just a snoozefest. The writing is just lazy. It's too polished. Too slick. Maybe it's because of everyone wearing masks for so long, but the acting just isn't there anymore. Nobody's connecting. I hope it gets better with a good old fashioned serial killer on the loose, instead of the social commentary type episodes.

There hasn't even been a good chase sequence or a raid yet; maybe it's because they're getting back on their feet after the hiatus and/or COVID. They do need to step it up to keep my interest, but it's a good thing I love the theme song enough to keep me staying a good bit longer.

Indeed, if a defendant is found at trial not guilty of serious crime due to mental illness, just like not guilty due to insanity, the defendant is not then automatically released.

If someone commits a heinous act and is considered by a court of law to not be responsible for their actions due to mental illness (or legal insanity) then the court mindset is that society still needs to be protected from them. Moreso given that they have already committed this terrible thing due to their affliction, then there is a very good chance they may do so again.

The defendant is then locked away in an insane asylum, or some kind of mental hospital, for as long as they are deemed dangerous to society. That is, until they are cured. No set time is given, and the defendant will remain "locked up" until a professional-mental-health-body has deemed that the defendant will never commit such a violent action again. Then this body will need to petition the courts, and convince the courts of such, before the defendant is released back into the world.

It is well document that defendants who have been found not guilty due to insanity/metal illness, have actually sent more time in a mental-illness facility than other defendant found guilty of the same crime actually spent in prison.

"Not guilty due to mental illness" does not equal "innocent"

Indeed, the defendant in this case, if he had actually been found not guilty due to mental illness (not stating what the actual verdict was in this episode, not to spoil it), and by some unlikely chance was then free to just go home, the next morning, CPS would be at his door to take away his children from such a potentially dangerous household.

Pleading, "I did the dreadful thing I am accused of, but I was not responsible as I was not aware of my actions, due to mental illness" can garner a worse end result than just pleading guilty, as no court will allow an otherwise murderer back into society just because he was found not guilty due to mental illness.

Agree with another reviewer in that this ep is better. The acting leaves a lot to be desired. Anthony Anderson does not shine in this series. He's just not a good fit. Same with Camryn. Love her in most everything she does but this.

I'm a diehard LO franchise fan. I looked forward to this reboot. Hopefully it gets better.