Up to this point of Season 4, of which "American Dream" is the eighth episode, all the episodes ranged between pretty good ("Discord") to outstanding ("Profile"). Like Seasons 2 and 3, it did have to undergo changes, with two new characters introduced (both at this point already making a big impression) and the changes that this season underwent settled much quicker than especially those for Season 2. With one of the most interesting premises of the season and also that it was Stone-heavy, "American Dream" had real potential to be good.
It turned out to be more than good. Would actually go as far to call "American Dream" amazing. Not just one of the top 3 best episodes of Season 4, but also an early season standout. One of Stone's best episodes, that saw him shining even more so than usual, too and with one of his most fascinating and creepiest opponents. The episode also is a masterpiece of character interaction, which is great as that is one of the biggest pleasures of the 'Law and Order' franchise at its best.
"American Dream" is a slickly made episode, the editing especially having come on quite a bit from when the show first started (never was it a problem but it got more fluid with each episode up to this stage). The music is sparingly used and never seemed melodramatic, the theme tune easy to remember as usual. The direction is sympathetic enough without being too low key on the whole.
The script is full of tension, intelligence and tautness. Swann has some truly chilling lines and the exchanges between him and Stone leave a big impression in the dialogue and in the delivery. As said too the episode is masterful when it comes to how the characters interact. Not just Stone and Swann but also Stone and Kincaid, which was getting stronger and stronger all the time (likewise with Kincaid herself). Schiff's concern and amazement at how such a strong person like Stone was so easily gotten to is also telling.
Furthermore, the story is extremely clever and absorbing, with tension galore and some clever references to real life cases. Helped by the huge impression Swann leaves, giving Stone a run for his money on the juiciness factor. It never comes over as too easy to solve, neither does it become over-plotted or incoherent and also appreciated its change of pace (from highlighting mostly two characters and being less of a half-police half-legal story and instead being procedural heavy). The ending satisfies immensely, in fact to me the story was so good that for me it was easy to forgive how contrived one of the big clues is.
Can't fault the performances either. Michael Moriarty gives one of his ever performances of the role, the intensity, authority and torment beautifully balanced and riveting to watch. The other standout is Zeljko Ivanek, bone chilling in one of Season 4's (and early seasons) standout guest turns that is also classic 'Law and Order'.
In summary, amazing and a top 3 best episode of the season. 10/10
It turned out to be more than good. Would actually go as far to call "American Dream" amazing. Not just one of the top 3 best episodes of Season 4, but also an early season standout. One of Stone's best episodes, that saw him shining even more so than usual, too and with one of his most fascinating and creepiest opponents. The episode also is a masterpiece of character interaction, which is great as that is one of the biggest pleasures of the 'Law and Order' franchise at its best.
"American Dream" is a slickly made episode, the editing especially having come on quite a bit from when the show first started (never was it a problem but it got more fluid with each episode up to this stage). The music is sparingly used and never seemed melodramatic, the theme tune easy to remember as usual. The direction is sympathetic enough without being too low key on the whole.
The script is full of tension, intelligence and tautness. Swann has some truly chilling lines and the exchanges between him and Stone leave a big impression in the dialogue and in the delivery. As said too the episode is masterful when it comes to how the characters interact. Not just Stone and Swann but also Stone and Kincaid, which was getting stronger and stronger all the time (likewise with Kincaid herself). Schiff's concern and amazement at how such a strong person like Stone was so easily gotten to is also telling.
Furthermore, the story is extremely clever and absorbing, with tension galore and some clever references to real life cases. Helped by the huge impression Swann leaves, giving Stone a run for his money on the juiciness factor. It never comes over as too easy to solve, neither does it become over-plotted or incoherent and also appreciated its change of pace (from highlighting mostly two characters and being less of a half-police half-legal story and instead being procedural heavy). The ending satisfies immensely, in fact to me the story was so good that for me it was easy to forgive how contrived one of the big clues is.
Can't fault the performances either. Michael Moriarty gives one of his ever performances of the role, the intensity, authority and torment beautifully balanced and riveting to watch. The other standout is Zeljko Ivanek, bone chilling in one of Season 4's (and early seasons) standout guest turns that is also classic 'Law and Order'.
In summary, amazing and a top 3 best episode of the season. 10/10