'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 13 was a solid season, though most of the episodes ranged between pretty good and great with some outstanding episodes. No real misfires. "Absentia" had an interesting topic and every bit as interesting was seeing Mandy Patinkin against type.
"Absentia" to me is a very good episode and does its subject on the most part very well. This side to Patinkin really surprised me and was not expecting him to be so convincing in it. It is not quite one of the very best episodes of Season 13 but it is towards being in the better half when ranking the season. Not everything is done quite successfully, but "Absentia" hits more than it misses and the best elements are truly great indeed.
Maybe the pace is a little on the routine side to begin with.
The episode needed a longer amount of time to cover the conclusion, which is on the rushed and cramped side. Will agree that the gimmick doesn't quite work, due to being too much of a risk.
However, a lot is great. 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.
While enough of the first half absorbs thanks to the teaming of Briscoe and Green, which has gelled and contrasted so well and both are interesting wonderfully portrayed characters, the more intricate and meatier second half is more riveting despite the rushed conclusion. The moral dilemmas are interesting and provokes a lot of thought. The acting is very good from all the regulars, and Patinkin is unsettling in his arrogance.
Summarising, very good. 8/10.
"Absentia" to me is a very good episode and does its subject on the most part very well. This side to Patinkin really surprised me and was not expecting him to be so convincing in it. It is not quite one of the very best episodes of Season 13 but it is towards being in the better half when ranking the season. Not everything is done quite successfully, but "Absentia" hits more than it misses and the best elements are truly great indeed.
Maybe the pace is a little on the routine side to begin with.
The episode needed a longer amount of time to cover the conclusion, which is on the rushed and cramped side. Will agree that the gimmick doesn't quite work, due to being too much of a risk.
However, a lot is great. 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.
While enough of the first half absorbs thanks to the teaming of Briscoe and Green, which has gelled and contrasted so well and both are interesting wonderfully portrayed characters, the more intricate and meatier second half is more riveting despite the rushed conclusion. The moral dilemmas are interesting and provokes a lot of thought. The acting is very good from all the regulars, and Patinkin is unsettling in his arrogance.
Summarising, very good. 8/10.