6 reviews
Another original L&O cast member exits stage left
Great Episode, Despite an Abrupt (and Controversial!) Ending
I'm torn on this one. I really enjoyed the plot and acting, especially a brilliant turn by Daniel Hugh Kelly (you've seen him in various soap operas and he was one half of "Hardcastle and McCormick" in the '80s) as a ferociously homophobic congressman.
On the other hand, this episode is also the final appearance of a major character - and the way it's handled just feels dismissive and abrupt. "He'll be fine," we're told right before the closing credits. L&O would become known for terse sendoffs that almost felt like last-minute endeavors, and there'd already been a few by this point (Cragen, Robinette, Cerreta, Greevey).
Outside of that, this a well-written episode about the death of a gay congressman and NY city politics. It functions well as a season finale because it deals with hot-button subject matter that's big in scope - it's not just some nobody Joe Schmo who was murdered over a lovers' quarrel or something.
I've watched it twice now, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it, even with the odd ending.
On the other hand, this episode is also the final appearance of a major character - and the way it's handled just feels dismissive and abrupt. "He'll be fine," we're told right before the closing credits. L&O would become known for terse sendoffs that almost felt like last-minute endeavors, and there'd already been a few by this point (Cragen, Robinette, Cerreta, Greevey).
Outside of that, this a well-written episode about the death of a gay congressman and NY city politics. It functions well as a season finale because it deals with hot-button subject matter that's big in scope - it's not just some nobody Joe Schmo who was murdered over a lovers' quarrel or something.
I've watched it twice now, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it, even with the odd ending.
Pride and prejudice
To me, Season 5 wasn't as good as the previous four seasons and it took a while for me to get used to Stone no longer being there. His replacement Jack McCoy also didn't connect with me completely straightaway. Having said of that, Season 5 was still yet another solid season with the only real disappointment being "Helpless". "White Rabbit", "Rage", "Cruel and Unusual" and "Bad Faith" were especially strong as episodes.
"Pride" is most interesting for it being the final appearance of Mike Logan for the original 'Law and Order', for a long time until his guest star turn in the 'Criminal Intent' episode "Stress Position" and then went on to being a lead on that show for three seasons. It is also the last episode of the season. It is a strongly executed finale with lots of good things, but it doesn't have the wow factor with the season having better cases. Logan also did deserve a better exit.
Am going to start with what "Pride" did very well in. The production values are suitably slick and gritty, with photography that is reliant on close ups that have an intimacy without being too claustrophobic. The music is didn't come over as too melodramatic or like it was emphasising the emotion too much. The direction is sympathetic while still giving momentum. As to be expected, "Pride" also has a taut script with some nice one liners from Briscoe and tense interaction in the latter stages.
In regard to the case, it is not exceptional, with it being quite standard to begin with, but the tension in the second half is very well done. Which stems from one of Season 5's most loathsome supporting characters and from Logan's very intensely written conflict. Did think that the episode did very well with a difficult topic, difficult because of it being hard-hitting and controversial (with extreme opinions on both sides) and because it is easy to be one-sided, having too much of a judgement and heavy-handed. Which "Pride" just about avoids. All the regulars are very good, with Chris Noth giving one of his best performances of the show. Daniel Hugh Kelly is truly unsettling, calling his bigoted character truly vile is being kind and Kelly plays him to the hilt without being too pantomimic. Even those subjected to bigotry on most days will be shocked.
Logan in my view did deserve a better exit than what he was given. Do agree that it did come out of nowhere, was quite indifferently handled and ended the episode and season a little too inconclusively.
On the whole though, a very well done episode. 8/10
"Pride" is most interesting for it being the final appearance of Mike Logan for the original 'Law and Order', for a long time until his guest star turn in the 'Criminal Intent' episode "Stress Position" and then went on to being a lead on that show for three seasons. It is also the last episode of the season. It is a strongly executed finale with lots of good things, but it doesn't have the wow factor with the season having better cases. Logan also did deserve a better exit.
Am going to start with what "Pride" did very well in. The production values are suitably slick and gritty, with photography that is reliant on close ups that have an intimacy without being too claustrophobic. The music is didn't come over as too melodramatic or like it was emphasising the emotion too much. The direction is sympathetic while still giving momentum. As to be expected, "Pride" also has a taut script with some nice one liners from Briscoe and tense interaction in the latter stages.
In regard to the case, it is not exceptional, with it being quite standard to begin with, but the tension in the second half is very well done. Which stems from one of Season 5's most loathsome supporting characters and from Logan's very intensely written conflict. Did think that the episode did very well with a difficult topic, difficult because of it being hard-hitting and controversial (with extreme opinions on both sides) and because it is easy to be one-sided, having too much of a judgement and heavy-handed. Which "Pride" just about avoids. All the regulars are very good, with Chris Noth giving one of his best performances of the show. Daniel Hugh Kelly is truly unsettling, calling his bigoted character truly vile is being kind and Kelly plays him to the hilt without being too pantomimic. Even those subjected to bigotry on most days will be shocked.
Logan in my view did deserve a better exit than what he was given. Do agree that it did come out of nowhere, was quite indifferently handled and ended the episode and season a little too inconclusively.
On the whole though, a very well done episode. 8/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jan 12, 2021
- Permalink
Controversial
Logan and Briscoe Did Have Great Chemistry
- shelbythuylinh
- Nov 29, 2021
- Permalink
A hero to my dad
- bkoganbing
- Jul 9, 2016
- Permalink