"Standoff" is another 'Law and Order' episode where the concept isn't anything original but still has enough to make one interested in seeing it. Personally do prefer the episodes that tackle more difficult and controversial topics that are still to this day hardly outdated, or at least ones that are more so, but again if a fan of 'Law and Order' (show and overall franchise) or wanting to see all the episodes there is no reason really to avoid "Standoff".
A large part of me was rather disappointed in this, of the four episodes up to this point of the season "Standoff" is my easy least favourite and one of the weaker entries of Season 11. It is certainly a watchable episode and has a good deal to like, but the legal portion (which in most episodes is better than the policing) bring the story down quite significantly. And it did feel like a short running time episode stretched out to twice as long.
There are good things here in "Standoff". Production values have the usual slickness and grit and the music is unobtrusive and gives big revelations even more impact without over-emphasising. The direction is deliberate but not sluggish on the most part. The script has a lot of talk but doesn't feel rambling.
Did think too that "Standoff" starts off quite promising and the policing was intriguing. It helps too that the teaming of Briscoe and Green has settled so well since Green was introduced in Season 10 and that the two have entertaining and gritty chemistry. The performances are all great from the regulars and Matt Mulhern successfully makes his character interesting and the viewer unsure as to whether he is guilty or not.
However, "Standoff" is very predictable with very few surprises or shocks. Also found too much of it routinely paced and over-stretched. This could easily have been 25-30 minutes but is stretched to 15-20 minutes longer despite the case having very little to it.
On the whole, the case is bland and lacks tension or much emotionally investable. Worst of all is the ridiculous flimsiness of the prosecution argument, which is very thin on the ground, with a conviction being very difficult to get, and could easily have been thrown out of court on so little evidence and evidence that could be disproven easily. It is amazing actually that it actually went to court in the first place. The ending felt rushed and underdeveloped.
In conclusion, has a good number of good things but the thin case and the flimsy prosecution spoil it. 6/10.