Was excited in seeing Season 5's opener "Grow". Nicole Wallace was a character that made a big positive mark ever since her first appearance in Season 2's "Anti-Thesis", likewise with her chemistry with Goren, and all her episodes are great and more. All the previous four season openers of 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' ranged between very good (Season 1's "One") to brilliant (Season 4's "Semi-Detached"), so expectations were high understandably.
Those high expectations luckily were met. It's not my personal favourite of the Nicole Wallace episodes, that's still "Anti-Thesis", but it is a great episode and a great season opener. Of the Season 5 openers for the original 'Law and Order' ("Second Opinion"), 'Special Victims Unit' ("Tragedy") and 'Criminal Intent', "Grow" is for me by far the best being the only outstanding one. Anybody that loved the previous Wallace episodes will love this, all the appeal of them are here too.
Do agree that it does start off a bit slow and not immediately easy to follow. The episode though does very quickly get going and most of the time comprehension was not a problem.
Once again, the story always compels and while it is very intricate it doesn't feel incoherent. Nor does it come over as too simple, thanks to lots of twists and turns. Absolutely love the tension and battle of wits between Goren (once again Goren meets his match in somebody worthy of his enviable intellect) and Wallace which really sizzle in intensity and fun and the heart of the episode. The episode is smartly and tautly scripted, with lots of attention grabbing intrigue and entertainment value.
Vincent D'Onofrio and Olivia D'Abo are both terrific, D'Onofrio tells so much while sometimes saying little or nothing and when just reacting to something through expressions and little touches. D'Abo is both alluring and chilling, though it was very interesting to see Wallace have a softer side (compared to being a complete creep and deadly in her previous appearance, Season 4's "Great Barrier"). Everybody else is fine too but those two are on another level.
Production values are stylish and like Seasons 2 and 3 there is a slightly brighter look than the first season while maintaining the show's grit. The music doesn't overbear and is not overused. The direction is deft and allows D'Onofrio and D'Abo to have fun.
In conclusion, great. 9/10
Those high expectations luckily were met. It's not my personal favourite of the Nicole Wallace episodes, that's still "Anti-Thesis", but it is a great episode and a great season opener. Of the Season 5 openers for the original 'Law and Order' ("Second Opinion"), 'Special Victims Unit' ("Tragedy") and 'Criminal Intent', "Grow" is for me by far the best being the only outstanding one. Anybody that loved the previous Wallace episodes will love this, all the appeal of them are here too.
Do agree that it does start off a bit slow and not immediately easy to follow. The episode though does very quickly get going and most of the time comprehension was not a problem.
Once again, the story always compels and while it is very intricate it doesn't feel incoherent. Nor does it come over as too simple, thanks to lots of twists and turns. Absolutely love the tension and battle of wits between Goren (once again Goren meets his match in somebody worthy of his enviable intellect) and Wallace which really sizzle in intensity and fun and the heart of the episode. The episode is smartly and tautly scripted, with lots of attention grabbing intrigue and entertainment value.
Vincent D'Onofrio and Olivia D'Abo are both terrific, D'Onofrio tells so much while sometimes saying little or nothing and when just reacting to something through expressions and little touches. D'Abo is both alluring and chilling, though it was very interesting to see Wallace have a softer side (compared to being a complete creep and deadly in her previous appearance, Season 4's "Great Barrier"). Everybody else is fine too but those two are on another level.
Production values are stylish and like Seasons 2 and 3 there is a slightly brighter look than the first season while maintaining the show's grit. The music doesn't overbear and is not overused. The direction is deft and allows D'Onofrio and D'Abo to have fun.
In conclusion, great. 9/10