"Melting Pot", based upon what seems like the Adrienne Shelley case, is a "ripped from the headlines" type of story. The 'Law and Order' franchise often did very well to brilliantly with these types of stories when they had cases based on real life cases and crimes. Especially in the earlier seasons of the original 'Law and Order'. This kind of story can either be very intriguing and a harrowing watch or be too derivative, lacking tautness and feel exploitative. Most in the franchise (or at least at this point) are thankfully in the former category.
Was a bit worried that "Melting Pot" would be a bit too ordinary, as it did sound formulaic structurally, with it having been covered in episodes with relatively similar stories, and other Season 17 episodes tackled far bolder and heavier themes. As said a few times in reviews for previous episodes, 'Law and Order' has actually shown more than once that it can do something interesting and at times special with ordinary-sounding premises. The "doing something special" category is not quite achieved in "Melting Pot", but the episode succeeds in "doing something interesting" with the subject, though it also could have done more with it.
Cassady was always a bland character and Milena Govich never had enough personality in my view, and "Melting Pot" doesn't change my mind.
Did feel that it started on the too ordinary and familiar side and the final third was a little over-crowded.
Like with a vast majority of 'Law and Order' episodes, there is a lot to like in "Melting Pot". The production values are still fully professional, the slickness and subtly gritty style still remaining. The music is sparingly used and is haunting and thankfully non-overwrought. The direction shows some nice tension in the legal scenes.
The script is thought provoking and smart, thankfully not rambling or too complicated that it makes things confused. A lot of the legal scenes' dialogue really probes thought and pulls no punches, while the story intrigues and unsettles enough in the second half and a lot less ordinary than it sounds on paper. The supporting cast do very well, though their characters (apart from the perpetrator) are on the one dimensional side.
In summary, pretty solid but not great. 7/10.
Was a bit worried that "Melting Pot" would be a bit too ordinary, as it did sound formulaic structurally, with it having been covered in episodes with relatively similar stories, and other Season 17 episodes tackled far bolder and heavier themes. As said a few times in reviews for previous episodes, 'Law and Order' has actually shown more than once that it can do something interesting and at times special with ordinary-sounding premises. The "doing something special" category is not quite achieved in "Melting Pot", but the episode succeeds in "doing something interesting" with the subject, though it also could have done more with it.
Cassady was always a bland character and Milena Govich never had enough personality in my view, and "Melting Pot" doesn't change my mind.
Did feel that it started on the too ordinary and familiar side and the final third was a little over-crowded.
Like with a vast majority of 'Law and Order' episodes, there is a lot to like in "Melting Pot". The production values are still fully professional, the slickness and subtly gritty style still remaining. The music is sparingly used and is haunting and thankfully non-overwrought. The direction shows some nice tension in the legal scenes.
The script is thought provoking and smart, thankfully not rambling or too complicated that it makes things confused. A lot of the legal scenes' dialogue really probes thought and pulls no punches, while the story intrigues and unsettles enough in the second half and a lot less ordinary than it sounds on paper. The supporting cast do very well, though their characters (apart from the perpetrator) are on the one dimensional side.
In summary, pretty solid but not great. 7/10.
