As well as loving 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' in its prime (though it hasn't been the same for a long time, despite some jewels in each season), my main reason for seeing "Bedtime" was for the supporting cast. Amazing to see starlets from the 70s still looking amazing and having lost none of what made them memorable back then, and also William Atherton (who is actually no stranger to the type of role he plays here, but not to this extent).
"Bedtime" sounded like a classic 'Special Victims Unit' scenario, but it also sounded very unoriginal and been there done that. Despite a promising start, "Bedtime" did have potential to be better and could have been creepier. As well as more focused tonally. It is not one of the worst episodes of Season 11, which did start off promisingly but was a mixed bag of a season, but it is a long way from being one of the best. Rather middling if anything.
There is a lot to like. The best thing about it is Ann-Margaret, who is fantastically nutty in an entertaining and unsettling way without unbalancing things too much. Morgan Fairchild and Susan Anton are also fun to watch and still look youthful and beautiful. The regulars can't be faulted too. The episode starts off quite suspensefully, with an unsettling opening scene (the modus operandi is creepy).
Enough of the script is thought provoking and taut. The production values, especially the intimate photography, are stylish and slick with a brighter and more refined look, while maintaining the show's grit. The music doesn't overbear and is not overused. The direction keeps things moving well while letting the drama breathe.
It is let down though by that the story is too derivative and seen it all before, the identity of the responsible was not a surprise really at all and actually was strongly considered early on. The pace did feel routine too early and the suspense could have been more consistent, for me too the second half has too much of a campy tone and the campiness got too over the top in a way that didn't gel with the first half.
Moreover, Jaclyn Smith came over as out of her depth in a performance that needed more depth, pathos and intensity. Smith didn't have enough of either and her character is written too obviously. Atherton tries his best but his character is too underused and underwritten to make enough of an impact, all that hype that was not lived up to. For such sadistic crimes, the reveals were just too anaemic. There have been far more harrowing and affecting endings, this one was too predictable and melodramatic.
Summing up, just slightly above average. 6/10.
"Bedtime" sounded like a classic 'Special Victims Unit' scenario, but it also sounded very unoriginal and been there done that. Despite a promising start, "Bedtime" did have potential to be better and could have been creepier. As well as more focused tonally. It is not one of the worst episodes of Season 11, which did start off promisingly but was a mixed bag of a season, but it is a long way from being one of the best. Rather middling if anything.
There is a lot to like. The best thing about it is Ann-Margaret, who is fantastically nutty in an entertaining and unsettling way without unbalancing things too much. Morgan Fairchild and Susan Anton are also fun to watch and still look youthful and beautiful. The regulars can't be faulted too. The episode starts off quite suspensefully, with an unsettling opening scene (the modus operandi is creepy).
Enough of the script is thought provoking and taut. The production values, especially the intimate photography, are stylish and slick with a brighter and more refined look, while maintaining the show's grit. The music doesn't overbear and is not overused. The direction keeps things moving well while letting the drama breathe.
It is let down though by that the story is too derivative and seen it all before, the identity of the responsible was not a surprise really at all and actually was strongly considered early on. The pace did feel routine too early and the suspense could have been more consistent, for me too the second half has too much of a campy tone and the campiness got too over the top in a way that didn't gel with the first half.
Moreover, Jaclyn Smith came over as out of her depth in a performance that needed more depth, pathos and intensity. Smith didn't have enough of either and her character is written too obviously. Atherton tries his best but his character is too underused and underwritten to make enough of an impact, all that hype that was not lived up to. For such sadistic crimes, the reveals were just too anaemic. There have been far more harrowing and affecting endings, this one was too predictable and melodramatic.
Summing up, just slightly above average. 6/10.