Conceptually, "City Hall" was one of the more interesting episodes of Season 14. It is not a novel concept, with a couple of issues raised having been done before, but they are such relevant and complex issues that they are always worth re-visiting and especially if there is more than one opinion. The plot sounds like there is a lot going on, which is not always a good thing, but with the topic and themes and that it is based on a real life case the complexity was inevitable.
In execution, "City Hall" is one of the most entertaining, interesting and most thought provoking episodes of Season 14. Which was a season with a fair share of truly fine episodes and didn't have a bad one, so one of the better later seasons for 'Law and Order'. "City Hall" struck me as a great episode and among tbe best of Season 14. The case is truly gripping as are how the issues of the case are handled and the real life aspect of the story is far from sensationalist or overdone.
Almost everything is spot on here in "City Hall". On a visual level, the episode is solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough without being leaden, while having enough momentum to make the drama sing in its atmosphere.
The script is tight and lean, no extraneous fat here despite a lot of information to digest, as well as incredibly thought provoking and tense. The story is a complex one with many relevant and quite scary issues raised and handled uncompromisingly yet tactfully. But it never becomes incoherent or rushed. Lots of intensity and intrigue here and the character writing in the second half is riveting.
Furthermore, almost all the acting is terrific. Particularly from Sam Waterston.
With the sole exception of a bland Elisabeth Rohm who never really connected with me as Southerlyn, who was often a badly written character.
In summary, excellent. 9/10.
In execution, "City Hall" is one of the most entertaining, interesting and most thought provoking episodes of Season 14. Which was a season with a fair share of truly fine episodes and didn't have a bad one, so one of the better later seasons for 'Law and Order'. "City Hall" struck me as a great episode and among tbe best of Season 14. The case is truly gripping as are how the issues of the case are handled and the real life aspect of the story is far from sensationalist or overdone.
Almost everything is spot on here in "City Hall". On a visual level, the episode is solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough without being leaden, while having enough momentum to make the drama sing in its atmosphere.
The script is tight and lean, no extraneous fat here despite a lot of information to digest, as well as incredibly thought provoking and tense. The story is a complex one with many relevant and quite scary issues raised and handled uncompromisingly yet tactfully. But it never becomes incoherent or rushed. Lots of intensity and intrigue here and the character writing in the second half is riveting.
Furthermore, almost all the acting is terrific. Particularly from Sam Waterston.
With the sole exception of a bland Elisabeth Rohm who never really connected with me as Southerlyn, who was often a badly written character.
In summary, excellent. 9/10.