A murder over a missing pair of dry-cleaned pants leads the DA's office to a public health scandal involving a giant discount department store chain.A murder over a missing pair of dry-cleaned pants leads the DA's office to a public health scandal involving a giant discount department store chain.A murder over a missing pair of dry-cleaned pants leads the DA's office to a public health scandal involving a giant discount department store chain.
Roxanna Hope Radja
- Rachel Munroe
- (as Roxanna Hope)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis episode appears to be based on several cases/incidents:
- The 2005 Pearson v. Chung case.
- The 2007 Chinese export recalls.
- Ethics enforcement efforts by multinational retailing corporation Walmart.
- GoofsIn the opening scene, Lilly Yee blinks despite being dead.
- Quotes
Cyrus Lupo: Four years overseas chasing terrorists and I'm the pants police.
- ConnectionsReferences Thomas & Friends (1984)
Featured review
Quality is sinking
"Bottomless" 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Personally do prefer the episodes that tackle more difficult and controversial topics that are still to this day hardly outdated, or at least ones that are more so, but again if a fan of 'Law and Order' (show and overall franchise) or wanting to see all the episodes there is no reason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 "Bottomless".
Sadly, this is the second disappointing episode in a row after "Misbegotten". Of the two, this is marginally better but only just. Season 18 had a somewhat unsettled and patchy first half to it (with "Quit Claim" being the first sign of greatness), the second is far better and more consistent, and "Bottomless" is one of the weakest of the half. As well as of the unusually short (for the 'Law and Order' franchise, only the last three seasons of 'Criminal Intent' were shorter) season.
There are good things here. Production values have the usual slickness and grit and the music is unobtrusive and gives big revelations even more impact without over-emphasising. The acting is very good in lead and supporting (despite the supporting characters being sketchy) with no exception, no stick out like a sore thumb acting here.
Lupo and Green's chemistry still works well, again no real fireworks yet but no disconnect. Lupo is much more competent in this episode compared to "Misbegotten". Ron Canada very effectively makes for a worthy opponent.
However, the story didn't grab me enough. The policing is on the formulaic side and the legal scenes so far of the season have not been too great, the complexity and tautness are not there yet and neither is the tension, which are all big issues considering the subject. Not much new here either and the ending needed longer to explain everything, a lot in a short space of time.
A vast majority of the characters are underwritten, the only real interesting or well used ones once the case comes to trial are Cutter (who is settling well and pretty much the main reason for the legal scenes being watchable enough still) and Canada's. The script has intrigue to begin with but could have been tighter later on, especially in the talkier parts.
In summary, worth a one or two time watch, if primarily trying to see all the episodes in the franchise, but not much more. 5/10.
Sadly, this is the second disappointing episode in a row after "Misbegotten". Of the two, this is marginally better but only just. Season 18 had a somewhat unsettled and patchy first half to it (with "Quit Claim" being the first sign of greatness), the second is far better and more consistent, and "Bottomless" is one of the weakest of the half. As well as of the unusually short (for the 'Law and Order' franchise, only the last three seasons of 'Criminal Intent' were shorter) season.
There are good things here. Production values have the usual slickness and grit and the music is unobtrusive and gives big revelations even more impact without over-emphasising. The acting is very good in lead and supporting (despite the supporting characters being sketchy) with no exception, no stick out like a sore thumb acting here.
Lupo and Green's chemistry still works well, again no real fireworks yet but no disconnect. Lupo is much more competent in this episode compared to "Misbegotten". Ron Canada very effectively makes for a worthy opponent.
However, the story didn't grab me enough. The policing is on the formulaic side and the legal scenes so far of the season have not been too great, the complexity and tautness are not there yet and neither is the tension, which are all big issues considering the subject. Not much new here either and the ending needed longer to explain everything, a lot in a short space of time.
A vast majority of the characters are underwritten, the only real interesting or well used ones once the case comes to trial are Cutter (who is settling well and pretty much the main reason for the legal scenes being watchable enough still) and Canada's. The script has intrigue to begin with but could have been tighter later on, especially in the talkier parts.
In summary, worth a one or two time watch, if primarily trying to see all the episodes in the franchise, but not much more. 5/10.
helpful•81
- TheLittleSongbird
- Oct 11, 2022
Details
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content