I agree with the user ratings: 'A Civil War' was an excellent episode from season one of Life.
The detective work was plausibly presented, with the killer's suspected motive veering from hate crime to drugs/money and finally to jealousy. The Muslims were presented multidimensionally, not as devils or angels but as imperfect humans. Reese's character is maturing, with less hostility and deliberate isolation, and we're learning more about her past. Lt Davis is helping with investigations, rather than trying to get Crews fired. Stark showed a heroic side, although he might still be one of the conspirators that framed Crews. And Ted's infatuation with Olivia is charming. (Who can blame him? Christina Hendricks character is irresistible.)
Another reviewer took issue some admittedly weak computer-related scenarios. I noticed the same issues but can't say they bothered me enough to make me enjoy the episode any less.
The detective work was plausibly presented, with the killer's suspected motive veering from hate crime to drugs/money and finally to jealousy. The Muslims were presented multidimensionally, not as devils or angels but as imperfect humans. Reese's character is maturing, with less hostility and deliberate isolation, and we're learning more about her past. Lt Davis is helping with investigations, rather than trying to get Crews fired. Stark showed a heroic side, although he might still be one of the conspirators that framed Crews. And Ted's infatuation with Olivia is charming. (Who can blame him? Christina Hendricks character is irresistible.)
Another reviewer took issue some admittedly weak computer-related scenarios. I noticed the same issues but can't say they bothered me enough to make me enjoy the episode any less.