If you don't care for the character of Amanda Rollins, and she has her fair share of detractors (am not one of those, once she settled), or if you are not a fan of stories that have a strong emphasis on a character's personal life, there is a chance you might not like "Forgiving Rollins". Rollins' personal life subplots have really varied, her past job stuff has been done really well on the whole but everything with Kim never worked for me and at its worst a waste of time.
"Forgiving Rollins" is an example of the former and it actually does it really well, one of the better examples of it and any of the potential problems that come with this type of story are not fallen into. As well as one of the better Rollins centric episodes, any episode that centres around her that doesn't have Kim is immediately a better episode in my view. "Forgiving Rollins" managed too to be among the better episodes of Season 16.
There is a lot that works in the episode's favour. It does look good, with the usual slickness and subtle grit. Really liked too that the photography was simple and close up but doing so without being claustrophobic. The music has presence when used, and luckily it isn't constant, and when it is used it doesn't feel over-scored. The direction allows the drama to breathe while still giving it momentum as well.
Furthermore, the script is gritty and taut while allowing breathing space without overdoing that either. While the story is not perfect, it is very compelling and not too simple or too complicated and has the right amount of tension. The performances are never less than strong across the board. Kelli Giddish gives one of her best performances, steely and vulnerable, and Harry Hamelin is frightening personified.
Perfect "Forgiving Rollins" isn't though. The episode could have delved into a lot more about what happened in Atlanta as that sounded fascinating but felt half baked and vague.
Did feel too that the perpetrator is also obvious from the get go.
Otherwise, very good. 8/10.
"Forgiving Rollins" is an example of the former and it actually does it really well, one of the better examples of it and any of the potential problems that come with this type of story are not fallen into. As well as one of the better Rollins centric episodes, any episode that centres around her that doesn't have Kim is immediately a better episode in my view. "Forgiving Rollins" managed too to be among the better episodes of Season 16.
There is a lot that works in the episode's favour. It does look good, with the usual slickness and subtle grit. Really liked too that the photography was simple and close up but doing so without being claustrophobic. The music has presence when used, and luckily it isn't constant, and when it is used it doesn't feel over-scored. The direction allows the drama to breathe while still giving it momentum as well.
Furthermore, the script is gritty and taut while allowing breathing space without overdoing that either. While the story is not perfect, it is very compelling and not too simple or too complicated and has the right amount of tension. The performances are never less than strong across the board. Kelli Giddish gives one of her best performances, steely and vulnerable, and Harry Hamelin is frightening personified.
Perfect "Forgiving Rollins" isn't though. The episode could have delved into a lot more about what happened in Atlanta as that sounded fascinating but felt half baked and vague.
Did feel too that the perpetrator is also obvious from the get go.
Otherwise, very good. 8/10.
