With the Briscoe (though not the very early episodes, more from Season 7 onwards) and post-Briscoe episodes tending to be aired much more, hence there is more familiarity with them, it is very easy to underrate or forget 'Law and Order's' pre-Season 7 years and especially the first three seasons. Although they are hardly prime-'Law and Order', they still shouldn't be forgotten, with there being a lot of great things, interesting cases and good handling of very heavy subjects.
"Indifference" is not one of those episodes to be indifferent to. In my mind actually, it is one of Season 1's best episodes, the first truly outstanding one and the best since the very first episode "Prescription for Death", even better than that actually. Here the pace is tighter than the previous episodes and the characterisation is some of the season's meatiest, and in this case especially in support with the defendants. It also has one of Season 1's most powerful stories, regardless of the beginning disclaimer, and two of its (and the early seasons' too for that matter) best guest turns.
As with the previous episodes, "Indifference" is well made in the production values. Slickly photographed throughout, a perfect match for the gritty tone, and New York looks both striking and atmosphere-filled. The music is only used when necessary and when it is used it does stick in the mind and not done so ham-handedly. Both the main theme and opening voice over are memorable. It is directed with a confident and sympathetic edge.
The writing provokes a lot of thought and the writers were clearly enjoying writing the dialogue for Stone, ever the juicy character. This heavy subject matter is handled with intelligence and dark poignancy without being dreary or preachy, going into more depth than the previous episodes with their subjects thanks to two very strongly written supporting characters. In particular Carla.
Michael Moriaty fares the best of the regulars and George Dzundza and Chris Noth's chemistry is getting stronger all the time, their hard boiled performances still shining. It's the two main supporting performances that manage to steal the episode from under them. David Groh is one chilling reptile but even better in the more complex role is Marcia Jean Kurtz, both frightening and moving.
Summing up, superb episode and the best up to this point of the season. 10/10
"Indifference" is not one of those episodes to be indifferent to. In my mind actually, it is one of Season 1's best episodes, the first truly outstanding one and the best since the very first episode "Prescription for Death", even better than that actually. Here the pace is tighter than the previous episodes and the characterisation is some of the season's meatiest, and in this case especially in support with the defendants. It also has one of Season 1's most powerful stories, regardless of the beginning disclaimer, and two of its (and the early seasons' too for that matter) best guest turns.
As with the previous episodes, "Indifference" is well made in the production values. Slickly photographed throughout, a perfect match for the gritty tone, and New York looks both striking and atmosphere-filled. The music is only used when necessary and when it is used it does stick in the mind and not done so ham-handedly. Both the main theme and opening voice over are memorable. It is directed with a confident and sympathetic edge.
The writing provokes a lot of thought and the writers were clearly enjoying writing the dialogue for Stone, ever the juicy character. This heavy subject matter is handled with intelligence and dark poignancy without being dreary or preachy, going into more depth than the previous episodes with their subjects thanks to two very strongly written supporting characters. In particular Carla.
Michael Moriaty fares the best of the regulars and George Dzundza and Chris Noth's chemistry is getting stronger all the time, their hard boiled performances still shining. It's the two main supporting performances that manage to steal the episode from under them. David Groh is one chilling reptile but even better in the more complex role is Marcia Jean Kurtz, both frightening and moving.
Summing up, superb episode and the best up to this point of the season. 10/10