"Malignant" has a very interesting concept, that sounded like one that would be easy to relate to. Really seem to have a thing for relating to a story or a character because it allows me to connect more emotionally with what is going on. Even to anybody who has not been in that situation and hopes never to be, myself included. Have said more than once about being very fond of 'Criminal Intent' and other 'Law and Order' shows when in their prime years, so that was another reason for the appeal.
While not as outstanding as "Anti-Thesis", which was quite a special 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' episode, "Malignant" is still an improvement over "Chinoiserie", which was still a solid episode but something was somewhat missing at the same time. Found "Malignant" to be excellent in almost all aspects and as an overall episode, it was intelligent, it was poignant with some amusing moments too and Stephen Tobolowsky's character is an interesting one.
Getting the negative out of the way first, again there could have been a little more of Eames and her chemistry with Goren.
On the other hand, there is a lot to recommend. The wrestling ring throwdown with Goren is very funny. Other parts are very moving, like with the widower and much it gets to Goren. The case is easy to connect with and is always cohesive, things not being as easy as they seem thanks to the ever intriguing turns in the plot.
It is also quite a hard watch, with a subject/moral dilemma not easy to get across in a sensitive manner or in a way that could potentially cause controversy. It was handled with respect and not one-dimensionally here in "Malignant", in a way that has tension and induces anger but brings a lump to the throat too. As said, Tobolowsky's character is an interesting one, one does feel anger at what he did but can't find themselves completely hating him because he is surprisingly complex and tortured. It is the reverend that one hates and that is from the beginning, which may have been too early to feel that way.
Tobolowsky is very powerful in his role and Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe are their usual fine selves (especially D'Onofrio with more to do). The production values are solid too and the music a good fit. The episode is intelligently and sensitively scripted and never directed in a leaden way.
Concluding, excellent. 9/10
While not as outstanding as "Anti-Thesis", which was quite a special 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' episode, "Malignant" is still an improvement over "Chinoiserie", which was still a solid episode but something was somewhat missing at the same time. Found "Malignant" to be excellent in almost all aspects and as an overall episode, it was intelligent, it was poignant with some amusing moments too and Stephen Tobolowsky's character is an interesting one.
Getting the negative out of the way first, again there could have been a little more of Eames and her chemistry with Goren.
On the other hand, there is a lot to recommend. The wrestling ring throwdown with Goren is very funny. Other parts are very moving, like with the widower and much it gets to Goren. The case is easy to connect with and is always cohesive, things not being as easy as they seem thanks to the ever intriguing turns in the plot.
It is also quite a hard watch, with a subject/moral dilemma not easy to get across in a sensitive manner or in a way that could potentially cause controversy. It was handled with respect and not one-dimensionally here in "Malignant", in a way that has tension and induces anger but brings a lump to the throat too. As said, Tobolowsky's character is an interesting one, one does feel anger at what he did but can't find themselves completely hating him because he is surprisingly complex and tortured. It is the reverend that one hates and that is from the beginning, which may have been too early to feel that way.
Tobolowsky is very powerful in his role and Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe are their usual fine selves (especially D'Onofrio with more to do). The production values are solid too and the music a good fit. The episode is intelligently and sensitively scripted and never directed in a leaden way.
Concluding, excellent. 9/10