After the outstanding previous episode in "But Not Forgotten", one does expect a lot from any subsequent episodes if they loved it too. Other than my high appreciation for 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent', my main reasons for seeing it was to see how Goren would fare working primarily with a detective other than Eames. And also for the subject, it is not a novel one as such but it is an intriguing one and will always admire anything that covers it and the themes of betrayal, falsehoods and hypocrisy (the media for example are full of all three).
Did find "Pravda" somewhat of a disappointment after "But Not Forgotten" and one of the lesser episodes of the first half of Season 3. Despite how it sounds, that doesn't mean that to me "Pravda" was a bad episode. Actually thought that it was quite good, with so much that is very well executed and more, albeit with a couple of things that bothered me. And sadly not just by a little, which is somewhat frustrating as they were things that could have been avoided quite easily.
Somehow, it just doesn't feel the same without Goren and Eames together. One misses Eames' wisecracks and more understated contrast to hard-boiled Goren. Samantha Buck does do her best but Bishop is rather bland and the chemistry between her and Goren doesn't gel or sparkle as much.
"Pravda" also could have benefitted from a tighter pace and more tension. As well as a more focused story that didn't shift quite as much.
Vincent D'Onofrio though is as ever a joy, can find nothing to fault him for. Goren is a meaty character that D'Onofrio gives so much further meat too without descending into ham. Judd Hirsch is scarily cranky and Glyn Turman is similarly solid. "Pravda" is intelligently scripted, with Goren's "bull in a china shop" approach when questioning being an effective way to get answers without resorting to unprofessionalism.
The story doesn't trivialize its themes of falsehoods, betrayal and hypocrisy, quite the opposite. It's also scary how true to life and still relevant it is, perhaps more so now. Nor does it feel convoluted. The episode looks good and the tone and placement of the music is appropriate. The denouement is somewhat chilling, particularly how indifferent the culprit is to what he had been doing being wrong.
On the whole, pretty good but could have been a good deal more. 7/10
Did find "Pravda" somewhat of a disappointment after "But Not Forgotten" and one of the lesser episodes of the first half of Season 3. Despite how it sounds, that doesn't mean that to me "Pravda" was a bad episode. Actually thought that it was quite good, with so much that is very well executed and more, albeit with a couple of things that bothered me. And sadly not just by a little, which is somewhat frustrating as they were things that could have been avoided quite easily.
Somehow, it just doesn't feel the same without Goren and Eames together. One misses Eames' wisecracks and more understated contrast to hard-boiled Goren. Samantha Buck does do her best but Bishop is rather bland and the chemistry between her and Goren doesn't gel or sparkle as much.
"Pravda" also could have benefitted from a tighter pace and more tension. As well as a more focused story that didn't shift quite as much.
Vincent D'Onofrio though is as ever a joy, can find nothing to fault him for. Goren is a meaty character that D'Onofrio gives so much further meat too without descending into ham. Judd Hirsch is scarily cranky and Glyn Turman is similarly solid. "Pravda" is intelligently scripted, with Goren's "bull in a china shop" approach when questioning being an effective way to get answers without resorting to unprofessionalism.
The story doesn't trivialize its themes of falsehoods, betrayal and hypocrisy, quite the opposite. It's also scary how true to life and still relevant it is, perhaps more so now. Nor does it feel convoluted. The episode looks good and the tone and placement of the music is appropriate. The denouement is somewhat chilling, particularly how indifferent the culprit is to what he had been doing being wrong.
On the whole, pretty good but could have been a good deal more. 7/10