As others have noted, "Black Tie" is based upon the Claus and Sunny Von Bulow case (a case that was still relatively raw around this time with the film 'Reversal of Fortune' having only come out a few years before). Except, again as said, the gender roles being reversed. The premise here is suitably complicated and fascinating and there was no doubt in my mind that it would not be wasted. If one liked or even loved the previous four episodes of Season 4, like me (especially "Profile"), it is very understandable if expectations are high.
Thankfully, "Black Tie" lived up to my high expectations on first viewing, and actually although the episode was great on first watch in terms of execution it is even greater now. It does nothing to squander its premise, it is every bit as intriguing and as intricate as one can expect. 'Law and Order' and the franchise in general often excelled when it came to touching upon tough and controversial topics, which "Black Tie" very much has and it does it very, very well indeed.
"Black Tie" feels a little rushed at the end, but actually there is so little to fault.
Immediately striking about "Black Tie" is the intricacy of the plotting. The story is appropriately complex, without being too over-complicated so coherence was not an issue, and raises a lot of interesting and insightful arguments. Yet again, it is another episode to not be afraid of handling a difficult topic and do so without any holding back, anything regarding body exhumation for evidence is controversial dependent on what lengths are gone to get it done. The subject matter is not done heavy-handedly but it doesn't sugarcoat and was done with tact.
Expectedly, all the regulars are strong with Michael Moriarty really carrying the legal-related scenes with aplomb. Caroline Lagerfelt plays one heck of an ice queen and really did give me chills without being obvious. They are helped by the clever and intelligent script, that had a nice balance of wisecracking and intensity in the investigative elements, Briscoe and Logan are so well matched, and real insight in the legal-oriented parts of the case. The direction lets the case breathe on the most part while not letting it lag at the same time.
Production values are fine, have always liked the photography's intimacy and grit and the look of the show has come on a good deal over-time (and it was good to begin with). The music doesn't intrude and has a haunting quality, have not always remembered that the theme tune is easy to remember and holds up.
To summarise, terrific episode and among the better ones of the first half of Season 4. 9/10
Thankfully, "Black Tie" lived up to my high expectations on first viewing, and actually although the episode was great on first watch in terms of execution it is even greater now. It does nothing to squander its premise, it is every bit as intriguing and as intricate as one can expect. 'Law and Order' and the franchise in general often excelled when it came to touching upon tough and controversial topics, which "Black Tie" very much has and it does it very, very well indeed.
"Black Tie" feels a little rushed at the end, but actually there is so little to fault.
Immediately striking about "Black Tie" is the intricacy of the plotting. The story is appropriately complex, without being too over-complicated so coherence was not an issue, and raises a lot of interesting and insightful arguments. Yet again, it is another episode to not be afraid of handling a difficult topic and do so without any holding back, anything regarding body exhumation for evidence is controversial dependent on what lengths are gone to get it done. The subject matter is not done heavy-handedly but it doesn't sugarcoat and was done with tact.
Expectedly, all the regulars are strong with Michael Moriarty really carrying the legal-related scenes with aplomb. Caroline Lagerfelt plays one heck of an ice queen and really did give me chills without being obvious. They are helped by the clever and intelligent script, that had a nice balance of wisecracking and intensity in the investigative elements, Briscoe and Logan are so well matched, and real insight in the legal-oriented parts of the case. The direction lets the case breathe on the most part while not letting it lag at the same time.
Production values are fine, have always liked the photography's intimacy and grit and the look of the show has come on a good deal over-time (and it was good to begin with). The music doesn't intrude and has a haunting quality, have not always remembered that the theme tune is easy to remember and holds up.
To summarise, terrific episode and among the better ones of the first half of Season 4. 9/10