On first watch, "Under the Influence" didn't do much for me. While enjoying hearing the different points of view that McCoy and Ross have over the case, which did make me provoke thought, the case itself on paper and in execution didn't seem realistic. Was hoping though on rewatch that the episode would make the premise somehow work, but was worried as "Blood" (also from Season 8) had a less than realistic concept and the execution really didn't work.
After rewatching it, "Under the Influence" was a little better than remembered as the tensions between McCoy and Ross made even more impact and the tensions with everything with the judge really stood out (will shamefully admit that this aspect went over my head on first watch and really do not understand why). Not a great episode by any stretch and actually one of the weaker ones of the first half of Season 8, but considering the premise it could have been a lot worse than it was.
There are plenty of good, great even, things here. The photography and such as usual are fully professional, the slickness still remaining. The music is used sparingly and is haunting and non-overwrought when it is used, and it's mainly used when a crucial revelation or plot development is revealed. The direction has some nice tension while keeping things steady, without going too far the other way. Most of the acting is great, especially Sam Waterston and Carey Lowell of the regulars and Cliff Gorman is a joy as the judge.
"Under the Influence" is at its best with the tension between him and McCoy and where it becomes really interesting. It also scores highly in the chemistry between McCoy and Ross and seeing their different opinions on the case, where once again it was easy to see both sides (agreed more with McCoy though). Reminded me of McCoy and Kincaid's differing points of view on the death penalty in the Season 6 episode "Savages". The writing is thought-provoking and lean, a lot of information to digest without feeling too much.
It is far from a perfect episode though. Ross did seem on the pushy and judgmental side this time, there was no need to bring Kincaid into the argument as most people would agree that death by dangerous driving deserves a harsh punishment. Daniel McDonald could have played his character with both more subtlety and personality.
Still do find some of the case improbable, with the case of more than one person involved but practically ignored and the indictment and verdict not being realistic and too lenient for my tastes. Seeming to give the impression that the crime is not that serious an offense. Especially considering the amount of fuss made over the indictment and how to judge the case and how it became very easy to hate the perpetrator later and root for a substantial sentence.
Concluding, better than remembered but could have been better. 7/10.
After rewatching it, "Under the Influence" was a little better than remembered as the tensions between McCoy and Ross made even more impact and the tensions with everything with the judge really stood out (will shamefully admit that this aspect went over my head on first watch and really do not understand why). Not a great episode by any stretch and actually one of the weaker ones of the first half of Season 8, but considering the premise it could have been a lot worse than it was.
There are plenty of good, great even, things here. The photography and such as usual are fully professional, the slickness still remaining. The music is used sparingly and is haunting and non-overwrought when it is used, and it's mainly used when a crucial revelation or plot development is revealed. The direction has some nice tension while keeping things steady, without going too far the other way. Most of the acting is great, especially Sam Waterston and Carey Lowell of the regulars and Cliff Gorman is a joy as the judge.
"Under the Influence" is at its best with the tension between him and McCoy and where it becomes really interesting. It also scores highly in the chemistry between McCoy and Ross and seeing their different opinions on the case, where once again it was easy to see both sides (agreed more with McCoy though). Reminded me of McCoy and Kincaid's differing points of view on the death penalty in the Season 6 episode "Savages". The writing is thought-provoking and lean, a lot of information to digest without feeling too much.
It is far from a perfect episode though. Ross did seem on the pushy and judgmental side this time, there was no need to bring Kincaid into the argument as most people would agree that death by dangerous driving deserves a harsh punishment. Daniel McDonald could have played his character with both more subtlety and personality.
Still do find some of the case improbable, with the case of more than one person involved but practically ignored and the indictment and verdict not being realistic and too lenient for my tastes. Seeming to give the impression that the crime is not that serious an offense. Especially considering the amount of fuss made over the indictment and how to judge the case and how it became very easy to hate the perpetrator later and root for a substantial sentence.
Concluding, better than remembered but could have been better. 7/10.