Have loved the original 'Law and Order' for a long time, particularly the earlier seasons, and consider it my personal favourite of the 'Law and Order' franchise. Did like the idea for Season 9's "Ramparts", though on paper it may seem too basic and ordinary. 'Law and Order' do have a good track record at making something great and more complex than expected out of stories that don't sound out of the ordinary on paper and understandably one expects similar from "Ramparts."
"Ramparts" is a very good episode, if falling a little short of being great despite having a lot of great things individually. Like a lot of episodes in 'Law and Order's' mid period, it is a case of one half being superior to the other. But not because one half is bad, just that there is one half that executes the storytelling especially even better. "Ramparts" is not a season high point, but it was interesting to see it centered around a past cold case and how it is gone about solving it.
The second half is better than the first, which was slightly routine.
A lot is truly great on the other hand. . As usual, the production values are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough while also taut.
Moreover, the script challenges enough without being too much of a challenge in terms of understanding what's going on. It is taut and intelligent throughout. The story is always engrossing and tight in pace, with enough surprising twists and turns to be satisfied by.
Can't fault the acting of the regulars either and Michael Higgins is wholly successful in making one feel some degree of empathy towards someone that should on paper be detestable.
Overall, very good. 8/10.
"Ramparts" is a very good episode, if falling a little short of being great despite having a lot of great things individually. Like a lot of episodes in 'Law and Order's' mid period, it is a case of one half being superior to the other. But not because one half is bad, just that there is one half that executes the storytelling especially even better. "Ramparts" is not a season high point, but it was interesting to see it centered around a past cold case and how it is gone about solving it.
The second half is better than the first, which was slightly routine.
A lot is truly great on the other hand. . As usual, the production values are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough while also taut.
Moreover, the script challenges enough without being too much of a challenge in terms of understanding what's going on. It is taut and intelligent throughout. The story is always engrossing and tight in pace, with enough surprising twists and turns to be satisfied by.
Can't fault the acting of the regulars either and Michael Higgins is wholly successful in making one feel some degree of empathy towards someone that should on paper be detestable.
Overall, very good. 8/10.