Anything race related is covered and depicted a lot, but that is in no way a bad thing. Racism, a major issue for decades, is a very brave and difficult topic. It also is a very important thing to address and explore and today it maybe should be addressed more with it being just as bad. Another major and relevant issue tackled is freedom of expression, something that should exist definitely but is too often abused to the point that it becomes hate speech.
"Hate" is another great episode from Season 9, of all the Season 9s of the three major 'Law and Order' shows (the original, 'Special Victims Unit' and 'Criminal Intent') that for this show is by far the best and most consistent seeing as those for the other two were very up and down. It is not perfect or the best episode for anything to tackle these issues, but it does very well addressing the themes. "Hate" is not the first or last episode to tackle the themes, but so much is done brilliantly.
To me, "Rage" and "Profile" as far as other 'Law and Order' episodes go tackled racism especially with more tact and everything with the freedom of expression could have been more subtle. Especially with the character of Willis, who comes this close to being cartoonish and is one reason as to why there should be a limit.
On the other hand, "Hate" is excellent everywhere else. The production values as ever have slickness and grit, with an intimacy without being claustrophobic. The music has presence when it's used but does so without being intrusive, some of it is quite haunting too. The direction is also understated but the tension never slips, the second half being full of it.
Script is taut and intelligent. It is very intelligently crafted and has intensity and edge, most of it doesn't preach either and tries to not make too much of a judgement. The story is lean and pulls no punches, providing edge of the seat tension and emotion.
Character writing is spot on with genuinely tense conflict in the chemistry for the legal scenes. As is the acting from all the regulars, while Michael Cumpsty relishes his part and Paul Dawson is suitably unnerving.
In conclusion, excellent. 9/10.
"Hate" is another great episode from Season 9, of all the Season 9s of the three major 'Law and Order' shows (the original, 'Special Victims Unit' and 'Criminal Intent') that for this show is by far the best and most consistent seeing as those for the other two were very up and down. It is not perfect or the best episode for anything to tackle these issues, but it does very well addressing the themes. "Hate" is not the first or last episode to tackle the themes, but so much is done brilliantly.
To me, "Rage" and "Profile" as far as other 'Law and Order' episodes go tackled racism especially with more tact and everything with the freedom of expression could have been more subtle. Especially with the character of Willis, who comes this close to being cartoonish and is one reason as to why there should be a limit.
On the other hand, "Hate" is excellent everywhere else. The production values as ever have slickness and grit, with an intimacy without being claustrophobic. The music has presence when it's used but does so without being intrusive, some of it is quite haunting too. The direction is also understated but the tension never slips, the second half being full of it.
Script is taut and intelligent. It is very intelligently crafted and has intensity and edge, most of it doesn't preach either and tries to not make too much of a judgement. The story is lean and pulls no punches, providing edge of the seat tension and emotion.
Character writing is spot on with genuinely tense conflict in the chemistry for the legal scenes. As is the acting from all the regulars, while Michael Cumpsty relishes his part and Paul Dawson is suitably unnerving.
In conclusion, excellent. 9/10.