"Open Season" is one of those episodes where it is very easy to tell from the basic plot summary that it was not going to be an easy watch. Not just that, but also the subject matter which is as hard hitting as one could get. One though that is not always easy to explore tactfully and it is easy to come over as preachy and/or one sided. Didn't have much doubt though that it would be done at least acceptably, as this has been done before in the franchise and extremely well.
This is a brilliant episode and one of the best of Season 13, while the season was a solid one not many episodes were outstanding. "Open Season" is one of those, and it was remarkable that a difficult subject matter (one of the season's most difficult) was handled so uncompromisingly but also tastefully too (not easy at all to get this balance right). This could easily could have turned into too much of a political statement but luckily did not.
So many truly fine things here. Have nothing to fault the production values for, which are suitably slick and gritty without being static or gimmicky. Or with the music, used relatively sparingly and didn't sound over-scored or over-emphasised. It is a dependably directed episode that hits its stride in the second half and excels in the character interaction, especially between McCoy and Melnick.
Dialogue is taut and thought-provoking with a nice amount of edge, especially in the increasing tensions in the legal scenes. There is a lot of information to take in but it doesn't feel like too much and absolutely no sides are taken. The story maintains full attention throughout and has real tension and emotional impact, especially later on as things get more complex without being convoluted. There were to me a number of 'Law and Order' episodes where the second half was better than the first, but "Open Season" is one of those episodes where the two halves were equally strong (though the more complex second half gets the slight edge). It pulls no punches but also sensitive enough to avoid preachiness.
Melnick is fascinatingly written here and is more fleshed out than most defense attorneys. She could easily have been another defense attorney that makes ridiculous or offensive arguments or have been as bad in attitude as the perpetrator (think John Laroquette's character in a 'Special Victims Unit' episode). While it is on paper inconcievable at how anybody could defend somebody who should never be worth defending, her point of view is more understandable than most defense attorneys, she comes over as a flawed character doing her job and doesn't resort to either of those mentioned traps.
All the acting is excellent, Sam Waterston and Tovah Feldshuk with the meatiest material taking the acting honours. Jerry Orbach and Jesse L Martin are spot on too, as is their chemistry, while Garret Dillahunt guarantees chills.
In conclusion, brilliant. 10/10.
This is a brilliant episode and one of the best of Season 13, while the season was a solid one not many episodes were outstanding. "Open Season" is one of those, and it was remarkable that a difficult subject matter (one of the season's most difficult) was handled so uncompromisingly but also tastefully too (not easy at all to get this balance right). This could easily could have turned into too much of a political statement but luckily did not.
So many truly fine things here. Have nothing to fault the production values for, which are suitably slick and gritty without being static or gimmicky. Or with the music, used relatively sparingly and didn't sound over-scored or over-emphasised. It is a dependably directed episode that hits its stride in the second half and excels in the character interaction, especially between McCoy and Melnick.
Dialogue is taut and thought-provoking with a nice amount of edge, especially in the increasing tensions in the legal scenes. There is a lot of information to take in but it doesn't feel like too much and absolutely no sides are taken. The story maintains full attention throughout and has real tension and emotional impact, especially later on as things get more complex without being convoluted. There were to me a number of 'Law and Order' episodes where the second half was better than the first, but "Open Season" is one of those episodes where the two halves were equally strong (though the more complex second half gets the slight edge). It pulls no punches but also sensitive enough to avoid preachiness.
Melnick is fascinatingly written here and is more fleshed out than most defense attorneys. She could easily have been another defense attorney that makes ridiculous or offensive arguments or have been as bad in attitude as the perpetrator (think John Laroquette's character in a 'Special Victims Unit' episode). While it is on paper inconcievable at how anybody could defend somebody who should never be worth defending, her point of view is more understandable than most defense attorneys, she comes over as a flawed character doing her job and doesn't resort to either of those mentioned traps.
All the acting is excellent, Sam Waterston and Tovah Feldshuk with the meatiest material taking the acting honours. Jerry Orbach and Jesse L Martin are spot on too, as is their chemistry, while Garret Dillahunt guarantees chills.
In conclusion, brilliant. 10/10.