The topic in "Official Story" is the kind that can go either way in execution, and the type of story likewise. It can either be tactful yet uncompromising, or it could be one sided and preachy. Have seen both extremes throughout the franchise in terms of the representation of the military, and don't always like it when they are portrayed in a negative light because of that they go through so much and because of having such respect for what they do.
"Official Story" always has come over as a somewhat interesting but inconsistent episode, with a nice idea executed unevenly and in sometimes a way that doesn't feel enough like it comes from the franchise. It is the sort of episode, one of quite a lot in the latter seasons, that starts off really, really well but suffers from trying too hard in the second half and that it is less than subtle when it comes to its representation of the military. Worth seeing but not an essential.
A lot of good things can be seen here. Production values are still slick and suitably gritty (without being too heavy in it). The music is not too melodramatic and is not used too much, even not being too manipulative in revelations. The direction lets the drama breathe while making sure that the tension and emotion never slipped. Most of the script is very thought provoking and taut.
Like has been said already, "Official Story" starts off incredibly well. Being very compelling and unsettling, it also feels like 'Special Victims Unit' in the first third. The regular acting is very good, likewise with the supporting cast. Have never seen John Doman this loathsome, and his character is one of the season's most hissable.
However, "Official Story" does try to do too much in the second half, with too many plot strands which gives a rushed and over-complicated feel. Really did not care for the rather heavy handed and one sided portrayal of the military, who are shown as every bit as sloppy as the SVU (and the SVU are really sloppy here, "True Believers" was the only other episode of Season 13 to be worse in this regard).
It does get too silly towards the end, in a way that could have passed for an episode of any other show than any 'Law and Order' incarnation. Harry Connick Jr makes his first appearance on the show and does not make a good impression, he comes over as very stiff and lifeless.
Concluding, interesting but inconsistent. 6/10.
"Official Story" always has come over as a somewhat interesting but inconsistent episode, with a nice idea executed unevenly and in sometimes a way that doesn't feel enough like it comes from the franchise. It is the sort of episode, one of quite a lot in the latter seasons, that starts off really, really well but suffers from trying too hard in the second half and that it is less than subtle when it comes to its representation of the military. Worth seeing but not an essential.
A lot of good things can be seen here. Production values are still slick and suitably gritty (without being too heavy in it). The music is not too melodramatic and is not used too much, even not being too manipulative in revelations. The direction lets the drama breathe while making sure that the tension and emotion never slipped. Most of the script is very thought provoking and taut.
Like has been said already, "Official Story" starts off incredibly well. Being very compelling and unsettling, it also feels like 'Special Victims Unit' in the first third. The regular acting is very good, likewise with the supporting cast. Have never seen John Doman this loathsome, and his character is one of the season's most hissable.
However, "Official Story" does try to do too much in the second half, with too many plot strands which gives a rushed and over-complicated feel. Really did not care for the rather heavy handed and one sided portrayal of the military, who are shown as every bit as sloppy as the SVU (and the SVU are really sloppy here, "True Believers" was the only other episode of Season 13 to be worse in this regard).
It does get too silly towards the end, in a way that could have passed for an episode of any other show than any 'Law and Order' incarnation. Harry Connick Jr makes his first appearance on the show and does not make a good impression, he comes over as very stiff and lifeless.
Concluding, interesting but inconsistent. 6/10.