'Law and Order' was a brilliant show in its prime and overall is actually my favourite of the 'Law and Order' franchise and out of it, 'Special Victims Unit' (the longest running) and 'Criminal Intent'. Despite not feeling the same post-Briscoe. 'Special Victims Unit' started off brilliantly, but became hit and miss Season 7 onwards and has not lived up to the early seasons generally for a long time. 'Criminal Intent' also was truly fine in its early seasons, but became wildly inconsistent mid-run.
"Vendetta" for me is not one of the best 'Law and Order' episodes or even one of the best of Season 14, which on the whole was re-watching it recently is very solid. It is still a good if uneven episode, that has a lot to like with the best things being great but also a few frustrations that could have been avoided. Really did like the idea for "Vendetta" and there was a great outing in there somewhere that doesn't quite make it.
Beginning with what could have been better, "Vendetta" did feel rather incomplete. Some of the storytelling was on the rushed and jumpy side and the resolution is not much of one. The victim is also very underdeveloped.
Elisabeth Rohm continues to be stiff and emotionless.
However, a lot works. The production values are slick and have a subtle grit, with an intimacy to the photography without being too claustrophobic. The music isn't used too much and doesn't get too melodramatic. The direction is sympathetic but also alert. The acting is very good from almost everyone, David Warsofsky plays an interesting character with conviction and Sam Waterston stands out particularly here of the regulars.
Writing is very thought-provoking and felt real. It is also taut, intelligent and well balanced, and while the story is a long way from perfect it does engross and doesn't come over as obvious. The legal portion has the right amount of tension.
Overall, pretty good but not great. 7/10.
"Vendetta" for me is not one of the best 'Law and Order' episodes or even one of the best of Season 14, which on the whole was re-watching it recently is very solid. It is still a good if uneven episode, that has a lot to like with the best things being great but also a few frustrations that could have been avoided. Really did like the idea for "Vendetta" and there was a great outing in there somewhere that doesn't quite make it.
Beginning with what could have been better, "Vendetta" did feel rather incomplete. Some of the storytelling was on the rushed and jumpy side and the resolution is not much of one. The victim is also very underdeveloped.
Elisabeth Rohm continues to be stiff and emotionless.
However, a lot works. The production values are slick and have a subtle grit, with an intimacy to the photography without being too claustrophobic. The music isn't used too much and doesn't get too melodramatic. The direction is sympathetic but also alert. The acting is very good from almost everyone, David Warsofsky plays an interesting character with conviction and Sam Waterston stands out particularly here of the regulars.
Writing is very thought-provoking and felt real. It is also taut, intelligent and well balanced, and while the story is a long way from perfect it does engross and doesn't come over as obvious. The legal portion has the right amount of tension.
Overall, pretty good but not great. 7/10.