Actually started watching 'Law and Order' from the later episodes of the Briscoe and Green period. Seeing the whole Briscoe and Green period overtime, it came to me that some of the earlier episodes were among the best from it. The previous episodes were mostly of an incredibly high standard and most of the season's episodes in general ranged between very good and great. "Deadlock" left a big impression on me on first watch, in a good way.
My big impression on me in a good way reaction is pretty much the same now in a very strong contender for the best episode of Season 17. "Deadlock" is a wonderful and powerful episode, and while there were some great episodes in Season 17 there were not many that were pretty much flawless. Yet "Deadlock" is one of them, even the aspect that was a big issue throughout the season (Cassady, who was mostly not an interesting character) didn't bother me this time.
"Deadlock" has so many things that are good. The production values are suitably slick and gritty, with photography that is reliant on close ups that have an intimacy without being too claustrophobic. The music is didn't come over as too melodramatic or like it was emphasising the emotion too much. The direction is sympathetic while still giving momentum.
The writing is intelligent and although, like the show in general, there is a lot of talk (as always for the 'Law and Order' franchise) it doesn't feel like there is too much or too loose. The moral dilemmas of how to approach the case being sensitively but not in a sugar-coated way handled. There is a lot of tension, especially in the middle act with the heart-stopping scene in the school. The story is very absorbing throughout, especially in the early portions this time.
Can't fault the acting, with all the regulars on point (one of the few times where Milena Govich was not an issue) and Craig Walker is the personification of evil.
Summing up, wonderful. 10/10.
My big impression on me in a good way reaction is pretty much the same now in a very strong contender for the best episode of Season 17. "Deadlock" is a wonderful and powerful episode, and while there were some great episodes in Season 17 there were not many that were pretty much flawless. Yet "Deadlock" is one of them, even the aspect that was a big issue throughout the season (Cassady, who was mostly not an interesting character) didn't bother me this time.
"Deadlock" has so many things that are good. The production values are suitably slick and gritty, with photography that is reliant on close ups that have an intimacy without being too claustrophobic. The music is didn't come over as too melodramatic or like it was emphasising the emotion too much. The direction is sympathetic while still giving momentum.
The writing is intelligent and although, like the show in general, there is a lot of talk (as always for the 'Law and Order' franchise) it doesn't feel like there is too much or too loose. The moral dilemmas of how to approach the case being sensitively but not in a sugar-coated way handled. There is a lot of tension, especially in the middle act with the heart-stopping scene in the school. The story is very absorbing throughout, especially in the early portions this time.
Can't fault the acting, with all the regulars on point (one of the few times where Milena Govich was not an issue) and Craig Walker is the personification of evil.
Summing up, wonderful. 10/10.