Have always found a lot to like about all three of the three best known and popular 'Law and Order' shows (the original 'Law and Order', 'Special Victims Unit' and 'Criminal Intent', the others are more variable). Although 'Special Victims Unit', great in the earlier seasons but less consistent in the latter ones, has topped the original as the longest-running of the franchise in terms of seasons, my personal favourite is the original, if more the Briscoe years and before.
Am always very nervous whenever this premise is tackled. The franchise has always varied when it brings religion into any argument for any topic, especially in regard to homosexuality (which it has always had a bigoted attitude towards) and sexual abuse. The original on the whole has handled religion quite well, 'Special Victims Unit' is wildly variable (especially in the latter seasons). "Church's" subject is heavy and very controversial, and the execution here pulls no punches but is a lot more intricate than it sounds.
"Church's" first quarter is somewhat ordinary and routine and also has Milena Govich's blandness and the lack of spark in her chemistry with Jesse L Martin working against it too.
So much is very good and even great. The production values are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough without being leaden and the script is tight and always intriguing, have always been left thinking hard for a while after as it is a subject worth pondering on.
While the story doesn't start off exceptionally, it is riveting and really thought provoking without being heavy handed in the second half. Other than Govich, the acting is very well done. Anson Mount is truly chilling as a reprehensible character and doesn't come over as too over the top or cartoonish.
In conclusion, very good. 8/10.
Am always very nervous whenever this premise is tackled. The franchise has always varied when it brings religion into any argument for any topic, especially in regard to homosexuality (which it has always had a bigoted attitude towards) and sexual abuse. The original on the whole has handled religion quite well, 'Special Victims Unit' is wildly variable (especially in the latter seasons). "Church's" subject is heavy and very controversial, and the execution here pulls no punches but is a lot more intricate than it sounds.
"Church's" first quarter is somewhat ordinary and routine and also has Milena Govich's blandness and the lack of spark in her chemistry with Jesse L Martin working against it too.
So much is very good and even great. The production values are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough without being leaden and the script is tight and always intriguing, have always been left thinking hard for a while after as it is a subject worth pondering on.
While the story doesn't start off exceptionally, it is riveting and really thought provoking without being heavy handed in the second half. Other than Govich, the acting is very well done. Anson Mount is truly chilling as a reprehensible character and doesn't come over as too over the top or cartoonish.
In conclusion, very good. 8/10.