Decided a while back (three years ago) to review all the episodes of the original 'Law and Order', 'Special Victims Unit' and 'Criminal Intent', being someone who really likes all three shows in their prime/early years. Really loved a lot of the early seasons episodes of all three shows, while also finding all three less consistent later on (with the original not feeling the same post-Briscoe and even began to lose consistency in Season 11, 'Special Victims Unit' was the one that declined the most though).
The subject matter for "Driven" was a good one and have always admired the show (as has been said a number of times) that explores challenging topics and the way it does so. Personally do think that the episode could have afforded to do even more than it did, with the subject being more complex than what is shown. "Driven" is still well above average and a marked improvement over the previous two episodes. Not one of the best of Season 18, also not one of the worst.
As said, it could have gone into more depth. What is present does intrigue and did evoke strong reactions, but it could have done with more tension and what is shown doesn't provide much that is hugely insightful (interesting still but not illuminating massively). While it does raise some interesting questions, part of me felt that the right questions were not asked and it is those questions that would given the episode more depth and dimension.
It is a bit ordinary to begin with and again the conclusion could have done with more time to explain, it's not predictable or too complex but again a bit rushed.
However, it is slickly made, nothing elaborate but it also doesn't look static and suits the gritty tone. The music isn't too melodramatic or spilling out the emotions and is not constant. The direction is assured enough, particularly in the character interaction. The script is thought provoking and doesn't come over as waffly despite there being a lot of talk.
While nothing is unexceptional here, the story still compels and is not too simple or too complicated. Also intriguing enough to make one want to read up more on the subject. After the legal portions in the previous four episodes being rather underwhelming, the legal portion is by far the most intriguing up to this point because of the issues raised, that it isn't predictable and because the characters aren't as underwritten. The acting is very good.
Overall, not great but well above average. 7/10.
The subject matter for "Driven" was a good one and have always admired the show (as has been said a number of times) that explores challenging topics and the way it does so. Personally do think that the episode could have afforded to do even more than it did, with the subject being more complex than what is shown. "Driven" is still well above average and a marked improvement over the previous two episodes. Not one of the best of Season 18, also not one of the worst.
As said, it could have gone into more depth. What is present does intrigue and did evoke strong reactions, but it could have done with more tension and what is shown doesn't provide much that is hugely insightful (interesting still but not illuminating massively). While it does raise some interesting questions, part of me felt that the right questions were not asked and it is those questions that would given the episode more depth and dimension.
It is a bit ordinary to begin with and again the conclusion could have done with more time to explain, it's not predictable or too complex but again a bit rushed.
However, it is slickly made, nothing elaborate but it also doesn't look static and suits the gritty tone. The music isn't too melodramatic or spilling out the emotions and is not constant. The direction is assured enough, particularly in the character interaction. The script is thought provoking and doesn't come over as waffly despite there being a lot of talk.
While nothing is unexceptional here, the story still compels and is not too simple or too complicated. Also intriguing enough to make one want to read up more on the subject. After the legal portions in the previous four episodes being rather underwhelming, the legal portion is by far the most intriguing up to this point because of the issues raised, that it isn't predictable and because the characters aren't as underwritten. The acting is very good.
Overall, not great but well above average. 7/10.