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 and sexual abuse. Was interested though in how it would explore whether a murder was carried out through influence (a familiar theme for the franchise but not so much powerful religious figures). The original on the whole has handled religion quite well, 'Special Victims Unit' is wildly variable (especially in the latter seasons). "Angelgrove's" subject is heavy and very controversial, and the execution here pulls no punches but is a lot more intricate than it sounds.
The first quarter is somewhat ordinary and routine from not doing an awful lot new with not so novel territory, the exception being the brutal and different murder method.
Did think that the conclusion was on the rushed side, which was not uncommon for the show or of this season. Am also continuing to be a little frustrated by the underuse of McCoy.
However, "Angelgrove" succeeds a lot more than it didn't. 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 and while the execution is unyielding and extremely disturbing it didn't feel too much of one side in its tackling of the relevant issues of free speech and violence incitement. The acting is very good from all the regulars, and there are two particularly strong supporting performances from Will Denton and even more so against type Sean Astin.
Very solid on the whole. 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 and sexual abuse. Was interested though in how it would explore whether a murder was carried out through influence (a familiar theme for the franchise but not so much powerful religious figures). The original on the whole has handled religion quite well, 'Special Victims Unit' is wildly variable (especially in the latter seasons). "Angelgrove's" subject is heavy and very controversial, and the execution here pulls no punches but is a lot more intricate than it sounds.
The first quarter is somewhat ordinary and routine from not doing an awful lot new with not so novel territory, the exception being the brutal and different murder method.
Did think that the conclusion was on the rushed side, which was not uncommon for the show or of this season. Am also continuing to be a little frustrated by the underuse of McCoy.
However, "Angelgrove" succeeds a lot more than it didn't. 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 and while the execution is unyielding and extremely disturbing it didn't feel too much of one side in its tackling of the relevant issues of free speech and violence incitement. The acting is very good from all the regulars, and there are two particularly strong supporting performances from Will Denton and even more so against type Sean Astin.
Very solid on the whole. 8/10.