The lawyer of a 14-year-old boy claims he is not responsible for the beating death of his friend because he has an extra Y chromosome and is genetically predisposed to criminal behavior.The lawyer of a 14-year-old boy claims he is not responsible for the beating death of his friend because he has an extra Y chromosome and is genetically predisposed to criminal behavior.The lawyer of a 14-year-old boy claims he is not responsible for the beating death of his friend because he has an extra Y chromosome and is genetically predisposed to criminal behavior.
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Did you know
- TriviaChris Pollit refers to Lenny Briscoe as "Brylcreem", which is a brand of hair styling products, usually marketed towards men, that originated in Britain. Brylcreem ads originated the famous line, "A Little Dab'll Do Ya!"
- GoofsWhen Dr. Olivet is examining the boy, her hair is clearly short, at shoulder length. A couple of minutes later during the trial, her hair is clearly much longer.
- Quotes
D.A. Adam Schiff: You can't force the other side to play. You put a check in the win column and you count your blessings.
Executive A.D.A. Ben Stone: In any other circumstances, that's exactly what I'd do.
D.A. Adam Schiff: Why does this kid deserve such special attention?
Executive A.D.A. Ben Stone: Because he's pleading for the wrong reason. His lawyer tells him that he's born bad. We tell him he's raised bad. He buys both stories. Sees his life as a dead end.
D.A. Adam Schiff: Maybe he knows his life better than you do. Your job is to convict not to rehabilitate.
Executive A.D.A. Ben Stone: He's a 14-year-old kid who gave up.
D.A. Adam Schiff: So you're doing him a favor.
Executive A.D.A. Ben Stone: If he gave up his illusions, right, but he gave up hope and I drove him to that. Now anything might happen to that kid in prison.
D.A. Adam Schiff: Gary Gilmore. Westley Dodd. Two unrepentant killers. Everybody wants them dead until they agree and then we turn them into folk heroes.
Executive A.D.A. Ben Stone: We had nothing to do with their fates.
D.A. Adam Schiff: You want them to start naming churches after you, I'd get another profession. Take the kid's plea. Move on to the next case.
- ConnectionsRemade as Law & Order: UK: Unloved (2009)
"Born Bad" explores this topic very well. Will also agree that this is not the best 'Law and Order' episode. It is not even one of the best and to me there are episodes in Season 4 that are quite a good deal better. Also agree that the latter half is superior to the earlier one. "Born Bad" is still a very good and very powerful episode that hits hard, provokes a lot of thought and one is left feeling a lot of emotions after watching. Definitely well worth watching.
Is it a perfect episode? Not quite, but actually there is very little wrong with it. The first quarter agreed is a little uninspired and somewhat formulaic with it not doing a lot new with familiar ground.
Other than that, "Born Bad" has so much to recommend. The production values are slick and professional, not ever resorting to cheap or untested gimmicks or anything. The music is haunting in the right places and isn't constant or too loud, and the direction gives the drama urgency and breathing space.
Writing-wise, "Born Bad" is a triumph. It's incredibly intelligent and thought-provoking, doing very well in not taking sides when exploring this difficult issue. It especially shines in the final scenes and a very telling conversation between Stone and Schiff in regard to the plea which sums the whole dilemma of the case beautifully. The story doesn't immediately grab, but the legal part of the case is incredibly compelling, exploring the subject with remarkable tact and nuance and one does care about how the case ends.
As said, "Born Bad" is incredibly powerful in the final third, with an ending that brought tears to my eyes. The acting is great from all involved, Michael Moriarty's performance is full of authority and anguish and Jerry Orbach and Chris Noth carry the crime solving with their charismatic presence and entertaining chemistry. Will Horneff is very poignant in the final scenes.
Concluding, very good. 8/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Sep 22, 2020
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