User Reviews

Of the 'Law and Order' franchise, the original, although it wasn't as good post-Briscoe, will always be my favourite. Just really admire the compelling cases some of which based on sensitive real-life cases, the way the detectives and lawyers work in getting a result with a generally equal balance, the raising of moral dilemmas, the grit and the difficult subjects and themes raised and explored.

"By Hooker By Crook" is very well crafted if not a 'Law and Order' high point. Things were still settling in, feet not being completely found, but it is so early on and the amount worthy of admiration on display is vast. It once again tackles a difficult subject and mostly handles it with tact, often really admired that of 'Law and Order', it not shying away from relevant and not easy to talk about themes and subject matters and how it approached them.

Do think that other episodes did this aspect though even better, with more depth and balance. Especially in occasionally the courtroom scenes. The characterisation though is meatier and the pace tighter, though the chemistry hasn't completely gelled yet.

Actually did find generally that the subject was handled sincerely and it did make for an appropriately uneasy watch. It is one worth talking about and is not out of date really, though more relevant then at a time where HIV/AIDS was a big issue with awareness of it increasing. Count me in as another person who really felt for Jolene when being told of her diagnosis and felt that her upset and pain was portrayed heart-wrenchingly and realistically.

The case itself is absorbing and another that makes one think hard and somewhat angry, well some kinds of emotions. At this point, 'Law and Order' was doing this very well. The dialogue is intelligently written and provokes thought, treating the case with respect and seriously without being dreary and providing some nice dry humour. The production values are as ever slick and the music is composed and placed with no real issue. The main theme is a memorable one, well all the 'Law and Order' themes were. George Dzundza and Chris Noth are suitably hard boiled and Michael Moriaty doesn't thankfully over-ripen any of the juice that the character of Stone has. Jenny Robertson stands out in support for that moment particularly.

Concluding, very well done. 8/10

When a man is found dead in the Central Park, Detectives Greevy and Logan investigate the mysterious case, since the coroner fount that the victim had a heart attack first and was beaten in the forehead later. Their further investigation discloses that a prostitute and her driver were responsible for his death. Stone and Robinette learn that there is a ring of prostitution for whom they both work disguised of catering services. Stone proposes a deal to them to catch, arrest and prosecute the owner, the wealthy Laura Winthrop.

"By Hooker, by Crook" is a good, but moralist episode of "Law & Order". The prosecution of Laura Winthrop is sometimes corny. Patricia Clarkson, as usual, has magnificent performance. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Prostituição e Morte" ("Prostitution and Death")

The scene where Jolene (Jenny Robertson) finds out she has HIV is so raw and real. This was in the days when it was still a death sentence, and her reaction was perfect.

Some prosperous looking gentleman is found with a cracked skull and sustaining a heart attack in Central Park. The position of his underwear indicates he might have been having a recent sexual experience. At first it's assault that George Dzundza and Chris Noth are investigating, but it turns to murder after the victim dies.

It's a torturous investigation, but our detectives uncover a prostitution ring that is run by one upper crust madam played by Patricia Clarkson. And since she caters to the wealthy and mighty a lot of them have a vested interest in seeing she does not go down, at least to the criminal justice system.

Prostitution is the victimless crime some would argue, but Michael Moriarty and Richard Brooks do find some victims and not just of the assault the deceased sustained at the hands of her driver Byron Utley.

Personally I would have taken the slam dunk conviction of Utley who they have dead bang. But that way we couldn't have gotten a story obviously based on the Mayflower Madam.