While others have covered the ins and outs of the plots here well, I'd just like to add that in 7 odd seasons thu sfar, this as the wittiest script they had ever used in Law and Order. McCoy, Rubirosa, Madchen Amick's vituperative lawyer and even Branch all get to trade dry, wry and shrewish barbs hither, tither and yon and all then contrive to pull a swifty on the doer to get a confession at the end. It's a makeweight story that punches above it's weight because of the clever, clever script.
5 Reviews
Not so sweet home
TheLittleSongbird4 September 2022
Have loved the original 'Law and Order' for a long time, particularly the earlier seasons, and consider it my personal favourite of the 'Law and Order' franchise. "Home Sweet" on paper immediately intrigued, to some (not me) it may seem too basic and ordinary. 'Law and Order' does have a good track record at making something great and more complex than expected out of stories that don't sound out of the ordinary on paper.
Especially after being very impressed by the previous two Season 17 episodes, despite Cassady not clicking with me. "Home Sweet" doesn't disappoint and is another very good episode that is perhaps even better than "Fame" and "Avatar". It is a case of the second half being even better than the first, but it is very good throughout and pretty outstanding in the second half. As far as Season 17 goes, it is one of the better ones as an overall whole.
Still haven't warmed to Cassady and Milena Govich always came over as bland, the only times where they showed any glimpses of personality was when Cassady is stubborn and even that doesn't set off many fireworks.
Maybe the first quarter is on the slightly routine side.
On the other hand, there is very little wrong. It does look good, with the usual slickness and subtle grit. Really liked too that the photography was simple and close up but doing so without being claustrophobic. The music has presence when used, and luckily it isn't constant, and when it is used it doesn't feel over-scored. The direction allows the drama to breathe while still giving it momentum as well.
The script is one of the tautest, most thought probing and wittiest of the season and in a long time. Especially those wry, shrewish quips that pepper the second half. Goodwyn getting some of the best of them. While most of the first half thoroughly absorbs, the second half is pretty much a revelation and both entertaining (for the quips) and tense (for its unyielding approach to a tough subject). The truth is also a real shock and makes the perpetrator come off even worse than they already are.
Govich aside, the acting is very strong. Sam Waterston and wonderfully snake-like Madchen Amick give scorching performances and Alana De La Garza again proves why Rubirosa is the best assistant ADA since Carmichael. Nora Dunn sends chills down the spine.
Summing up, very good with outstanding elements. 8/10.
Especially after being very impressed by the previous two Season 17 episodes, despite Cassady not clicking with me. "Home Sweet" doesn't disappoint and is another very good episode that is perhaps even better than "Fame" and "Avatar". It is a case of the second half being even better than the first, but it is very good throughout and pretty outstanding in the second half. As far as Season 17 goes, it is one of the better ones as an overall whole.
Still haven't warmed to Cassady and Milena Govich always came over as bland, the only times where they showed any glimpses of personality was when Cassady is stubborn and even that doesn't set off many fireworks.
Maybe the first quarter is on the slightly routine side.
On the other hand, there is very little wrong. It does look good, with the usual slickness and subtle grit. Really liked too that the photography was simple and close up but doing so without being claustrophobic. The music has presence when used, and luckily it isn't constant, and when it is used it doesn't feel over-scored. The direction allows the drama to breathe while still giving it momentum as well.
The script is one of the tautest, most thought probing and wittiest of the season and in a long time. Especially those wry, shrewish quips that pepper the second half. Goodwyn getting some of the best of them. While most of the first half thoroughly absorbs, the second half is pretty much a revelation and both entertaining (for the quips) and tense (for its unyielding approach to a tough subject). The truth is also a real shock and makes the perpetrator come off even worse than they already are.
Govich aside, the acting is very strong. Sam Waterston and wonderfully snake-like Madchen Amick give scorching performances and Alana De La Garza again proves why Rubirosa is the best assistant ADA since Carmichael. Nora Dunn sends chills down the spine.
Summing up, very good with outstanding elements. 8/10.
How are you, Alissa? Better than you, Jack.
Mrpalli7721 January 2018
A little girl took her doll left on the sidewalk when suddenly the nearby building blew up, buried her under debrises (she died shortly after). Maybe something related to gas pipes caused the accident and it looked like arson. The "Green people" who wanted to preserve city gardens had an argument with the owner (he survived the explosion with minor injuries), a middle aged mild man who came from a rich family even if he lost much of his wealth over divorce agreements; anyway the wife (Nora Dunn) had to wait for the money because her ex-husband didn't want to sell his property; furthermore she had knowledge as electrician. The lack of evidences led the judge to dismiss the case, anyway she had conflict of interests forcing her to do that thing. So the trial started, but the reality was very different from what it seemed....
McCoy had to deal with his second former wife, who played the defense attorney: a vicious snake, with bad manners. With Rubirosa is hate at first sight.
McCoy had to deal with his second former wife, who played the defense attorney: a vicious snake, with bad manners. With Rubirosa is hate at first sight.
10/10 - Bring The HAMMER
hiltonsmithjr12 February 2020
The Old Girl Network
bkoganbing12 May 2013
It's a case of deliberate arson of an old Manhattan town house that Jesse Green and Mila Govich are assigned in this Law And Order episode. The episode opens up with it blown up and a little girl passing by killed in the flying debris.
The owner inside Robert Edward Lunney miraculously escapes with only some minor injuries. But we still have a homicide of a child to investigate so it's not strictly in the hands of the fire marshals.
Sam Waterston and Alana DeLa Garza build a strong case against the former wife Nora Dunn who has a background in electricity as it was sabotaged wiring and gas line that did the deed. Her father was an electrician.
She married a trust fund baby in Lunney who is owing her big time in back alimony. For that reason she gets high priced Gloria Allred like attorney in Madchen Amick to defend her.
And she nearly gets the case scratched before it goes to court. The judge says the indictment is legally insufficient, but she's part of the new old girl's network so her motives are suspicious.
Dunn is a truly hateful individual. For all her whining about her missed alimony she squeeze 5 million out of the 20 million owed her by Lunney. Nothing says she can't go to work herself. And no real concern about the 8 year old who died in the arson.
The truth proves illusive, but not for long. Kudos here go to Alana DeLa Garza who in a mountain of paperwork discovers the real truth behind the arson. Quite a truth it is too.
The owner inside Robert Edward Lunney miraculously escapes with only some minor injuries. But we still have a homicide of a child to investigate so it's not strictly in the hands of the fire marshals.
Sam Waterston and Alana DeLa Garza build a strong case against the former wife Nora Dunn who has a background in electricity as it was sabotaged wiring and gas line that did the deed. Her father was an electrician.
She married a trust fund baby in Lunney who is owing her big time in back alimony. For that reason she gets high priced Gloria Allred like attorney in Madchen Amick to defend her.
And she nearly gets the case scratched before it goes to court. The judge says the indictment is legally insufficient, but she's part of the new old girl's network so her motives are suspicious.
Dunn is a truly hateful individual. For all her whining about her missed alimony she squeeze 5 million out of the 20 million owed her by Lunney. Nothing says she can't go to work herself. And no real concern about the 8 year old who died in the arson.
The truth proves illusive, but not for long. Kudos here go to Alana DeLa Garza who in a mountain of paperwork discovers the real truth behind the arson. Quite a truth it is too.
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