Following on from where the previous episode "Intent" left off, "Gone Baby Gone" did sound tense and was very hyped up. From the looks of how it was hyped, it did look good and had the makings of a great episode if done well. Did have a little bit of doubt though, as any plotline surrounding Olivia and Noah has never entirely worked and Olivia's personal life generally in Season 19 was rather soapy (though to a varying degree). Did like the episode a lot on first watch.
"Gone Baby Gone" was a very good, in fact nearly great, episode on rewatch as well. To me, it's among the best episodes of Season 19, being one of the few to be above good (as well as the first above good one of the season) and definitely the best of the nine up to this point of the season. Not a show high point, but did find myself liking it a lot on both watches when rewatching the whole season recently and seeing many great aspects that helped make it a nearly great episode.
There are a couple of things that stopped "Gone Baby Gone" from being great. The person behind the abduction was too obvious too early, suspected them straightaway actually.
Did think that the way Noah was found was too easy.
However, there is a lot to recommend. Immediately standing out is the uniformly strong acting. Brooke Shields does panicked and obsessive so well and Mariska Hargitay excels brilliantly at being steely and vulnerable that is reminiscent of early seasons Olivia. The case is exciting, with gripping twists and turns that aren't too obvious and a tight pace. Nothing is too dull or too relentless and there is a lot of nice suspense early on.
As well as some striking character moments and interaction. Loved seeing Barba so sympathetic and he and Olivia interact so well together. Fin is amusing, the exchange between him and Dodds and the insult he says after made me smile. 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 accomodating yet also alert and here the writing is concise and has enough meat while not having too much fat.
In summary, very good. 8/10.
"Gone Baby Gone" was a very good, in fact nearly great, episode on rewatch as well. To me, it's among the best episodes of Season 19, being one of the few to be above good (as well as the first above good one of the season) and definitely the best of the nine up to this point of the season. Not a show high point, but did find myself liking it a lot on both watches when rewatching the whole season recently and seeing many great aspects that helped make it a nearly great episode.
There are a couple of things that stopped "Gone Baby Gone" from being great. The person behind the abduction was too obvious too early, suspected them straightaway actually.
Did think that the way Noah was found was too easy.
However, there is a lot to recommend. Immediately standing out is the uniformly strong acting. Brooke Shields does panicked and obsessive so well and Mariska Hargitay excels brilliantly at being steely and vulnerable that is reminiscent of early seasons Olivia. The case is exciting, with gripping twists and turns that aren't too obvious and a tight pace. Nothing is too dull or too relentless and there is a lot of nice suspense early on.
As well as some striking character moments and interaction. Loved seeing Barba so sympathetic and he and Olivia interact so well together. Fin is amusing, the exchange between him and Dodds and the insult he says after made me smile. 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 accomodating yet also alert and here the writing is concise and has enough meat while not having too much fat.
In summary, very good. 8/10.