On first watch, the title of the episode did strike me as curious and when seeing the episode irrelevant. Digging deeper into the meaning of the title, it made more sense. There is actually more than one definition of "Good Child", but the one that makes the most sense within the context of the story is it referencing a character that appears very respectful on the outside but deep down is one that hides appalling secrets and would do anything to keep it that way.
"The Good Child" on recent re-watch, one of two, still strikes me as a very well done episode with a number of great things. It does though feel like a let down after such an incredible previous episode ("Shibboleth") and the season showed many times that it could be great. Something that overall "The Good Child" didn't quite get to being. If it slowed down and did less it would have been even better than it turned out. Liked the episode but didn't love it.
It is not a bad thing that it is an eventful episode, but part of me did feel that it tried to do too much so it can have an over-stuffed feel. Which does sometimes affect the cohesion, with not everything being easy to follow and as said it did for me leave questions swimming around in my head.
Something that would have been solved if the pace had slowed down a little and was a little longer.
However, there is a lot that is good about "The Good Child". The episode is slick-looking and visually doesn't try to do anything too fancy or indulgent while also not being too safe. The music is not too dramatic and to me doesn't over-emphasise. Enough of the script intrigues and entertains, Goren's perceptions and such are as apt and amusing as one expects. The story is diverting enough and when things start to come together it's clever stuff.
Absolutely loved the scene between Goren and the female jewellery store clerk, as well as his rapport with Eames. Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe are spot on and seeing Melissa Leo pre-'The Fighter' in a similarly strong performance was interesting. Although the character is a fairly obvious one, John Shea gives it his all and is both fun and unnerving.
Summing up, pretty good but not great. 7/10
"The Good Child" on recent re-watch, one of two, still strikes me as a very well done episode with a number of great things. It does though feel like a let down after such an incredible previous episode ("Shibboleth") and the season showed many times that it could be great. Something that overall "The Good Child" didn't quite get to being. If it slowed down and did less it would have been even better than it turned out. Liked the episode but didn't love it.
It is not a bad thing that it is an eventful episode, but part of me did feel that it tried to do too much so it can have an over-stuffed feel. Which does sometimes affect the cohesion, with not everything being easy to follow and as said it did for me leave questions swimming around in my head.
Something that would have been solved if the pace had slowed down a little and was a little longer.
However, there is a lot that is good about "The Good Child". The episode is slick-looking and visually doesn't try to do anything too fancy or indulgent while also not being too safe. The music is not too dramatic and to me doesn't over-emphasise. Enough of the script intrigues and entertains, Goren's perceptions and such are as apt and amusing as one expects. The story is diverting enough and when things start to come together it's clever stuff.
Absolutely loved the scene between Goren and the female jewellery store clerk, as well as his rapport with Eames. Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe are spot on and seeing Melissa Leo pre-'The Fighter' in a similarly strong performance was interesting. Although the character is a fairly obvious one, John Shea gives it his all and is both fun and unnerving.
Summing up, pretty good but not great. 7/10