Have always found a lot to like about all three of the three best known and popular 'Law and Order' shows (the original 'Law and Order', 'Special Victims Unit' and 'Criminal Intent', the others are more variable). Although 'Special Victims Unit', great in the earlier seasons but less consistent in the latter ones, has topped the original as the longest-running of the franchise in terms of seasons, my personal favourite is the original, if more the Briscoe years and before.
"House of Cards" is a very good episode, if not quite great. Though it does have a lot of great things, most of which being the usual ones. It's not one of the best episodes of a remarkably very good Season 16, not a 'Law and Order' high point and is not as good or as powerful as the wonderful previous outing "Birthright". A 'Law and Order' high point it might not be, but "House of Cards" for a post-Briscoe episode where the show felt very different really doesn't come off too shabbily, not at all.
It isn't perfect. Do have to agree that the link between the two women could have been a lot less vague, interesting idea not gone into anywhere near enough detail.
Maybe it is a little bit of a slow starter too.
However, a lot is great. Photography and such as usual are fully professional, the slickness still remaining. The music is used sparingly and is haunting and non-overwrought when it is used, and it's mainly used when a crucial revelation or plot development is revealed. The direction has nice and at its best (such as towards and at the end) thrilling tension while keeping things steady, without going too far the other way. The script is intelligent and contains very little fat.
The story is very engrossing on the whole, with it being riveting once it comes to trial. The case's moral dilemmas fascinates and don't preach, while the twists and turns are suitably complex without being too much so. Lots of intrigue here. The performances all round are extremely good, do not agree about Borgia being a limp character and have always felt that she didn't have enough time on the show to come into her own. Much preferred her over the robotic deadweight that was Southerlyn.
Concluding, very good. 8/10.
"House of Cards" is a very good episode, if not quite great. Though it does have a lot of great things, most of which being the usual ones. It's not one of the best episodes of a remarkably very good Season 16, not a 'Law and Order' high point and is not as good or as powerful as the wonderful previous outing "Birthright". A 'Law and Order' high point it might not be, but "House of Cards" for a post-Briscoe episode where the show felt very different really doesn't come off too shabbily, not at all.
It isn't perfect. Do have to agree that the link between the two women could have been a lot less vague, interesting idea not gone into anywhere near enough detail.
Maybe it is a little bit of a slow starter too.
However, a lot is great. Photography and such as usual are fully professional, the slickness still remaining. The music is used sparingly and is haunting and non-overwrought when it is used, and it's mainly used when a crucial revelation or plot development is revealed. The direction has nice and at its best (such as towards and at the end) thrilling tension while keeping things steady, without going too far the other way. The script is intelligent and contains very little fat.
The story is very engrossing on the whole, with it being riveting once it comes to trial. The case's moral dilemmas fascinates and don't preach, while the twists and turns are suitably complex without being too much so. Lots of intrigue here. The performances all round are extremely good, do not agree about Borgia being a limp character and have always felt that she didn't have enough time on the show to come into her own. Much preferred her over the robotic deadweight that was Southerlyn.
Concluding, very good. 8/10.