Did a struggling contractor intentionally blow up the building he was working on, or was he the intended target of the explosion?Did a struggling contractor intentionally blow up the building he was working on, or was he the intended target of the explosion?Did a struggling contractor intentionally blow up the building he was working on, or was he the intended target of the explosion?
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- TriviaThe characters played by Robert John Burke and Skipp Sudduth are both arrested by the NYPD. Both went on to play recurring roles as NYPD officers, Burke on both Person of Interest (2011) and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) and Sudduth on Third Watch (1999).
- GoofsThe demolition expert says "support beams and tie girders". Beams (used to support floors) and girders (used to support other beams and portions of floors) are both horizontal structural members. They only carry the weight of the floor, furniture, and people. Columns, on the other hand, are major vertical structural members that carry the weight of the building- including the weight from the beams and girders tied to them. They are always fitted with explosives in order to demolish a building. He should have said "... columns and beams ...".
- Quotes
Judge Eric Caffey: Let me get this straight. You want me to undo a jury conviction?
Jack McCoy: The jury was wrong.
Judge Eric Caffey: Did someone commit perjury?
Jack McCoy: No.
Judge Eric Caffey: Was evidence wrongfully admitted?
Jack McCoy: No.
Judge Eric Caffey: Did I commit reversible error?
Jack McCoy: No, your honor.
Judge Eric Caffey: Twelve people sat in the jury box. They listened to the evidence which you so articulately presented over the course of eight days. After that they decided in their heart of hearts that Hank Chappel deserves to spend the rest of his life in prison. Who are we to argue?
Jack McCoy: The problem is that Hank Chappel is innocent.
Judge Eric Caffey: The problem is that you changed your mind. But you're the prosecutor, not the jury, so what you think doesn't count.
Jack McCoy: This is absurd!
Judge Eric Caffey: This is the American system of justice, and I believe in it. Don't you?
- ConnectionsReferences What's My Line? (1950)
"Act of God" is not quite great, though it actually nearly is thanks to its great first half, and not quite a return to form or on the same level as the likes of "Rage" and "White Rabbit". It is better though than the previous two episodes and, despite not being a unique episode as such, was very enjoyable and interesting. "Act of God" certainly didn't waste Briscoe and actually made the most of his more prominent role in the story, including him being the one to get to the real truth.
Is "Act of God" quite perfect? No. It is agreed a case of the first half being better than the second half. Actually loved the first half while the second ran out of steam and on the whole became too conventional and too reliant on familiar plot tropes, apart from the interesting tricks the DA office play to prove the convicted innocent. Which made the tension dissipate a bit. While the motive was a surprise the perpetrator actually wasn't massively once the suspect list is narrowed down.
McCoy's conduct here is both unprofessional and jerk-ish, how Briscoe still stayed on good terms with him after being torn apart like that is quite a big mystery. Despite saying otherwise after, what was said actually did sound personal.
There is a huge amount to admire though about "Act of God". It is shot with the right amount of intimacy without being claustrophobic and that the editing has become increasingly tighter over-time has been great too. Nice use of locations too. The music doesn't get over-scored or overwrought, even in the more dramatic revelation moments. The direction doesn't try to do too much and is understated but never flat or unsure. The writing is intelligent and although, like the show in general, there is a lot of talk it doesn't feel long-winded. Briscoe's one liners and the scene where he is on the stand are especially well written.
Despite not being perfect, the story does engross and benefits hugely from a great and classic whodunnit-like first half complete with a hard hitting opening. Briscoe really shines here, especially when on the stand, as does the chemistry between the characters. Jerry Orbach and Steve Harris (as somebody you don't want to mess with) get the acting honours.
Overall, very well done. 8/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Dec 24, 2020