Whether one likes this episode is dependent on your feelings on the character of Serena Southerlyn, who plays a major role here. If one is in the camp of fans that dislike her (and there are many, hate her even), they are very likely to not care for this episode. If one likes her, there will be some appeal here. Of the 'Law and Order' regular characters, Southerlyn has always been one of my least favourites and even my least favourite.
Despite being one of the highest rated Season 12 episodes, this did nothing to change my thoughts on her and therefore it didn't do much for me. It is not a terrible episode, and there are things that are done well. Giving the episode a lower rating than given would not be fair on the rest of the cast and the few other things that work. It is just undone by one aspect that is bad enough to make it hard to give it a high score. Am saying this with regret.
There are good things here. As usual for 'Law and Order' and its spin offs, 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 sympathetic enough without being leaden, while never being particularly inspired.
Moreover, the writing has enough moments where it provokes thought and is intriguing. The episode starts off very well and there is a degree of tension. Most of the cast are fine, with Sam Waterston being authoritative and Gene Silvers being very sinister.
Like all her previous appearances and it never got any better, Elisabeth Rohm is robotic and fails to show any urgency or vulnerability. As said, the episode does nothing to change my negative feelings of Southerlyn, her personality is barely there and this felt like a (failed) attempt at trying to make her more interesting. Here she may have had good intentions to begin with but comes over as inept in conduct and for the first time in 'Law and Order' history this was an episode whether it was hard to care or root for a main's character's situation.
Generally the script could have been tighter, with the second half being a little too talk heavy, and after the outcome of the hostage situation the story got thinner and the tension went. Meaning that instead of riveting the story became routine and has very few surprises, as the outcome is never really in doubt.
In conclusion, didn't do it for me. 5/10.