Nearly all the previous Season 8 episodes of 'Law and Order' (my actual personal favourite of the 'Law and Order' franchise) are of a very high standard, with the only disappointments being "Blood", due to its improbability, and to a lesser extent "Under the Influence", found the story flawed there too while loving the character tension, and even they had a fair share of good things. Don't think in the early seasons that there was a single bad episode.
"Extent" is a very good and very well done episode in my view. Like other Season 8 episodes, it is a case of one half being better than the other but only really because the one half that is better is so good. It is not one of the best Season 8 episodes or a 'Law and Order' high point, but there is plenty in "Extent" that represents what was so great about 'Law and Order' in its prime and more than enough to justify the show's appeal. Which was clearly big enough for it to last so long and still rerun regularly.
As said, "Extent" is an episode where one half is better than the other. The policing portion is well acted and intrigues, but is also on the routine and "not much standing out" side.
Perhaps the ending too was a bit too hasty and over-crowded, not the first or last time with 'Law and Order.'
Once the legal stuff kicks in however, "Expert" becomes a much better episode. Where events become tauter, meatier and has more of a "more to it than what is initially seen" feel. There are also some nice clever turns in the plot, some nice tension in the legal portion and some intriguing debating on the issue. Even if nothing is innovative.
Good acting also helps. All the regulars are excellent with no exceptions. Vera Farmiga has a very interesting character that she plays with real intense committment without overdoing it.
Moreover, "Expert" is slickly photographed throughout, a perfect match for the gritty tone, and the locations are chosen well. Not many are here but the more intimate ones are not too claustrophobic. The music is only used when necessary and when it is used it does stick in the mind and not done so ham-handedly. Both the main theme and opening voice over are memorable. It is directed with a confident and sympathetic edge.
In conclusion, very good. 8/10.
"Extent" is a very good and very well done episode in my view. Like other Season 8 episodes, it is a case of one half being better than the other but only really because the one half that is better is so good. It is not one of the best Season 8 episodes or a 'Law and Order' high point, but there is plenty in "Extent" that represents what was so great about 'Law and Order' in its prime and more than enough to justify the show's appeal. Which was clearly big enough for it to last so long and still rerun regularly.
As said, "Extent" is an episode where one half is better than the other. The policing portion is well acted and intrigues, but is also on the routine and "not much standing out" side.
Perhaps the ending too was a bit too hasty and over-crowded, not the first or last time with 'Law and Order.'
Once the legal stuff kicks in however, "Expert" becomes a much better episode. Where events become tauter, meatier and has more of a "more to it than what is initially seen" feel. There are also some nice clever turns in the plot, some nice tension in the legal portion and some intriguing debating on the issue. Even if nothing is innovative.
Good acting also helps. All the regulars are excellent with no exceptions. Vera Farmiga has a very interesting character that she plays with real intense committment without overdoing it.
Moreover, "Expert" is slickly photographed throughout, a perfect match for the gritty tone, and the locations are chosen well. Not many are here but the more intimate ones are not too claustrophobic. The music is only used when necessary and when it is used it does stick in the mind and not done so ham-handedly. Both the main theme and opening voice over are memorable. It is directed with a confident and sympathetic edge.
In conclusion, very good. 8/10.
