doubt anyone will ever read this, but i feel compelled to make a note. unlike the reviewers before me, responded to this episode with a great deal of empathy and compassion for the "criminal". granted it's been forever since i've seen it - and wish i could watch it again now to get a second take. but what i remember is that the episode tried to depict what the chronic, life-threatening illness of depression can do to a person, and thereby those around. i'm not talking the blues, feeling down, having a bad week. i'm talking the dysfunction of the brain and psyche that leads someone to feel their life isn't worth living, and the desire to free oneself through death. *if you have never felt this way, it might be impossible for you to understand, or for someone to convey to you*. all i can say for now is that i myself get it, and i would wish this actual illness on no one in the history of time. please educate yourself on the differences between narcissism and depression. they may overlap in some cases, but what's going on inside of most severely depressed people is simply out of control loathing and despair for themselves/their own lives. and it's very tricky to control the effect this may have on others in their world.
7 Reviews
Chronic Depression, can be as serious of a mental health issue as...
labenji-1216313 December 2020
Severe depression can be as serious a mental health issue as schizophrenia, in that it is not so mild that a person can just "shake it off" or "get over it". Those who suffer from depression, can have no underline causes (death, divorce, abuse, etc.) it can be a condition at birth. So please educate yourselves before being so dismissive, that even children as young as 7 and 8 have been diagnosed-- with feelings of deep sadness and hopelessness without cause.
That does not excuse the character's actions and responsibility for his actions, however, the intent to kill others was not there, so the punishment did not fit the crime. He needed psychiatric care, not imprisonment for life--I mean, how many of us would have thought the train would have crushed the car without causing major damage to the locomotive?!
That does not excuse the character's actions and responsibility for his actions, however, the intent to kill others was not there, so the punishment did not fit the crime. He needed psychiatric care, not imprisonment for life--I mean, how many of us would have thought the train would have crushed the car without causing major damage to the locomotive?!
Under stress
TheLittleSongbird29 July 2022
Season 15 was rather up and down as a season. There were a lot of good and more episodes, namely "Gunplay" and "Cut", and many great guest turns. A few episodes did underwhelm, particularly the previous two episodes and the season started shaky. It also has one of the franchise's worst ever endings (Southerlyn's notorious exit) and the previous episode had one of the show's most frustrating and cheated feeling verdicts. It is not easy to not expect a lot from a season finale, though with some weak ones out there hopes are never too high.
"Locomotion" is not too bad a season finale, being neither one of the best or worst episodes of Season 15 (in the middle). It is an uneven episode, with one half being much better than the other, and considering the subject it could have been a lot more harrowing than it was. Credit is due though for even attempting an issue that is a very complex one, one too that hits home with me, and doing so in a way that didn't come over as judgemental or one sided.
The good things are many. The photography while very close up doesn't come over as too static or filmed play-like, while the production values are typically solid and have subtle atmosphere while not being drab and keeping things simple. When the music is used it is haunting and has a melancholic edge that is not overdone. The episode is sympathetically yet uncompromisingly directed.
Most of the writing is thoughtful and gritty, with no signs of rambling. The story is intriguing and has the right amount of tension and emotional investment. The investigative elements are cohesive and has grit, while the legals portion is very compelling and thought provoking at first. The acting is very good from most of the regulars, Sam Waterston especially, while a harrowing, deeply felt Joseph Lyle Taylor as a very interesting defendant is even better. The subject matter handling is laudable and is generally tactful.
Jesse L Martin's temporary replacement, while he filmed 'Rent', Michael Imperoli always came over as bland when he appeared and this is no exception. He and Dennis Farina never quite gelled as a partnership.
Did find the latter stages of the second half on the heavy handed and predictable side and that the episode did lose a little momentum towards the end in pace and surprises. The ending didn't really leave me satisfied, the verdict was right but the punishment considering the state of mind of the perpetrator was too harsh. It also felt rushed.
In conclusion, decent finale though it could have been better. 7/10.
"Locomotion" is not too bad a season finale, being neither one of the best or worst episodes of Season 15 (in the middle). It is an uneven episode, with one half being much better than the other, and considering the subject it could have been a lot more harrowing than it was. Credit is due though for even attempting an issue that is a very complex one, one too that hits home with me, and doing so in a way that didn't come over as judgemental or one sided.
The good things are many. The photography while very close up doesn't come over as too static or filmed play-like, while the production values are typically solid and have subtle atmosphere while not being drab and keeping things simple. When the music is used it is haunting and has a melancholic edge that is not overdone. The episode is sympathetically yet uncompromisingly directed.
Most of the writing is thoughtful and gritty, with no signs of rambling. The story is intriguing and has the right amount of tension and emotional investment. The investigative elements are cohesive and has grit, while the legals portion is very compelling and thought provoking at first. The acting is very good from most of the regulars, Sam Waterston especially, while a harrowing, deeply felt Joseph Lyle Taylor as a very interesting defendant is even better. The subject matter handling is laudable and is generally tactful.
Jesse L Martin's temporary replacement, while he filmed 'Rent', Michael Imperoli always came over as bland when he appeared and this is no exception. He and Dennis Farina never quite gelled as a partnership.
Did find the latter stages of the second half on the heavy handed and predictable side and that the episode did lose a little momentum towards the end in pace and surprises. The ending didn't really leave me satisfied, the verdict was right but the punishment considering the state of mind of the perpetrator was too harsh. It also felt rushed.
In conclusion, decent finale though it could have been better. 7/10.
Narcissism
bkoganbing8 September 2013
Dennis Farina and Michael Imperioli as his temporary partner draw a real nasty case in this episode. An SUV is driven on to a commuter rail track from upstate and the train strikes it going full tilt. 12 people are killed and dozens injured. No driver found though, he mingled among the passengers and left after questioning.
Eventually it points to Joseph Lyle Taylor, a recently divorced man with a substance abuse problem who if we had adequate mental health care facilities might not have done this terrible thing though. But no doubt he's legally responsible for his actions.
Taylor eventually decides to represent himself with the inevitable result. But does that show he's nuts?
The unspoken word in this episode is narcissism. This poor loser was just looking for attention, narcissists have to have it, they're addicted to it. I've known many in my life and I'm sure you readers have as well.
No doubt we need better policy for mental health, but it doesn't excuse what Taylor did.
Eventually it points to Joseph Lyle Taylor, a recently divorced man with a substance abuse problem who if we had adequate mental health care facilities might not have done this terrible thing though. But no doubt he's legally responsible for his actions.
Taylor eventually decides to represent himself with the inevitable result. But does that show he's nuts?
The unspoken word in this episode is narcissism. This poor loser was just looking for attention, narcissists have to have it, they're addicted to it. I've known many in my life and I'm sure you readers have as well.
No doubt we need better policy for mental health, but it doesn't excuse what Taylor did.
I'm your family too! No. You're not. Not anymore.
Mrpalli7725 December 2017
An accident occurred in a quiet morning. A train full of commuters who were about to reach their place of work collided with a SUV, causing twelve casualties as a result, plus over a hundred injuried people. The car owner (J.D. Jackson) might have had a motive, because his prosecutor used to take that train (he had a pending trial for raping a girl), but his car was actually stolen. The real perp mixed up with the wounded people, so detectives started questioning all the people who were taken to the hospital. A man confessed: he tried to commit suicide due to his depression caused by several factors: he was separated with a sick daughter and his boss (and brother) had just fired him due to drinking problems. So the trial was about to begin, the strangest trial I've ever seen in Law & Order franchise.
I saw the same episode in "Law & Order UK", with a different location (New York instead of London town). Van Buren wanted the death penalty, but this kind of things are up to lawyers (overall I'm against it, but this time I agree with her).
I saw the same episode in "Law & Order UK", with a different location (New York instead of London town). Van Buren wanted the death penalty, but this kind of things are up to lawyers (overall I'm against it, but this time I agree with her).
I don't make social policy.
lastliberal22 September 2008
Any episode of Law & Order is worth watching, but some are way above others.
With the exception of Sam Waterson, this is the worst cast of the series: Dennis Farina, Michael Imperioli, and Annie Parisse are all the least of the characters in their respective roles.
The case was interesting in that a man tried to commit suicide and 12 people ended up dead instead. His lawyer, capably played by Giancarlo Esposito, tried to indict the social services not provided by the State for his client's condition.
It turns out, however, that he was just an alcoholic loser.
With the exception of Sam Waterson, this is the worst cast of the series: Dennis Farina, Michael Imperioli, and Annie Parisse are all the least of the characters in their respective roles.
The case was interesting in that a man tried to commit suicide and 12 people ended up dead instead. His lawyer, capably played by Giancarlo Esposito, tried to indict the social services not provided by the State for his client's condition.
It turns out, however, that he was just an alcoholic loser.
Writers put NYC on trial for mental health services
evony-jwm17 March 2021
Train damage not realistic. Wrong drug for depression.. Then writers save McCoy's ass by having crazy man defend self.
Good idea then writers lost it at trial with predictable outcome.
Concoction not watchable in 2nd half.
Good idea then writers lost it at trial with predictable outcome.
Concoction not watchable in 2nd half.
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