"Missing" is one of the "ripped from the headlines" kind of stories that 'Law and Order' did quite a lot before and since. Meaning that it is based, closely or loosely, based on a real life case that had a lot of media coverage, in this instance being seemingly loosely based on the Chandra Levy case. 'Law and Order' often did this type of story well, and generally careful to not exploit the story when feelings are still raw (which they certainly were here).
It was a pretty good episode. Not great or one of the best of Season 12, but a lot better than the previous episode and doesn't exploit the subject matter. Despite being a kind of episode where that could have easily happened. "Missing" is not perfect by all means or one of the essential 'Law and Order' episodes, with the final third not being as good as what came before it, but there are a lot of very good things and the usual ones so it is well above average and more at least.
The production values as ever have slickness and grit, with an intimacy without being claustrophobic. The music has presence when it's used but does so without being intrusive, some of it is quite haunting too. The direction is also understated while also having some tension.
As expected, the script is lean, even with a lot of talk, and incredibly thought provoking and gritty. The story for two thirds of the length is compelling and is neither too simple or complicated, love the chemistry between Briscoe and Green and McCoy is such a commanding presence in the courtroom. Most of the performances can't be faulted, with particular credit going to gritty and wisecracking Jerry Orbach, ruthless Sam Waterston and Brian Kerwin successfully making one feel uneasy while also not being sure of whether he's guilty or not.
Did feel though that the storytelling was less focused in the final act, where the involvement of one character could have been better explained or gone into more detail. The conclusion did feel rushed and too short, which did have a muddled feel.
Really hate expressing my dislike of her, but Southerlyn is so personality deprived and adds little. Elisabeth Rohm's acting continues to be very limited, it always was in a way throughout her career but this was the role that most exposes it.
Overall, pretty good and actually very good until the murky and rushed final third. 7/10.
It was a pretty good episode. Not great or one of the best of Season 12, but a lot better than the previous episode and doesn't exploit the subject matter. Despite being a kind of episode where that could have easily happened. "Missing" is not perfect by all means or one of the essential 'Law and Order' episodes, with the final third not being as good as what came before it, but there are a lot of very good things and the usual ones so it is well above average and more at least.
The production values as ever have slickness and grit, with an intimacy without being claustrophobic. The music has presence when it's used but does so without being intrusive, some of it is quite haunting too. The direction is also understated while also having some tension.
As expected, the script is lean, even with a lot of talk, and incredibly thought provoking and gritty. The story for two thirds of the length is compelling and is neither too simple or complicated, love the chemistry between Briscoe and Green and McCoy is such a commanding presence in the courtroom. Most of the performances can't be faulted, with particular credit going to gritty and wisecracking Jerry Orbach, ruthless Sam Waterston and Brian Kerwin successfully making one feel uneasy while also not being sure of whether he's guilty or not.
Did feel though that the storytelling was less focused in the final act, where the involvement of one character could have been better explained or gone into more detail. The conclusion did feel rushed and too short, which did have a muddled feel.
Really hate expressing my dislike of her, but Southerlyn is so personality deprived and adds little. Elisabeth Rohm's acting continues to be very limited, it always was in a way throughout her career but this was the role that most exposes it.
Overall, pretty good and actually very good until the murky and rushed final third. 7/10.
