Anybody that loved the Season 4 opener "Chameleon", speaking as one, and enjoyed the previous three seasons, again that applies to me, would understandably have high expectations for the next episode "Deception". On first watch, to me it was pretty good with a lot of good things and not as sleazy as it sounds on paper. But on first watch and on the subsequent watches that followed it struck me as over-obvious, so recently decided to re-watch it again after a couple of years to see how it would fare.
My feelings on "Deception" are pretty much the same. Some people are not going to like "Deception", some actually don't, and may, and actually do for some, find it predictable and too uncomfortable a watch. The subject matter admittedly is very twisted and it did make me feel uncomfortable on first watch, but this was before being aware that there are people this amoral and that this situation is not unheard of despite it being so wrong. "Deception" again struck me as pretty decent but is quite a big step down from the brilliant "Chameleon" and more surprises and subtlety would have actually made it better.
"Deception" does have a lot of good things. The production values as ever are slick and with the right amount of muted grit, the photography doesn't try to do anything too fancy or gimmicky while not being claustrophobic and keeping things simple. The music doesn't overbear and the direction is accomodating yet tight enough. The script is generally tight and intriguing, not hammering it in home too much and avoiding being too sleazy or sensationalist (which actually would have left a bad taste in my mouth if that had not been avoided).
The story does have enough that intrigues. The (about) halfway through twist really does disturb, and it did actually shock me on first viewing, and "Deception" does pick up when more is revealed later on in the episode. All the team characters are interesting and their interaction is always a joy. All the acting is fine, with the performance of the episode going to Sherilynn Fenn as one of the season's most amoral (that word sums her up perfectly) characters. Chloe is adorable too, really felt for her.
On the other hand, to me "Deception" has always struck me as too obvious too early. The whole of the first half is pretty much explained from the drawing alone, it was amazing that the truth didn't come to the detectives sooner. While Fenn does a great job and Gloria is interesting, the episode could have afforded to give some kind of dimension to her rather than over-the-top amorality throughout.
Although the second half picks up, the first half is still intriguing but a bit slow with surprises too few. And the reporter attack was unnecessary and considering the job and how high in authority the person involved was unprofessional.
Not a bad episode at all, but didn't wow me on first viewing and still doesn't. Instead it is one of those appreciate it rather than love episodes. 7/10
My feelings on "Deception" are pretty much the same. Some people are not going to like "Deception", some actually don't, and may, and actually do for some, find it predictable and too uncomfortable a watch. The subject matter admittedly is very twisted and it did make me feel uncomfortable on first watch, but this was before being aware that there are people this amoral and that this situation is not unheard of despite it being so wrong. "Deception" again struck me as pretty decent but is quite a big step down from the brilliant "Chameleon" and more surprises and subtlety would have actually made it better.
"Deception" does have a lot of good things. The production values as ever are slick and with the right amount of muted grit, the photography doesn't try to do anything too fancy or gimmicky while not being claustrophobic and keeping things simple. The music doesn't overbear and the direction is accomodating yet tight enough. The script is generally tight and intriguing, not hammering it in home too much and avoiding being too sleazy or sensationalist (which actually would have left a bad taste in my mouth if that had not been avoided).
The story does have enough that intrigues. The (about) halfway through twist really does disturb, and it did actually shock me on first viewing, and "Deception" does pick up when more is revealed later on in the episode. All the team characters are interesting and their interaction is always a joy. All the acting is fine, with the performance of the episode going to Sherilynn Fenn as one of the season's most amoral (that word sums her up perfectly) characters. Chloe is adorable too, really felt for her.
On the other hand, to me "Deception" has always struck me as too obvious too early. The whole of the first half is pretty much explained from the drawing alone, it was amazing that the truth didn't come to the detectives sooner. While Fenn does a great job and Gloria is interesting, the episode could have afforded to give some kind of dimension to her rather than over-the-top amorality throughout.
Although the second half picks up, the first half is still intriguing but a bit slow with surprises too few. And the reporter attack was unnecessary and considering the job and how high in authority the person involved was unprofessional.
Not a bad episode at all, but didn't wow me on first viewing and still doesn't. Instead it is one of those appreciate it rather than love episodes. 7/10
