Really wanted to like "Ill-Bred" so much more. Love 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' and horses are lovely animals, even if the episode fits in the category of having a subject that is not an area of expertise or one that excites me. Also because Season 3 was a solid season that really took off in its second half and had some fabulous episodes as a result. The previous episodes of the season's second half were so good so expectations regardless of any reservations with the subject were quite high.
"Ill-Bred" didn't do much for me sadly. Certainly not a bad episode, none of Season 3's episodes are bad and most are very good to brilliant. It did suffer though from convolution and leaving me cold with a subject that didn't connect immediately with me in the first place, that is all humble opinion and if anybody liked the episode and is more interested in the subject that's cool. "Ill-Bred" was for me one of the few early seasons episodes to leave me very mixed, and although "Mad Hops" is the lowest rated episode of the season as of now here this was actually my least favourite of Season 3. "Mad Hops" at least had a fascinating opponent and compelled more in the case, whereas "Ill-Bred's" story for me was heavily flawed especially and lacked spark. Again my opinion.
Beginning with what didn't work for me, quite a lot of the problems are story-related. 'Criminal Intent' more often than not excelled at having complex and intricate cases, the show never felt too simple and seldom played it too safe. To me, "Ill-Bred" is one of the few early season episodes that goes too far on the complexity. Making for a rather convoluted second half as a result. Although the setting is neat and quite interesting and there was some promise, it was sadly not easy to properly connect emotionally with the episode because of the subject itself not doing much for me. So it was also a somewhat bland episode.
Which is a real shame because if there is one word that 'Criminal Intent' on the most part is not, it's bland. Most of the episodes succeed in the entertainment value, tension and emotional impact. A lot more could have been done with the horse killing angle of the story, with it being practically given short shrift later on. With it not being a novel idea for the 'Law and Order' franchise or anywhere and with little new done with it, the lack of originality further added to the blandness as did the slightly too slow pace of the first act.
Does that mean that all is bad with "Ill-Bred?" Absolutely not. Cannot fault the regulars, particularly can't rave about the ever great Vincent D'Onofrio enough and Goren has lost none of what makes him such an interesting character and is true to character. He and the beautifully understated yet sassy Kathryn Erbe continue to work so well together.
The supporting cast also do very well with what they're given, though there are far more interesting supporting characters of the season. The episode is slick looking and is not over-bearingly or intrusively scored. There are a fair share of fun and taut moments in the script, namely down to Goren, while the ending intrigues when the episode does pick up the momentum in the climactic moments.
Overall, watchable but a disappointment. 5/10
"Ill-Bred" didn't do much for me sadly. Certainly not a bad episode, none of Season 3's episodes are bad and most are very good to brilliant. It did suffer though from convolution and leaving me cold with a subject that didn't connect immediately with me in the first place, that is all humble opinion and if anybody liked the episode and is more interested in the subject that's cool. "Ill-Bred" was for me one of the few early seasons episodes to leave me very mixed, and although "Mad Hops" is the lowest rated episode of the season as of now here this was actually my least favourite of Season 3. "Mad Hops" at least had a fascinating opponent and compelled more in the case, whereas "Ill-Bred's" story for me was heavily flawed especially and lacked spark. Again my opinion.
Beginning with what didn't work for me, quite a lot of the problems are story-related. 'Criminal Intent' more often than not excelled at having complex and intricate cases, the show never felt too simple and seldom played it too safe. To me, "Ill-Bred" is one of the few early season episodes that goes too far on the complexity. Making for a rather convoluted second half as a result. Although the setting is neat and quite interesting and there was some promise, it was sadly not easy to properly connect emotionally with the episode because of the subject itself not doing much for me. So it was also a somewhat bland episode.
Which is a real shame because if there is one word that 'Criminal Intent' on the most part is not, it's bland. Most of the episodes succeed in the entertainment value, tension and emotional impact. A lot more could have been done with the horse killing angle of the story, with it being practically given short shrift later on. With it not being a novel idea for the 'Law and Order' franchise or anywhere and with little new done with it, the lack of originality further added to the blandness as did the slightly too slow pace of the first act.
Does that mean that all is bad with "Ill-Bred?" Absolutely not. Cannot fault the regulars, particularly can't rave about the ever great Vincent D'Onofrio enough and Goren has lost none of what makes him such an interesting character and is true to character. He and the beautifully understated yet sassy Kathryn Erbe continue to work so well together.
The supporting cast also do very well with what they're given, though there are far more interesting supporting characters of the season. The episode is slick looking and is not over-bearingly or intrusively scored. There are a fair share of fun and taut moments in the script, namely down to Goren, while the ending intrigues when the episode does pick up the momentum in the climactic moments.
Overall, watchable but a disappointment. 5/10