Just in case anybody is wondering, that summary is the English translation of the episode title, referring to classical opera and a popular 18th century type of opera. There is actually nothing jokey about "Dramma Giocoso" at all, with the story being as serious as they can come and merely used as a dramatic title for an episode centered around music and set in an opera house. It is certainly a title that intrigues and makes a big impact though may puzzle those with little knowledge of what it means or not sure of its relevance.
The Logan and Barek episodes of 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' were a bit mixed in quality. As was the character of Barek, sometimes she was fine and at others she was too subdued. Have never had a problem with Logan and actually like their different chemistry, with a couple of exceptions like "Wasichu". Both are fine here as is their chemistry, and "Dramma Giocoso" actually was very solid and easily one of their better outings.
"Dramma Giocoso's" ending personally did not surprise me. The episode mostly actually did do a great job making one think that it was one person and the one with the motive that made the most sense, but then part of me started to suspect another person about midway through and was proven correct. The motive is also on the predictable side and is rather silly too
Also there is an interesting subplot regarding drugs, that was interesting and cleverly done but under-utilised and more could have been done with it.
So much is done brilliantly though. As always, it's a slickly made episode, the editing especially having come on quite a bit from when the show first started (never was it a problem but it got more fluid with each episode up to this stage). There is more music here, both the usual scoring of the show and a suitable dose of pre-existing music (i.e. 'Lucia Di Lammermoor') and never seemed melodramatic, the theme tune easy to remember as usual. The direction is sympathetic enough without being too low key on the whole.
Furthermore, the script is well written. Being both thought-provoking and entertaining, as well as agreed ending on a surprisingly profound note (Logan never had a more profound final line in any of his appearances in the whole 'Law and Order' franchise). It was nice to see more of a humorous approach to Logan, such as his disdain at Rogers' choice of music, and Rogers steals her screen time. Barek's role here is one of her more interesting, not only is she perceptive but she is also amusing at times. There is little dreary about the chemistry between her and Logan.
While the story for "Dramma Giocoso" is not perfect, it is absorbing and captures the spirit of the operatic world in not a bland or cartoonish manner. It is also not too far off the mark in accuracy, it is glamorous and exciting but is prone to nastiness behind the scenes. The supporting characters are well done, having worked with a few conductors similar to Reinhardt (the worst case being near exactly) the way he is written is quite eerily accurate. The performances are very good, with Julian Sands and Alice Krige in their element. Sands is so good in fact that it was easy to oddly root for Reinhardt's guilt.
In a nutshell, very good. 8/10
The Logan and Barek episodes of 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' were a bit mixed in quality. As was the character of Barek, sometimes she was fine and at others she was too subdued. Have never had a problem with Logan and actually like their different chemistry, with a couple of exceptions like "Wasichu". Both are fine here as is their chemistry, and "Dramma Giocoso" actually was very solid and easily one of their better outings.
"Dramma Giocoso's" ending personally did not surprise me. The episode mostly actually did do a great job making one think that it was one person and the one with the motive that made the most sense, but then part of me started to suspect another person about midway through and was proven correct. The motive is also on the predictable side and is rather silly too
Also there is an interesting subplot regarding drugs, that was interesting and cleverly done but under-utilised and more could have been done with it.
So much is done brilliantly though. As always, it's a slickly made episode, the editing especially having come on quite a bit from when the show first started (never was it a problem but it got more fluid with each episode up to this stage). There is more music here, both the usual scoring of the show and a suitable dose of pre-existing music (i.e. 'Lucia Di Lammermoor') and never seemed melodramatic, the theme tune easy to remember as usual. The direction is sympathetic enough without being too low key on the whole.
Furthermore, the script is well written. Being both thought-provoking and entertaining, as well as agreed ending on a surprisingly profound note (Logan never had a more profound final line in any of his appearances in the whole 'Law and Order' franchise). It was nice to see more of a humorous approach to Logan, such as his disdain at Rogers' choice of music, and Rogers steals her screen time. Barek's role here is one of her more interesting, not only is she perceptive but she is also amusing at times. There is little dreary about the chemistry between her and Logan.
While the story for "Dramma Giocoso" is not perfect, it is absorbing and captures the spirit of the operatic world in not a bland or cartoonish manner. It is also not too far off the mark in accuracy, it is glamorous and exciting but is prone to nastiness behind the scenes. The supporting characters are well done, having worked with a few conductors similar to Reinhardt (the worst case being near exactly) the way he is written is quite eerily accurate. The performances are very good, with Julian Sands and Alice Krige in their element. Sands is so good in fact that it was easy to oddly root for Reinhardt's guilt.
In a nutshell, very good. 8/10