The subject matter in "Scrambled", or anything around a fertility clinic, is not a new one for 'Law and Order' and continued to be re-visited every now and then throughout the franchise. That is not a bad thing though, as this is a controversial and relevant topic, as well as difficult to tackle, that is worth addressing and a subject that leaves one sad and angry. Execution could go either way, uncompromising and sensitive or sleazy and exploitative.
"Scrambled" is a very good episode on the whole with many fantastic things, as well as a couple of things done not so well that were also sporadic recurring problems. It is a little bit of a let down after six outstanding Season 9 episodes in a row and other episodes in the franchise handled the topic a little bit better. Not that it handles it badly, far from it otherwise it would be described as less than very good by me. Just that it's done with a little more complexity.
Like some episodes in the previous episode, "Scrambled" is an episode where one half is better than the other. Did find the early stages on the routine side.
Also was turned off by Curtis' attitude, anybody that didn't like the way he behaved in "Stalker" will find his attitude pretty much the same and nearly as bad. Just don't like it when stubbornness and self-righteous is done a little too extremely and that's the case here, though it's a little more understandable here than in that episode.
However, "Scrambled" is 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). The music is sparingly used and never seemed melodramatic, the theme tune easy to remember as usual. The direction is sympathetic enough without being too low key.
Furthermore, "Scrambled" has a thoughtful script that like a lot of 'Law and Order' episodes raises interesting questions worthy of debate with somebody. The story is tactful but also pulls no punches, making one feel sad and angry. Nothing is too simple or too complicated and the second half even is riveting. The character writing and interaction are near-on point, with the exception of Curtis. Especially in the second half. All the acting is extremely good.
Overall, very good. 8/10.
"Scrambled" is a very good episode on the whole with many fantastic things, as well as a couple of things done not so well that were also sporadic recurring problems. It is a little bit of a let down after six outstanding Season 9 episodes in a row and other episodes in the franchise handled the topic a little bit better. Not that it handles it badly, far from it otherwise it would be described as less than very good by me. Just that it's done with a little more complexity.
Like some episodes in the previous episode, "Scrambled" is an episode where one half is better than the other. Did find the early stages on the routine side.
Also was turned off by Curtis' attitude, anybody that didn't like the way he behaved in "Stalker" will find his attitude pretty much the same and nearly as bad. Just don't like it when stubbornness and self-righteous is done a little too extremely and that's the case here, though it's a little more understandable here than in that episode.
However, "Scrambled" is 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). The music is sparingly used and never seemed melodramatic, the theme tune easy to remember as usual. The direction is sympathetic enough without being too low key.
Furthermore, "Scrambled" has a thoughtful script that like a lot of 'Law and Order' episodes raises interesting questions worthy of debate with somebody. The story is tactful but also pulls no punches, making one feel sad and angry. Nothing is too simple or too complicated and the second half even is riveting. The character writing and interaction are near-on point, with the exception of Curtis. Especially in the second half. All the acting is extremely good.
Overall, very good. 8/10.