Many episodes of the 'Law and Order' franchise have at least one interest point. "Lead" from 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit's' Season 10, its fifteenth episode, is most notable for the return of Alexandra Cabot. Something that was so much needed after suffering with the deadweight character of Kim Graylek for the first half of the season. It is hard to not be excited if you like Cabot as a character, count me as one, and the subject matter sounded interesting.
"Lead" is a very good episode, if just falling short of being one of the few great episodes of Season 10. By all means it is not one of my favourites of 'Special Victims Unit' by any stretch, but when ranking what was a disappointing season "Lead" is in the better half. Cabot's return is handled very well and couldn't have happened at a better time, when Season 10 was only just starting to improve after a disappointing first third to the season.
Am going to start with what doesn't quite come off. It did to my tastes try to cram in a little too much, actually could have done without the whole Tucker conflict which wasn't too interesting and felt like padding.
The very end felt too much like a deux ex machina.
It was however wonderful and a relief to see Cabot back, something that was much needed when Graylek began to really outstay her welcome. It was like she had never left and she has lost none of what makes her so good as a character, she has authority but also has compassion (both of which Graylek was devoid of) and has respect for the team. Like other Season 10 episodes when it finally started to improve (meaning "Persona", "Hothouse" and "Transitions" as far as the previous episodes go), it was great to have a story that focused on the case, the victim and the responsible, with much less of the personal melodrama and police work contrivances.
Regarding the case in "Lead", it is both disturbing and sad. The truth was completely unexpected, seeing the perpetrator and case in a whole new light and enough to make one angry. The performances are very good, with Stephanie March dominating. The persecution and defense conflict is intriguing and has tension. The script has a lot of talk but doesn't ramble and is thought provoking.
Production values are as professional as usual, and this aspect did come on a lot overtime with a sharper and slicker look growing with each season. The music is haunting while not intrusive or overused. The direction is sympathetic without being too low key.
Overall, very good. 8/10.
"Lead" is a very good episode, if just falling short of being one of the few great episodes of Season 10. By all means it is not one of my favourites of 'Special Victims Unit' by any stretch, but when ranking what was a disappointing season "Lead" is in the better half. Cabot's return is handled very well and couldn't have happened at a better time, when Season 10 was only just starting to improve after a disappointing first third to the season.
Am going to start with what doesn't quite come off. It did to my tastes try to cram in a little too much, actually could have done without the whole Tucker conflict which wasn't too interesting and felt like padding.
The very end felt too much like a deux ex machina.
It was however wonderful and a relief to see Cabot back, something that was much needed when Graylek began to really outstay her welcome. It was like she had never left and she has lost none of what makes her so good as a character, she has authority but also has compassion (both of which Graylek was devoid of) and has respect for the team. Like other Season 10 episodes when it finally started to improve (meaning "Persona", "Hothouse" and "Transitions" as far as the previous episodes go), it was great to have a story that focused on the case, the victim and the responsible, with much less of the personal melodrama and police work contrivances.
Regarding the case in "Lead", it is both disturbing and sad. The truth was completely unexpected, seeing the perpetrator and case in a whole new light and enough to make one angry. The performances are very good, with Stephanie March dominating. The persecution and defense conflict is intriguing and has tension. The script has a lot of talk but doesn't ramble and is thought provoking.
Production values are as professional as usual, and this aspect did come on a lot overtime with a sharper and slicker look growing with each season. The music is haunting while not intrusive or overused. The direction is sympathetic without being too low key.
Overall, very good. 8/10.