Personally actually thought Season 17 was a solid season, apart from having a couple of flaws that were never corrected. Few of the episodes were great, though there were a few that were like "Fear America", "Captive" and especially "Deadlock", "Home Sweet" is also close. Most were between good and very good and nearly great. There were a few disappointments though too, such as "Good Faith" and "Over Here". Always have had high expectations for season finales.
"The Family Hour" for me underwhelmed. Not a terrible episode by alll means, none of the Season 17 episodes fit that distinction even the heavily flawed ones. It really could and should have been much better, and also is not a good final appearance for the character of Ed Green's partner Nina Cassady (who never worked for me as a character just to say and have made no secret of that, perhaps annoyingly so to some).
Certainly there are good things here. Most of the regulars are very good, particularly Sam Waterston and Alana De La Garza (Rubirosa being one of the show's best additions in a while). Really like their chemistry together, whether in agreement or disagreement and both make valid cases for their opinions. Jeremy Sisto does great work too, this time as a defense attorney and a competent one.
Did think that there was some nice tension later on. The production values are slick and have a subtle grit, with an intimacy to the photography without being too claustrophobic. The music isn't used too much and doesn't get too melodramatic.
However, the first half is too routine and is further let down by the blandness of Cassady (and Milena Govich's rather one note acting) and her and Green's lacklustre at best chemistry. Of Green's partners, Cassady was by far the weakest, Lupo and Fontana grew on me and Briscoe of course is iconic. Really didn't like how anti-climactic her exit was, clearly written by someone that didn't like Cassady.
On the whole, the case was too simple and too obvious, which made it feel rather dull. Pacing is on the drab side in the first half. Also let down by the simplistic supporting cbaracters (ones that are competently acted but written with very little dimension and little more than genre cliches), lack of twists and surprises and the too talky and here trite dialogue. Tension is too little and parts feel disorganised. The direction is not incompetent but there is not much distinct.
In summary, underwhelming end to a solid season. 5/10.
"The Family Hour" for me underwhelmed. Not a terrible episode by alll means, none of the Season 17 episodes fit that distinction even the heavily flawed ones. It really could and should have been much better, and also is not a good final appearance for the character of Ed Green's partner Nina Cassady (who never worked for me as a character just to say and have made no secret of that, perhaps annoyingly so to some).
Certainly there are good things here. Most of the regulars are very good, particularly Sam Waterston and Alana De La Garza (Rubirosa being one of the show's best additions in a while). Really like their chemistry together, whether in agreement or disagreement and both make valid cases for their opinions. Jeremy Sisto does great work too, this time as a defense attorney and a competent one.
Did think that there was some nice tension later on. The production values are slick and have a subtle grit, with an intimacy to the photography without being too claustrophobic. The music isn't used too much and doesn't get too melodramatic.
However, the first half is too routine and is further let down by the blandness of Cassady (and Milena Govich's rather one note acting) and her and Green's lacklustre at best chemistry. Of Green's partners, Cassady was by far the weakest, Lupo and Fontana grew on me and Briscoe of course is iconic. Really didn't like how anti-climactic her exit was, clearly written by someone that didn't like Cassady.
On the whole, the case was too simple and too obvious, which made it feel rather dull. Pacing is on the drab side in the first half. Also let down by the simplistic supporting cbaracters (ones that are competently acted but written with very little dimension and little more than genre cliches), lack of twists and surprises and the too talky and here trite dialogue. Tension is too little and parts feel disorganised. The direction is not incompetent but there is not much distinct.
In summary, underwhelming end to a solid season. 5/10.