Aftershock

Okay, so I'm a Law an Order fan, So what. I actually like it and no I'm not over the age of 40 and not a cop nor a legal student or whatever. Im actually just a young guy (early 20's)who likes a strong crime fiction story line with some good acting squeezed into one hour. So anyway, Im commenting on this particular episode because...well because its good. I have seen many law and order episodes and from the earlier seasons with George Dzunda to the newer variations (if your reading this then you know what I'm talking about), and none have impacted me like this one episode and I've only seen it twice. Its starts with an inmate execution that leaves Det. Briscoe, Det. Curtis, Mckoy and Kincaid all reacting differently about what just happened. The episode provides a deep background of their motives for who they are and why they work so hard. You see the color the characters unlike in any other episode they almost look lost as oppose to the strong direction and moral understanding of what there lives are about, in most episodes. Not in this one however, you see each of them question themselves and put into compromising situations that let you judge what kind of characters they are. Keep an eye on D.A. Jack McCoy,played by Sam waterson in this episode never have i seen him, or any other main character, so vulnerable.

Anyway, I try to look out for this episode whenever its on. If ever the opportunity arises to see this episode I recommend you watch it. How will you know whitch one it is? you ask. well, you will know it when you see it. Trust me.

PS. if you a Jill Henessy fan i highly recommend this one.

As a standalone episode it makes a great vignette but by breaking the format completely it is a novelty episode like "Mayhem" (the 5-in-1 investigation only episode.) Two great episodes, great writing, great twists, but not two great examples of why the series is captivating: It's a combined police and courtroom procedural. Being the most restrictive an episode like "Dissonance" s11e3 is an excellent example of the series with good humor, guest roles that contrast each other, reeling plot twists. Dismounting my most restrictive canonical high horse, the producers saved some of the best shows or roles for stars like Candace Bergen, Chevy Chase or Julia Roberts, among many others. Only a strong example for now, I'm not titling any title 'best' in this comment.

'Law and Order's' Season 6 was uneven, though not as much as the very mixed bag that was 'Criminal Intent's' Season 6. There were a lot of fantastic episodes, but also a few that could have been a lot better while still being decent. The season finale "Aftershock" made a big impression on me on first watch, when first getting into the 'Law and Order' franchise in my mid teens it was one of the few episodes to reduce me to tearful silence at the end.

"Aftershock" couldn't have been a better way of ending the season, not just a contender for the best episode of Season 6 but also one of 'Law and Order's' finest. It not only has held up extremely well, it actually is one of those episodes that got even better overtime. Being still one of the few episodes that has never failed to make me cry and the shock value hasn't gotten old either. As far as 'Law and Order' goes, "Aftershock" is special and one case of once seen never forgotten.

Everything is of superb quality here. Jerry Orbach, Sam Waterston, Jill Hennessy and Benjamin Bratt are all wonderful. Especially Orbach at the end, his reaction to what happens is quite heart-breaking and sees a side to him not seen before up to this point. The chemistry between them is beautifully balanced and always natural. The script is tight and intelligent, the tone is a typically serious one but to me it didn't become melodramatic or dreary.

Structurally, "Aftershock" is a quite unique episode. With it being the one episode to begin with an execution and then concentrate on the four characters that witness it, their reactions and how they deal with it. That didn't come over as soapy and it was interesting how their minds worked and how the execution affects them, we also get some illuminating character development for Briscoe and McCoy particularly in how they work, their motivations for why they came to be the way they are, why they are in the jobs they are and their levels of commitment. It has been said that Curtis behaved out of character, yes he did behave differently to before and does go against what he stands for usually but seeing something that affects you so harrowingly does often make one behave oddly and out of step.

It is a very powerful episode, it was from the very first scene. And it is spot on in how people, police, attorneys and the public alike, feel on the day of executions and watching them, meaning emotional wreck level. The ending, the episode's most talked about scene, is truly shocking and heart-wrenching.

The production values are suitably slick and gritty, with photography that is reliant on close ups that have an intimacy without being too claustrophobic. The music is didn't come over as too melodramatic or like it was emphasising the emotion too much. The direction is sympathetic while still giving momentum.

All in all, absolutely brilliant. The season was an uneven, but it ends on the biggest of highs. 10/10

I almost don't know where to begin. I handled death penalty cases as a public defender and a prosecutor. I left the practice before any of the defendants I convicted came up for execution. But our office did have a couple and the cops and lawyers who worked the cases were a mess the day of the execution. This episode nailed the emotional tone. The personal stories each character tells is a layer deeper than where the show normally goes.

A truly touching episode. The best episode of a great series. I won't get in to the story as I am in no way a critic. What I am is a fan of the series with what I consider good taste. This episode touches me emotionally every time I see it. When a story continues to tug onto emotions from well developed characters I consider it a success.