'Law and Order' was a brilliant show in its prime and overall is actually my favourite of the 'Law and Order' franchise and out of it, 'Special Victims Unit' (the longest running) and 'Criminal Intent'. Despite not feeling the same post-Briscoe. 'Special Victims Unit' started off brilliantly, but became hit and miss Season 7 onwards and has not lived up to the early seasons generally for a long time. 'Criminal Intent' also was truly fine in its early seasons, but became wildly inconsistent mid-run.
One of the best episodes of 'Law and Order's' Season 7 is "Double Down". A very intriguing episode title, with story execution that intrigues and attention grabs just as much and even equally. Like the three parter consisting of "D-Girl", "Turnaround" and "Showtime", "Double Down" was one of the episodes of this period to make a big impression on me when starting to acquaint myself with the show's early seasons and had a lot of emotional staying power.
"Double Down" is superb in every area. The production values are still slick and suitably gritty (without being too heavy in it). The music is not too melodramatic and is not used too much, even not being too manipulative in revelations. The direction lets the drama breathe while making sure that the tension and emotion never slipped.
The script provokes thought throughout the length and is like a lean steak cooked just enough to not have too much fat while not losing the flesh. Nothing is contrived and it comes over as realistic and natural. With so much plot and so many twists and turns, all unexpected and far from simple, "Double Down" could easily have been rushed, over-plotted and over-complicated. The story didn't strike me as either of those things, and has a lot of tension that never slips.
Character writing is on point and all the regulars and supporting performances are without fault as well. And equally so. Sam Waterston and S. Epatha Merkersen (always of great value to the show and not talked about enough) are particularly good of the regulars, though Jerry Orbach's steel and comic timing never got old and still doesn't. Edie Falco, Luke Reilly and Theresa Merritt are more than up to their level.
All in all, brilliant. 10/10.