Ajouter une intrigue dans votre langueA gay man with AIDS is accused of murdering another gay man. However, he claims that the victim also had AIDS, and that it was a mercy killing.A gay man with AIDS is accused of murdering another gay man. However, he claims that the victim also had AIDS, and that it was a mercy killing.A gay man with AIDS is accused of murdering another gay man. However, he claims that the victim also had AIDS, and that it was a mercy killing.
Neal Benari
- Mr. Gordon
- (as Neal Ben-Ari)
Histoire
Le saviez-vous
- AnecdotesThis episode appears to be based on several cases/incidents:
- The 1988 Marty James case.
- The 1980's & 1990's Dr. Jack Kevorkian (a.k.a. "Dr. Death") case. Dr. Kevorkian became famous in the late 1980s and early 1990s as a supporter of assisted suicide. He became most noted for publicly championing a terminal patient's right to die via euthanasia; he claims to have assisted at least 130 patients to that end. He famously said that "dying is not a crime." Between 1999 and 2007, Kevorkian served eight years of a 10-to-25-year prison sentence for second-degree murder. His trial was a lengthy one because of several acquittals and a mistrial. He was released on June 1, 2007, on parole due to good behavior. He died on June 3, 2011.
- The epidemic of assisted suicides of gay/bi men infected with HIV during the early AIDS epidemic in the United States.
- GaffesDuring the trial an 'expert witness', Mr. Willmen, states that doctors have the right to assist their patients in dying in the UK. This in incorrect; it is permissible in the Netherlands however.
- Citations
Det. Sgt. Maxwell "Max" Greevey: Do you think a lot of cops are gay?
Detective Mike Logan: No way, man. The department's got a special test. They look you in the eye, and if your left eye blinks before your right eye, they know you're gay.
[Blinks at Greevey with his left eye]
- ConnexionsFeatured in 'Law & Order': The Beginning (2002)
Commentaire à la une
"It only hurts when I prosecute"
When it comes to the 'Law and Order' franchise, this to me will always be the best. At its best during the Briscoe years. Just really admire the compelling cases some of which based on sensitive real-life cases, the way the detectives and lawyers work in getting a result with a generally equal balance, the raising of moral dilemmas and the difficult subjects and themes raised and explored.
Three episodes in and, although even better was to come, the quality is of a very good standard. The previous two episodes "Prescription for Death" (especially this) and "Subtarranean Homeboy Blues" were very well done and crafted, great even in the former and that was only the first episode, so "The Reaper's Helper", with a more difficult and sensitive case and subject (especially at the time) than the previous two had a lot to live up to. And it succeeds, even if at this point and understandably so, not many shows settle immediately straightaway, 'Law and Order' was yet to properly find its feet.
Characterisation is not quite as meaty as what came after, although Stone is already quite a juicy character, and the pacing became tighter and tauter. The chemistry was nicely done though, if not completely gelled, and it is admirable to see the tone established well.
A good job is done with the subject and the moral dilemmas raised from it, it is not an easy watch and definitely makes one feel uncomfortable but is handled with sincerity and pathos without being preachy or biased. It's not trivialised either. The story is absorbing and makes one think hard and somewhat angry, well some kinds of emotions. The dialogue is intelligently written and provokes thought, treating the case with respect and seriously without being dreary. Regarding how talking about AIDS in "The Reaper's Helper", it didn't feel out of date and worth talking about.
Visually, the gritty tone of the episode is matched by the slick photography and New York is both beautiful and unforgiving. The music is neither placed and composed with a heavy hand, and the main theme is one that does stick in the head (likewise with the opening voice over). George Dzundza and Chris Noth have enough of the hard-boiled edge needed for their roles, even if their chemistry has yet to gel fully, and Michael Moriaty's authority and dryness adds hugely to his juicy part. Peter Frechette is memorable in his role.
Overall, very good. 8/10
Three episodes in and, although even better was to come, the quality is of a very good standard. The previous two episodes "Prescription for Death" (especially this) and "Subtarranean Homeboy Blues" were very well done and crafted, great even in the former and that was only the first episode, so "The Reaper's Helper", with a more difficult and sensitive case and subject (especially at the time) than the previous two had a lot to live up to. And it succeeds, even if at this point and understandably so, not many shows settle immediately straightaway, 'Law and Order' was yet to properly find its feet.
Characterisation is not quite as meaty as what came after, although Stone is already quite a juicy character, and the pacing became tighter and tauter. The chemistry was nicely done though, if not completely gelled, and it is admirable to see the tone established well.
A good job is done with the subject and the moral dilemmas raised from it, it is not an easy watch and definitely makes one feel uncomfortable but is handled with sincerity and pathos without being preachy or biased. It's not trivialised either. The story is absorbing and makes one think hard and somewhat angry, well some kinds of emotions. The dialogue is intelligently written and provokes thought, treating the case with respect and seriously without being dreary. Regarding how talking about AIDS in "The Reaper's Helper", it didn't feel out of date and worth talking about.
Visually, the gritty tone of the episode is matched by the slick photography and New York is both beautiful and unforgiving. The music is neither placed and composed with a heavy hand, and the main theme is one that does stick in the head (likewise with the opening voice over). George Dzundza and Chris Noth have enough of the hard-boiled edge needed for their roles, even if their chemistry has yet to gel fully, and Michael Moriaty's authority and dryness adds hugely to his juicy part. Peter Frechette is memorable in his role.
Overall, very good. 8/10
utile•151
- TheLittleSongbird
- 20 juil. 2019
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