"Brilliant Disguise" sounded like the sort of story that 'Law and Order' was known to excel well in. It does sound ordinary on first glance, but had real potential to be an episode that had tension and emotion if done right. 'Law and Order' did do well often at making something complex out of what sounds basic when getting the basic jist of the synopsis. Other episodes in Season 20 took on more challenging subjects with mostly very solid if not always consistent success, but that's not an issue.
As far as Season 20 episodes go, "Brilliant Disguise" is neither one of the best or worst. Somewhere in the middle if anything in my view, which is not too bad a position to be in (quite solid actually). It does fall short of being brilliant and the story doesn't blow the mind, but it is still pretty good with a pretty unforgettable perpetrator. Very interesting to see Adam Driver in an early role before he made it big in the role of Kylo Ren, though there are things about "Brilliant Disguise" that are more memorable than him.
The episode is another one that starts off rather ordinary and with not much inspired. The conclusion is a little over-crowded and rushed as a result.
Did feel that compared to the rest of the cast Driver (who has come on a long way since) came over as a little bland, but that may be down to his character being quite sketchy.
However, a lot is recommendable. It doesn't look drab or gaudy, and the editing is far from slapdash. The music avoids getting too melodramatic in the more dramatic moments while not being too low key, it has always been a good move that it is used relatively sparingly. The direction especially shines in the character interaction in the second half. The script is beautifully balanced, there is a lot of talk but taut enough to avoid it from waffling.
On the whole, the story is intriguing and isn't too predictable or doesn't try to include too much. Much of the tension and intrigue comes from the lengths Cutter undergoes to get a result and of course the tensions between him and Timothy Busfield's character. The perpetrator is a truly loathsome where their conviction is rooted for. The acting is very good, with only reservations about Driver. Daniel Eric Gold makes for one sinister character and Busfield captures his character's ruthlessness with relish.
Concluding, not great but well executed on the whole. 7/10.
As far as Season 20 episodes go, "Brilliant Disguise" is neither one of the best or worst. Somewhere in the middle if anything in my view, which is not too bad a position to be in (quite solid actually). It does fall short of being brilliant and the story doesn't blow the mind, but it is still pretty good with a pretty unforgettable perpetrator. Very interesting to see Adam Driver in an early role before he made it big in the role of Kylo Ren, though there are things about "Brilliant Disguise" that are more memorable than him.
The episode is another one that starts off rather ordinary and with not much inspired. The conclusion is a little over-crowded and rushed as a result.
Did feel that compared to the rest of the cast Driver (who has come on a long way since) came over as a little bland, but that may be down to his character being quite sketchy.
However, a lot is recommendable. It doesn't look drab or gaudy, and the editing is far from slapdash. The music avoids getting too melodramatic in the more dramatic moments while not being too low key, it has always been a good move that it is used relatively sparingly. The direction especially shines in the character interaction in the second half. The script is beautifully balanced, there is a lot of talk but taut enough to avoid it from waffling.
On the whole, the story is intriguing and isn't too predictable or doesn't try to include too much. Much of the tension and intrigue comes from the lengths Cutter undergoes to get a result and of course the tensions between him and Timothy Busfield's character. The perpetrator is a truly loathsome where their conviction is rooted for. The acting is very good, with only reservations about Driver. Daniel Eric Gold makes for one sinister character and Busfield captures his character's ruthlessness with relish.
Concluding, not great but well executed on the whole. 7/10.
