As one watches "Sin," one gets a feeling of deja vu. That is understandable inasmuch as producer Dick Wolf's other series in the L & O franchise have tackled similar territory: a defrocked minister accused of sexual misconduct with a male prostitute. The original L & O had "Church," which aired in early February, while "Criminal Intent" offered "Brother's Keeper," with guest star Tom Arnold, during the same month.
"Sin," actually, is the weakest of the three, with not much of a mystery, and barely passable performances from guests Tim Daly ("Wings," and the recent remake of "The Fugitive") and Kathy Baker ("Picket Fences"). Both are fine actors but they just don't have the right chemistry as the pastor and his overzealous wife.
As far as the regular cast is concerned, Meloni's trademark intensity was nowhere to be found, Hargitay's part was at a minimum, and Belzer had primarily a "walk on." This season has not made an effective use of the latter, as well as Ice-T, two of this viewer's main reasons for watching the show.
With three series on the air, it's understandable that their plots may overlap. But to have the same happen within a single season is an insult to the discriminating fan.
"Sin," actually, is the weakest of the three, with not much of a mystery, and barely passable performances from guests Tim Daly ("Wings," and the recent remake of "The Fugitive") and Kathy Baker ("Picket Fences"). Both are fine actors but they just don't have the right chemistry as the pastor and his overzealous wife.
As far as the regular cast is concerned, Meloni's trademark intensity was nowhere to be found, Hargitay's part was at a minimum, and Belzer had primarily a "walk on." This season has not made an effective use of the latter, as well as Ice-T, two of this viewer's main reasons for watching the show.
With three series on the air, it's understandable that their plots may overlap. But to have the same happen within a single season is an insult to the discriminating fan.