The previous Season 3 episodes of 'Law and Order' were of a very promising standard. Was a little disappointed by the opener "Skin Deep", but all five of the previous episodes of the season were good to brilliant. "The Corporate Veil" and "Wedded Bliss" were particularly good and as good as Seasons 1 and 2 at their best, which is a big compliment to give as they were solid seasons too and their best episodes were outstanding in either almost every or absolutely every category.
Outstanding Season 3's sixth episode "Helpless" falls short of being. It is definitely worth watching and interesting still and has a lot to recommend, all the episodes of Season 3 and of the previous two episodes do and that continued all the way throughout the show's run. For me though, "Helpless" is a lesser episode of Season 3, as well as of the early seasons and a contender for the weakest up to this still relatively early stage. Just felt that it could have handled its subject more tactfully. Very disappointing considering that it followed on from a season high-point.
"Helpless" looks typically slick, it is not an audacious episode perhaps but it's well made and the quality continues to improve. The music is used appropriately and didn't come over as overbearing, while the direction has force but not heavy-handedness. Can't fault the acting, which is very good. Especially from movingly vulnerable Carolyn McCormick and chillingly vile Paul Hecht who really does give the chills.
Michael Moriarty gives his usual fine performance and has great chemistry with also solid Richard Brooks. The legal parts of the story are compelling and quite creative, that rise "Helpless" from being potentially lacklustre to above average. Schiff's description of the judge is one of my favourite character moments of his. The writing in the legal scenes is thought provoking.
On the other hand, the first half for my tastes was a little on the dull and routine side. It's also, and actually this applies for the episode in general, pretty contrivance-heavy.
Particularly hard to swallow was Olivet's extreme unprofessionalism, even for a rape victim. The subject is a harrowing and important one to address could generally have been handled with more tact and taste, the sleaziness for my tastes went overboard.
Bottom line, "Helpless" is an above average episode but considering the high standard of the show at this point it could have been better. 6/10
Outstanding Season 3's sixth episode "Helpless" falls short of being. It is definitely worth watching and interesting still and has a lot to recommend, all the episodes of Season 3 and of the previous two episodes do and that continued all the way throughout the show's run. For me though, "Helpless" is a lesser episode of Season 3, as well as of the early seasons and a contender for the weakest up to this still relatively early stage. Just felt that it could have handled its subject more tactfully. Very disappointing considering that it followed on from a season high-point.
"Helpless" looks typically slick, it is not an audacious episode perhaps but it's well made and the quality continues to improve. The music is used appropriately and didn't come over as overbearing, while the direction has force but not heavy-handedness. Can't fault the acting, which is very good. Especially from movingly vulnerable Carolyn McCormick and chillingly vile Paul Hecht who really does give the chills.
Michael Moriarty gives his usual fine performance and has great chemistry with also solid Richard Brooks. The legal parts of the story are compelling and quite creative, that rise "Helpless" from being potentially lacklustre to above average. Schiff's description of the judge is one of my favourite character moments of his. The writing in the legal scenes is thought provoking.
On the other hand, the first half for my tastes was a little on the dull and routine side. It's also, and actually this applies for the episode in general, pretty contrivance-heavy.
Particularly hard to swallow was Olivet's extreme unprofessionalism, even for a rape victim. The subject is a harrowing and important one to address could generally have been handled with more tact and taste, the sleaziness for my tastes went overboard.
Bottom line, "Helpless" is an above average episode but considering the high standard of the show at this point it could have been better. 6/10