'Law and Order' was a great show in its prime. Have said more than once about preferring the earlier seasons, and that is true for 'Special Victims Unit' and 'Criminal Intent' as well. It is a shame though that one doesn't see the pre-Season 7 episodes aired that often, or at least that's the case with me, because the show's very early period is not to be neglected. With most of the episodes being good to outstanding, with only a few disappointments that are still not too bad.
"Self-Defense" doesn't quite see Season 3, or 'Law and Order' in general, on peak form, it is not quite "The Corporate Veil" and "Wedded Bliss" as far as the previous Season 3 episodes go. It did have potential to be a brilliant episode and nearly was, and it would have been with a more consistent pace. It is still very good though and much better than the still above average but somewhat disappointing previous episode "Helpless", also with a relevant and difficult subject but addressing it more sensitively, tastefully and compellingly.
It is slightly dull and routine to begin with.
Also felt it was a little on the rushed and too neat side at the end.
Can find nothing to fault the production values for though, the slickness and grit still present and likewise with the more fluid editing. The music is used relatively sparingly and is not too intrusively orchestrated, fitting too with the mood. The direction is generally alert but also sympathetic, shining in the character interactions in the legal scenes. Liked the tautness, edge and thought-probing of the second half's writing.
Likewise with the much improved second half in general with the legal scenes. It really does pick once the complications with the case arises. It may not be as tense or as emotional as other 'Law and Order' episodes, but it does raise interesting questions about how to prosecute and approach the case and whether it was self-defense or not. Not doing it in a one-sided way and one really does think hard as to what their stance is. The acting is very good, Michael Moriarty continues to shine as Stone and Adam Arkin does well in a different role as a character that intrigues and doesn't come over as too obvious.
Overall, very good if not outstanding. 8/10
"Self-Defense" doesn't quite see Season 3, or 'Law and Order' in general, on peak form, it is not quite "The Corporate Veil" and "Wedded Bliss" as far as the previous Season 3 episodes go. It did have potential to be a brilliant episode and nearly was, and it would have been with a more consistent pace. It is still very good though and much better than the still above average but somewhat disappointing previous episode "Helpless", also with a relevant and difficult subject but addressing it more sensitively, tastefully and compellingly.
It is slightly dull and routine to begin with.
Also felt it was a little on the rushed and too neat side at the end.
Can find nothing to fault the production values for though, the slickness and grit still present and likewise with the more fluid editing. The music is used relatively sparingly and is not too intrusively orchestrated, fitting too with the mood. The direction is generally alert but also sympathetic, shining in the character interactions in the legal scenes. Liked the tautness, edge and thought-probing of the second half's writing.
Likewise with the much improved second half in general with the legal scenes. It really does pick once the complications with the case arises. It may not be as tense or as emotional as other 'Law and Order' episodes, but it does raise interesting questions about how to prosecute and approach the case and whether it was self-defense or not. Not doing it in a one-sided way and one really does think hard as to what their stance is. The acting is very good, Michael Moriarty continues to shine as Stone and Adam Arkin does well in a different role as a character that intrigues and doesn't come over as too obvious.
Overall, very good if not outstanding. 8/10