"Flaw" from 'Law and Order's' Season 16 is the follow up/second part to the wonderful "Design" from 'Special Victims Unit's' Season 7. Was very happy to see the two fascinating mother and daughter characters return and also to see Olivia Benson working on the case with the 'Law and Order' team, way back when she was a likeable character and not one that constantly infuriated. Was very impressed by the season opener "Red Ball", so expectations were high.
Those high expectations luckily were very much met. "Flaw" may not be quite as good or as consistently riveting as "Design", but it is very nearly as great and has many fantastic things. All of them pretty much the same as those in "Design". It does nothing to waste Lorraine and April, instead it makes the absolute most of them and made them fully dimensional and deliciously amoral (more so than in "Design") characters that evoke strong feelings.
Maybe it is occasionally on the over-stuffed side, but there is very little to criticise here in "Flaw".
As good, the great things are many. The slick, subtly gritty and intimate production values are still present, while not going too far on the intimacy that it becomes too drab and closed up. The music lets the writing do all the talking without over-emphasising the emotions, while the direction is subtle without being bland or leaden.
Furthermore, the script is tightly structured and intelligent, conveying a wide range of emotions, especially in the latter stages when the complexity comes in. The story is full of clever twists and turns and is hugely entertaining and also very suspenseful. It is suitably complex, especially it comes to trial where things get very difficult for McCoy, with the entire truth not being what one expects at all. The conclusion is very satisfying and doesn't make one feel cheated.
Characterisation is spot on, especially Lorraine and April who are as cold blooded and amoral as they are in "Design", even more so in fact. Olivia fits well and despite it concluding from a 'Special Victims Unit' episode it is very 'Law and Order' without feeling too far apart in feel. The acting is excellent from all the regulars, and even better are the scorching turns of Lynda Carter and Estella Warren (the latter in particular being a knockout).
Overall, wonderful and near flawless. 9/10.
Those high expectations luckily were very much met. "Flaw" may not be quite as good or as consistently riveting as "Design", but it is very nearly as great and has many fantastic things. All of them pretty much the same as those in "Design". It does nothing to waste Lorraine and April, instead it makes the absolute most of them and made them fully dimensional and deliciously amoral (more so than in "Design") characters that evoke strong feelings.
Maybe it is occasionally on the over-stuffed side, but there is very little to criticise here in "Flaw".
As good, the great things are many. The slick, subtly gritty and intimate production values are still present, while not going too far on the intimacy that it becomes too drab and closed up. The music lets the writing do all the talking without over-emphasising the emotions, while the direction is subtle without being bland or leaden.
Furthermore, the script is tightly structured and intelligent, conveying a wide range of emotions, especially in the latter stages when the complexity comes in. The story is full of clever twists and turns and is hugely entertaining and also very suspenseful. It is suitably complex, especially it comes to trial where things get very difficult for McCoy, with the entire truth not being what one expects at all. The conclusion is very satisfying and doesn't make one feel cheated.
Characterisation is spot on, especially Lorraine and April who are as cold blooded and amoral as they are in "Design", even more so in fact. Olivia fits well and despite it concluding from a 'Special Victims Unit' episode it is very 'Law and Order' without feeling too far apart in feel. The acting is excellent from all the regulars, and even better are the scorching turns of Lynda Carter and Estella Warren (the latter in particular being a knockout).
Overall, wonderful and near flawless. 9/10.