Two skinheads beat a young man to death right outside a gay bar; Pembleton (Andre Braugher) and Bayliss (Kyle Secor) investigate the murder. Meanwhile, Lewis (Clark Johnson) finds a key witness of an unsolved case followed by his former partner Crosetti and clashes with Howard (Melissa Leo), the new primary.
Hate Crimes is a fine episode, with believable, flawed characters and an excellent ear for dialogues. Also remarkable is the lack of cheesy self-congratulatory epilogues typical of other cop shows. Always gritty and realistic, often unsettling, Homicide at its best was really one of the finest series ever.
Acting is strong. Apart for always awesome Braugher, Secor, Johnson and Leo, there is a brilliant guest star appearance by Terry O'Quinn (Lost) as the victim's father. With a lesser actor the character could have been a paper-thin, repulsive jerk, but O'Quinn makes the petty, enraged man plausible and even somewhat pitiable. Reed Diamond as Kellerman has a minor but interesting role.
8/10
Hate Crimes is a fine episode, with believable, flawed characters and an excellent ear for dialogues. Also remarkable is the lack of cheesy self-congratulatory epilogues typical of other cop shows. Always gritty and realistic, often unsettling, Homicide at its best was really one of the finest series ever.
Acting is strong. Apart for always awesome Braugher, Secor, Johnson and Leo, there is a brilliant guest star appearance by Terry O'Quinn (Lost) as the victim's father. With a lesser actor the character could have been a paper-thin, repulsive jerk, but O'Quinn makes the petty, enraged man plausible and even somewhat pitiable. Reed Diamond as Kellerman has a minor but interesting role.
8/10
