Did like Season 3 quite a fair bit on the whole, though the second half was generally better than the first and it wasn't quite as consistent as the previous two seasons. Almost all the episodes ranged between good and outstanding, with the weakest episode between "Helpless" and even that was above average. Did admire the ever intelligent and far from sugar-coated approach to heavy subjects and Jerry Orbach proved to be one of the franchise's best casting choices.
"Benevolence" was a solid and well done episode with plenty to like. For a last episode of a season though, which ideally for any season for any show should be great, part of me felt that it could have been better and gone for it more, having more punch. As far as Season 3 goes, "Benevolence" is among the lesser episodes but merely generally because the best of the other episodes of the season were so brilliant and as good as the best episodes of the previous two seasons.
The good things are many and outweigh the bad. As always, it's a slickly made episode, the editing especially having come on quite a bit from when the show first started (never was it a problem but it got more fluid with each episode up to this stage). The music is sparingly used and never seemed melodramatic, the theme tune easy to remember as usual. The direction is sympathetic enough without being too low key on the whole. Furthermore, the script is thoughtful and flows well, the interaction between Stone and Gold generally had the necessary fireworks and there is some nice insight into the subject and sincere handling of the moral dilemmas that come with the case.
Story could have had more punch emotionally, but compels on the whole, the investigative elements have a nice mix of intrigue and dry humour and the final scene is well done. All the acting is strong, and it was interesting to have some actors deaf in real life in the cast, with Orbach and Chris Noth carrying the first half with ease and Michael Moriarty and George Grizzard relish their interaction together. Richard Brooks shows why it was a shame that Robinette didn't last longer. Leon Russom has agreed a very interesting character morally, and not as loathsome a defendant as other ones this season and of the previous seasons.
However, other episodes of Season 3 had more tension and emotion, made me feel more of a mix of sad and angry. Everything here is executed very well but is a little bland, and that is probably down to having a subject that doesn't hit as hard as others and doesn't take as many risks.
Would have at times liked a tighter pace with energy being lost in the second half.
Overall, a solid episode that has pretty much everything done presently and correctly but for a season finale it felt a little bland. 7/10
"Benevolence" was a solid and well done episode with plenty to like. For a last episode of a season though, which ideally for any season for any show should be great, part of me felt that it could have been better and gone for it more, having more punch. As far as Season 3 goes, "Benevolence" is among the lesser episodes but merely generally because the best of the other episodes of the season were so brilliant and as good as the best episodes of the previous two seasons.
The good things are many and outweigh the bad. As always, it's a slickly made episode, the editing especially having come on quite a bit from when the show first started (never was it a problem but it got more fluid with each episode up to this stage). The music is sparingly used and never seemed melodramatic, the theme tune easy to remember as usual. The direction is sympathetic enough without being too low key on the whole. Furthermore, the script is thoughtful and flows well, the interaction between Stone and Gold generally had the necessary fireworks and there is some nice insight into the subject and sincere handling of the moral dilemmas that come with the case.
Story could have had more punch emotionally, but compels on the whole, the investigative elements have a nice mix of intrigue and dry humour and the final scene is well done. All the acting is strong, and it was interesting to have some actors deaf in real life in the cast, with Orbach and Chris Noth carrying the first half with ease and Michael Moriarty and George Grizzard relish their interaction together. Richard Brooks shows why it was a shame that Robinette didn't last longer. Leon Russom has agreed a very interesting character morally, and not as loathsome a defendant as other ones this season and of the previous seasons.
However, other episodes of Season 3 had more tension and emotion, made me feel more of a mix of sad and angry. Everything here is executed very well but is a little bland, and that is probably down to having a subject that doesn't hit as hard as others and doesn't take as many risks.
Would have at times liked a tighter pace with energy being lost in the second half.
Overall, a solid episode that has pretty much everything done presently and correctly but for a season finale it felt a little bland. 7/10
