While Stone prosecutes a judge in an attempted larceny case, Kincaid faces censure charges for not disclosing that she had an affair with the accused.While Stone prosecutes a judge in an attempted larceny case, Kincaid faces censure charges for not disclosing that she had an affair with the accused.While Stone prosecutes a judge in an attempted larceny case, Kincaid faces censure charges for not disclosing that she had an affair with the accused.
- Dr. Elizabeth Olivet
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis episode appears to be based on the 1992 Sol Wachtler case. Wachtler was a New York Chief Judge when the news of his affair with associate Joy Silverman hit the news. Wachtler was arrested for threatening not only Silverman's life but also that of her daughter. Wachtler eventually pled guilty to harassment and was sentenced to jail time. During his career on the bench, Wachtler made numerous landmark decisions, including presiding on a case where he ruled that a married man could indeed be charged with rape if his wife wasn't willing.
- GoofsClaire Kincaid is misidentified on-screen as "Jill Kincaid" during one segue screen slightly more than halfway through this episode.
- Quotes
A.D.A. Claire Kincaid: I don't think this has to do with Ben. It has to do with me. I had a prior working relationship with Thayer.
D.A. Adam Schiff: Oh, really? Doing what?
A.D.A. Claire Kincaid: I was his clerk.
D.A. Adam Schiff: And? And what's the problem, Miss Kincaid?
A.D.A. Claire Kincaid: I had an affair with him.
D.A. Adam Schiff: Well that's just dandy.
Ben Stone: You... you had an affair? Why the hell didn't you tell me this?
A.D.A. Claire Kincaid: I told you to take me off the case.
Ben Stone: I would have, if I'd known this!
A.D.A. Claire Kincaid: I'd hoped there was some part of my personal life I could keep personal.
Ben Stone: Oh, great!
After a slight quality slump, not by much though, post-"American Dream", Season 4 is back on track with one of the better episodes of its second half "Censure". The case is suitably twisted, just as much as the previous episode "Breeder", and is a good deal more intricate than "The Pursuit of Happiness" especially and not as predictable. You do feel uneasy about the defendant, but that doesn't feel overly obvious here in "Censure". Kincaid's character writing is done very well here.
Only the agreed slightly abrupt ending disappoints. Other than that, "Censure" is near-classic 'Law and Order'.
Throughout all the performances are excellent. Michael Moriarty really shines in his chemistry with the equally excellent Jill Hennessy (here giving one of her best performances of her run on the show in my opinion), his shock and upset very believable, and when trying to get the truth out of Thayer (a very suspenseful moment that). Dave Groh is creepiness personified and George Grizzard brings a lot of energy to his recurring role. Jane Kaczmarek is affecting and John Ramsay also shines in that aforementioned moment with Stone.
Moreover, although the investigative/procedural elements are intriguing and entertain, but the legal scenes are even better and very honestly and thoughtfully written. The tension between Stone and Kincaid is beautifully played and written with real tension boiling between the two. The case doesn't get obvious or convoluted and is one of the most twisted of Season 4 along with "Breeder" where one is truly rooting for a conviction. That scene between Stone, Thayer and Schreiber is one powerful piece of writing and storytelling.
Production values are typically slick, as are the direction and pacing. The music is haunting without being over-emphatic.
All in all, wonderful and a near-classic. 9/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Sep 30, 2020