There were two previous two part crossovers with 'Law and Order' and 'Homicide: Life on the Streets'. The first being Season 6's "Charm City", which was decent if not great. The second being Season 8's "Baby It's You", which was very good with a couple of reservations. On top of that factor, it is hard to not expect a lot from "Sideshow", with it coming from a mostly very solid Season 9 (the best easily of the Season 9s between this show, 'Special Victims Unit' and 'Criminal Intent'.
Of the three two part crossovers, "Sideshow" is the second best, being a good episode with many great things despite Season 9 showing more than once before and since that it was capable of brilliance. The best being "Baby It's You", the most tactful and most cohesive of the three, of which "Sideshow" has similar strengths to. In fact, my overall feelings here are similar to that episode except one aspect here is weaker. This is not one of the best episodes of the season, but there is enough to show what was so great about 'Law and Order' in its prime.
"Sideshow" isn't perfect. Even for the first part of a two parter (again the second part is an episode of 'Homicide: Life on the Street'), the ending felt too abrupt and incomplete and really could have done with a couple of minutes more perhaps. Again there were perhaps a few too many characters, some 'Life on the Street' characters were more crucial than others.
Other 'Law and Order' episodes explores their heavy subjects with more tact and balance. While suitably uncompromising and suspenseful, "Sideshow" isn't as good as other episodes at showing issues from more than one side. It's a bit too much like 'Special Victims Unit' from Season 7 onwards at times, in that it is made somewhat too clear at what the writers' point of view on a subject is. Subsequently the episode did feel heavy-handed in spots to me.
However, a lot is great in "Sideshow". The production values are well done, subtly stylish and intimate without being claustrophobic. The music isn't too melodramatic and the direction lets the drama breathe while not dragging the momentum out. The acting from all the regulars is great with no exception, while George Hearn was seldom more smarmy than he is here as a character that one would be wary of without being too much of a cartoon.
Furthermore, the writing is tight and thought-provoking, leaving one intrigued throughout. The story is not deliberate or too thin and doesn't feel predictable or convoluted, story-wise only the abruptness of the ending and some heavy handed-ness disappoint. It is on the whole very compelling and certainly succeeds as a first part that makes one want to see the other one. As a crossover of two shows, "Sideshow" is very successful with one show not overshadowing the other. While feeling enough like a 'Law and Order' episode, not like them guest-starring.
In summary, good but not great. 7/10.
Of the three two part crossovers, "Sideshow" is the second best, being a good episode with many great things despite Season 9 showing more than once before and since that it was capable of brilliance. The best being "Baby It's You", the most tactful and most cohesive of the three, of which "Sideshow" has similar strengths to. In fact, my overall feelings here are similar to that episode except one aspect here is weaker. This is not one of the best episodes of the season, but there is enough to show what was so great about 'Law and Order' in its prime.
"Sideshow" isn't perfect. Even for the first part of a two parter (again the second part is an episode of 'Homicide: Life on the Street'), the ending felt too abrupt and incomplete and really could have done with a couple of minutes more perhaps. Again there were perhaps a few too many characters, some 'Life on the Street' characters were more crucial than others.
Other 'Law and Order' episodes explores their heavy subjects with more tact and balance. While suitably uncompromising and suspenseful, "Sideshow" isn't as good as other episodes at showing issues from more than one side. It's a bit too much like 'Special Victims Unit' from Season 7 onwards at times, in that it is made somewhat too clear at what the writers' point of view on a subject is. Subsequently the episode did feel heavy-handed in spots to me.
However, a lot is great in "Sideshow". The production values are well done, subtly stylish and intimate without being claustrophobic. The music isn't too melodramatic and the direction lets the drama breathe while not dragging the momentum out. The acting from all the regulars is great with no exception, while George Hearn was seldom more smarmy than he is here as a character that one would be wary of without being too much of a cartoon.
Furthermore, the writing is tight and thought-provoking, leaving one intrigued throughout. The story is not deliberate or too thin and doesn't feel predictable or convoluted, story-wise only the abruptness of the ending and some heavy handed-ness disappoint. It is on the whole very compelling and certainly succeeds as a first part that makes one want to see the other one. As a crossover of two shows, "Sideshow" is very successful with one show not overshadowing the other. While feeling enough like a 'Law and Order' episode, not like them guest-starring.
In summary, good but not great. 7/10.
