One of the biggest appeals of 'Law and Order' has been the topics it addresses and issues that come with the topics addressed. Also with how they are explored, the execution more often than not was hardly sugar coated or trivialised and was often pull no punches in quality. "Dreams Deferred" is definitely one of those episodes and it was an excellent episode on first watch, with it being particularly memorable for the guest turn of Patricia Arquette.
Rewatching "Dreams Deferred" recently (my third rewatch overtime), it is still excellent and has been all the times of watching. Not quite as good as the previous episode "Lessons Learned" but for me it is one of the better entries of the first half of Season 14 and of the season overall. Will admit though that "Dreams Deferred" has gone slightly down in my estimations, with one thing that didn't bother me on first watch that sticks out a bit.
"Dreams Deferred" succeeds in nearly every way. Arquette is mesmerising in a gut wrenching performance that moved me to tears, playing a character that doesn't sound rootable at all on paper but actually turned out to be one of Season 14's most interesting and rootable supporting characters. The regulars are extremely good too.
Furthermore, on a visual level the episode is solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough without being leaden, while having enough momentum to make the drama sing in its atmosphere.
Writing is intelligent and thought provoking, as well as tense and poignant. It also generally isn't preachy. The story is still powerful and gripped me from the brutally intense opening (my heart was in my mouth). It holds nothing back while still being honest and sensitive.
It's not a perfect episode though this time. While it is moving, the last 10 minutes or so felt dragged out and heavy handed.
Otherwise, excellent. 9/10.