Actually was not a fan of "Criminal Stories" on my first watch, it didn't grab me and Alec Baldwin's character annoyed me and dominated the episode too much in my view. Anything concerning the media and how it can compromise a case is not usually my favourite kind of story, being somebody whose dislike for the media is growing every day. So this was one of the rewatches that was looked forward to least to be perfectly honest.
While a long way from a perfect episode and it is still not great, "Criminal Stories" grew on me massively. Of all the Season 15 episodes, this is a contender for the episode that improved the most on rewatch. It is also one of the episodes of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' in general that grew on me the most. The story was much more gripping and Baldwin's character grated a lot less. Not much is done to make me dislike the media less though.
"Criminal Stories" has a lot that works in its favour. Baldwin is pitch perfect in a role he was pretty much born to play, and he doesn't overplay too much the negative character traits of his role. The regulars are also extremely good with no exception and they have great chemistry with Baldwin. Mariska Hargitay is particularly good and the chemistry between them is on fire.
The story is hard hitting and generally gripping and the script is taut and provokes thought. Did like a lot what it had to say about the media and how sensationalist and manipulative it constantly was at the time and still is, and doing so in a very pull no punches way. It is as ever shot with the right amount of intimacy without feeling too up close, even with a reliance of close up camerawork. The music isn't over-scored, manipulative or used too much. There is intimacy and tautness in the direction.
It does have flaws though. The case is very thin and formulaic and didn't buy the implausibly fast time the case gets to trial and how the trial process works.
Amaro seemed on the aggressive side.
Pretty good episode overall. 7/10.
While a long way from a perfect episode and it is still not great, "Criminal Stories" grew on me massively. Of all the Season 15 episodes, this is a contender for the episode that improved the most on rewatch. It is also one of the episodes of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' in general that grew on me the most. The story was much more gripping and Baldwin's character grated a lot less. Not much is done to make me dislike the media less though.
"Criminal Stories" has a lot that works in its favour. Baldwin is pitch perfect in a role he was pretty much born to play, and he doesn't overplay too much the negative character traits of his role. The regulars are also extremely good with no exception and they have great chemistry with Baldwin. Mariska Hargitay is particularly good and the chemistry between them is on fire.
The story is hard hitting and generally gripping and the script is taut and provokes thought. Did like a lot what it had to say about the media and how sensationalist and manipulative it constantly was at the time and still is, and doing so in a very pull no punches way. It is as ever shot with the right amount of intimacy without feeling too up close, even with a reliance of close up camerawork. The music isn't over-scored, manipulative or used too much. There is intimacy and tautness in the direction.
It does have flaws though. The case is very thin and formulaic and didn't buy the implausibly fast time the case gets to trial and how the trial process works.
Amaro seemed on the aggressive side.
Pretty good episode overall. 7/10.
