Feelings on "American Disgrace" were very mixed on first watch, loved the performances (with a very memorable guest turn) and Carisi continued to impress but let down primarily by its predictability and an unconvincing ending. There though have been quite a few episodes of 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' that didn't do much for me or left me mixed on first watch that fared much better on rewatch, in a few cases significantly so to the point of being the complete opposite.
"American Disgrace" could have been better and is a let down after a very enjoyable first episode to Season 16, my feelings fared slightly better on rewatch but my reservations are pretty much the same. It is far from a disgrace of an episode and is nowhere near close to being that bad, a good deal better than the rating indicates and is better than some episodes rated higher (it is better than "Spousal Privilege", "Agent Provocateur" and "Parent's Nightmare"). Not one of the best episodes of Season 16, but not one of the worst.
Much works. Photography while very close up doesn't come over as too static or filmed play-like, while the production values are typically solid and have subtle atmosphere while not being drab and keeping things simple. When the music is used it is haunting and has a melancholic edge that is not overdone. The direction has enough momentum and breathing space.
The script is intelligent and taut enough, while the story engrosses enough and has some twisty moments. The truth was a surprise. Barba has lost none of his sparkle and Carisi's holding no prisoners attitude is refreshing, also Fin has a priceless reaction to Carisi. The regulars are all very good, while a truly excellent Stacy Keach steals the show. Really chilling at how someone who ooks so amiable but it is so shocking to see anybody with that amount of awful hatred in them.
However, too much of the case is predictable and could have afforded to have moved away more from the case its based on. The ending is every bit as unconvincing on rewatch than it was on first viewing, even more so. It's just so emotionally over the top and felt tacked on, as well as hard to buy when it goes against how the episode began.
Pacing also could have been tighter and the trial process is too implausibly fast.
Concluding, decent above average episode but not Season 16 at its best. 6/10.
"American Disgrace" could have been better and is a let down after a very enjoyable first episode to Season 16, my feelings fared slightly better on rewatch but my reservations are pretty much the same. It is far from a disgrace of an episode and is nowhere near close to being that bad, a good deal better than the rating indicates and is better than some episodes rated higher (it is better than "Spousal Privilege", "Agent Provocateur" and "Parent's Nightmare"). Not one of the best episodes of Season 16, but not one of the worst.
Much works. Photography while very close up doesn't come over as too static or filmed play-like, while the production values are typically solid and have subtle atmosphere while not being drab and keeping things simple. When the music is used it is haunting and has a melancholic edge that is not overdone. The direction has enough momentum and breathing space.
The script is intelligent and taut enough, while the story engrosses enough and has some twisty moments. The truth was a surprise. Barba has lost none of his sparkle and Carisi's holding no prisoners attitude is refreshing, also Fin has a priceless reaction to Carisi. The regulars are all very good, while a truly excellent Stacy Keach steals the show. Really chilling at how someone who ooks so amiable but it is so shocking to see anybody with that amount of awful hatred in them.
However, too much of the case is predictable and could have afforded to have moved away more from the case its based on. The ending is every bit as unconvincing on rewatch than it was on first viewing, even more so. It's just so emotionally over the top and felt tacked on, as well as hard to buy when it goes against how the episode began.
Pacing also could have been tighter and the trial process is too implausibly fast.
Concluding, decent above average episode but not Season 16 at its best. 6/10.
