"December Solstice" features two plotlines. One is the main case, that contains a complex issue that has not been unheard of to happen. And yes it reminded me of the Casey Kasem case too, which was still raw at the time of making and airing. The other is Barba's subplot, was really hoping that this would work despite the show being very variable when it comes to personal lives. As someone who is a fan of Barba and found him a near-consistently strong character that gave the show life.
Somehow despite being very well performed and well intended, "December Solstice" didn't click with me. It is not a terrible episode and the performances primarily save it, but to me a better job could have been done with both the main case and the subplot. It is not one of the best episodes of Season 16, like "Holden's Manifesto" and "Pattern Seventeen", but also not one of the worst like "Decaying Morality" and "Intimidation Game". This is more lower middle.
There are good things here, with it being particularly notable for the powerful portrayals of Raul Esparza, Marcia Cross and particularly moving Robert Vaughan in one of his last roles. The regular acting is very good. Also loved the incredibly cute moment between Barba and Olivia where they talk about what they shall be doing when they are 85.
Moreover, the production values are fine, have always liked the photography's intimacy and grit and the look of the show has come on a good deal over-time (and it was good to begin with). The music doesn't intrude and has a haunting quality, have not always remembered to say that the theme tune is easy to remember and holds up.
However, it didn't come together for me. Namely because of not being able to get into either the main case or Barba's subplot. The case is dull and muddled, with no surprises at all and a very obvious conclusion. Also didn't find the implausibly fast time it took for the case to go to trial remotely realistic and that the prosecution case was incredibly flimsy, not surprisingly as there was no real case and not one that was prosecuting worthy. Really did appreciate the episode attempting this subject matter, it just didn't execute it very well.
Barba's subplot could have been done better, Esparza does a great job and none of my issues with it have anything to do with him. It's more to do with that the dialogue is very soapy, the writing throughout "December Solstice" is like wading through soap but particularly during this storyline, and that the story in it felt too much like bland filler that doesn't go very far. Carisi's fan girling gets very over the top in the writing and gets old quick, usually find carisi a breath of fresh air but here he was annoying.
In summary, watchable but didn't come together or click. 5/10.
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