"Heartfelt Passages" is the second part of the season finale two parter, the first being the exceptional "Intersecting Lives". Of all the episodes of Season 17, "Heartfelt Passages" was the one watched with the most anticipation. Because of the promos being so good and promising so much. Was really hoping though that the episode would live up to the hype, as "Melancholy Pursuit" earlier on in the season was very promisingly advertised and turned out disappointing.
Luckily, this is an example of an episode that absolutely lives up to the hype. Many of the show's season finales were heavily hyped, not all were as good as the hype (that's including the previous season's finale "Surrender Noah") but "Heartfelt Passages" is one of the season finales that is every bit as good, despite the outcome of the big event being given away. It is also every bit as outstanding as "Intersecting Lives" and a few things are executed even better, would argue that it is even more tense and emotional. What stops it from doing that is one part of the story not being done enough with.
That being Barba's subplot, absolutely love Barba and his subplot had real potential to be tense. But to me it was too underused and felt incomplete too.
Everything else is fantastic. The episode looks good, with the usual slickness and subtle grit. Really liked too that the photography was simple and close up but doing so without being claustrophobic. The music has presence when used, and luckily it isn't constant, and when it is used it doesn't feel over-scored. The direction allows the drama to breathe while still giving it momentum as well.
Script is one of the most intelligent and tautest of the season, no corn, melodrama or triteness in sight and Brad Garrett's dialogue later on chills. The story pulls no punches, has genuine tension. The major event that dominates the episode could have been dragged out, ridiculous and predictable, but it was neither and also had nothing gratuitous (unlike "Townhouse Incident"). It was exciting and genuinely suspenseful, and the treatment of this harrowing subject is uncompromising as ought. Will agree though that it is frustrating when someone who is clearly a criminal has their profession in solidarity with them, but that has been the case with the franchise for years with corruption in the police force being shown more than once in the original.
Despite the big fate of one character and the outcome of the conflict being given away somewhat in the promos, that didn't stop the outcome from being truly heart-rending. The hospital scenes really moved me. The performances are spot on, Brad Garrett at his nastiest coming out on top but Peter Gallagher also deserves a big mention for his truly poignant delivery of the scene where Dodds opens up. Actually saw him in a different light here, felt truly sorry for him and respected him.
Overall, wonderful way to end a patchy but not bad at all season. 9/10.