I found the conclusion of this episode pretty interresting and basically the problem that this episode deals with was ahead of it's time. Too Bad that Jack's closing statement that people will trade privacy for safety is still true. Hell people trade privacy for convenience judging from the sales figures of digital assistent devices like Alexa, which are basically always on listening devices, are something to go on.
4 Reviews
Online confidential
TheLittleSongbird25 May 2022
The subject matter is a very intriguing one and it was interesting to see how technology and online companies operated at this time and the attitudes towards it. It was a subject that was big back then and is still relevant now, which as has been said quite a number of times by me already in previous reviews has always been one of 'Law and Order' and the franchise's biggest appeals. Meaning how it deals with controversial or topical issues and the way it's done.
"Access Nation" is not one of the best episodes of 'Law and Order', not many if any episodes of Season 12 fit this distinction. It is though subject matter-wise one of the most interesting ones of the season and as far as Season 12 goes it's in the better half of it. "Access Nation" is an episode that still is of relevance today, even if how technology and online companies operate are a lot more advanced now, and will spark a good deal of debate.
Not much wrong here, though Elisabeth Rohm's wooden acting still jars with everything else.
It does start off on the slightly ordinary side.
However, the portrayal of the technology and online companies was interesting and like being down (vague) memory lane, despite it feeling rather out of date due to how big the differences are. McDowell is a character that is a powerful influence and "think they're invincible" types, but one of those that one shouldn't trust yet some would so big his influence and connections. While the investigating is entertaining and carried by the great teaming of Briscoe and Green (not to mention Briscoe's wisecracking), the legal portion and the moral dilemmas that McCoy has to face when prosecuting fare even better and have a good degree of tenssion.
Furthermore, "Access Nation's" production values are still slick and suitably gritty (without being too heavy in it). The music is not too melodramatic and is not used too much, even not being too manipulative in revelations. The direction lets the drama breathe while making sure that the tension and emotion never slipped. The script is lean and thought-provoking, especially in the second half, and there is nothing dated at all about what sparked so much debate at a tumultuous time for America and the world when it is still relevant and happening still. Other than Rohm, the acting is strong. Sam Waterston stands out of the regulars, but the biggest impression comes from smarmy Frank Whaley.
Overall, very good. 8/10.
"Access Nation" is not one of the best episodes of 'Law and Order', not many if any episodes of Season 12 fit this distinction. It is though subject matter-wise one of the most interesting ones of the season and as far as Season 12 goes it's in the better half of it. "Access Nation" is an episode that still is of relevance today, even if how technology and online companies operate are a lot more advanced now, and will spark a good deal of debate.
Not much wrong here, though Elisabeth Rohm's wooden acting still jars with everything else.
It does start off on the slightly ordinary side.
However, the portrayal of the technology and online companies was interesting and like being down (vague) memory lane, despite it feeling rather out of date due to how big the differences are. McDowell is a character that is a powerful influence and "think they're invincible" types, but one of those that one shouldn't trust yet some would so big his influence and connections. While the investigating is entertaining and carried by the great teaming of Briscoe and Green (not to mention Briscoe's wisecracking), the legal portion and the moral dilemmas that McCoy has to face when prosecuting fare even better and have a good degree of tenssion.
Furthermore, "Access Nation's" production values are still slick and suitably gritty (without being too heavy in it). The music is not too melodramatic and is not used too much, even not being too manipulative in revelations. The direction lets the drama breathe while making sure that the tension and emotion never slipped. The script is lean and thought-provoking, especially in the second half, and there is nothing dated at all about what sparked so much debate at a tumultuous time for America and the world when it is still relevant and happening still. Other than Rohm, the acting is strong. Sam Waterston stands out of the regulars, but the biggest impression comes from smarmy Frank Whaley.
Overall, very good. 8/10.
Information doesn't kill people. People kill people.
Mrpalli7715 November 2017
Two maintenance men were discussing about recycling paper trash when one of them noticed a dead body among the garbage. Detectives realize the victim, a female psychologist who followed his dad footsteps at Princeton, watched the same night a movie at a local art-house cinema. She was together with a troubled black girl (Yaani King Mondschein) she was mentoring who dated a Cuban lowlife; the teenager was also involved with another black guy in a robbery scam for few dimes. Anyway the investigation takes another pattern when Briscoe and Green figure out files in the victim's laptop has been modified after the murder took place. A rapist inmate just paroled kept on downloading porn movies on the net and he became aware the therapist on charge (the murdered girl) had already known about that, so he decided to kill her. But how did he get that kind of information?
The episode plot involved mostly to what extent people can steal private information to sell them in the market. This topic was much debated when the episode was shooting (after the 11/9 attack) but it's still meaningful right now: privacy plays a crucial role to avoid dictatorial tendencies.
The episode plot involved mostly to what extent people can steal private information to sell them in the market. This topic was much debated when the episode was shooting (after the 11/9 attack) but it's still meaningful right now: privacy plays a crucial role to avoid dictatorial tendencies.
Right to privacy
bkoganbing8 September 2020
Online companies who do searchs are the target of this Law And Order episode as
a psychologist who was a counselor for rape victims is murdered.
After pursuing a few leads that went dry, Jerry Orbach and Jesse Martin find a dissatisfied individual who was being counseled. This guy through the latest technology available was able to cyberspy on her with the computer.
Once the actual murderer is dealt with Sam Waterston goes after the cybersearch company and its CEO Frank Whaley. Whaley is one smarmy creep but he's got good connections and good lawyers.
He also has competitors. Watch the episode to see what that means.
After pursuing a few leads that went dry, Jerry Orbach and Jesse Martin find a dissatisfied individual who was being counseled. This guy through the latest technology available was able to cyberspy on her with the computer.
Once the actual murderer is dealt with Sam Waterston goes after the cybersearch company and its CEO Frank Whaley. Whaley is one smarmy creep but he's got good connections and good lawyers.
He also has competitors. Watch the episode to see what that means.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
