'Law and Order' was a brilliant show in its prime and overall is actually my favourite of the 'Law and Order' franchise and out of it, 'Special Victims Unit' (the longest running, but has been very inconsistent for a long time now) and 'Criminal Intent' (very good Seasons 1-4 and last season but uneven in Seasons 5-9). Despite not feeling the same post-Briscoe and becoming more variable post-Season 10. "Asterisk's" subject did intrigue me, having never heard of it before.
"Asterisk" is an interesting episode that does a lot right, at the same time it is not an exceptional episode. Do think as well that it could have done more with its subject, which sounded oddly intriguing on paper but didn't feel illuminating enough. As far as Season 13 goes, "Asterisk" is neither one of the best or one of the worst. Somewhere firmly in the middle (the general standard of most of the season's episodes), which is not too bad a position to be in.
Beginning with what could have been done better, part of me actually thought that it could have done with more surprises, other episodes of the season were twistier and the twists were a lot more unpredictable. As said, for something that was quite new to me it doesn't really teach very much and what is said about steroid use intrigues enough but could have been more insightful.
It perhaps could have done with more tension and emotion, from tackling more difficult subjects in a more complex and pull no punches way. The first half isn't quite as good as the second, it's interesting enough and Briscoe and Green's chemistry is great, there is just a feeling of we've seen this all before. Elisabeth Rohm comes over as stiff and robotic.
So much is good however. The rest of the acting is more than fine, with Sam Waterston being typically authoritative and ruthless. Jerry Orbach and Jesse L Martin are also great, as is unsettling Jay O Sanders. The script is tight and thoughtful, while also not being over-complicated or sugar-coated. There is a good deal of talk but it doesn't feel too much. The second half does compel a good deal and the moral dilemmas of the case are handled well. Especially regarding the character of Seleeby, which was handled more tastefully than feared.
Furthermore, the production values are still fully professional, the slickness and subtly gritty style still remaining. The music is sparingly used and is haunting and thankfully non-overwrought. The direction shows some nice tension in the legal scenes. The material is richer in the legal scenes, hence why the second half fares strongly.
Pretty good in summation if not great. 7/10.
"Asterisk" is an interesting episode that does a lot right, at the same time it is not an exceptional episode. Do think as well that it could have done more with its subject, which sounded oddly intriguing on paper but didn't feel illuminating enough. As far as Season 13 goes, "Asterisk" is neither one of the best or one of the worst. Somewhere firmly in the middle (the general standard of most of the season's episodes), which is not too bad a position to be in.
Beginning with what could have been done better, part of me actually thought that it could have done with more surprises, other episodes of the season were twistier and the twists were a lot more unpredictable. As said, for something that was quite new to me it doesn't really teach very much and what is said about steroid use intrigues enough but could have been more insightful.
It perhaps could have done with more tension and emotion, from tackling more difficult subjects in a more complex and pull no punches way. The first half isn't quite as good as the second, it's interesting enough and Briscoe and Green's chemistry is great, there is just a feeling of we've seen this all before. Elisabeth Rohm comes over as stiff and robotic.
So much is good however. The rest of the acting is more than fine, with Sam Waterston being typically authoritative and ruthless. Jerry Orbach and Jesse L Martin are also great, as is unsettling Jay O Sanders. The script is tight and thoughtful, while also not being over-complicated or sugar-coated. There is a good deal of talk but it doesn't feel too much. The second half does compel a good deal and the moral dilemmas of the case are handled well. Especially regarding the character of Seleeby, which was handled more tastefully than feared.
Furthermore, the production values are still fully professional, the slickness and subtly gritty style still remaining. The music is sparingly used and is haunting and thankfully non-overwrought. The direction shows some nice tension in the legal scenes. The material is richer in the legal scenes, hence why the second half fares strongly.
Pretty good in summation if not great. 7/10.
