The subject matter immediately is enough to grab the attention. It is a very sensitive and difficult topic to discuss, and if anybody has doubts about whether the execution would be tactful enough without being preachy, one-sided and too heavy that is understandable (those are common traps with this kind of topic and similar). Anybody though that has always admired how 'Law and Order' approached tough subjects and how it did so will be intrigued.
"Custody" is a great episode that does extremely well with one of Season 6's toughest subjects. There was a general slump in quality between "Blood Libel" and this (with the exception of "Trophy") where the episodes ranged between mixed feelings and decent with big problems, but "Custody" was a near-return to form for the season. It was very interesting to see Paul Robinette again, though strange to see him without Ben Stone and on the defense rather than the prosecution.
Will admit though to preferring him on the prosecution side, more balanced and perceptive as well as more realistic. My initial feelings on hearing his argument raised my eyebrows slightly (though not near as much as the defense argument in "Remand") and my thoughts were he was a lot more balanced and smarter in the early seasons.
As "Custody" goes on however and the more the debate is delved deeper into, his point of view actually didn't seem as bad as it came over initially. Much prefer him as a prosecutor though.
In spite of that criticism, which will come over as a nit-pick to some, "Custody" is highly successful everywhere else. The production values are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough without being leaden, while having enough momentum to make the drama sing in its atmosphere.
Script is very thoughtful, and despite having a lot of (thankfully still interesting) talk it doesn't ramble. The story came over as very intense and moving, that handles one of the season's most difficult topics sensitively yet also harrowingly. The policing scenes are entertaining and gritty with great chemistry but it's the legal side where the episode really delivers. The performances are on point, particularly from a truly powerful Amber Kain.
Summarising, great. 9/10
"Custody" is a great episode that does extremely well with one of Season 6's toughest subjects. There was a general slump in quality between "Blood Libel" and this (with the exception of "Trophy") where the episodes ranged between mixed feelings and decent with big problems, but "Custody" was a near-return to form for the season. It was very interesting to see Paul Robinette again, though strange to see him without Ben Stone and on the defense rather than the prosecution.
Will admit though to preferring him on the prosecution side, more balanced and perceptive as well as more realistic. My initial feelings on hearing his argument raised my eyebrows slightly (though not near as much as the defense argument in "Remand") and my thoughts were he was a lot more balanced and smarter in the early seasons.
As "Custody" goes on however and the more the debate is delved deeper into, his point of view actually didn't seem as bad as it came over initially. Much prefer him as a prosecutor though.
In spite of that criticism, which will come over as a nit-pick to some, "Custody" is highly successful everywhere else. The production values are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough without being leaden, while having enough momentum to make the drama sing in its atmosphere.
Script is very thoughtful, and despite having a lot of (thankfully still interesting) talk it doesn't ramble. The story came over as very intense and moving, that handles one of the season's most difficult topics sensitively yet also harrowingly. The policing scenes are entertaining and gritty with great chemistry but it's the legal side where the episode really delivers. The performances are on point, particularly from a truly powerful Amber Kain.
Summarising, great. 9/10
