The idea for "Hands Free" did sound very intriguing, especially in the not what it seems part of it. Part of me was a little concerned in regard to how the truth about the perpetrator would be executed, either it could have had the shock factor and unsettled or it could come over as far-fetched and hard to swallow. While the original 'Law and Order' had a great range of interesting topics, they have had a few illogical premises that doomed the episodes from the get go (ie. "Blood").
Luckily, on the whole Season 14's "Hands Free" was not one of those episodes. It was not executed perfectly, with one half being a little more compelling than the other and one major revelation doesn't really work, but it always intrigued and probed thought and on the whole "Hands Free" is a very good episode. Not one of Season 14's best, or a 'Law and Order' high point, but definitely recommended due to so many good things working.
It does start off on the ordinary and familiar side, with familiar plot tropes, though it still intrigued and Briscoe and Green are a great team. The conclusion is somewhat over-crowded and rushed.
My biggest problem though was that it really was a stretch that the perpetrator was able to get away with their facade for so long without any suspicion.
However, the acting is excellent in lead and support and the character writing doesn't come over as stereotyped or bland. The story becomes a good deal more interesting when things turn out not what they seemed at first, and the turn in the plot is not handled abruptly or jarringly. The case also becomes more intricate and more tense and disturbing.
Furthermore, "Hands Free" doesn't look drab or gaudy, and the editing is far from slapdash. The music avoids getting too melodramatic in the more dramatic moments while not being too low key, it has always been a good move that it is used relatively sparingly. The direction especially shines in the character interaction in the second half. The script is beautifully balanced, there is a lot of talk but taut enough to avoid it from waffling.
All in all, very well done. 7.5/10.
Luckily, on the whole Season 14's "Hands Free" was not one of those episodes. It was not executed perfectly, with one half being a little more compelling than the other and one major revelation doesn't really work, but it always intrigued and probed thought and on the whole "Hands Free" is a very good episode. Not one of Season 14's best, or a 'Law and Order' high point, but definitely recommended due to so many good things working.
It does start off on the ordinary and familiar side, with familiar plot tropes, though it still intrigued and Briscoe and Green are a great team. The conclusion is somewhat over-crowded and rushed.
My biggest problem though was that it really was a stretch that the perpetrator was able to get away with their facade for so long without any suspicion.
However, the acting is excellent in lead and support and the character writing doesn't come over as stereotyped or bland. The story becomes a good deal more interesting when things turn out not what they seemed at first, and the turn in the plot is not handled abruptly or jarringly. The case also becomes more intricate and more tense and disturbing.
Furthermore, "Hands Free" doesn't look drab or gaudy, and the editing is far from slapdash. The music avoids getting too melodramatic in the more dramatic moments while not being too low key, it has always been a good move that it is used relatively sparingly. The direction especially shines in the character interaction in the second half. The script is beautifully balanced, there is a lot of talk but taut enough to avoid it from waffling.
All in all, very well done. 7.5/10.
