"Hunters" was one of those 'Law and Order' episodes on first watch that had a number of good things but did feel on the ordinary side and didn't stick in the mind long after. There are episodes of the show and the 'Law and Order' franchise in general that felt like this, but there are many on both counts where that type of episode on first watch fared better on rewatch and were better than remembered seeing it through older eyes.
Season 9's "Hunters" is one of those episodes. It's not quite up to the same level of the previous two Season 9 episodes, but it is still truly excellent. On paper it sounds fairly standard and is a bit ordinary to begin with, but the execution is a lot more complex than that. When things become meatier and twistier "Hunters" becomes very intricate and it is one of those episodes that induces anger and outrage by its end.
As said, "Hunters" starts off a little on the ordinary side and didn't immediately grab me straightaway and did think too that the final 5 minutes or so were on the rushed side from trying to cram a lot in.
This is a feeling however that didn't last long at all and the rest of "Hunters" is very good indeed. It is as ever shot with the right amount of intimacy without feeling too up close, even with a reliance of close up camerawork. That the editing has become increasingly tighter over-time is great too. The music isn't over-scored, manipulative or used too much. There is intimacy and tautness in the direction.
The performances are never less than superb across the board, Sam Waterston's authority and ruthlessness shines too, as does Jerry Orbach's conflicted intensity. The script is intelligent and lean with no signs of fat. It also has intensity, emotional impact and even the odd sprinkle of humour. Briscoe's strong feelings over the case are very understandable and compelling to see.
Really liked the storytelling too. A lot happens, without mostly being over-stuffed. It is complicated too without being convoluted, and it is basically one of those episodes that leaves one deep in thought and outraged.
In conclusion, very, very good. 8/10.
Season 9's "Hunters" is one of those episodes. It's not quite up to the same level of the previous two Season 9 episodes, but it is still truly excellent. On paper it sounds fairly standard and is a bit ordinary to begin with, but the execution is a lot more complex than that. When things become meatier and twistier "Hunters" becomes very intricate and it is one of those episodes that induces anger and outrage by its end.
As said, "Hunters" starts off a little on the ordinary side and didn't immediately grab me straightaway and did think too that the final 5 minutes or so were on the rushed side from trying to cram a lot in.
This is a feeling however that didn't last long at all and the rest of "Hunters" is very good indeed. It is as ever shot with the right amount of intimacy without feeling too up close, even with a reliance of close up camerawork. That the editing has become increasingly tighter over-time is great too. The music isn't over-scored, manipulative or used too much. There is intimacy and tautness in the direction.
The performances are never less than superb across the board, Sam Waterston's authority and ruthlessness shines too, as does Jerry Orbach's conflicted intensity. The script is intelligent and lean with no signs of fat. It also has intensity, emotional impact and even the odd sprinkle of humour. Briscoe's strong feelings over the case are very understandable and compelling to see.
Really liked the storytelling too. A lot happens, without mostly being over-stuffed. It is complicated too without being convoluted, and it is basically one of those episodes that leaves one deep in thought and outraged.
In conclusion, very, very good. 8/10.
