"Past Imperfect" is the penultimate episode of Season 7 and one always expects a lot from penultimate episodes. Especially when a season is so good at its best, and Season 7 had a very high number of outstanding episodes. The still good if slightly disappointing previous episode "Passion" broke the chain somewhat after following on from six very good and more episodes in a row. Did like the idea of the story for "Past Imperfect".
The episode mostly did well with this idea. It doesn't execute it perfectly and like "Passion" it falls short of being great. "Past Imperfect" though is an improvement on that episode, as there are more surprises here and the plotting is more intricate and with less of a routine feel. While being nowhere near one of the best episodes of Season 7 and not up to the same level as the six fine episodes preceeding "Passion". It's recommended, just not an essential.
While the best things about "Past Imperfect" are wonderful, there are a couple of drawbacks. It does get a little too over-complicated when things are revealed and the ending could have been longer, with the amount of information to digest in this part it was a bit rushed and cramped.
McCoy's attitude with the defendant when cross examining them, even for a ruthless and shrewd individual like him, was overdone and bordered on emotional manipulation. Some of the things that were things are things that prosecutors wouldn't really say. Personal opinion of course.
However, there is a lot to recommend about "Past Imperfect". The production values are as professional as usual, and this aspect did come on a lot overtime with a sharper and slicker look growing with each season. The music is haunting while not intrusive or overused. The direction is sympathetic without being too low key. The script is intelligently written and taut, with a take no prisoners approach to the material. Briscoe's one-liners are always fun and the exchanges in the legal scenes are very thought-provoking.
Despite being over-complicated at times, the story is not predictable thanks to some sharp unexpected twists and turns, the truth was a surprise and not what one would think would be from the beginning. That prevents what sounds a little basic from being too ordinary, as does the tension in the legal scenes (i.e. How McCoy gets to the truth). The characters are interesting in both the policing and legal scenes, while the defendant is one that one doesn't completely feel sympathy for but doesn't hate (actually disliked the victim more). The acting is very good all round, Sam Waterston in the latter stages particularly.
Concluding, very well done on the whole. 8/10.
The episode mostly did well with this idea. It doesn't execute it perfectly and like "Passion" it falls short of being great. "Past Imperfect" though is an improvement on that episode, as there are more surprises here and the plotting is more intricate and with less of a routine feel. While being nowhere near one of the best episodes of Season 7 and not up to the same level as the six fine episodes preceeding "Passion". It's recommended, just not an essential.
While the best things about "Past Imperfect" are wonderful, there are a couple of drawbacks. It does get a little too over-complicated when things are revealed and the ending could have been longer, with the amount of information to digest in this part it was a bit rushed and cramped.
McCoy's attitude with the defendant when cross examining them, even for a ruthless and shrewd individual like him, was overdone and bordered on emotional manipulation. Some of the things that were things are things that prosecutors wouldn't really say. Personal opinion of course.
However, there is a lot to recommend about "Past Imperfect". The production values are as professional as usual, and this aspect did come on a lot overtime with a sharper and slicker look growing with each season. The music is haunting while not intrusive or overused. The direction is sympathetic without being too low key. The script is intelligently written and taut, with a take no prisoners approach to the material. Briscoe's one-liners are always fun and the exchanges in the legal scenes are very thought-provoking.
Despite being over-complicated at times, the story is not predictable thanks to some sharp unexpected twists and turns, the truth was a surprise and not what one would think would be from the beginning. That prevents what sounds a little basic from being too ordinary, as does the tension in the legal scenes (i.e. How McCoy gets to the truth). The characters are interesting in both the policing and legal scenes, while the defendant is one that one doesn't completely feel sympathy for but doesn't hate (actually disliked the victim more). The acting is very good all round, Sam Waterston in the latter stages particularly.
Concluding, very well done on the whole. 8/10.
