Can understand why "Proud Flesh" might not click with some. It is not hard to see too why people may have a problem understanding some of it, as indicated in a previous comment. Speaking from personal experience on my first watch at the point of getting into 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent', despite loving Malcolm McDowell's performance and being wowed by the ending some of the episode did go over my head in trying to make sense of it.
There are four categories that 'Criminal Intent' episodes fall into. Some are in the "always thought highly of it" category. Some are in the "better on rewatch" category. Some are in the "gone down in my estimations" category, this is the least populated one of the four groups. And there are a handful in the "didn't do it for me" category. "Proud Flesh" for me is in the "better on rewatch" group and while it didn't blow me away it actually struck me as very good.
Do actually agree that the motive could have been a lot clearer, that was very vague on first viewing and, after re-watching, it should have been elaborated upon more.
Also did feel that parts were a little too over-complicated from having a couple too many revelations later on.
However, there is a lot to admire about "Proud Flesh". The production values are fine, have always liked the photography's intimacy and grit and the look of the show has come on a good deal over-time (and it was good to begin with). The music doesn't intrude and has a haunting quality, have not always remembered to say that the theme tune is easy to remember and holds up.
Furthermore, the script is lean and thought-provoking with some nice apt perceptions and sass in Goren and Eames' character writing and chemistry. The story is not perfect but it is never dull and the case is an engrossing one. The turns in the plot are neat and intriguing and there is tension especially in the portrayal of the family relationships. A major standout here is the ending, which was one of those "didn't see it coming" ones and it is quite genius.
Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe both sparkle while McDowell's performance is full of don't want to mess with authority as a juicy but not too stock character.
In summary, over-complicated at times but very well crafted on the whole. 8/10
There are four categories that 'Criminal Intent' episodes fall into. Some are in the "always thought highly of it" category. Some are in the "better on rewatch" category. Some are in the "gone down in my estimations" category, this is the least populated one of the four groups. And there are a handful in the "didn't do it for me" category. "Proud Flesh" for me is in the "better on rewatch" group and while it didn't blow me away it actually struck me as very good.
Do actually agree that the motive could have been a lot clearer, that was very vague on first viewing and, after re-watching, it should have been elaborated upon more.
Also did feel that parts were a little too over-complicated from having a couple too many revelations later on.
However, there is a lot to admire about "Proud Flesh". The production values are fine, have always liked the photography's intimacy and grit and the look of the show has come on a good deal over-time (and it was good to begin with). The music doesn't intrude and has a haunting quality, have not always remembered to say that the theme tune is easy to remember and holds up.
Furthermore, the script is lean and thought-provoking with some nice apt perceptions and sass in Goren and Eames' character writing and chemistry. The story is not perfect but it is never dull and the case is an engrossing one. The turns in the plot are neat and intriguing and there is tension especially in the portrayal of the family relationships. A major standout here is the ending, which was one of those "didn't see it coming" ones and it is quite genius.
Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe both sparkle while McDowell's performance is full of don't want to mess with authority as a juicy but not too stock character.
In summary, over-complicated at times but very well crafted on the whole. 8/10
