Anybody who has read any of my other reviews for for example individual episodes of the 'Law and Order' shows, am slowly working my way through writing reviews for all the episodes of 'Law and Order, 'Special Victims Unit' (and 'Criminal Intent' until late last year) with a long way to go, will know already how much admiration there is from me for anything that tackles difficult and controversial themes and issues. The story for "Flight" can definitely be considered that.
"Flight" is a step in the right direction and is a big improvement on the very disappointing previous episode "Dirty", one of the worst episodes of Season 12. One of my favourites of Season 12 ("Behave", "Locum", "Totem") it is not, but on the most part it was very impressive despite the story execution being far from perfect. It is though worth seeing for the disturbing atmosphere, Colm Feore and the fact that there is more of the team with relevant roles.
The story as said could have been done better. It did feel choppy in places, like there had been scenes that had been filmed but for some reason had not made it into the episode. Maybe to respect the memory of Isabella Grasso who died tragically not long after filming. The ending was abrupt and unsatisfying.
On a more nit-picky note, did have to cringe at some of the French in the scene between Munch and Dominique, with words being pronounced in a way that changes the whole meaning of the word thus also the whole meaning of what is being said in the interview.
However, there is a lot to like. The regulars are all great, and even more so Feore at his most unnerving. It was great to see more of the too under-utilised Munch (likely down to Richard Belzer's health problems) and to see the team members all have something to contribute to the case and work cohesively as a team. There is a lot of fun and taut writing, with the best lines going to Stabler and Fin.
Despite not being perfectly executed, the story is disturbing and has always given me the creeps, especially considering that it is eerily reminiscent of a current case that was a big thing for months and still is. "Flight" is a slickly made episode, the editing especially having come on quite a bit from when the show first started (never was it a problem but it got more fluid with each episode up to this stage). The music is sparingly used and never seemed melodramatic, the theme tune easy to remember as usual. The direction is sympathetic enough without being too low key.
Summing up, worth watching if not an essential. 7/10.