The subject matter immediately is enough to grab the attention. It is a very sensitive and difficult topic to discuss, and if anybody has doubts about whether the execution would be tactful enough without being ham-handed, one-sided and too heavy that is understandable (those are common traps with this kind of topic and similar). Anybody though that has always admired how 'Law and Order' approached tough subjects and how it did so will be intrigued.
Although there were better episodes before ("Birthright", "Flaw", "Acid" and "Criminal Law") and since ("Cost of Capital", "Thinking Makes it So" and "Invaders") from Season 16, "Heart of Darkness" is an improvement over the still solid previous two episodes and a very good episode. That executes its subject with a lot of punch and tact, which is not always easy to do. 'Law and Order' really excels when it makes one think about both sides of the debate and "Heart of Darkness" does that.
"Heart of Darkness" isn't quite perfect. Nothing is done inherently wrong. Just that other 'Law and Order' episodes are more consistent. Like a lot of 'Law and Order' episodes, the detective scenes are not as good as the second half, where the episode really does come to life and have the full emotional power needed. The detective scenes are still well written and acted, just not my definition of earth-shattering. All the shocks, emotions and complexity are in the legal scenes.
Borgia is also a bit too on the stubborn side.
However, so much is done incredibly well. The production values are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough without being leaden, while having enough momentum to make the drama sing in its atmosphere. The performances from all the regulars are great, especially from Sam Waterston and he has strong chemistry with Annie Parrisse (continuing to impress as Borgia). The supporting cast are fine as well.
Moreover, the script is very thoughtful, and despite having a lot of (thankfully still interesting) talk it doesn't ramble. It is especially good in the more complicated, which are not too hard to follow, parts of the legal scenes and when dealing with the moral dilemmas that come with this tough topic. The story is compelling and intricate, with the legal portions being riveting. The disagreements had over the case don't over as over-heated, and it is a case of both sides of the argument being understandable. Not easy to do when it is a subject where it is easy to take sides and have very extreme opinions about.
In summary, very good. 8/10.
Although there were better episodes before ("Birthright", "Flaw", "Acid" and "Criminal Law") and since ("Cost of Capital", "Thinking Makes it So" and "Invaders") from Season 16, "Heart of Darkness" is an improvement over the still solid previous two episodes and a very good episode. That executes its subject with a lot of punch and tact, which is not always easy to do. 'Law and Order' really excels when it makes one think about both sides of the debate and "Heart of Darkness" does that.
"Heart of Darkness" isn't quite perfect. Nothing is done inherently wrong. Just that other 'Law and Order' episodes are more consistent. Like a lot of 'Law and Order' episodes, the detective scenes are not as good as the second half, where the episode really does come to life and have the full emotional power needed. The detective scenes are still well written and acted, just not my definition of earth-shattering. All the shocks, emotions and complexity are in the legal scenes.
Borgia is also a bit too on the stubborn side.
However, so much is done incredibly well. The production values are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough without being leaden, while having enough momentum to make the drama sing in its atmosphere. The performances from all the regulars are great, especially from Sam Waterston and he has strong chemistry with Annie Parrisse (continuing to impress as Borgia). The supporting cast are fine as well.
Moreover, the script is very thoughtful, and despite having a lot of (thankfully still interesting) talk it doesn't ramble. It is especially good in the more complicated, which are not too hard to follow, parts of the legal scenes and when dealing with the moral dilemmas that come with this tough topic. The story is compelling and intricate, with the legal portions being riveting. The disagreements had over the case don't over as over-heated, and it is a case of both sides of the argument being understandable. Not easy to do when it is a subject where it is easy to take sides and have very extreme opinions about.
In summary, very good. 8/10.
