Of all the story ideas of Season 12, that for "Attorney Client" was the one that intrigued and grabbed my attention the most. The character that the episode centres around sounded like one that one loves to hate, am not always keen on the defense attorney characters because of some of the arguments put worth being ridiculous but it is always interesting when the regular characters meet their match and someone that pushes them to the limit.
"Attorney Client" struck me as a very good episode on first watch, and it still holds up as a very good episode. One of the best of Season 12 in my view. Loved the idea and the execution of it doesn't waste if not quite exceeding it. A 'Law and Order' classic "Attorney Client" may not quite be, but 'Law and Order' post-Season 10 was a lot more variable in quality than the earlier seasons and this episode is proof that the show still had plenty of mileage.
There is a lot to admire here. 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.
Script is intelligent and lean with no signs of fat. It also has intensity, emotional impact and even the odd sprinkle of humour, with it being especially good in the conflict between McCoy and Briscoe. The story is entertaining and gritty in the policing scenes, namely for the chemistry between Briscoe and Green, but is even better in the increasingly tense legal scenes. Namely down to the wonderfully sleazy turn of Peter Friedman and also his unnerving character's manipulation tactics. Interesting to see pre-Alexandra Borgia Annie Parrisse. Most of the regulars are excellent, Sam Waterston's authority and resourcefulness shining.
Excepting Elisabeth Rohm, who has a robotic presence and her line delivery is too much of one expression.
Like some of the other Season 12 episodes, the final quarter is a bit hurried and tries to do too much.
On the whole, very good. 8/10.
"Attorney Client" struck me as a very good episode on first watch, and it still holds up as a very good episode. One of the best of Season 12 in my view. Loved the idea and the execution of it doesn't waste if not quite exceeding it. A 'Law and Order' classic "Attorney Client" may not quite be, but 'Law and Order' post-Season 10 was a lot more variable in quality than the earlier seasons and this episode is proof that the show still had plenty of mileage.
There is a lot to admire here. 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.
Script is intelligent and lean with no signs of fat. It also has intensity, emotional impact and even the odd sprinkle of humour, with it being especially good in the conflict between McCoy and Briscoe. The story is entertaining and gritty in the policing scenes, namely for the chemistry between Briscoe and Green, but is even better in the increasingly tense legal scenes. Namely down to the wonderfully sleazy turn of Peter Friedman and also his unnerving character's manipulation tactics. Interesting to see pre-Alexandra Borgia Annie Parrisse. Most of the regulars are excellent, Sam Waterston's authority and resourcefulness shining.
Excepting Elisabeth Rohm, who has a robotic presence and her line delivery is too much of one expression.
Like some of the other Season 12 episodes, the final quarter is a bit hurried and tries to do too much.
On the whole, very good. 8/10.