Not that one should expect to be uplifted by an episode of 'Law and Order'. Not because of the quality, at its best the show was exceptional and even when at its weakest it still fared better than most shows. But because of the tone, which is of the hitting hard and gritty kind because of its uncompromising approach to controversial issues and tough stories. Which it often did brilliantly. "Pride and Joy" is no exception when it comes to that.
"Pride and Joy" is not one of the best episodes of 'Law and Order's' Season 4. Comparing it to the season's previous episodes, it isn't as great as "Black Tie", "Volunteers" and especially "Profile" (the last being a season high point) and even better than those would come later on in the season. It is still a very good episode of what was an overall solid season, that just lacks the extra something that the best episodes had, where there is quality-wise a lot to take pride in.
There is very little to criticise here. The episode is over in a little too much of a hurry at the end.
Other episodes have a little more tension too.
However, the episode is slickly made, the photography's intimacy is never too claustrophobic. The music is haunting and understated while not being too over-emphasised in major revelations. The direction is accomodating as ever while never being dull. The script is thought-probing and even when talk heavy there isn't too much waffle and it is easy to follow. Love the rapport between Briscoe and Logan and the legal-oriented scenes have a lot of insight and didn't go over my head, despite knowing very little about law outside of film and television (it has always fascinated me though).
Even if there is more tension and a little more emotion in other episodes, the episode is still hard to watch. Appropriate for the subject by the way, that is not meant as a bad thing at all. It is a very disturbing episode, because of all the family situation and the character of the perpetrator, and also in a way sad. The regular characters are all written well and have great interaction with each other, especially Briscoe and Logan though Stone is the juiciest character. The acting is very good from all, with the overall acting honours going to Gabriel Olds who was suitably unnerving.
Concluding, very good episode if not quite a great one. 8/10