"By Perjury" was one of those 'Law and Order' episodes on first watch that had a number of good things but did feel on the ordinary side and didn't stick in the mind long after. There are episodes of the show and the 'Law and Order' franchise in general that felt like this, but there are many on both counts where that type of episode on first watch fared better on rewatch and were better than remembered seeing it through older eyes.
This is an example of one of those episodes. "By Perjury" is not as great as the previous three episodes or the first two of the season, as well as a few episodes after, but it is very good with a number of great things. Along with a couple of things that could have been even better. Not one of the best episodes of the season (the previous two episodes), also a long way from being one of the worst ("Lost Boys", "Crimebusters").
Not a perfect episode by all means. . It is a bit ordinary to begin with, which is not uncommon with 'Law and Order' and this is throughout the show's run, not just one period.
Also thought that the whole thing with the smoking not raising immediate alarm bells was a rather big stretch.
However, "By Perjury's" good things vastly outweigh those. The acting is great all round in particularly the legal portion. Dallas Roberts has always done creepiness and unsettlement so well and he once again excels. Linus Roache commands the courtroom beautifully too and the tension between the two is where the episode is at its most intriguing. As said before by me, Lupo and Bernard and their interaction have come on a lot. While the story starts off on the predictable side, it is riveting once it comes to trial. It no longer becomes too simple, surprises more and lots happens in terms of events and twists without being too complicated. The ending is satisfying.
Furthermore, the dialogue is thought-provoking and has a pull no punches grit without being heavy-handed. It is shot with the right amount of intimacy without being claustrophobic and that the editing has become increasingly tighter over-time has been great too. Nice use of locations too. The music doesn't get over-scored or overwrought, even in the more dramatic revelation moments. The direction doesn't try to do too much and is understated but never flat or unsure.
On the whole, very nicely done once it gets going. 8/10.