This was an excellent feature for Hugh Dancy as he expertly showed how Nolan Price struggled with his personal opinion of the death penalty. Because he was on the scene of the crime, he saw first-hand the horror of the multiple deaths and injury. He wanted to make sure justice was served, but when McCoy arranges for Price to try the case, he realized the price he personally had to pay to win it.
I’m impressed with how they’ve ramped up the drama in first half of the show too. It may not be needed every week, but it’s a welcome change to the usual formula of detectives just asking questions of suspects.
5 comments:
I did not like this episode. At all. And that truly pains me.
Cop side? Actually enjoyed it. My friend I watch the show with is deaf so he REALLY appreciated the representation there.
Law side... where to begin.
First, show of hands, who saw it one astronomical unit away when Price "garaunteed anonymity" that the mom was going to have to be named in open court? Come on writers, be better.
Second: Jack. This is the first time that I felt like the writers had Jack stray WAY too far from the core of who he was. Seasons 5-17 Jack McCoy took the FEDS TO COURT to KEEP JURISDICTION. I mean SERIOUSLY. Of ALL THE CASES THE US ATTORNEYS WANTS, it's this one and not the one in the season premiere? I have to believe now that "Gimme Shelter" took place in some alternate continuity. While I do know Jack started being more cordial with the feds when he became DA I mean... guys... this is the one case where he should taken them to court and been like, "It's nothing personal, it's strictly business." Even if he LOST and maybe then you could do this weird compromise, which I'm not even sure HAS happened?
Third: There have been a couple of previous episodes where the defense basically gave up almost immediately on the trial phase and made their play for the penalty phase. The writers did a poor job of that. Also, writers, if the Defense brings in their own psychiatric expert, the prosecution can call their own for rebuttle and vice-versa even at the federal level. Again, poor writing on the lawyer side.
Fourth: Price and Jessica Farrell (I think? Also interesting choice of name there as actor Mike Farrell of MASH fame is also staunchly anti-death penalty)... like... interesting call back to season 20 and the Innocence Project (wonder if they cross pathed with Mike Cutter) but... seriously... Everytime she said, "You're killing someone!" Price should have shouted back, "HE KILLED SEVEN PEOPLE!" Like... she should have MAYBE tried a better defense at the penalty phase that try to guilt-trip an old friend? And that ending where he tried to shake her hand and she's disgusted he's changed? Like... I'm sorry, after 20 years, I'd HOPE HE'D CHANGE SOME. Also, opposing the death penalty, maybe you don't admit (as part of your defense strategy) that he did it and that he's a racist and try to use racism as a mental illness? Just a thought. And Price, the writers continue to do Dancy a disservice.
And lastly @Chris, I didn't get to say this in the last episode. Sorry to hear that life has gotten hectic and that you won't be able to provide a recap and review. I really enjoyed your reviews though. If you ever do find the time or desire, I would be happy if you just did the review, I find your insights analysis. As for the "hate and blame" for Kelli Giddish leaving... people are the worst thing to happen to fandoms. Sorry to hear you were getting crap for that.
I turned it off after the "cold opening." In the wake of what just happened in Thailand (and the stabbings in Las Vegas) couldn't they have substituted another episode?
I liked it. I agree with @Valens Hawke - the cop side was done very well.
The start of the episode was surprising for sure but I don't see how they could have moved that episode based on those recent events. The show is ripped from t headlines in many cases so they are always covering recent and sometimes touchy events. It's probably not easy to substitute another episode as production may not be finished on another!
I think Jack is acting just right. He's old, cranky, and probably knee deep in political BS from others that he can't avoid behaving the way he's been.
I felt the cops part, while perhaps somewhat formula, was fine. Everything went from Point A to Point B, but I liked the ticking clock/manhunt feel.
I agree that the court part was much worse. If they had picked a lane, this could have been better. Was the central dilemma the feds taking over, the death penalty, the witness refusing to cooperate, or the mental illness stuff? I also feel like the defense attorney gave up too quickly and moved onto the mental illness defense, even though they basically had gotten the witness' testimony dashed.
Worst Law part ever? (Giving ADA Price dramatic license to be at the scene and chipping in, here we go:)
1. DOJ "takes the case".
Not actually how it works. Many heinous criminals are tried both by the state and by the Feds.
2. "Guaranteed anonymity... erm, what?
3. After taking the case, DOJ makes our heroes USADAs for a day? Come on.
4. After getting the gun tossed the defence lawyer decides "oh well, let's give the prosecutors a chance by changing the plea to mental illness". Really?
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