Cut

 

By Hank74

 

Joe-10/10

Ed-9/10

Van Buren-7/10

Jack-9/10

Serena-9/10

Arthur-9/10

Supporting Cast-8/10

Plot-7/10

Performance-7/10

Value-5/10

 

Total-80/100

 

 

 

Notes:

 

After last week's gritty and daring episode that incorporated elements of the glory years with today's technology and topics, here we go again with what I now call a cookie cutter ep from the last three seasons.  When I mean cookie cutter, I mean some well to do person is dead mysteriously, the dets. try to determine whether it's a homicide or not, they question the vic's family and friends, talk to a possible suspect or two, and then send the case to the DAs whereby they wage some kind of crusade against a greedy and slimy lawyer, businessman, or in this case, doctor.  The "Order" part becomes a social discussion soapbox about the latest trend, fad, or controversy just to rile up some people or scare them off.  Plus, we get little side discussions between Jack and some friend who happens to be the defense attorney and an occassional debate between him, Serena, and/or Arthur.  Oh, and 99.9% of the time, the defendant is guilty.  What it boils down to is another yawner that can be easily discarded and give us more time to yearn for a true classic or at least one that will make us think.  That in a nutshell is how I grade the "value" part, and in this case it didn't stand to muster.

 

The ending was so convoluted and weird that it made my head spin.  Since when do defendants get access so easily to the DA's office?  Particularly one in Manhattan in this post 9/11 world?  I can't see that happening in real life, but it has been on L&O and this wasn't the first.  I couldn't understand the underlying meaning between the doctor's and Jack's screaming match there.  The very final lines after the guilty verdict made no sense also about the doctor's life being ruined.  I thought there was going to be something about a possible civil trial.  I was even thinking it might happen simultaneously with the criminal trial or something to that effect.  Had they gone that route, it would have been more interesting and more entertaining.

 

The only bright spot in this dismal ep was the growing character of Det. Joe Fontana.  I am now convinced that he was clearly the best person to fill the shoes of the great Lennie Briscoe.  We needed someone with his own personality, but still had elements of the past three lead detectives, particularly Lennie, in him.  That is clearly the case with Fontana.  I see his tough guy act, like Greevey and Ceretta, his family guy routine like Lennie, his suave and smooth talk to women like we got from Mikey, and the occasional wisecracks from the Lennie and Logan years.  We know he has some money, has some connections in Chicago and in NYC, and has that mentality that he knows what he's doing and everyone should stand out of his way.  What we don't know include his politics, religion, and some more aspects of his private life.  For now, I'm happy with the character development of Fontana and would prefer to keep it as is so that he can blend in with a growingly strong Ed character and a solid performance from Van Buren.  The scene with Fontana and Jack was great and I can only hope we will see more interaction between this season's cops and lawyers.  Brought back the great meetings and sometimes clashes between Lennie and Jack.

 

I don't think there will be a new ep next week since we might be heading to another presidential election overtime controversy scenario which will require round the clock news coverage.  Next Tuesday will be real drama.  Whomever your choice is, do your duty and VOTE!