Fixed
By Hank 74
Joe-10/10
Ed-10/10
Van Buren-10/10
Jack-10/10
Serena-9/10
Arthur-9/10
Supporting Cast-9/10
Performance-8/10
Plot-7/10
Value-9/10
Total-91/100
Notes:
Let me begin by saying
that this didn't surpass Indifference as the best ep of the
season. But this wasn't as bad as the worst ep in my book, Stiff.
I liked how they went
back to the actual characters from 14 years back and showed them now.
Jacob, Carla, and Ezra (whose now playing football). I also liked how
they brought back CAPTAIN Cragen! Was somebody asleep at the wheel when
they typed those graphics. Doesn't the people in DW productions talk to
each other? Hello!
I want to spend this
time asking about the law. First of all, I played the original Indifference
tape last night and clearly head
Judge Erheims say that Dr. Lowenstein was to be sentenced from 25 years to life
in a state prison. I thought that meant he would spend at least 25 years
behind bars before he takes a sniff at the parole board. Since he was
sentenced in 1990, we wouldn't be hearing about him until the year 2015,
right? I guess that's why the law isn't what's cracked up to be as he got
out in about 15 years. My question to you legal eagles is why would someone
be able to get out in 15 when originally sentenced to 25. BTW, I could
understand about Carla because the judge sentenced her from 7 to 10 years,
which she at the most she could have been out in 2000, but given her condition,
was probably out in 1997 or even earlier. Maybe Gov. Pataki gave her
clemency or pardoned her. We really didn't know about how Carla got out,
but at least she has changed and hopefully for the better.
The thing which bugs me
the most was the notion that Dr. Lowenstein was given a deal by the DAs office
back in '90. I've always thought that he was convicted. You saw the
passion of Ben Stone, he wanted to crucify the doctor and that's what happened
during the cross. To see this then turn to a deal doesn't make any
sense. It seemed this group of the order side was blaming Stone, Adam,
and Robinette for allowing Lowenstein to leave early. While I enjoyed
bringing in Cragen for background, they needed to bring in Robinette to explain
the legal side. I would have suggested they even bring in Shambala to
offer some perspective.
As for this ep itself,
they should have teased us some more and play the "Whodunit"
game. Was it Carla, Ezra, the therapist, a past drug user upset with
Lowenstein, or someone in prison? At least we saw Carla and Jacob (alive)
for the first half hour. Then it becomes the case of the stressed out
therapist. What was that? She became too upset with her client that
she snapped? If this was about another criminal, this ep would have
stunk. It's only because of the Lowenstein reputation that I consider
this being watchable, but certainly nothing in the Indifference
league. They could have done a better job connecting the past glory and
the die-hard fans with the newcomers. They could have bridged the gap
between what was once a great show and remind the newcomers of the great
heritage. Instead it was another cookie cutter ep from the recent times.
While Fontana is doing a
great job, this would have been a great ep for Lennie to be a part of. He
could have contacted Mikey and the reunion with him and Cragen would have been
great! I'm also disappointed that Lowenstein didn't live enough to go
through a confrontation with Jack. Lots of promise, but bogged down once
again.
So, who killed Dr.
Lowenstein? Better question, who cares?