American Jihad
By Hank74
Lennie-10/10
Ed-10/10
Van Buren-8/10
Jack-10/10
Serena-10/10
Arthur-10/10
Supporting Cast-10/10
Plot-9/10
Performance-10/10
Value-9/10
Total-96/100
Notes:
I loved this episode! It
was simple, to the point, included a lot of subplots and development of
character, intense, and as usual provided a twist that we didn't see upfront
but had to consider in the back of our minds.
Without question, Mr.
Wolf wants to continue to talk about the issues stemming from terrorism. But
instead of simply focusing on 9/11, he wants us to look at the residual issues
that we are still confronting today. One great example is how the Muslim
community continues to be in the microscope. This episode protrayed this issue
very well!
Some things about the
characters. I liked the turning up the heat between Lennie and Ed. There needs
to be some tension involved between these two. Apparently, they will focus on the
issue of religion and patriotism to serve as a wedge. This began with
"Patriot" last year and we've been told will grow this season. Ed's
performance to that loser of a scientist, now cabbie, was terrific! If it were
Rey or Mike, fists would be flying.
A perfect choice of
Donna Hanover as the trial judge. We don't usually pay attention to who is on
the bench. But in this instance, I'm glad she was chosen because of her
fairness, bu no nonsense approach in the past. It must have been interesting to
have her considering that she is legally still married to Rudolph Giuliani and
despite their marital troubles still talked to him about 9/11.
As I mentioned before,
the person who played the American Muslim was played by Wil Horneff. Back in
season 4's "Born Bad," he played the role of Chris Pollit. He was the
guy who claimed to have an extra chromosome and used it as the defense against
murdering one of his friends. How frightening this actor can be in playing two
disturbing people.
The choice of having an
Arab defense attorney representing Greg Langdon was admirable. I liked having
someone who is in a difficult position of having to defend his religion and
someone who wanted to take it to extreme levels. The dialouge between the
attorney and Jack in the cafe was well done in trying to lay the groundwork for
what will happen in the "Order" part.
Finally, Fred Thompson
has certainly made a good impression so far as DA Arthur Branch. We don't know
how he got this job or what he did before that. All we know is that he's from
Georgia. Maybe we'll get some info on him and find out what happened to Nora. I
know there are a lot of Adam Schiff fans out there, but you have to admit the
office of DA has been strengthened once again by having Thompson on board.
I hope TPTB will settle
the question on who will be the resident shrink for L&O. We know it's Dr.
Huang for SVU. But for the main show, is it Olivet or Skoda or someone else.
Please, there needs to be some consistency on this important position. Also, it
would have been good for some more background information to develop about why
this American teenager suddenly turned to radical Islam. On the other hand, Mr.
Wolf didn't want to get too preachy or stir up another hornest's nest by
appearing to bash Islam.