Patriot
By Hank74
Lennie-10/10
Ed-10/10
Van Buren-8/10
Jack-10/10
Serena-9/10
Nora-10/10
Supporting Cast-10/10
Plot-9/10
Performance-9/10
Value-10/10
Total Grade-95/100
Notes:
Dick Wolf said after 9/11 that he had no plans on doing an episode about what
took place on that dreadful day. Yet it seems he went back on his word a little
bit and used that event more frequently than ever before in this season finale.
Obviously, this issue is going to be with us for some time and the audience
responded by making L&O the #1 ep for that week.
I must say the final part was very strong, something that was lacking in
episodes from this season. I was impressed with the simplicity of bringing this
issue in a courtroom setting while mixing in the more complex issues of
terrorism and how do we as Americans spot it and fight it. The debates between
Jack, Serena, and Nora were great. Not your ordinary debate clubs among the
highly educated. But I also liked the more grittier debates between Lennie and
Ed in the first part, especially with the empty hole in the background in one
scene. That of course is where the WTC once stood. Hopefully next season will
see some more of these discussions on sensitive subjects that splits the
"Law" and "Order" sections.
My only complaint is the ending. To me it should have been open ended. We don't
know how the real war on terror will pan out. Obviously, the bombing of the
apartment made the defendant look guilty. But as I mentioned in another post,
mixing in what we have seen in L&O and the real situation we face, it would
have been more appropriate to have the jury come out with either a not guilty
verdict or better yet a hung jury. I think TPTB chose the guilty route as a
matter of convenience so as to not offend any group but also give us some
assurance that things will be OK? Are they? I don't know and frankly neither
can any of you.
One last thing. The timing of "Patriot" couldn't have been any better
given the problems the FBI and CIA are having right now with intelligence
failures. Also, when this ep originally aired, there were FBI reports here in
my hometown and I'm sure in yours about terrorists living in apartment
buildings and trying something else.
A lot of good issues were raised here. A culmination of sorts to the snipets
that were referenced to throughout this season. Yet I truly feel this ending
should have gotten us pondering more about not only what season 13 could bring,
but are we winning this war against a different kind of enemy.