Sheltered
By Hank 74
Lennie-10/10
Ed-10/10
Van Buren-10/10
Jack-10/10
Serena-9/10
Arthur-9/10
Supporting Cast-9/10
Plot-9/10
Performance-9/10
Value-9/10
Total-94/100
Notes:
Obviously this was based from the DC sniper case and I'm
at least pleased they put in some things into this ep that we didn't see in
real life. It was a tricky situation given the high profile case and the fact
it's still fresh in our minds. Yet they inserted different tidbits in the plot
so that when you add it up, it has the looks of the real thing but tastes
differently. I was also glad no one mentioned the real life case as they have
done recently, particularly this season. It's best to sometimes seperate
reality from fiction and just stick with the main issue.
This could have cracked the top 50 of all time had it not
been primarily for the third segment. I have never seen something so awkwardly
written like that part from the arrest to when Serena shows the kids face to
his mom. What really bugged me was having the kid pronounce that he shot all
those people and then they go on to the school and try to find out more about
him. When TNT gets to show this, you know they will go to commercial after the confession.
I also felt there should have been more debate between
Arthur, Serena, and Jack in the "Order" side rather than the little
snipets and what happened at the end. If they had such differening views as we
saw at the end, why not build it up like we used to see during the glory days
of Jack, Adam, and Claire?
There could have been more of a constitutional argument
here and there and some more legal wrangling. It would have been nice to see
more of the supposed "father" trying to explain why his "son"
acted this way. Not a lot of character development.
Finally, while the kid's attorney was quite competent,
this highly charged case would have cried out for a more well experienced
attorney like Brolin, Mellnick, Schell, and Shambala. I know Mr. Wolf wants to
showcase new talent and not have retreads all the time. OK, how about then
either Jamie Ross making another appearance or Michelle Kates? Here's one that
would have been difficult, what about bringing back James Earl Jones as Horace
McCoy from Profile ? I got it, Jones could have represented the dad
while either Ross or Kates represented the kid. Why not any of these
possibilities for sweeps month?
Olivet was great again and it seems she is back with the
NYPD and DA's office or picks and chooses the most complicated cases when she
is asked. I wonder if Dr. Huang from SVU could have added any additional
insight given that he technically works for the FBI and they certainly know a
thing or two about snipers.
While the "Order" part took close to 60% of the
hour and somehow strutted to the finish line, the "Law" part was
excellent. Just like the old days of how they did their investigations with
precision and poise. Maybe they could have had more attitude inserted amongst
the police or with a witness or suspect, but they did a great job and hence all
three in that part got a perfect 10.