Armed Forces (Season 12, Episode 2)
By Hank74
Opener: 5/5
First Section: 18/20
Second Section: 22/25
Third Section: 23/25
Fourth Section: 25/25
Total Grade: 93/100 or an A- to A.
Notes:
This was based on the controversy surrounding former Nebraska senator Bob
Kerrey and his conduct in the Vietnam War. One person in his platoon said
Kerrey and his soldiers killed innocent women and children. Kerrey and the rest
of the squad has denied this. Nothing much has been mentioned since.
I liked how they mixed in elements of the past with the crime that took place
today. This is the same formula which they used in "White Rabbit" and
"Ramparts." I also liked how they incorporated the testimony of the
Vietnamese woman as Jack tried to bolster motive.
From what I sense, it was Serena who was pushing for this to go to trial while
Jack was hesitant. This is clearly reminiscent of the Jack/Claire battle which
took place in "White Rabbit" where Jack basically said you had to be
around to understand what happened. I can sense that Jack is beginning to think
carefully about the role which he played in Vietnam as a protester and seems to
understand the sacrifice which soldiers had to make in that unpopular war. To
me, this is a turning point ep because we now see Jack McCoy taking another
hard look about Vietnam and the consequences of it. I loved the ending where
Lennie and Jack are there at the end saluting the dead victim as he was buried
and serenaded with "Taps." I only wish they could have had a scene or
two with Lennie and Jack debating about the war since they were on opposite
sides over 30 years ago.
Where was Nora. This is the second time, "Amends" being the other,
where there was no Nora at all. I would have been interested in hearing her
thoughts about how this case should have been prosecuted and on Vietnam. Since
this mirrors a political figure, I would have been interested in hearing her
angle about a politician reputation when confronted about something like this.
I get a sense that Nora won't be around much longer. My guess is she will be
gone come the end of this season.
They recited the tribute again for the Sept. 11 victims. I sense they will be
doing this at least in the immediate future. It's all right with me. We all
know those famous introductory words by heart anyhow.
This is the third ep, to my knowledge where Vietnam has been the main issue. If
I had to rate them in order from best to worst it would be as this.
1. "White Rabbit"
2. "Armed Forces"
3. "Ramparts"
As part of my continuing effort to compare eps with similar plot lines on
L&O, how would you compare and rate these three?