Despite the Briscoe (generally the later ones, post-Claire Kincaid when talking about main female attorneys, so we're talking about Jamie Ross and Abbie Carmichael) and post-Briscoe episodes being aired much more often than the very early seasons, it is very interesting to see 'Law and Order' in its early years and before it properly hit its stride. People really should see more of this particular period, even if it didn't see 'Law and Order' at its period.
As has been said, "Everybody's Favourite Bagman" may have been the sixth episode of 'Law and Order' aired but it was actually the pilot, or intended to be at least. So that is an interest point. "Everybody's Favourite Bagman" is a pretty good episode but to me it did have the understandable feel of a pilot episode and was slightly on the bland side compared to what came later, the first episode to air "Prescription For Death" actually felt much more found-its-feet.
Do prefer 'Law and Order' episodes where there is more of characters having conflicts and moral dilemmas. Also ones that tackle difficult themes, subjects and social issues and the "taking influence from a real life case" ones, those kinds of episodes provoked more thought and connected with me more emotionally.
The case here is compelling enough, if more the legal element than the police procedural but only marginally, but fairly standard. If you've seen the later 'Law and Order' before seeing "Everybody's Favourite Bagman" it may feel a little like familiar ground.
However, there is a nice balance of the law and order rather than one featuring more than the other, which was great. More so than a couple of the other five episodes that had been aired so far at this point of the show. It was interesting seeing how the detectives work and solve their cases and what work goes into preparing defence and especially prosecution. The script is thoughtful enough, did like the heresy/hearsay exchange between Greevey and Simonize. As somebody who has been known to accidentally say the wrong word and it means something else entirely, especially when annoyed about something, oddly found myself relating to that.
Production values are suitably slick and gritty and the music is a good fit tonally and in placement. The acting is good, though it did get much better later when everybody became more comfortable. Nice to see William H Macy, and Michael Moriaty makes a lot of out of Stone. George Dzundza and Chris Noth and their chemistry gelled better later but they have the right amount of edge.
Concluding, pretty good but much better was to follow. 7/10
As has been said, "Everybody's Favourite Bagman" may have been the sixth episode of 'Law and Order' aired but it was actually the pilot, or intended to be at least. So that is an interest point. "Everybody's Favourite Bagman" is a pretty good episode but to me it did have the understandable feel of a pilot episode and was slightly on the bland side compared to what came later, the first episode to air "Prescription For Death" actually felt much more found-its-feet.
Do prefer 'Law and Order' episodes where there is more of characters having conflicts and moral dilemmas. Also ones that tackle difficult themes, subjects and social issues and the "taking influence from a real life case" ones, those kinds of episodes provoked more thought and connected with me more emotionally.
The case here is compelling enough, if more the legal element than the police procedural but only marginally, but fairly standard. If you've seen the later 'Law and Order' before seeing "Everybody's Favourite Bagman" it may feel a little like familiar ground.
However, there is a nice balance of the law and order rather than one featuring more than the other, which was great. More so than a couple of the other five episodes that had been aired so far at this point of the show. It was interesting seeing how the detectives work and solve their cases and what work goes into preparing defence and especially prosecution. The script is thoughtful enough, did like the heresy/hearsay exchange between Greevey and Simonize. As somebody who has been known to accidentally say the wrong word and it means something else entirely, especially when annoyed about something, oddly found myself relating to that.
Production values are suitably slick and gritty and the music is a good fit tonally and in placement. The acting is good, though it did get much better later when everybody became more comfortable. Nice to see William H Macy, and Michael Moriaty makes a lot of out of Stone. George Dzundza and Chris Noth and their chemistry gelled better later but they have the right amount of edge.
Concluding, pretty good but much better was to follow. 7/10
