"Hot Pursuit" in my view one of the most interesting stories on paper for Season 6. It is one of those "ripped from the headlines"-influenced stories, that the original 'Law and Order' did mostly incredibly well in in primarily the early seasons. Here the case has shades of both the Patty Hearst case and the Caril Ann Fugate one, with it resembling more the former. Both harrowing stories, with the latter especially being a big influence on films about spree-killings (i.e. 'Badlands').
In my view, "Hot Pursuit" was the third outstanding episode in a row for Season 6, is one of the season's best episodes and one of the best and most interesting ones of the early seasons to tackle a "ripped from the headlines" kind of story. It contains too two of the most memorable scenes of Season 6 and is more action-packed than the usual 'Law and Order' episode at this stage of its run. As ever with 'Law and Order', the moral dilemmas of how to handle the case is handled very well indeed.
Where to start with what is done so well, which is everything? Lets start with the two standout scenes. One is the truly exciting pursuit/apprehension scene, which to me is one of the most thrilling of not just Season 6, but also of the early seasons and possibly of the whole of 'Law and Order'. The other is the tense and emotionally shattering cross examination, really got the goosebumps and feels there.
The more action-oriented scenes are fast paced and expertly shot and choreographed in an episode with more action than usual. "Hot Pursuit" is also one of the finest examples of the season and of the early seasons where the policing and legal scenes are equally good, instead of one half being more compelling than the other like what was seen in other Season 6 episodes. The story is always believable and never silly, with a case that grabbed me from the get go and never stopped being intriguing and investable in atmosphere.
As usual, the legal scenes are very intelligently written, especially towards the end. Briscoe and Curtis are progressing, though there is still a way to go. Likewise with Curtis himself as a character, have no issue with Briscoe and never have. Can't fault the performances, with a memorably affecting yet also unsettling turn from Amanda Peet.
Production values are slick and professional, not ever resorting to cheap or untested gimmicks or anything. The music is haunting in the right places and isn't constant or too loud, and the direction gives the drama urgency and breathing space.
Outstanding once again. 10/10
In my view, "Hot Pursuit" was the third outstanding episode in a row for Season 6, is one of the season's best episodes and one of the best and most interesting ones of the early seasons to tackle a "ripped from the headlines" kind of story. It contains too two of the most memorable scenes of Season 6 and is more action-packed than the usual 'Law and Order' episode at this stage of its run. As ever with 'Law and Order', the moral dilemmas of how to handle the case is handled very well indeed.
Where to start with what is done so well, which is everything? Lets start with the two standout scenes. One is the truly exciting pursuit/apprehension scene, which to me is one of the most thrilling of not just Season 6, but also of the early seasons and possibly of the whole of 'Law and Order'. The other is the tense and emotionally shattering cross examination, really got the goosebumps and feels there.
The more action-oriented scenes are fast paced and expertly shot and choreographed in an episode with more action than usual. "Hot Pursuit" is also one of the finest examples of the season and of the early seasons where the policing and legal scenes are equally good, instead of one half being more compelling than the other like what was seen in other Season 6 episodes. The story is always believable and never silly, with a case that grabbed me from the get go and never stopped being intriguing and investable in atmosphere.
As usual, the legal scenes are very intelligently written, especially towards the end. Briscoe and Curtis are progressing, though there is still a way to go. Likewise with Curtis himself as a character, have no issue with Briscoe and never have. Can't fault the performances, with a memorably affecting yet also unsettling turn from Amanda Peet.
Production values are slick and professional, not ever resorting to cheap or untested gimmicks or anything. The music is haunting in the right places and isn't constant or too loud, and the direction gives the drama urgency and breathing space.
Outstanding once again. 10/10
