Any case centered around guns and their use is not new territory for 'Law and Order' or the franchise, but every previous episode prior to Season 15's "Gunplay" that has handled the issue in any shape or form handled it very well indeed and even brilliantly in the best cases. 'Law and Order' did revisit a lot of issues more than once, but with enough variety most times to avoid too much fatigue. With it always being a big issue, it is always worth addressing this subject.
"Gunplay" is a great episode and not just the best of the five episodes up to this still early point of Season 15 (by quite some way) but also one of the season's best episodes. Not one of the show's best or one of the best episodes from the franchise to tackle any case centered around guns, but still a laudable effort and great in its own way. Most of the issues that the previous episodes of the season had are not here thankfully, apart from one.
That being once again Elisabeth Rohm's robotic Southerlyn.
Everything else is great. The production values are slick and have a subtle grit, with an intimacy to the photography without being too claustrophobic. The music isn't used too much and doesn't get too melodramatic. The direction has enough taut urgency when needed while giving the case breathing space. The acting is never less than very good other than Rohm, with a chillingly venomous Isiah Whitlock in fact being outstanding.
Furthermore, the script is taut and thoughtful, especially in the second half, and while it is talk heavy it's not long winded. It is also uncompromising without being preachy, what it has to say about the subject is balanced enough to evoke some debate afterwards. The story once again is full of twists and turns, none expected and they are far from simple while not being convoluted. Something that is easy for an episode with this much content to be. The character writing is strong, especially for Whitlock's character, and Fontana shows signs of growth. As does his chemistry with Green.
Great episode all in all. 9/10.
"Gunplay" is a great episode and not just the best of the five episodes up to this still early point of Season 15 (by quite some way) but also one of the season's best episodes. Not one of the show's best or one of the best episodes from the franchise to tackle any case centered around guns, but still a laudable effort and great in its own way. Most of the issues that the previous episodes of the season had are not here thankfully, apart from one.
That being once again Elisabeth Rohm's robotic Southerlyn.
Everything else is great. The production values are slick and have a subtle grit, with an intimacy to the photography without being too claustrophobic. The music isn't used too much and doesn't get too melodramatic. The direction has enough taut urgency when needed while giving the case breathing space. The acting is never less than very good other than Rohm, with a chillingly venomous Isiah Whitlock in fact being outstanding.
Furthermore, the script is taut and thoughtful, especially in the second half, and while it is talk heavy it's not long winded. It is also uncompromising without being preachy, what it has to say about the subject is balanced enough to evoke some debate afterwards. The story once again is full of twists and turns, none expected and they are far from simple while not being convoluted. Something that is easy for an episode with this much content to be. The character writing is strong, especially for Whitlock's character, and Fontana shows signs of growth. As does his chemistry with Green.
Great episode all in all. 9/10.
