The topic was interesting, not much new but anything centered around troubled families of some kind is already quite relatable and hard to be affected by. "Maritime" didn't sound like a unique or complex episode, but as has been said quite a number of times 'Law and Order' was very good more than once at taking something that sounds simple and elevates it to a less basic level. In fact that is, along with the handling of its themes, one of its biggest appeals when it was on form.
Season 13 did have better episodes than "Maritime", such as the first two episodes (the season premiere especially), "Hitman" and "Open Season" as far as the previous episodes go. It was the last three episodes where the season was at its strongest. It did though have weaker ones, the only disappointments of the season being "The Wheel" and especially "Seer". "Maritime" is pretty good if not great, it would have been a better episode if it didn't run out of gas.
Which it did do in the final third or so, which leaves more questions than answers and what really happened is left too vague, meaning that the conclusion felt underdeveloped and anti-climactic. Something that does bring the episode by quite a lot.
As annoying as it seems with me showing my dislike of Elisabeth Rohm as Southerlyn, it is not meant with malice or disrespect. Have always found the character flat in personality and inept and calling Rohm bland in the role is a big understatement.
However, all that is outweighed by the strong positives. The rest of the regulars are excellent and the supporting cast give committed and deeply felt performances. The case is a sad one that is very intriguing and never simplistic for two thirds of the episode, the emotion is done poignantly and the family dynamic compels, shocks and saddens.
Furthermore, "Maritime" doesn't look drab or gaudy, and the editing is far from slapdash. The music avoids getting too melodramatic in the more dramatic moments while not being too low key, it has always been a good move that it is used relatively sparingly. The direction especially shines in the character interaction in the second half. The script is beautifully balanced, there is a lot of talk but taut enough to avoid it from waffling.
Pretty good all in all. 7/10.
Season 13 did have better episodes than "Maritime", such as the first two episodes (the season premiere especially), "Hitman" and "Open Season" as far as the previous episodes go. It was the last three episodes where the season was at its strongest. It did though have weaker ones, the only disappointments of the season being "The Wheel" and especially "Seer". "Maritime" is pretty good if not great, it would have been a better episode if it didn't run out of gas.
Which it did do in the final third or so, which leaves more questions than answers and what really happened is left too vague, meaning that the conclusion felt underdeveloped and anti-climactic. Something that does bring the episode by quite a lot.
As annoying as it seems with me showing my dislike of Elisabeth Rohm as Southerlyn, it is not meant with malice or disrespect. Have always found the character flat in personality and inept and calling Rohm bland in the role is a big understatement.
However, all that is outweighed by the strong positives. The rest of the regulars are excellent and the supporting cast give committed and deeply felt performances. The case is a sad one that is very intriguing and never simplistic for two thirds of the episode, the emotion is done poignantly and the family dynamic compels, shocks and saddens.
Furthermore, "Maritime" doesn't look drab or gaudy, and the editing is far from slapdash. The music avoids getting too melodramatic in the more dramatic moments while not being too low key, it has always been a good move that it is used relatively sparingly. The direction especially shines in the character interaction in the second half. The script is beautifully balanced, there is a lot of talk but taut enough to avoid it from waffling.
Pretty good all in all. 7/10.