Season 3 was a solid season on the whole and as good as the previous two. Not perfect and relatively inconsistent, but all the episodes prior to "Right to Counsel" ranged from good to outstanding. "Prince of Darkness" being especially good and "Helpless" being the only (still above average) disappointment, with it being the only episode of this window to not handle one of the season's more difficult subjects tactfully enough.
"Right to Counsel" slightly disappoints too. It is still a good episode with a lot of great things and anybody that loved Richard Brooks on 'Law and Order' (counting me as one of those people) will be delighted. It just felt a bit bland this time around, after seeing some of the previous Season 3 episodes being tense and emotionally powerful, especially "Prince of Darkness" and "Extended Family", this was a little disappointing. It is still worth seeing though, this just had to be reiterated before people started to think that my thoughts on it were negative.
Other episodes of 'Law and Order' before and since do better at addressing important, relevant and controversial issues in an uncompromising and emotionally impactful manner. "Right to Counsel" slightly lacked that.
Also would have liked the ending to have been more rounded off and that it took more time to unfold. A common problem in Season 3.
However, "Right to Counsel" is a great showcase for Brooks, who is terrific here. Giving one of his best performances of all his too short time on the show. Jerry Orbach really has fitted very well as Briscoe, out of all the lead detectives on the show when first introduced to me Briscoe was the one that settled the quickest. Also really enjoy his chemistry with Chris Noth, also solid, the wisecracking welcome levity and not jarring.
The case could have been more on an emotional level but is neither simplistic or convoluted and is always involving. The legal scenes as always are interesting and intelligently written. The script overall likewise, while the production values and music are typically good. The theme tune has always been memorable without ever being annoying.
Concluding, quite good but didn't have me jumping out of my chair. 7/10
"Right to Counsel" slightly disappoints too. It is still a good episode with a lot of great things and anybody that loved Richard Brooks on 'Law and Order' (counting me as one of those people) will be delighted. It just felt a bit bland this time around, after seeing some of the previous Season 3 episodes being tense and emotionally powerful, especially "Prince of Darkness" and "Extended Family", this was a little disappointing. It is still worth seeing though, this just had to be reiterated before people started to think that my thoughts on it were negative.
Other episodes of 'Law and Order' before and since do better at addressing important, relevant and controversial issues in an uncompromising and emotionally impactful manner. "Right to Counsel" slightly lacked that.
Also would have liked the ending to have been more rounded off and that it took more time to unfold. A common problem in Season 3.
However, "Right to Counsel" is a great showcase for Brooks, who is terrific here. Giving one of his best performances of all his too short time on the show. Jerry Orbach really has fitted very well as Briscoe, out of all the lead detectives on the show when first introduced to me Briscoe was the one that settled the quickest. Also really enjoy his chemistry with Chris Noth, also solid, the wisecracking welcome levity and not jarring.
The case could have been more on an emotional level but is neither simplistic or convoluted and is always involving. The legal scenes as always are interesting and intelligently written. The script overall likewise, while the production values and music are typically good. The theme tune has always been memorable without ever being annoying.
Concluding, quite good but didn't have me jumping out of my chair. 7/10