As of now, "American Dreams" is one of the lowest rated episode of Season 18, with "Imposter" being lowest. Which surprised me, as to me this was a very good episode on first watch. Season 18 was not a particularly great season. It did have very good episodes, such as "Motherly Love", "Net Worth", "The News Room" and particularly "Real Fake News". It also had bad ones, such as "Imposter", "Heightened Emotions", "Rape Interrupted" and "Conversion".
While understanding of the divisiveness that "American Dreams" has garnered, to me it is a very good episode still. Not perfect or a 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' high point, but much better than given credit for and a brave take on one of the season's toughest and most relevant (then and now) subjects. That it even took on this subject is truly admirable and do it in such a pull no punches way even more so. Not perfectly mind, but more than solidly.
It as an episode succeeds more than it fails. It 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 on the whole is beautifully balanced, there is a lot of talk but taut enough to avoid it from waffling.
The story is uncompromising, moving and hard hitting, a tough topic that was very relevant then and not too irrelevant now handled very well. It's not too simple or convoluted, with a lot happening but not feeling too much. The acting all round is excellent.
By all means "American Dreams" isn't perfect. Lopez is under utilised.
It is agreed that the politics is heavy handed but it has to be beared in mind too that it is not the first time these issues have been explored and it is hardly the only episode to be political. Other episodes are far more preachy and one sided and they also didn't have the issue of being released at the worst possible time politically. It also came at a very difficult time for the world with a lot of upset and controversy, with feelings still raw on all sides.
Concluding, very good and so much better than has been said. It's the complete opposite "Heightened Emotions" and "Imposter", episodes that deserve their low ratings, in quality and the same goes for "Sanctuary" as well. 8/10.
While understanding of the divisiveness that "American Dreams" has garnered, to me it is a very good episode still. Not perfect or a 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' high point, but much better than given credit for and a brave take on one of the season's toughest and most relevant (then and now) subjects. That it even took on this subject is truly admirable and do it in such a pull no punches way even more so. Not perfectly mind, but more than solidly.
It as an episode succeeds more than it fails. It 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 on the whole is beautifully balanced, there is a lot of talk but taut enough to avoid it from waffling.
The story is uncompromising, moving and hard hitting, a tough topic that was very relevant then and not too irrelevant now handled very well. It's not too simple or convoluted, with a lot happening but not feeling too much. The acting all round is excellent.
By all means "American Dreams" isn't perfect. Lopez is under utilised.
It is agreed that the politics is heavy handed but it has to be beared in mind too that it is not the first time these issues have been explored and it is hardly the only episode to be political. Other episodes are far more preachy and one sided and they also didn't have the issue of being released at the worst possible time politically. It also came at a very difficult time for the world with a lot of upset and controversy, with feelings still raw on all sides.
Concluding, very good and so much better than has been said. It's the complete opposite "Heightened Emotions" and "Imposter", episodes that deserve their low ratings, in quality and the same goes for "Sanctuary" as well. 8/10.
