Disciple

One of the things that was a constant for the years that Sam Waterston was a regular there was his lapsed Catholicism. He made no secret that he repudiated what he learned in parochial school and he seemed to really enjoy going after religious hustlers.

Now he has a case that truly challenges his own non-beliefs. A young hyperactive adolescent is brought to a hospital by Mel Rodriguez and she dies while in the waiting area of the emergency room and Rodriguez who is a retarded individual books.

When Rodriguez is located the trail leads to Frances Conroy who many consider an urban saint. She is a drop out from a convent, preferring to do things her way. What she was doing was conducting an unauthorized exorcism and the child died as a result of the injuries.

Conroy goes on trial for criminally negligent homicide and the picture that is brought out by her lawyer Wendell Pierce is a selflessly dedicated woman who takes no money for her services, such a contrast to all those pompadoured reverends shamelessly asking for coin on every broadcast. I even wondered how she paid her rent.

Like Joan Of Arc she hears voices, like the Maid of Orleans the specific voice of St. Michael. Waterston never crossexamined a defendant like her before or after in his tenure with the show. It reminded me of Michael Clarke Duncan's character in The Green Mile, a simple selfless soul with great gifts. Somewhere in the human community you like to think there are such as these.

If Waterston felt like the Bishop of Cauchon after it was all over you could hardly blame him.

One can tell from the plot synopsis and even the title that "Disciple" was not going to be an easy watch, quite the opposite. Also if one knows of the original 'Law and Order's', and the 'Law and Order' franchise's, reputation of exploring heavy topics in an uncompromising way. It was certainly of no surprise to me that this was not going to be an easy watch, especially as the show and some other shows had episodes with a similar feel, even when the subject was not the same.

"Disciple" is another very good episode of 'Law and Order' and of Season 9. It is not one of the best outings from Season 9 (nor is it one of the worst), but although there are imperfections there are many truly excellent qualities as well with "Disciple". The subject matter is not easy and any case where religion plays a large part in it has potential traps (as bringing religion into discussing heavy topics can be touchy territory), but although not executed perfectly "Disciple's" handling of it was better than expected.

Like some 'Law and Order' episodes around this point, "Disciple" is a little on the routine side to begin with.

Also felt that while the sentiment was completely understandable and agreed with the whole not wanting the perpetrator out on the streets part was on the heavy handed side.

Everything else is very strong. On a visual level, the episode is solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough without being leaden, while having enough momentum to make the drama sing in its atmosphere. The acting is very good, especially in the legal scenes. Frances Conroy definitely unsettles.

Script is tight and has always made me think long and hard after (most 'Law and Order' episodes do), with grit, class and tact. The story is absorbing and hard hitting, with an unforgettable cross examination scene (one of McCoy's greatest). The moral dilemmas of the case are handled very thoughtfully and despite the danger of doing so the religious element of the story isn't shoved too much down the throat.

In summary, very good. 8/10.