Up to this point of Season 2, having a hard task but doing admirably in following on from a consistently solid first season, all the season's previous episodes ranged from decent ("The Wages of Love", "Aria") to outstanding ("Asylum", "God Bless the Child"). This episode "Out of Control" is the eighth episode of the season and, while a long way from being a season or show high point, doesn't in any way disgrace either the season or the show.
"Out of Control" has one of the more difficult cases of Season 2, with it revolving agreed around an easy case to make albeit very hard to prove and a kind of crime that is one of the most controversial of all crimes. It does admirably if not completely skillfully with a subject that was controversial back then, still is and always has been. If "Out of Control" connected more emotionally with me and was more distinct, it would have been even better than the solid and intriguing episode it still was.
There is a lot to like about "Out of Control". Not surprising considering that there tends to be a lot to like about every 'Law and Order' episode, old and new (prefer the older ones personally myself despite the later ones tending to air more). The production values are slick as usual and the music never gets over-melodramatic or intrusive.
Much of 'Law and Order', well certainly its prime years, was intelligently written and provoked a lot of thought, and "Out of Control" is no exception. Stone's dialogue is juicy as usual and the courtroom scenes leave one glued to the seat. There are enough interesting moments in the story and it is a subject handled with tact at least. The acting is very good, Michael Moriarty as is often the case the standout of the regulars and Noelle Parker gives a deeply felt performance as an interesting character who you are not sure whether you believe or not.
For all those great things, "Out of Control" is a bit ordinary and doesn't have an awful lot new. It's a familiar subject executed in an intriguing and intelligent but also familiar fashion. It could have done with more complexity, rather than being an at times he said she said sort of case, and more twists, with the outcome not to me a massive surprise.
Would have liked to have connected more emotionally, certainly felt a lot of anger especially at the outcome of the trial. But emotionally, for me that was the only emotion felt. The investigative elements are done well and thoughtful, if somewhat nothing out of the ordinary.
Overall, not a bad episode at all. It just felt like something was missing. 7/10
