Steel-Eyed Death

I've never been a reflexive opponent of the death penalty in and of itself because it's for criminals like these that it was meant for. They did it, they admit they did it, no remorse other than being caught and for a defense mental illness excuses that are exposed for what they are by mental health professionals. In this case Dr. Emil Skoda played by J.K. Simmons.

A couple of sociopaths Mitchell Oberholtzer and Emily Meade are caught and mount separate psychiatric defenses. Meade says she was suffering from amnesia and Oberholtzer was traumatized by the World Trade Center attack and the incessant coverage on television. Good thing Linus Roache and Alana DeLa Garza are up to it.

The one ace the defense has is that one of the lawyers on the defense knows of a psychiatric breakdown that Jeremy Sisto had several years ago at a particularly bloody and nauseating crime scene such as the one he and Anthony Anderson come across at the opening of the show. That too is handled well, especially by Sisto on the stand.

Two of the more loathsome criminals Law And Order ever had.

Decided a while back (four years ago) to review all the episodes of the original 'Law and Order', 'Special Victims Unit' and 'Criminal Intent', being someone who really likes all three shows in their prime/early years. Really loved a lot of the early seasons episodes of all three shows, while also finding all three less consistent later on (with the original not feeling the same post-Briscoe and even began to lose consistency in Season 11 and all the seasons after).

"Steel Eyed Death" is a very well done and very solid episode of not just Season 20 but also of 'Law and Order'. It is not one of the season's best episodes, others have more tension and emotional impact for instance as well as stronger cases, but it is a marked improvement over the disappointing "Blackmail". With the acting, character writing and character interaction elevating "Steel Eyed Death" significantly, one character in particular being at their most interesting.

It is not exceptional plot-wise, with it starting ordinary, with it not being much new and personally have never bought the defense argument for a minute, considering the brutality of the crimes and the remorseless, detached, sociopathic demeanour of the responsible.

However, there are so many things done right in "Steel Eyed Death". Jeremy Sisto gives his best performance of the show, especially when on the stand, and it was great to see JK Simmons again. The episode also boasts two of the most loathsome perpetrators in a long time. Mitchell Oberholtzer and Emily Meade are bone chilling. Am also someone who has been very taken by how much the partnership between Lupo and Bernard has grown, like the two characters themselves. The development to Lupo and the look into his past is one of the best things about the episode and is very illuminating.

The production values are slick and are simple without being simplistic. The music is haunting and not too over-emphasised when used. The direction is sympathetic while having momentum and personality. The script is tight and thoughtful, with some interesting questions raised. The story isn't exceptional, but still intrigues and boasts some powerful character interaction in the second half, especially between Lupo and Bernard even in the simpler moments. Lupo's scene on the stand is terrific.

Overall, very well done. 8/10.