It must have been a tall order and quite daunting for the show aiming to be as good as the consistently good to brilliant Season 1. But Season 2 of 'Law and Order' managed to be just as good. Starting off more than solidly, if understadably unsettled due to the number of changes it had to work with, and generally getting better even with the odd minor dip quality-wise. Even the weaker episodes of the season still managed to be well above average.
"Misconception" is certainly a well above average episode, or at least to me that is. It just falls shy of greatness or of being one of the season's best, and is a bit of a let down after two amazing and quite powerful previous episodes. It is still very good and again does hit hard, also think its tackling of a difficult subject that will resonate with quite a lot of people was brave and commendable. What was unsettled before started to show signs of settling four episodes in and that continues in "Misconception".
Again, it is a well acted episode. Paul Sorvino had a tough job replacing George Dzundza but has not been a bad replacement at all, far from it, and he and Chris Noth (not disappointing either) are gelling better with each episode. Michael Moriarty is still killing it as the most interesting of the regular characters Stone, such a juicy part and one that Moriarty acts the socks off of. Molly Price is the other acting standout, first affecting but then serpentine. The chemistry feels cohesive.
Production values are sharp and the grit and slickness hasn't gone, despite looking sharper. The music is a good fit tonally and in placement, while the direction is sympathetic which allows the story to breathe but alert enough to make it not drag. The script is tight and thoughtful, tactful in how it explores the episode's themes.
Something that was very striking about the story, which had an absorbing case and the second half even more compelling and with tension and poignancy, that it had a sensitive and relatable subject not easy to talk about and explore it without being heavy-handed or trivialising. The two main guest characters are very interesting characters and really give off the creepy vibe.
Though perhaps it could have explored it even further, there was room for more growth and even more of an emotional connection perhaps. Which would have made the point/argument it was trying to make clearer and stick more, again perhaps.
It is agreed that what happened to the child could have done with more explanation.
On the whole, very good. 8/10
