When it comes to talking about the original 'Law and Order', there is a strong preference for the earlier seasons (Seasons 1-10), the standard of the seasons were more consistent and hit hard more, they were the seasons with the more iconic characters and had none that annoyed me. Season 11 onwards was still very watchable and there were a number of great and more episodes, but the show was not as consistent or as fresh in stories and characters.
"Strike" is an example of a great episode. One of the best of Season 18 and a near return to form, after being a little disappointed in "Bogeyman". There is so much to like, and while there is something that stopped it from being even better the legal scenes are so good in "Strike", in a legal heavy episode, that the shortcoming in question (which on paper does sound like a big problem) is not quite as major as it could easily have been.
That problem being the bland chemistry between Lupo and Bernard.
However, all the legal stuff is absolutely riveting, with plenty of snappy and thought provoking dialogue and an equal amount of tension. The case isn't simplistic, with it being one of the most intricate, twisty and hard hitting of the season. Neither does it feel convoluted or over-stuffed. The moral dilemmas are thoughtfully handled and don't come over as laid on too thick or one-sided.
All the acting is fine, especially in the second half, Jeremy Sisto is better than he was in the previous episode while not standing out. Alana De La Garza is the one that dominates with some of Rubirosa's meatiest writing yet, and she gives not just her best performance of the season but one of her best of her time on the show.
Production values as ever are slick and with the right amount of muted grit, the photography doesn't try to do anything too fancy or gimmicky while not being claustrophobic and keeping things simple. The music doesn't overbear with the theme tune still memorable. The direction keeps things tight while allowing time to breathe.
Summing up, absolutely great. 9/10.
