'Law and Order' was a brilliant show in its prime and overall is actually my favourite of the 'Law and Order' franchise and out of it, 'Special Victims Unit' (the longest running) and 'Criminal Intent'. Despite not feeling the same post-Briscoe. Season 10 was a solid season on the whole, with many great episodes and only about two or three disappointments. On first watch, "Trade This" struck me as a very good episode if not quite a great one.
"Trade This" still is very, very good in my view, with plenty of what makes 'Law and Order' so good when on form and its best aspects are so incredibly well executed. It falls a little short of greatness, with it being a case of starting off a bit on the ordinary side but became near-classic 'Law and Order' level by the end, but "Trade This" was so nearly there. Not one of the best episodes of Season 10 or of the show, but not too far off.
Not unlike a number of episodes of 'Law and Order', the first portion is on the ordinary side. The writing is taut and gritty and Jerry Orbach, Jesse L. Martin and their chemistry are spot on, working beautifully together, but there is not much unique about the case until going into the middle act.
Did think too that the ending is slightly too hastily wrapped up, which is also applicable to many episodes from this period.
Having said that, these are pretty nit-picky and there is still a lot to recommend about "Trade This". The photography while very close up doesn't come over as too static or filmed play-like, while the production values are typically solid and have subtle atmosphere while not being drab and keeping things simple. When the music is used it is haunting and has a melancholic edge that is not overdone. The episode is sympathetically yet uncompromisingly directed.
Performances are very good from all the regulars, while Danny Mastrogiorgio is truly frightening as a truly amoral character that one roots for to be sent down for a long time. Nice to see Samuel E. Wright, know him best from voicing 'The Little Mermaid's' Sebastian. Vincent Curatola absolutely shines in his ruthlessness when on the stand in agreed the highlight scene of the episode. That cross examination was tense and the battle of wits element to it intrigued hugely.
Furthermore, the script is typically tight and intelligent with an uncompromising grit. There is a lot of talk, but it doesn't feel too much. Once the story gets going, it quickly grabs the attention and the legal scenes are riveting. Especially the cross examination scene.
Overall, very good. 8/10.
