Ex Stasis

The concept sounded very intriguing, will agree that it is very "off the wall" but it sounded creepy too. Was very interested in how the concept would be executed, as 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' was no stranger to off the wall type episodes but the execution varied. Really didn't want "Ex Stasis" to be a waste of potential or be too bizarre, and wanted it to be fascinating and suitably unnerving. Would have appreciated the effort though regardless of execution as this does not sound like an easy subject to pull off.

"Ex Stasis" on the most part fits in the latter category and does very well with a subject that could easily have gone so wrong in execution. It's not perfect or one of my favourites of Season 4, which had a lot of fine episodes but was not as consistent overall as the previous three seasons, but it is a fascinating and creepy episode that on the most part doesn't come over as too strange. It is thankfully not one of the season's worst episodes either and with a lot to admire about it.

It does start off a bit on the routine and standard side with not much new or unique happening.

When things become a lot less obvious and more alarming, there was a spell where the episode did get somewhat bizarre and some of the information was not easy to get the head round.

Luckily, things do get clearer and when it begins to fall into place the truth is just about buyable and is interesting. As said the execution is as off the wall as the synopsis sounds, but on the most part "Ex Stasis" doesn't go overboard on the weirdness or become vague, issues found with other "strange" 'Criminal Intent' episodes such as "In the Dark" and "Collective". When more is revealed, there are enough twists in the plotting to avoid over-simplicity without trying to include too many. One does not expect the motive or what the perpetrator was up to, which were unique for the show at this point of its run.

Furthermore, the writing is thought-provoking and not too talky and the direction has control without being over-deliberate. The production values are stylish and slick with a brighter and more refined look, while maintaining the show's grit. The music doesn't overbear and is not overused. The characters are written well, with Goren still fascinating without being too dominant and his rapport with Eames is so entertaining and intriguing. The acting is on point, especially Vincent D'Onofrio.

Overall, had an interesting if "it could go either way" subject and executed it mostly very well. Starts off conventional, but as it progresses it becomes one of Season 4's, and one of the early seasons', most unconventional episodes. 8/10