The story sounded very intriguing, though it also wasn't a massively unique premise. 'Law and Order' for a while, and still continued to do so a good deal post-Briscoe, did a very good job making ordinary concepts more interesting than they sound. Will admit though to preferring stories that have a wider range of emotional impact and that tackle more controversial and tougher subjects that isn't sugar-coated in execution.
While not one of the best episodes of Season 19, "Lucky Stiff" is still very good, a long way from stiff and very nearly great. Like a number of episodes, one half is better, or at least more riveting, than the other. Don't get me wrong, despite how this sounds, it's compelling throughout but is even better in the second half. Which is not unheard of in 'Law and Order', in fact it's very common. If asked whether "Lucky Stiff", the answer would be yes.
"Lucky Stiff" isn't perfect. It does try to cram in too much in too short a space of time towards the conclusion, not an uncommon problem in 'Law and Order' episodes.
Perhaps a bit on the ordinary side to begin with.
On the other hand, so much is good. The production values are slick and have a subtle grit, with an intimacy to the photography without being too claustrophobic. The music isn't used too much and doesn't get too melodramatic. The direction is sympathetic but also alert. All the other regulars are absolutely terrific, particularly in the legal portions and in the debates. Linus Roache is confident and authoritative and Robert Iler plays a vile individual eerily without being cartoonish.
Furthermore, the episode has a thoughtful script that like a lot of 'Law and Order' episodes raises interesting questions worthy of debate with somebody, the moral dilemmas of the case treated intriguingly. The story is tactful but also pulls no punches and has tension in the second half. Nothing is too simple or too complicated and the second half even is riveting and keeps one guessing the more complex it gets. The character writing and interaction are near-on point and the conflict, with Cutter having to go through a lot to even get a trial, has tension.
All in all, very good. 8/10.
