Jerry Orbach

Benjamin Bratt

S. Epatha Merkerson

I.C. Rapoport

Rene Balcer

The prosecution of the shooter in the death of a young mother and wife hits a snag when it is suggested that her doctor may have killed her to give away her organs and advance his career.

Matthew Penn

Harvest

Harvesting death

Some off the bat might dismiss &quot;Harvest&quot; as having a story that sounds nothing new. Sure, it is a subject that was not a new one at the time for the franchise and was done more than once since. This is a case though where that does not matter in the slightest, as this (and its variants) is an important subject matter and one of the most harrowing and most complicated of Season 8 and of &apos;Law and Order&apos; in general. Namely down to the ethical questions and behaviours that come with it and trying to see it from more than one point of view.

&quot;Harvest&quot; handles this difficult subject matter beautifully and it is one of the most uncompromising yet most tasteful treatments of the subject for not just the franchise when explored but in general. There is nothing sugar-coated about it, yet nothing is over the top or exploitative, all dangers with exploring the subject and its variants and not fallen into. &quot;Harvest&quot; is a great episode, not just of Season 8 (one of the best) but also of &apos;Law and Order&apos; in general.

The episode does start off on the ordinary side and the third episode in a row for Season 8 to not have much that shocks or illuminates in the early portions.

Once &quot;Harvest&quot; gets into gear, which is actually quite quickly, it becomes absolutely riveting and has a suitably complex second half without being convoluted. Quite a feat as this is a subject that is not always easy to make accessible or easy to get the head round. While the script has a lot of talk and a lot to digest, it is tight enough to not become rambling and always provokes a lot of thought without being overly serious that it becomes too dreary.

When it comes to the story execution, there is an atmosphere that is suspenseful (thanks to a villain that is very easy to hate without being too obvious and rooting for him to get what is deserved) and pulls no punches. The ethical issues and moral dilemmas are handled in a thoughtful and not heavy handed manner, the subject doesn&apos;t feel exploited and unlike some episodes of &apos;Special Victims Unit&apos; and &apos;Criminal Intent&apos; it is not made too clear and shoved down the throat what the writers&apos; stance is on the subject. Instead explored from all sides and it is easy to see where most characters are coming from, excepting the villain. It is a complex case and a twisty one, where there is a constant air of surprise when the case comes to court.

Production values are still slick and suitably gritty (without being too heavy in it). The music is not too melodramatic and is not used too much, even not being too manipulative in revelations. The direction is tight and involved while having breathing space. While all the regulars are great, Michael Nouri gets top honours. He is outstanding and really leaves one unsettled.

In summary, great. 9/10.

Some off the bat might dismiss "Harvest" as having a story that sounds nothing new. Sure, it is a subject that was not a new one at the time for the franchise and was done more than once since. This is a case though where that does not matter in the slightest, as this (and its variants) is an important subject matter and one of the most harrowing and most complicated of Season 8 and of 'Law and Order' in general. Namely down to the ethical questions and behaviours that come with it and trying to see it from more than one point of view.

"Harvest" handles this difficult subject matter beautifully and it is one of the most uncompromising yet most tasteful treatments of the subject for not just the franchise when explored but in general. There is nothing sugar-coated about it, yet nothing is over the top or exploitative, all dangers with exploring the subject and its variants and not fallen into. "Harvest" is a great episode, not just of Season 8 (one of the best) but also of 'Law and Order' in general.

The episode does start off on the ordinary side and the third episode in a row for Season 8 to not have much that shocks or illuminates in the early portions.

Once "Harvest" gets into gear, which is actually quite quickly, it becomes absolutely riveting and has a suitably complex second half without being convoluted. Quite a feat as this is a subject that is not always easy to make accessible or easy to get the head round. While the script has a lot of talk and a lot to digest, it is tight enough to not become rambling and always provokes a lot of thought without being overly serious that it becomes too dreary.

When it comes to the story execution, there is an atmosphere that is suspenseful (thanks to a villain that is very easy to hate without being too obvious and rooting for him to get what is deserved) and pulls no punches. The ethical issues and moral dilemmas are handled in a thoughtful and not heavy handed manner, the subject doesn't feel exploited and unlike some episodes of 'Special Victims Unit' and 'Criminal Intent' it is not made too clear and shoved down the throat what the writers' stance is on the subject. Instead explored from all sides and it is easy to see where most characters are coming from, excepting the villain. It is a complex case and a twisty one, where there is a constant air of surprise when the case comes to court.

Production values are still slick and suitably gritty (without being too heavy in it). The music is not too melodramatic and is not used too much, even not being too manipulative in revelations. The direction is tight and involved while having breathing space. While all the regulars are great, Michael Nouri gets top honours. He is outstanding and really leaves one unsettled.

In summary, great. 9/10.

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