'Law and Order' was a great show in its prime and there has always been a preference for the earlier seasons over the more commonly aired late-Briscoe and post-Briscoe episodes. Not only love the show for its compelling cases and terrific writing and acting in the Briscoe and pre-Briscoe years. But also its admirable tackling of difficult subjects and themes (the 'Law and Order' franchise at its best was very good at that), their cases often based upon real-life ones and the moral dilemmas raised.
"Criminal Law" does all of that absolutely brilliantly in a truly brilliant episode. That is easily among the best episodes of Season 16 and even of the later years. It is indeed one of those episodes that is a lot more complex and moving than it seems and sounds at first and is particularly advantaged by the performance of the main guest star. One that left a big impression when first getting into 'Law and Order' via this period, and who still leaves a big impression in a good way.
Production values are fine, have always liked the photography's intimacy and grit and the look of the show has come on a good deal over-time (and it was good to begin with). The music doesn't intrude and has a haunting quality, have not always remembered to say that the theme tune is easy to remember and holds up.
Script is full of tension, intelligence and tautness. Many of the lines given to Daniel Hugh Kelly are truly chilling and the character interactions between the characters are some of the best and most riveting in a while. The story is neither too easy or hard to follow and especially shines in the truly scary legal ethics, that are intriguing and hard hitting. While the first half is very intriguing and absorbs, the second half is even better when things become more complex and urgent.
While all the regulars are excellent, especially Sam Waterston, Kelly (chillingly sinister as a truly amoral character) gets the acting honours here.
In conclusion, brilliant. 10/10.