Have always found a lot to like about all three of the three best known and popular 'Law and Order' shows (the original 'Law and Order', 'Special Victims Unit' and 'Criminal Intent', the others are more variable). Although 'Special Victims Unit', great in the earlier seasons but less consistent in the latter ones, has topped the original as the longest-running of the franchise in terms of seasons, my personal favourite is the original, if more the Briscoe years and before.
'Law and Order's' "Entitled" turned out to be the second part of 'Special Victims Unit's' Season 1 episode "Entitled" (that accounts for why that episode felt incomplete, which didn't compute immediately), which also was a crossover and was a very good episode despite feeling more like an episode of this show than that. This time the 'Law and Order' cast are the main characters and the 'Special Victims Unit' cast being more main support, and this time it felt right as this was a real 'Law and Order' episode and not one from 'Special Victims Unit' that felt more like an episode from this show.
Did think that the 'Special Victims Unit' cast were underused (again), especially Stabler who has little to do.
More could have been done with the ending, which was a little too crowded.
"Entitled" however has a huge amount to like. The photography is slick and subtly gritty as usual and while the locations are not many they are still pleasing to look at and the more intimate ones aren't claustrophobic. The music is haunting while not going over the top and not being intrusive, too constant and melodramatic music would have ruined the mood and would not have let the dialogue do the talking as effectively. The direction is sympathetic and alert enough.
Script is tight and thought-provoking and the story is suitably twisty without being convoluted. The ending feels more rounded off this time and is far more satisfying than the previous two 'Law and Order' episodes. The acting is excellent from the regulars, particularly Sam Waterston, but this is a case of the supporting cast being even better. Noelle Beck, Josef Sommer and Jane Alexander really do burn in the memory.
In conclusion, very good. 8/10.
