Post by annabelleleigh on May 7, 2009 14:16:38 GMT -5
Written by veteran L&O attorney-scribe William N. Fordes and co-EP Keith Eisner.
At first viewing I found "All New" to be a sturdily constructed, better-than-average police procedural and nothing more.
What struck me on second look was the subplot -- another curve in the Season 19 story arc that has been illuminating the conundrums which face a moral man who runs for public office.
I've worked for a powerful NYC officeholder; I've covered the political process. So I know that gamesmanship is critical to election. As a long-time admirer of the character Jack McCoy I find it fascinating, authentic, and somewhat painful to watch him try to stay true to his values so he can safeguard the principles of justice for the people of New York County.
In my life I've seen it up close: Running for office is a lousy job -- a truly thankless sacrifice -- which is why most moral women and men choose not to take it on.
Frankly, in the real world, I'd have written off Candidate McCoy a long time ago. Too few compromises, too many enemies, not nearly enough ass-kissing over too many years.
But Rene Balcer and his talented writers are still afloat on the post-Obama cloud, and I've decided to ride along with them. They've created a believable, suspenseful political race that will keep me hoping and guessing until the votes are in.
AL
At first viewing I found "All New" to be a sturdily constructed, better-than-average police procedural and nothing more.
What struck me on second look was the subplot -- another curve in the Season 19 story arc that has been illuminating the conundrums which face a moral man who runs for public office.
I've worked for a powerful NYC officeholder; I've covered the political process. So I know that gamesmanship is critical to election. As a long-time admirer of the character Jack McCoy I find it fascinating, authentic, and somewhat painful to watch him try to stay true to his values so he can safeguard the principles of justice for the people of New York County.
In my life I've seen it up close: Running for office is a lousy job -- a truly thankless sacrifice -- which is why most moral women and men choose not to take it on.
Frankly, in the real world, I'd have written off Candidate McCoy a long time ago. Too few compromises, too many enemies, not nearly enough ass-kissing over too many years.
But Rene Balcer and his talented writers are still afloat on the post-Obama cloud, and I've decided to ride along with them. They've created a believable, suspenseful political race that will keep me hoping and guessing until the votes are in.
AL
