Season 13's "Spiralling Down" sees the return of Bayard Ellis, a great refreshing character wonderfully played in all his appearances by Andre Braugher. His first appearance was in "True Believers", also from Season 13, and he made that episode (one of those episodes with a high quality guest star and mixed feelings storytelling) better, elevating what easily could have been average to pretty decent. So it was great to see him return.
And Ellis is far from wasted. In fact "Spiralling Down" makes the utmost most of him and plays to his strengths as a character. As an episode, it is outstanding and not just the best Season 13 episode up to this point (one of only two to be great or more, the other being the not quite as good "Russian Brides") but also one of the best of the whole season. With "Spiralling Down" doesn't see quality spiralling down, it sees it go up by quite a lot.
The episode is worth seeing primarily for three things. One is Braugher, whose performance here is every bit as good as it was in "True Believers". He has such great authority and while he can be intimidating because of how well he does his job but also his coolness. Two is the other main guest star Treat Williams, who is exceptional. Was really expecting to be repulsed by his character but actually surprisingly it turned out to be the complete opposite once the truth for why he did what he did is revealed.
Lastly, the big cross examination is absolutely devastating, the best, most emotional and most dramatically riveting one of the franchise in a long time. Cabot fans like me are going to love that she is in a bigger role here, this is not one of those returns of loved character that does too little with the character in question but one where her role is not small and her strengths are played to. The personal drama in "Spiralling Down" is present but wisely is not focused upon too much and it certainly does not overshadow the case, it does further Amaro's character too.
Here the writing is concise and has enough meat while not too much fat, while the story is both disturbing and poignant. The regulars are very good, but not as good as Braugher and Williams. The production values are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is accomodating yet also alert.
Wonderful episode all in all. 10/10.
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