One of the biggest appeals of 'Law and Order' has been the topics it addresses and issues that come with the topics addressed. Also with how they are explored, the execution more often than not was hardly sugar coated or trivialised and was often pull no punches in quality. On first watch, "Punk" struck me as a very good episode that does so much right. Despite disliking Carmichael's, speaking as somebody who usually likes her, attitude.
My feelings on "Punk" are pretty much exactly the same. It is still a a very good episode on the whole with many fantastic things, as well as a couple of things done not so well that were also sporadic recurring problems. It's not one of the best episodes of Season 9 and not one of the best of 'Law and Order', but still has plenty to show why 'Law and Order' is such a fine show and why it in its prime was my personal favourite of the franchise.
"Punk" is another case of one half being better than the other, with it starting off quite unexceptional and routine.
Also really didn't like Carmichael's selfish and non-empathetic attitude towards the case, which is laid on too thickly.
However, so much is done fantastically. It is a slickly made episode, the editing especially having come on quite a bit from when the show first started (never was it a problem but it got more fluid with each episode up to this stage). The music is sparingly used and never seemed melodramatic, the theme tune easy to remember as usual. The direction is sympathetic enough without being too low key.
Furthermore, "Punk" has a thoughtful script that like a lot of 'Law and Order' episodes raises interesting questions worthy of debate with somebody, the moral dilemmas of the case treated intriguingly. The story is tactful but also pulls no punches, making one feel sad and angry. Nothing is too simple or too complicated and the second half even is riveting and keeps one guessing the more complex it gets. The character writing and interaction are near-on point and the conflict has genuine tension.
While not caring for Carmichael's character writing, Angie Harmon still plays her very well and has settled likewise. Melnik is a great character with a lot of passionate energy. A big selling point with "Punk" is the exceptional performance of Cara Buono, who has a complex unsettling presence and makes her character feel real.
Concluding, very good. 8/10.