"Pursuit" got a lot of hype before and when it first came out and aired, with the promise of a major shocking event and that would be a very dramatic episode. It is notable too for being the final appearance of the polarising (personally liked her) Sonya Paxton and for seeing Debra Messing in a role that is very different to 'Will and Grace'. Was really hoping that it would be better than the hugely disappointing previous episode "Spectacle", or so at the least.
The good news is that "Pursuit" is a lot better than "Spectacle" (not hard to do though, especially seeing as the synopsis appealed more) and it does have a lot of good things. Did however think that it was an uneven episode, it is not as dramatic as the promos indicated and the major shocking event could have been handled better considering the hype it got at the time. As far as Season 12 goes, "Pursuit" is somewhere in the middle in ranking despite having potential to be one of the best.
It is shot with the right amount of intimacy without being claustrophobic and that the editing has become increasingly tighter over-time has been great too. Nice use of locations too. The music doesn't get over-scored or overwrought, even in the more dramatic revelation moments. The direction is also accommodating. Furthermore, the script intrigues and doesn't ramble or confuse. Really enjoyed the amusing light humour from Fin.
Meanwhile, there is some good tension from the middle act and the story does intrigue enough. The perpetrator is creepy, as is the climax. Christine Lahti brings confident authority and spark to her screen time while the regulars are all fine.
For all those good things, there were things that could have been done better. While the major event is shocking and quite heart-breaking, it and the episode overall at the same time did feel like an excuse to get rid of a polarising character. While it affected the team on impulse, an opportunity was missed of making more of it rather than treating it like almost a throwaway.
Did feel that it did try to cram in too much and that the first act was on the ordinary side. Lastly, Messing comes over as very stiff and lacking in emotion in her role, which is written as too much of a cold fish. Her reactions at the end were barely existent, like the revelations that were being thrown at her that would crush many didn't really matter to her (and especially considering the character she was speaking to).
Overall, above average but uneven and didn't quite live up to the hype. 6/10.