Episode #69 "Contempt Of Court"

[Ferrariman]

Begin posting

[timm525]

Not one of my favorites. 5 for me.

[Ferrariman]

A 5 is being generous. I gave it a 4. Not a very exciting way to start a new season.

[Guest neworder]

Yay Season 4, a season that in many ways I love but also find it un-forgivable in parts. Anyway, it starts fairly well with this episode. It is different in style to a lot of episodes i.e, no Ferrari, no scarab, no ladies in bikini’s, but it’s nicely shot and it’s an exciting story. I can see why some people might criticise it, probably because it doesn't have a big enough bang for a season opener, and yes it’s worse than prodigal son and the pilot but i feel its much better than irish eyes. I found irish eyes a bit messy and the only thing going for it was the daytona blowing up scene. Mosca is a great villain and the courtroom scenes are quite amusing at times. The style is also fairly decent, I quite like the return of the brighter colours clothes wise and overall this episode seems much brighter than later Season 3 episodes even with the majority of scenes filmed inside. One criticism I do have is that Jan Hammer’s music is not very special in most parts and its quite quiet – this episode deserves more from Jan Hammer. Overall, I give it 8/10, a good start to season 4!P.S Why wasn't this ep opened last week? And can the Season 3 overall discussion be opened please??? Cheers.

[Icemanmike]

This episode is different from most so far. It has a serious vibe to it, yet has some funny lines here and there. As a kick-off to season four, which will be an interesting ride, you can see how Vice has matured, yet I don't think it's for the better. Yes, I do also miss the girls, boats, cars, and action that this episode doesn't produce, yet the drama level is higher than episodes in the past and the attention to detail is there. A new season with a different look from Crockett and Tubbs and Trudy...Trudy..Is uh, ah.. looks Amazing:thumbsup:....Great season opener compared to others as stated and looks to be fun too. 8 for me...Mike

[Viceguy]

This episode is an interesting way to kick off the season 4.Many things look different from what you expect to be a usual MV ep.No Testarossa,no cool gunfight scenes and the story develops around the trial...Well,it is certainly not one of my favorites,but It has its own moments.And in some respects it is a very good episode.I like the well-written story.Despite being a bit boring, it grabbed my attention near the second part of it..Mostly because I felt sorry for Jack Rivers and really wanted his son to get back at Mosca!The best scene of the entire ep is when Sonny sees that Jack is being killed...Very sad scene.Great acting from DJ,just look at his eyes!The Yello's "Call It Love" is a good choice!This song goes along with the scene perfectly....Tucci did Mosca really well.He was totally believiable.One of the greatest villains on Miami Vice.I only took few points off since there was some lack of action....Still,a solid 8 from me!

[EasyED]

Not the best episode but it has some good scenes...gave it 6/10

[Tony D.]

Season 4 opens with one of my favorite episodes. Stanley Tucci plays Frank Mosca, crime boss, to the hilt! I must admit, last night I finally realized it wasn't Mosca who's in "Contempt of Court," but Sonny Crockett! What irony! As Crockett sits in a jail cell, the informant he's protecting is killed right before his eyes, minutes before being released into Tubbs' custody. Although I hate Mosca for being so evil, I had to laugh when he ordered veal cutlets & wine for his stay in jail. Hey, it's an Italian thing. Same thing in "Goodfellas." In the ending it would have been nice to see Mosca blown away by Rivers' son, but his life would have been ruined. We do get to see Mosca get his lumps in "Blood & Roses." Although there are no gun fights or car chases, the courtroom drama is exciting & not boring. My rating is 8.5/10. For this poll I give it an 8. I like "Blood & Roses" much better

[2morgen]

I gave this ep a 7.It is not boring but it I missed a bit more action.I really liked the way the house of Jimmy the Palma was furnished.Especially the flower arrangement on the table was a nice detail.favourite moments of this ep for me are- teabag joke at the beginning.- Look of Sonny after outburst Mosca laywer in court and when he talks to Terry when Jack was dead.- Sonny and Rico in fire position at the court house steps.

[agent 47]

Ep #69: Contempt of CourtDespite the well written courtroom scenes early on and the great cinematography, this episode has many problems in my opinion, for one thing they seem to recylcle a plot point from EP#10: Give a Little, Take a Little by having Crockett go to jail for not naming an informant, I feel to be honest this was a last minute script decision as the series usually tried to keep things fresh throughout each episode, then there's the acting, while some performances such as Philip Baker Hall as the judge are great, Stanley Tucci seemed to go a little too over-the-top with Mosca, while Mosca required some over-the-top for the courtroom scenes, I feel that he should have been a little more quiter and more colder, he had that in some scenes but like the scene where he meets one of his soldiers and start talking out loud how the soldier is so loyal before shooting the soldier is just a little rediculous, while I don't expect realism but I have never seen a mobster movie where the mobster practically shouts abot how he feels about a guy's loyalty (or atleast wants the guy to believe), it could have been done quieter, and while I hate to be so negative that pose Crockett and Tubbs do at the end of the episode pointing guns at Moscas' goons almost had me rolling out of the chair laughing, it just seemed too over-the-top for the land of Vice.Overall, I'd like to find more good things to say but I'm having trouble with this one, the cinematography was perfect, the pre-titles sequence was great, Philip Baker Hall was well casted as the judge but some recycled story bits, some over-the-top scenes from Tucci's Mosca, and those embarassing poses at the end hinder the score some, a pretty good episode with a so-so story but as I said, great cinematography.Final Score: 6

[nmathews]

My original review of Contempt of Court Posted: 17 September 2007 at 5:06pmThis is one of my favorite episodes from 4th season. I rate it an 8. The first thing I noticed was that the starting was dead silent no musical background, not even music by Jan Hammer. Also I thought the episode title was very appropriate. Not only does Crockett rack up a 'Contempt of Court' citation and have to spend time in the pokey, but Frank Mosca and his associates have Contempt of the Court. His attitude is very contemptuous of the court proceedings and the judicial system itself. He continually disrupts the proceedings by passing around candy, switching a regular envelope which was an item of evidence, with a similar envelope full of exploding confetti. He tosses something to Lewis sitting across an aisle a few seats from him. I mean where was this Judge's Court sense? Talk about Contempt of Court! He tells Crockett and the Fed to hurry up he's got a Racquet ball court reserved and wants to get the arrest over with him and out in time to use it. He doesn't think twice about murdering De Palma, and when his bail is revoked, he asks for his 35 inch stereo TV and for the Chef at Juliano's to send the veal cutlets to his cell in jail, the good cell. He's having a feast in Jail and continues to rule the roost while in jail. His set up of Crockett sort of witnessing Jack Rivers's murder is also a masterful stroke. The whole use of Yello's Call it love with the drums as Jack was being processed just seemed to yell prison and danger I thought it musically fit the scene very well . Crockett's antagonistic attitude toward him is established early when he makes a big production out of arresting Mosca, and being very impatient about it. Also the way Sonny tries to bait him was unnecessary in my opinion, all it did was make it clear Sonny had contempt for this man, and Mosca had contempt for him and the law. Rico's there to support his partner as always. I like as both of them haul Mosca away. It's interesting for me to see how each side is working on the case. OCB assigned to Justice so that Sweitek, Trudy and Gina watch the jurors, and Crockett and Tubbs work with the witnesses You can see Sonny's, & the prosecutor's frustration as the witnesses change their stories because they're afraid of reprisals from Mosca. Frank and his side work to find who informed on him and to negate it. Also they work to create a mistrial, and intimidate witnesses and plug leaks. We see Frank's people sketching a certain juror from the very first day the jury is in court. Why did they pick that certain juror and how did Sweitek not notice the big guy in the black car watching the juror? Wasn't there supposed to be an escort home? Where was this person? Another interesting thing was to contrast Sonny's appearance on the witness stand in this episode to his appearance in Give A Little Take A little. Remember in GALTAL Castillo warns Sonny that he might be asked to name his witness, and the consequences could be jail. At that time Sonny looks surprised. In Contempt of Court, the Federal prosecutor warns Sonny that the defense would tumble to an informant as being the witness and her questioning would allow them to ask about it. Sonny almost replies in the same vein, that that would be death for his witness, but instead when he asks what will happen when he refuses to answer he already knows and accepts that. Also in GALTAL when the judge fines Sonny in contempt for not answering who his witness is, he yells and screams and practically throws a temper tantrum as he's drug off to jail; but in Contempt of Court when he's ordered to tell and he refuses he just looks disgusted and resigned, no temper tantrums, but he still doesn't like it as we see his expression as the camera focusses on it. Are we to believe though that only Sonny can keep his informants alive? If he hadn't been in jail he could have prevented Jack from being killed? I don't think that Sonny would have been able to move any faster than Rico and MS Carson did. That assumption also doesn't say much about Rico or the rest of the department's capabilities either, however, it does show that Sonny felt it was his responsibility to keep Jack alive not only for the case, but as a friend. OK what was with DJ's white pants? He looked fine when he was standing up, but while he was sitting on the wall talking to Terry, I thought I saw gasp a tummy bulge! Seriously that was not a flattering shot of DJ at all. OK I just had to mention it. The ending is not that surprising, but what I love about the ending is that Sonny has to talk Terry out of shooting Frank when you know Sonny, himself, is itching to do the same thing as he expresses "I feel the same way"." 'Go ahead Mosca, make it easy." I love it when Sonny and Rico quickly pull their weapons and aim at Mosca and his goons, after Terry has finally fired his gun in the air. I share their frustration that Mosca got off and in this case Their contempt for this whole court proceedings. 3/8/2010 - I still like this episode very much. I love the beach scene when Sonny is playing catch with Terry, and talking to Jack. I also liked the scene at the Judges house when Tubbs and Carson ran over there to get the warant of release signed. There isn't much to add, except that Stanly Tuci certainly does a great job playing Mosca, and whil I hate the guy, I think this Mosca has to go down as my next favorite villain to Hackman. I don't like Hackman at all, but Mosca has carisma. I still rate this an 8.

[Papa Legba]

I'm with Ferrariman on this one. It was a boring, one dimensional episode to kick off a new season with. I've always thought that the Season opener in every Season of Vice is a good indicator of what the quality of the rest of the Season is going to be like. So when I watched this episode for the first time, it set off justifiable alarm bells off in my head as to what the rest of the Season would be like.The positives to this episode: Great acting by Stanley Tucci, a seemingly unknown in the acting world at that point. When River's son is pointing the gun at Mosca at the end, you can see exactly what Mosca is thinking (and a number of different things run through his head), without Tucci even saying a word. Also, although Mosca's Attorney was clearly an *******, his "putrid sea that makes me want to wretch and vomit" outburst was quite amusing.In fact, I would go as far as to say that it's my least favourite episode of the lot. And before you all shout the words "Miracle Man" and "Missing hours" at me, yes they were stupid episodes, but at least they were stupidly entertaining. I'll give this one 4 out of 10.

[Tommy Vercetti]

Now we enter season 4. Which is in my view the weakest season of Vice. It's a very erratic season quality-wise with episodes ranging from duff to disgracefully atrocious.Season 4 gets off to a poor start with this extremely weak season opener. It's easily the worst opener of all five seasons for me.I always disliked Contempt of Court. I found it to be boring, styleless crap full of stuff recycled from season one. I don't rate Frank Mosca as a memorable Vice villain at all. I don't think he was especially well written or acted. I love the scene on the beach and there's some other nice scenery, but that's all I liked.Bad episode and a woeful way to begin the fourth season. 4/10

[vicenarc]

For me, this episode was not even lukewarm. In this instance, I can give this story no more than a 1.

[Burnett260]

This is not a bad episode (for season 4 of course). Nice to see pastel coloured clothes again (mainly first half of S4). Stanley Tucci as Frank Mosca is not a great villain like Frank Hackman, but he's not bad at all. As for the cinematography - most of the scenes take place in courthouse room. Which is something different when compared to earlier season's and I liked it. Sure there was only one I think... music track, and there was very little Jan Hammer music, but the plot was good enough to keep me interested. This ep. also includes one of the most memorable quotes in MV:P When Crockett and Tubbs are pointing their guns at Mosca and his goons. Crockett - Go ahead Mosca, make it easy! Great camera angles. I love it:)7 out of 10

[CrockettandTubbs]

OK, I promise that this will be a proper review, not the waffle I normally spawn like some hyper eighteen year old (oh...wait a minute...)Started Season Four yesterday. One episode a week, means I am still about sixteen weeks off the exciting stuff! But still!The Good:I liked the overall idea of the episode, it wasn't particularly fast paced, but it was a good storyline and sometimes I prefer the ones that do not have much action.Thought Mosca was quite a good villain, and hope to see him get his just deserts later on in the series!DJ was on form as always, loved him when he was in the dock defending his client (though, very similar to Give A Little, Take A Little...you'd have thought they might have learnt their lesson!)I loved the final bit at the end when Crockett and Tubbs pulled their guns out simultaneously and stood there in the exact same pose. Excellent partnershipness!The BadThe lawyer who was defending Mosca...I don't know, but he just irritated the hell out of me! I don't know if he was deliberately over acting but...really, throwing papers all over the floor? And the exploding envelope? Aside from the final scene, very little (patented term) CrockettandTubbsness...Tubbs didn't speak at all for the first half of the episode, and there was only one glance exchanged between them...I was wondering maybe he was so shocked from the facial hair that... (more on that later). So yeah, very little C&Tness...I really hope that's not a sign of what is to come. :cry:The Ugly...I promised myself I was going to give the beard a chance. I said to myself "C&T, you need to give this guy a chance. The facial hair might actually suit him. You know, he's Tubbs, he looks good in practically ANYTHING. Give him a chance." Sat down to watch episode...and...boom. Where did PMT's sex appeal go??! *wails*AND! IT'S NOT JUST HIM!CROCKETT! DID SOMEONE KIDNAP YOUR WARDROBE?! Season Three, definite change, he wore the same blue jacket in serval episodes (I'd know, I've noted them down because it helps with the continuity in my fan videos (Red Tape and Shadow in the Dark! Same Jacket? I love him.) Anyway. I allowed them the change in Season Three. BUT YESTERDAY! What was he wearing? The blue top with the funny pattern on...I had to rewatch that scene because I was too busy looking at the shirt, attempting to see what it was!!! When he was sat on the wall with Terry after Rivers had died, he just looked...old and burned out. I know that's the point. But not yet! I just wanted to go up to him and say; "You think it's bad now? You wait til you get married, pal!" *rant over*Overall ThoughtsA good episode, worthy of a 7/10. I liked the storyline and the fact that Crockett went to jail, and yet nothing changed despite his sacrifice. I liked the female lawyer, she seemed pretty cool too. Very little OCB so sad faces there. Question...how did Terry not know that was Crockett was a cop? I assumed he knew Rico was a cop because of the scene at the house...and he knew that Sonny and Rico were really good friends because they played football with him (that was nice. Although, once again, poor Sonny looked tired *hugs Sonny*) together. So...how did he not put two and two together and make Crockett for a cop? Something that niggled me!Final verdict: 7/10

[MrsEvanFreed]

Tucci and Steven Keats were solid, but the kid that played Terry stunk on ice.5/10

[Spyder]

Tucci and Steven Keats were solid' date=' but the kid that played Terry stunk on ice.[/quote'] Steven Keats was great in this one, as he was in anything he appeared in. Such a tragedy that he died so young just a few years after this.Yeah, Terry totally upstages Sonny in the scene where they're talking on the beach. Now we have teenagers calling Crockett "Pal"??? Sounds like something Don Johnson would have contested in the past; I wonder if he stopped caring at this point in the series.

[MrsEvanFreed]

That same young actor also appeared in Abel Ferrara's Romeo and Juliet inspired 1987 drama China Girl. He was bad enough, but adding the CONSTIPATED acting of David Caruso made this a really tough film to endure.Thankfully there was a reward for my suffering at the end.

Edited May 4, 2014 by MrsEvanFreed

[Guest myonlyvice]

This was not a bad episode. Not at all. I think everyone else has already covered pretty well the salient points of the episode, the good and the bad. Obviously I tend to agree more with the favorable reviews. The only thing I'll add is that this episode, at times, feels as if it were originally written for another crime drama series. Like at the eleventh hour the network decided to turn a "Law and Order" into a Vice episode merely by substituting the Vice gang for whatever main characters were there originally but leaving the plot largely intact.

[Matt5]

This was not a bad episode. Not at all. I think everyone else has already covered pretty well the salient points of the episode' date=' the good and the bad. Obviously I tend to agree more with the favorable reviews. The only thing I'll add is that this episode, at times, feels as if it were originally written for another crime drama series. Like at the eleventh hour the network decided to turn a "Law and Order" into a Vice episode merely by substituting the Vice gang for whatever main characters were there originally but leaving the plot largely intact.[/quote']Good points - I agree I liked this episode - darker with great beach locations :thumbsup:

[ViceFanMan]

I like this episode...good plot, tragic but captivating story, but I will admit that I don't think this one should have been the season premiere and/or opener. Compared to the last 3 seasons, this was somewhat of a "blah" episode for a premiere.But, the acting and filming locations (beach and others) were awesome! Stanley Tucci is a superb actor and I've seen him play all kinds of roles. But, he always seemed to play the perfect bad-guy/sleeze and/or assassin. I don't remember seeing this episode when it originally aired...but by this time, back in the day, I will admit that I was not watching "MV" as much anymore. So, the first thing I remember seeing Tucci in was the superb 1993 movie "Pelican Brief"--with Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington! Tucci played the assassin of the Supreme Court justices...and ended up assassinated himself. :eek:Anyway, I really like his Frank Mosca character--very much a modern day Al Capone...complete with a special cell with gourmet food, wine, and even jail guards catering to his every want. The way this episode ended you knew Mosca would be back...and of course he returns in "Blood and Roses"...a much better episode and one of my favorites of season 4. :thumbsup:Overall I like "Contempt of Court" and it was a good episode...I gave it a 7.

[Matt5]

I really like the beach scenes and beach house scenes in this episode with Crockett with the JH music !

[Noggie]

Not a bad episode. Maybe a 7 for me. I like Tucci. Did Tubbs have more than 10 lines? This is the season he became more of a sidekick. I haven't watched season 4 in years so I'd forgotten how badly he was utilized.

Good episode but not MIAMI VICE at all. I'm not crazy about Crockett's overly stylized hair or the baggy wardrobe. What cop has that much time to fix his hair?? I liked the season 1 or 2 look the best. I can accept Tubbs beard but his outfits became really bland. Man this show got off track.

[vikingbikerREB]

This is easily one of the worst episodes ever made of Vice. There is zero Miami Vice in this episode. No realism, no style, no action, no excitement. The court scenes are silly and boring. Perry Mason it ain't. Its hard to believe that the last episode of Season 3, was just one episode ago. To me it feels like it was 50 episodes ago, because of how different and boring the show had become. Season 3 ended perfectly with the great Hero's of the Revolution and Season 4 opened with a clunker. A dud. I hate everything about this episode, but the thing I hate the most is how unrealistic the court scenes are. No judge would allow the accuser standing trail to eat, smoke, read a newspaper or make a mockery of the system while standing trail. It just would never happen. If the incompetent writers, had threw in realism, and intensity in the court scenes, than this episode might have stood a chance. When the episode is not in court, its also boring and slow. Jan Hammer must have been bored too, because there is very little music in the episode. You can definitely get an idea where this season is heading from this season premiere... completely downhill and it won't stop until the end of the season. You wonder why viewers quit watching Miami Vice starting with season 4. They we're asking themselves, just like I was asking myself, "Where did Miami Vice go?"

Edited December 13, 2015 by vikingbikerREB