Nearly all the previous Season 8 episodes of 'Law and Order' (my actual personal favourite of the 'Law and Order' franchise) are of a very high standard, with the only disappointment being "Blood" due to its improbable premise and every bit as hard to swallow execution and even that episode had a fair share of good things. With "Shadow", it was great to see more development to Jamie Ross, one of 'Law and Order's' better female prosecutors and one that should have lasted longer but sadly didn't.
"Shadow" is a very good and very well done episode in my view. Like other Season 8 episodes, it is a case of one half being better than the other but only really because the one half that is better is so good. It is not one of the best Season 8 episodes or a 'Law and Order' high point, but there is plenty in "Shadow" that represents what was so great about 'Law and Order' in its prime and more than enough to justify the show's appeal. Which was clearly big enough for it to last so long and still rerun regularly.
As said, "Shadow" is a case of one half being (a little) better than the other. Did feel that the policing was on the routine and formulaic side with not an awful lot to make it set it apart from other episodes.
It is a good thing though that the legal portion is a lot more interesting, which will be come onto a little later. 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 sympathetic enough without being leaden. The script is tight and thoughtful, raising some interesting points about the complications that come with prosecuting.
Did like the development for Ross a lot and it is always welcome when we learn more about her. Whenever that has been done, like it was in the Season 7 three parter it never got in the way of the cases and added some tension. Harmon is also an interesting character and provides the right amount of intrigue and tension later on, though do agree that the thought of us supposing to like him is a bit of a stretch.
The legal portion of "Shadow" is utterly riveting, has some nice clever turns and is never predictable. It is also taut and suspenseful enough. The acting is expectedly great, especially from Carey Lowell closely followed by David Marshall Grant.
Overall, very good. 8/10.