"Under God" was one of those 'Law and Order' episodes on first watch that had a number of good things but did feel on the ordinary side and other episodes stick in the mind more. There are episodes of the show and the 'Law and Order' franchise in general that felt like this, but there are many on both counts where that type of episode on first watch fared better on rewatch and were better than remembered seeing it through older eyes.
While there is still a good deal to like, my good but not great feelings on "Under God" have not changed all that much. As said more than once, there are 'Law and Order' episodes that sound quite basic on paper but don't feel ordinary in execution so there is no close-mindedness intended here. "Under God" has everything present and correct, but many other episodes have a lot more spark and not everything works. The franchise has varied massively when it comes to portraying religion but that aspect is not done too badly here.
A lot is great here. It is very well acted by most of the regulars, particularly Sam Waterston, showing off his authority, resourceful and ruthlessness expertly. Jerry Orbach does conflicted and sympathetic wonderfully. Dennis O'Hare unsettles. The character interaction once again delivers wonderfully, how most of the characters communicate with each other throughout truly absorbs.
The script is taut and intelligent. The first half is very well done, and really liked Briscoe's reactions and how he relates to the case without it getting personal. Everything centered around the religion is not one sided or one dimensional. The production values as ever have slickness and grit, with an intimacy without being claustrophobic. The music has presence when it's used but does so without being intrusive, some of it is quite haunting too. The direction is alert yet accomodating.
Do think that the second half isn't quite as strong, which was a disappointment after a few episodes where the second halves were even better. The tension and emotion aren't quite as strong and some of McCoy's dialogue is on the heavy handed side. The final third was on the over-crowded and rushed side, with a lot of information in too short a time meaning that some of it feels under-explored.
Furthermore, Elisabeth Rohm is lifeless and adds little again which has always been true for the character of Southerlyn herself. She and Waterston are quite disconnected in chemistry.
Concluding, not great but good. 7/10.