Promo: SVU New Year’s Day Marathon

Here’s the promo for the Law & Order SVU marathon on USA Network which begins on the morning of New Year’s Day. (The NCIS portion of the marathon begins on New Year’s Eve.)




Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Law & Order SVU “Official Story” Episode Information

Here are the details for a new episode of Law & order SVU “Official Story”:

Law & Order SVU “Official Story” Air Date January 18, 2012 (10 PM ET/9C Wednesday NBC)

WHEN THE CEO OF A PRIVATE MILITARY CONTRACTOR IS FOUND ASSAULTED, THE DA’S OFFICE JOINS THE SVU DETECTIVES TO INVESTIGATE A MOTIVE WITH INTERNATIONAL TIES

The powerful CEO of a private military contractor is confronted by protesters and later found drugged and sexually assaulted in a park. Detectives Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Amaro (Danny Pino) begin their investigation but find the victim unwilling to cooperate. As the SVU squad and the district attorney’s office explore the motives behind the attack, a much larger crime and conspiracy in Iraq is unveiled. Also starring Ice-T (Detective Odafin Tutuola), Dann Florek (Captain Donald Cragen) and Kelli Giddish (Detective Amanda Rollins.) Laura Benanti (Maria Grazie) guest stars.


My recap and review of Law & Order SVU "Official Story" can be found at this link.




Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Law & Order SVU “Theatre Tricks” Episode Information

Here are the details for a new episode of Law & order SVU “Theatre Tricks”:

Law & Order SVU “Theatre Tricks” Air Date January 11, 2012 (10 PM ET/9C Wednesday NBC)

WHEN AN ACTRESS IS RAPED ON STAGE DURING A PERFORMANCE, THE SVU SQUAD DISCOVERS THE ATTACKER WAS SET UP TO COMMIT THE CRIME

An actress in an interactive theater production is raped on stage, while the audience believes it to be part of the show. The SVU detectives hit a dead end in their investigation when they learn the show’s passionate director (guest star Fisher Stevens) gave the audience, including the assailant, masks to wear during the performance. Detectives Rollins (Kelli Giddish) and Tutuola (Ice-T) track down an obsessed fan of the young actress who recorded the assault while stalking her, which leads Detectives Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Amaro (Danny Pino) to a respected judge (guest star Kevin Pollak.) With the judge’s reputation on the line, the SVU squad explores the underbelly of the New York theater world to uncover who really orchestrated the public attack. Also starring Dann Florek (Captain Donald Cragen) with special appearances by Stephanie March (ADA Alex Cabot), Gilbert Gottfried (TARU Tech Leo Gerber.) Grant Shaud guest stars.

My recap and review of Law & Order SVU "Theatre Tricks" can be found at this link.



Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Law & Order SVU “True Believers” Behind the Scenes Interviews

From Wolf Films, here are behind the scenes interviews from Law & Order SVU "True Believers featuring director Courtney Hunt and guest star Sofia Vasselieva.





Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Mariska Hargitay, Danny Pino on Location for SVU

Here are a few photos of Mariska Hargitay and Danny Pino filming on location for Law & Order SVU on December 15, 2011 in Fort Lee, New Jersey.

Photos by WireImage

Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

NBCUNIVERSAL AND VIP FAN AUCTIONS OFFER OFFICIAL 'LAW & ORDER' MEMORABILIA (Press Release)

NBC UNIVERSAL TV CONSUMER PRODUCTS GROUP - PRESS RELEASE
December 14, 2011

NBCUNIVERSAL AND VIP FAN AUCTIONS OFFER OFFICIAL 'LAW & ORDER' MEMORABILIA

Auctions Now Run Weekly – Tuesdays Through Sundays – at www.nbcuauctions.com.


UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – December 14, 2011 – NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products has partnered with VIP Fan Auctions to offer props and wardrobe from the popular television franchise “Law & Order.” The official "Law & Order" Auctions commenced earlier this month and will run weekly, beginning on Tuesdays and ending on Sundays – with new items added every Tuesday. Fans can find the auctions at www.nbcuauctions.com.

“NBCUniversal pays tribute to this iconic franchise by offering key pieces of memorabilia to the fan base,” said VIP Managing Partner Mark Kaminky. “The auctions will offer items from ‘Law & Order,’ ‘Law & Order: Criminal Intent’ and ‘Law & Order: Los Angeles.’ Expect items from main cast members, as well as a few amazing surprises.”

Some of the upcoming auction items include a director’s chair back belonging to “Law & Order” guest star Julia Roberts; a suit, tie and shirt worn by Alfred Molina, who starred as Deputy District Attorney Ricardo Morales in “Law & Order: Los Angeles;” and a sport coat worn by Jerry Orbach, who starred as Detective Lennie Briscoe in “Law & Order.”

"Law & Order" is television’s longest-running crime drama. Filmed entirely on location in New York, the realistic program looked at crime and justice from a dual perspective. In the series' most recent format, in the first half-hour, Detective Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) and his new partner, Detective Kevin Bernard (Anthony Anderson), investigate crimes and apprehend suspects under the supervision of their precinct lieutenant, Anita Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson). In the second half-hour, the focus shifts to the criminal courts as Chief Assistant District Attorney Michael Cutter (Linus Roache) and the Executive Assistant District Attorney Connie Rubirosa (Alana De La Garza) work within a complicated justice system to prosecute the accused under the guidance of the newly appointed District Attorney Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston).

“Law & Order: Criminal Intent” followed Major Case Squad Detectives Robert Goren (Vincent D'Onofrio) and Alex Eames (Kathryn Erbe) as they tackled the most challenging criminal cases in New York City. Under the supervision of Captain James Deakins (Jamey Sheridan) and with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Ron Carver (Courtney B. Vance), Goren and Eames pursued the city's most devious offenders in a cat-and-mouse game filled with treachery and surprising twists.

“Law & Order: Los Angeles” followed Detectives Ricardo Morales (Molina) and Tomas "TJ" Jaruszalski (Corey Stoll) as they pursue cases as members of the Los Angeles Police Department's elite Robbery Homicide Division. The series also starred Lieutenant Arleen Gonzales, (Rachel Ticotin), Deputy District Attorney Jonah "Joe" Dekker (Terrence Howard) and Deputy District Attorney Connie Rubirosa (Alana De La Garza).

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Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

New “Law & Order Legacies” Video Game Preview

Here’s a first look at the new “Law & Order Legacies” video game from TV Guide.. They report that “The upcoming video game Law & Order: Legacies brings together an all-star lineup of cops and lawyers, including NYPD detectives Lennie Briscoe, Mike Logan and Rey Curtis, Lt. Anita Van Buren, district attorneys Jack McCoy, Abbie Carmichael and Michael Cutter as well as L&O: SVU detective Olivia Benson.”

Watch the video below and read the full story here: TV Guide: First Look: Law & Order: Legacies Video Game




Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Law & Order UK Begins Series 6 in UK in January 2012 (press release)

Here is an ITV press release for the start of series 6 airing in the UK on ITV. (These episodes have already aired in the US on BBC America).

ITV Press Release
Thursday, 8 December 2011  
Law & Order: UK
Episode: 1 of 7  
Friday, 6 January 2012, 9:00PM - 10:00PM
Production house: Kudos Film & Television

Survivor's Guilt:

In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two groups. The police who investigate the crime, and the Crown prosecutors who prosecute the offenders. These are their stories…

Paul Nicholls joins the cast of ITV's successful, long-running drama Law & Order: UK for series six which begins with an emotional cliff-hanger.

Nicholls (Secret Diary of a Call Girl, Harley Street) is DS Sam Casey, a headstrong young officer with a strong sense of justice brought in to investigate the shooting of DS Matt Devlin (Jamie Bamber).

Nicholls joins a critically acclaimed cast, including Bradley Walsh, Harriet Walter, Freema Agyeman, Peter Davison and Dominic Rowan who achieved an average audience of 5.6 million and a 21% share during series five Law & Order: UK which was shown in summer 2011.

This seven part series sees the police and legal teams facing a shocking crime captured on video, up against the clock in the search for a hostage, and exposing a tragic, medical cover-up. Cases are reopened, the past threatens to catch up with Ronnie (Walsh) and careers are on the line…

Quality guest stars join the cast for series six including Colin Salmon, Tamzin Outhwaite, Toby Stephens, Eva Pope, Luke Roberts and Tim McInnerny.

New boy Paul Nicholls admits he had to run to keep up with a fast moving production…

Law & Order SVU “Spiraling Down” Recap & Review

If I was doing a one word review for “Spiraling Down” it would be as follows: exceptional. As there are so many good things to say about this episode, I thought I should still take the time and outline what made it so good.

The story was compelling and was well scripted. Both the lead and supporting cast made it seem like I was a fly on the wall, watching a real life drama take place. Andre Braugher was his usual superb self, and I found myself wondering if Braugher had been cast as the lead prosecutor for Law & Order LA I think that series would still be on the air. I also found myself wishing that they would bring the original Law & Order back and somehow get Bayard Ellis to find his way into working for the DA’s office.

Treat Williams was perfect in the role of the ex-football star Jake Stanton who shows signs of CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), a progressive brain disease that is found in athletes who have experienced repeated head trauma. Sadly, the disease can only be diagnosed after death.  Jake was able to shield the disease from the public as it's not an illness that makes a person look obviously ill.   One can’t ignore, though,  that his wife was covering up Jake’s problem and clearly taking her eyes off him, which allowed him the chance to get into trouble more than once.  In a way, she should bear some responsibility for what happened to the victim, 14 year old Vicki.   It was tragic to see Jake come to the realization that they will only know for sure that he had the disease only after he is dead, which is likely one reason why he decided to end it all. (A side note: after his performance in this episode, I now officially forgive Treat Williams for his appearance in the films “The Ritz” and “1941.”) One nitpick – I thought all officers/detectives who carry a gun are supposed to have them in a locking holster.  It should not have been that easy for Jake to grab the officer’s gun. I have lost count as to the number of deaths which have occurred at 60 Centre Street, which may be one  of the deadliest places in the Law & Order universe.

I usually don’t care for too much focus on the characters’ personal lives, but they worked in the short scene with Amaro and his wife very well.

After Jake falls apart on the stand, Cabot expresses her displeasure with Benson, arguing that Benson wants justice for the victim AND compassion for Jake, and Benson can’t have it both ways because the world does not work that way. I don’t agree with Cabot. Vicki hopefully got plenty of justice from the SVU team nabbing all those other johns and her pimp, and I assume they were all (or will be) successfully prosecuted.  "Spiraling Down"  may have been one of those cases where someone like Dr. Huang  could have stepped in and helped to determine if Jake was competent at the time of the crimes or whether he was even competent to stand trial.  I also wonder why Ellis also didn’t move for some sort of competency hearing. Maybe I missed something here.

All in all, this was a flawless episode  and the best of the season so far.  Hopefully, it will be an episode that will bring some Emmy nominations.

Here is the recap:

Cast:
Mariska Hargitay – Detective Olivia Benson
Ice-T – Detective Odafin “Fin” Tutuola
Richard Belzer – Sergeant John Munch
Dann Florek – Captain Don Cragen
Kelli Giddish - Detective Amanda Rollins
Danny Pino - Detective Nick Amaro


Guest stars:
Stephanie March - ADA Alex Cabot
Andre Braugher – Bayard Ellis
Treat Williams - Jake Stanton
Beth Chamberlin – Georgia Stanton
Laura Benanti – Maria
Kay Panabaker – Vicki Harris
Dominic Fumusa – Jason Harris
Jon Michael Hill - Tre
Ned Eisenberg – Roger Kressler
Tonye Patano – Judge Maskin
Linda Emond - Dr. Emily Sopher
David Pittu – Jake’s (first) Lawyer
Jerry Rice - himself
Warren Sapp – himself


A young girl walking around the city is being followed by a man. When another man stops her and asks her for money, the guy following her stops her and asks her if she made it. She plays along and the guy asking for money walks off. The guy who was following her tells her she has to be careful, there are a lot of crazy people in New York, and he introduces himself as Tre. She says her name is Vicki. They walk off together.

At a later time, the two are in bed together and Tre gives her a necklace. She wonders why he is being so nice to her, adding the guys in her school are jerks. He says they are punks who don’t know how to treat a lady and he will take care of her.

Later, Marcus arrives and tells Vicki she is getting prettier every day. Marcus has a box with him with red platform shoes in it, but when Tre indicates he can’t afford them, Marcus says maybe they can work something out. Marcus sits down next to her and puts his arm around her, and Tre tells her “c’mon girl, it’s just Marcus.” She looks less than thrilled.

At another time, a man storms out of Tre’s room and tells Tre he wants his money as the girl is crying. Tre tells him to wait there, he’s got this. Tre storms in the room and asks Vicki what is going on, and she is crying and begging that she does not want to do this anymore. He says he has guys lined up and he punches her. She slaps him back and tells him to stop it. He goes into the bathroom to check his injury, and she picks up her cell phone and dials her father and tells him she is sorry. He asks who she is talking to and he slaps the phone out of her hand.

At SVU, Benson is telling Amaro that someone – a date? - doesn’t share food, they split the check, and they missed the opening number. Amaro describes the person as having receding hair, an academic, with a checkered shirt. Benson says all of the above, adding that Amaro is good. A man approaches Amaro and says his daughter Vicki is in trouble, he drove from Philly, and says he is Captain Jason Harris who was deployed I Baghdad with Amaro's wife and she told him about his transfer to Special Victims. He says his daughter is in New York and got a call and he heard a man threatening her. He thinks his daughter ran away, she lived with her ex and he just got back from deployment. The call came from a blocked number but New York is all Vicki ever talked about. He gives Benson his cell phone to trace the call. He explains to Amaro that is daughter is only 14 and knows Amaro has a daughter and adds Amaro was lucky to marry Maria as she is a good person and grounded. He says Amaro has to find his daughter, and Amaro says his wife sent him to the right place. Jason adds that he came back from Iraq last week and his ex said Vicki was on a school trip. She never mentioned knowing anyone in New York. Jason’s wife enters and asks where is Victoria. Jason and she begin to argue and place blame over Vicki, and Cragen enters and asks her to come with him. Fin tells Amaro they have something on the phone.

Law & Order SVU “Spiraling Down” Preview Clip and Treat Williams Interview

Here is a preview clip plus an interview with guest star Treat Williams for Law & Order SVU “Spiraling Down” which will air on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 10 PM ET/9C on NBC. The preview features Kelli Giddish, Dann Florek, and guest star Treat Williams.

My recap and review of Law & Order SVU "Spiraling Down" can be found at this link.

Please note: The preview clip is available for a limited time only and must be removed shortly after the episode originally airs, so catch it while you can!







Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Law & Order SVU “Lost Traveler” Recap & Review

Law & Order SVU “Lost Traveler” was one of those episodes that had me changing my opinion about it all the way through. I hated it – then loved it – then hated it – you get the idea. The story was solid and the supporting cast members were all very convincing in their roles; particularly creepy was the psycho in training, Courtney.

The seriousness of the episode was broken by the appearance of TARU Tech Leo Gerber, played by Gilbert Gottfried. While I find Gottfried a humorous person,  this was a casting misstep, one that rivals the casting of Noel Fisher as the equally annoying TARU Tech and murderer Dale Stuckey. Gottfried’s voice is grating (it works very well when he is doing humor) and it made his acting abilities even worse. This is one character that I am not looking forward to seeing again. In Gottfried’s defense, he gave them what they seemed to have wanted; he can’t help it that someone tried to write in a lame comedy interlude into this otherwise serious episode. Casting does get extra points for bringing in former cast member Dean Winters’ brother Scott to play a smarmy detective.

I was also disappointed in the 4 minute opening set up to the crime. This was one of those episode where I did not like the “Law & Order Criminal Intent” style opening. I don’t want to waste 4 minutes on minor guest stars or a set up to the crime; I tune in to Law & Order SVU to see the lead characters. I don’t mind a short introduction to the crime, but 4 minutes is just too long for me.

And is it just me or is it some rite of passage that when any female lead character is added to the cast of any Law & Order brand show that at some point some guy has to say something like “oh, she’s pretty AND smart too!” In this case, it was a comment a detective made to Fin about Rollins. While I am on the subject of Rollins, I have some issues with Kelli Giddish – or maybe it is how she is playing Rollins – and she just doesn’t quite fit. One thing that may help – get rid of her constant use of “Lookee here.” I know that Rollins is supposed to be from Georgia, but seriously now, “lookee here” makes her sound as thick as a brick. I also felt that the argument between Rollins and Amaro seemed too forced.  It is as if they are trying to put a square peg into a round hole with Giddish.

It was nice to see Linus Roache and Stephanie March, but was hoping that they would have a little more screen time and there would have been a little more legal maneuvering. (I guess I still miss Law & Order.) And it never ceases to amaze me how many people are dumb enough to bring their kids in to a police precinct for questioning and don’t have the brains to bring legal representation. Don’t these people watch TV?  If they did, they would know that one never submits to questioning at a police station without having legal representation, much less have their kids questioned separately as in this situation. This should be a warning to everyone – if you are asked to bring in your minor children for questioning by the police, refuse to do it without a lawyer present.  The police are not always your friend when it comes to a murder case.

Here is the recap:

Cast:
Mariska Hargitay – Detective Olivia Benson
Ice-T – Detective Odafin “Fin” Tutuola
Richard Belzer – Sergeant John Munch
Dann Florek – Captain Don Cragen
Kelli Giddish - Detective Amanda Rollins
Danny Pino - Detective Nick Amaro

Guest Stars
Stephanie March - ADA Alex Cabot
Linus Roache – Bureau Chief Michael Cutter
Tamara Tunie – Dr. Melinda Warner
Gilbert Gottfried – TARU Tech Leo Gerber
Mark Margolis – The Rom-Baro
Ron Rifkin – Marvin Exley
Donnie Keshawarz – Tomas Grey
Alexandra Silber - Nadia Grey
Michael Barra – Mark Rajic
Scott William Winters – Detective Dumas
Gavin Lee – Mr. Griscomb
Quinn Shephard - Emma Butler
Lili Reinhart - Courtney Lane
Gary Lindeman – Chris Lane
Lucas Near-Verbrugghe – Greg Kandel
Tamir – Ana Rajic
Cameron Ocasio – Nico Grey
Wai Ching Ho _ Gladys Tang
George Feaster – Alonso Hearne
Laura Pruden – Sandra Butler
Sammuel Soifer – Ryan
Jason Gladstone – State Trooper Levon Davis
Nic Pagano – Little boy


A young boy, Nico Grey, and his mother Nadia go over instructions before his first walk to school alone. A neighbor boy, Mark,  waves to him and Nico walks away looking uncomfortable. As Nico races to school, someone follows him. Nico isn’t paying attention and he almost gets hit by a car. His phone rings and when he answers it, he turns to see his father is the one following him. His father chides him about how to properly cross the street, and Nico insists he can do it. His father allows him to go on alone. As Nico walks off, his father waves and then two young girls standing on the corner seem to follow Nico. He makes it to school and a snobby boy comes up and asks Nico to tell him his fortune. The boy grabs Nico’s hand and says he can tell his fortune, saying he sees a long life line and a mansion and then spits in his hand, saying he sees a swimming pool. A teacher, Mr. Kandel, sees this and tells the boy – Ryan - that he will see him after class, and he hands Nico a tissue to wipe his hands and tells him to get to class. One of the girls who followed Nico to school comments to Nico that Ryan can be a jerk sometimes.

Afterward, Nico leaves school and Mr. Kandel asks if he is flying solo today. Nico tells him that he practiced and he knows the way. Nico gets to the subway station to find it blocked off and then looks to his phone. He also drops a glove. He looks around, confused, and after a bus passes him by, Nico is no longer on the street corner.

Later, Detectives Benson and Amaro are outside the Grey home, speaking with Detective Dumas. He explains about Nico going missing after never making it home from Caswell Academy. The last time he was seen was at 3:30 at school. The detective does not think “these people” in the neighborhood trust their own police precinct. Benson tells him maybe they don’t like being called “these people” or “gypsies”. The detective does not think the kid is missing and thinks it is a con. The media arrives and Benson tells the detective to take the media and she and Amaro will take the parents.

Amaro speaks with Nico’s father Tomas who explained Nico wanted to be a man and go to school on his own for the first time. They practiced for a week. Amaro asks why they did not get a call until 7:00 and Tomas says he told his wife to call right away but she said the police probably would not care because of who they are.

Meanwhile, Benson speaks with Nico's mother Nadia who describes what Nico was last wearing. He had a rabbit’s foot which was his good luck charm. They also bought him a cell phone but he does not answer/ The last person to see him was his teacher, Mr. Kandel. She explains Nico does not have a lot of friends and that he is bullied at school.

Tomas tells Amaro that Nico is a smart kid and he got a partial scholarship to the school and he wanted Nico to meet all different kinds of kids, not just Romani. He adds that Nico is a good and happy kid. When Amaro asks if Nico has a place to hang out or a happy place to go, Tomas says Amaro is in it.

At Caswell Academy, Rollins speaks with Mr. Kandel who says he saw him as he left school alone and that Nico is teased for being Romani. He says the parents keep to themselves and Nico just wants to fit in but he is caught between two worlds. Fin speaks with the two girls, Courtney and Emma, who are classmates and says they live on the same block. They tell him Nico is weird. Ryan makes a comment that Nico should have seen this coming, and Fin stops him. The girls says they didn’t see him on the train on the way home as the J was down and they took a taxi. Ryan says he was in detention.

Law & Order SVU “Spiraling Down” Advance Photos

Here are advance photos from Law & Order SVU “Spiraling Down” which will air on December 7, 2011 at 10 PM ET/9C on NBC. The photos feature Danny Pino, Kelli Giddish, and guest stars are Andre Braugher and Treat Williams.


My recap and review of Law & Order SVU "Spiraling Down" can be found at this link.

Photos by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC © NBCUniversal, Inc.

Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Law & Order SVU “Spiraling Down” Promo

Here is the promo for Law & Order SVU “Spiraling Down”which will air on December 7, 2011 at 10 PM ET/9C on NBC. Guest stars are Andre Braugher, Treat Williams, and Laura Benanti, with special appearances by Jerry Rice and Warren Sapp.


My recap and review of Law & Order SVU "Spiraling Down" can be found at this link.




Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.