Pages

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Law & Order Organized Crime “As Nottingham Was To Robin Hood” Episode Information


Here are the details for a new episode of Law & Order Organized Crime,  “As Nottingham Was To Robin Hood”.


Law & Order Organized Crime “As Nottingham Was To Robin Hood”   Air Date January 13,  2022 (10 PM ET/9C Thursday NBC)


When a barrage of cyber-attacks cripples the city, Stabler is convinced Wheatley is involved. Bernadette receives an unwelcome visitor.  




My recap and review of Law & Order Organized Crime, “As Nottingham Was To Robin Hood” can be found at this link.

Law & Order SVU “Burning With Rage Forever” Episode Information


Here are the details for a new episode of Law & Order SVU,  “Burning With Rage Forever”.


Law & Order SVU  “Burning With Rage Forever” Air Date January 13, 2022 (9 PM ET/8C Thursday NBC)

A boy disappears after meeting up with an online gamer. Benson suspects her son is being bullied.  




My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Burning With Rage Forever” can be found at this link.

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Law & Order Organized Crime “Nemesis” Episode Information


Here are the details for a new episode of Law & Order Organized Crime,  “Nemesis” which will air on Thursday,  January 6,  2022 at 10 PM ET on NBC. 


Law & Order Organized Crime “Nemesis”  Air Date January 6, 2022 (10 PM ET/9C Thursday NBC)

When a notorious cybercriminal escapes a high-security prison, Stabler must team up with an unlikely informant. Kilbride takes Nova under his wing.


# # # 


My recap and review of Law & Order Organized Crime “Nemesis can be found at this link.

Law & Order SVU “Silent Night, Hateful Night” Episode Information


Here are the details for a new episode of Law & Order SVU,   “Silent Night, Hateful Night”  which will air on Thursday, January 6,  2022 at 9 PM ET on NBC.


Law & Order SVU  “Silent Night, Hateful Night”   Air Date January 6,  2022 (9 PM ET/8C Thursday NBC)

The SVU is called in to help investigate a wave of hate crimes on Christmas Eve. Rollins catches up with an old flame.


# # # 


My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Silent Night Hateful Night” can be found at this link.

Thursday, December 16, 2021

Sam Waterston Returns To Law & Order; Cast Update


Various sources report that Sam Waterston will be returning to Law & Order, reprising the role of DA Jack McCoy.  This is great news; it wouldn’t be Law & Order without Sam/Jack!

Sam joins the other announced cast members: Anthony Anderson, reprising his role of Det. Kevin Bernard; Jeffrey Donovan, also as a detective (I don’t have his character’s name as yet), Hugh Dancy as an ADA (also no character name announced as yet), Camryn Manheim as Lieutenant Kate Dixon,  and Odelya Halevi as Assistant District Attorney Samantha Maroun.

Law & Order is scheduled to premiere season 21 on February 24, 2022 on NBC. 



X X X 

Via NBC Press Release

Sam Waterston Returns for His 17th Season as District Attorney Jack McCoy on NBC's "Law & Order"

Anthony Anderson, Hugh Dancy, Jeffrey Donovan, Camryn Manheim and Odelya Halevi also star in the 21st season, premiering Thursday, February 24.


Sam Waterston is returning for his 17th season as District Attorney Jack McCoy on NBC's "Law & Order," which premieres its 21st season on Thursday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

SAM WATERSTON BIO

Sam Waterston was born in 1940 in Cambridge, Mass., where his father was a language teacher and his mother a landscape painter. He attended Brooks and Groton prep schools before earning a scholarship to Yale University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1962. Later that year, Waterston made his New York debut at the Phoenix Theater in "Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mama's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feelin' So Sad."

Over the next five decades, Waterston's career has included a plethora of film and television credits as well as repeated returns to the stage. His trophy case includes an Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award as well as an OBIE and Drama Desk for theater. Other accolades include an Academy Award nomination for his role as journalist Sydney Schanberg in 1984's "The Killing Fields" and six Emmy nominations for his roles in "I'll Fly Away" and "Law & Order."

Waterston co-starred on Aaron Sorkin's "The Newsroom" for HBO and soon can be seen in the final season of Netflix's "Grace and Frankie," opposite Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Martin Sheen. In 2022 Waterson will be featured in the Hulu limited series "The Dropout," opposite Amanda Seyfried and William H Macy.

A passionate activist for decades, Waterston is currently Chairman of the Board of Oceana, the world's preeminent ocean conservation NGO, and also serves on the Board of Refugees International.

DICK WOLF QUOTE

"Very few casting announcements have ever given me this much pleasure," said executive producer Dick Wolf. "Since day one, Sam has had perfect pitch when it comes to Jack McCoy as a character who both reflects and expands our ability to understand the law. He is the ultimate conscience of the show and I look forward to him emulating the career of New York District Attorney Robert Morgenthau, who served until he was 90. With both Sam and Anthony (Anderson) returning, it shows that the 21st season is merely a continuation of where we left off."

REPPED BY
Keith Addis and Mike Abrams at Industry Entertainment and attorney Bill Sobel of Edelstein Laird and Sobel

'LAW & ORDER'
NBC is bringing back one of its most treasured and honored dramas with the 21st season of "Law & Order." The series, which will continue the classic bifurcated format that was created for its original run, will once again examine "the police who investigate crime and the district attorneys who prosecute the offenders."

"Law & Order" is executive produced by Dick Wolf, Rick Eid, Arthur Forney and Peter Jankowski. The series will be produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, in association with Wolf Entertainment.

Cast: Anthony Anderson, Hugh Dancy, Jeffrey Donovan, Camryn Manheim and Odelya Halevi


# # # 

Friday, December 10, 2021

Law & Order SVU & Organized Crime January Premiere Promo

Here’s the promo for the winter premiere of Law & Order SVU and Law & Order Organized Crime, airing Thursday, January 6, 2022 starting at 9PM ET on NBC.

 

Thursday, December 9, 2021

Law & Order Organized Crime “The Christmas Episode” Recap, Review, Discussion



There was nothing very Christmas-y in Law & Order Organized Crime “The Christmas Episode”. 

The second half of the 2-hour crossover episode, which began with Law & Order SVU “People Vs Richard Wheatley” , finished with Stabler hearing that Wheatley’s trial was declared a mistrial, and Stabler is racing to determine the whereabouts of his son, Eli. Part of the episode was predictable as it relates to Eli, who’s in deep trouble. It’s not just stealing his grandmother’s meds; he meets with a woman, goes to her place and shares the meds, adding some tequila, and before you know it, he’s waking and finding the woman dead in her bed. Eli, in a panic, flees and then calls his dad to help him. Despite Stabler telling him to wait by the phone, Eli finds his way to the edge high above the river, and prepares to jump. An officer talks him out of it. That’s the first predictable part – no way would they have one of Stabler’s kids die right now.

Clearly, Stabler hasn’t learned to keep police matters and personal matters separate, and right away barks for Jet to use her skills to track Eli, which could get her in trouble as this is not in their jurisdiction.  Again, Stabler puts his needs first!  Bell cautions him on this but eventually even she folds to Stabler’s demands and in quick order – too quick? -  they get access to surveillance cameras placed in the location where Eli was staying. They find who really did kill this woman, and that it was to frame Eli – another predictable outcome. 

Stabler believes Richard Wheatley arranged it, but Wheatley points the finger at his own daughter Dana, the only person (he says) who has access to his proprietary crypto currency.  In Stabler and Bell’s search for Dana, they arrive at Angela Wheatley’s residence and find nothing, except a feeble bodied and someone cloudy-minded Angela.   It’s when Stabler and Bell leave that we get a surprise: Angela is neither feeble bodied nor cloudy-minded.   Dana IS there, and Angela tells her that her father should be able to help her go into hiding.  I think many viewers of season 1 went through stages of wondering about Angela’s motives, so this is not a total shock that she is faking her health issues.  The only question is whose side is she on,  Richard's, or in it for herself?  I think she’s been playing Stabler since day one. 

There are still unresolved issues with Stabler and Benson.  When Stabler is contacted by the police about finding Eli, Benson also comes  along for support. This is despite her voicing to Stabler -  in the episode just previous - her frustration that Stabler seems to be oblivious to what she had gone through in her life while he was gone.  At first, it’s as if they never had that discussion at all.  Benson should have told Stabler she couldn’t assist this time, but we all know she is not that kind of person to turn down Stabler in his time of need. Were we supposed to conclude that, when, in the car,  Benson placed her comforting hand  on Stabler’s, that all was forgiven?  Later in the story, however, Stabler raises the issue himself, telling Benson he wants to know about her life, what she’s been through, the things he’s missed, and if she’s seeing anybody.  So he DID hear her, he was just late to react.  Benson explains about her relationship with “Ed”,  and thank god Benson had the smarts to not mention Ed’s last name (Tucker).  One day this is bound to come out and I want to see the look on Stabler’s face when he hears about THAT one.  Later, he also thanks her for her  for being there – again – when he needed it.  He wants to find balance in whatever this is, and Benson suggests they call it a friendship. But Benson may still want to keep her distance, as she didn’t jump right away at Stabler’s offer to come to his home for a Christmas meal with his family. 

Richard Wheatley finds himself a free man again when the DA’s office decides it doesn’t have the evidence or want to expend the effort to retry him.   Did you expect this to play out any differently?  Richard Wheatley is this series’ gift that keeps on giving!  We can assume he’s been plotting during his entire time in jail, so it will be interesting to see what kind of new trouble he will make for Stabler, Bell, and the task force. 


Here is the recap: 

(The story continues from Law & Order SVU “People Vs Richard Wheatley” )

Stabler arrives home and looks for Eli, and tries calling but no answer.  Eli is sitting on a bench on the promenade near the river. He meets  a girl – Mia– and they seem to hit it off. He mentions his mother being murdered and the trial.  He ignores his phone ringing.  Meanwhile, Stabler tells Dickie to keep trying and he tells his mom he doesn’t blame her. 

Eli and Mia end up in her apartment in Fort Lee New Jersey, and he continues to ignore his phone.  They drink some tequila and he brings out some pills and shares them with her.  He holds her hand and they kiss.  Later,  Eli wakes up on the sofa at 4:15 AM and finds Mia in her bed, dead.  In a panic, he quickly dresses and flees the apartment.  He’s spotted by someone as he waits for the elevator and runs to exit via the stairway. He tries to hail a cab but the cab speeds off. 

Back at home, Stabler says he had a city-wide alert put out.  Bernie thinks Stabler blames her but he does not.  His phone rings and it is Eli, calling from a pay phone.  He tells Stabler he is in Fort Lee – and where - and he says he needs help.  Stabler tells him to stay put and he is coming to get him.

Stabler, in his car with Benson, talk about Eli and she is supportive, putting her hand on his to console him.  He thanks her for coming.  But when they get to the location Eli gave them,  he is nowhere to be found.  Stabler calls out for him. 


Later, Eli is standing high about the river near the George Washington Bridge.  He climbs up on the railing, ready to jump.  But Office Lucas Buono comes by and quickly talks him off the railing. 

Soon after, Stabler and Benson arrive at the Fort Lee precinct to get Eli and speaks with Officer Buono. They have to take Eli for a psych evaluation but Stabler and Benson are given permission to talk to him.  Stabler and Eli hug and Stabler explains Benson is concerned and there to help.  Eli quickly explains meeting the girl, the drinking, the pills, and how he found her dead, he doesn’t know what happened. He ran out.  Stabler and Benson are shocked and concerned. Eli insists he told no one.   He said her name is Mia but didn’t know her last  name, he just met her. He doesn’t think they had sex.   Benson leaves the room and tells Stabler she’s got this.

Later, Benson arrives at the location of Mia’s apartment where the Fort Lee Police are already there.  She is not given access to the scene and the officer explains she can’t disclose anything to another jurisdiction. At the crime scene,  Detective  Ramirez sees there is petechial hemorrhaging in Mia’s eyes. 

Stabler, at the precinct, tells Detective Charbelle that no one else can question Eli as he is a minor and he does not waive his Miranda.  He tells Eli to sit tight. 

Benson overhears the info about the petechial hemorrhages in the eyes and calls Stabler and tells him, adding they think Mia was murdered. 

Later,  Ramirez meets with Stabler and explains they will have to charge Eli with Mia’s murder.  Stabler says his son is not going to jail, and Ramirez explains Eli will be remanded to Bergen General for a psych evaluation but this is a homicide investigation and he will not be allowed in to talk to Eli, Stabler understands.  Eli looks to his dad as he us cuffed. 

Stabler arrives back at the task force offices and asks Jet to find out everything she can about Mia.  Bell stops Stabler and chides him for this, explaining this could put Jet in a difficult position but he talks Bell into her helping as no one in Fort Lee has the expertise like Jet. 

Meanwhile, the man in the stairwell at Mia’s identifies Eli and his clothing,  and the officer confirms he saw Eli wearing the jacket the man described at the time he picked up Eli. 

Back at the task force, Jet quickly finds information on Mia and it appears she worked as an escort and the apartment she took Elli to was not hers.  It is owned by George Arbuckle and he owns a few places in Fort Lee and the reviews are iffy with complaints of hidden cameras in the rooms.  Jet emails the app maker to get access within seconds.  They find the Mia’s apartment and see Eli find Mia’s body.  But backing up the video feed, they see Mia being murdered by the man - Swofford -  who was a witness to Eli exiting the apartment.  Bell tells Jet to get the video to Ramirez to pick up Swofford. 

Later, Stabler and Benson arrive at the psych facility and hear they must talk to the Dr. Stutz before Eli can be released. 


In a waiting area, Stabler tells Benson he wants to know about her life, what she’s been through and the things he’s missed.  He asks if she is seeing anyone. She isn’t now.  He continues to press and she explains vaguely about “Ed” (without mentioning his last name) but she wasn’t ready and “Ed” died.    Dr. Stutz arrives and they discuss Eli,  the doctor explaining Eli mentioned his grandmother and sister being bipolar but doesn’t think this is it. Eli may not be suicidal and may not be an immediate risk but he is manifesting signs of severe anxiety. Stabler tries to explain it but Benson slows him down. Stutz says when Eli was on the ledge, he was devastated at the possibility he may have been some way responsible for Mia’s death but  more frightened and upset over how his father – Stabler – would react.  He is afraid FOR his father and is not sure how much more his dad can take.  Stabler is saddened, and walks into the room alone to see Eli and they embrace and Stabler says, “Let’s go home.”  They leave. 

Later,  in the New Jersey precinct, Ramirez and Charbelle question Swofford who admits he was hired to kill Mia and make it look like Eli did it.   Eli passed out so he had to smother Mia while Eli was still there.  He was paid for the hit by someone at Rikers and paid him in crypto, in their own proprietary coin. Stabler hears this.  Afterwards, he and Benson talk about this and he thanks her for her  for being there – again – when he needed it.  He wants to find balance in whatever this is, and Benson suggests they call it a friendship, and he smiles. He says, “Hey my friend Olivia, I’d like you and your son Noah to come on over to my place this weekend for a family…Christmas get-together. Please.”  Benson replies “Wow. Okay. I... I just need to think about it, okay? But I'll let you know. Can I let you know?” Stabler replies “Just come.”

Stabler arrives at Rikers and meets with Richard Wheatley, and says he knows it was him who hired for the murder. Wheatley of course denies it, saying when he gets out, he wants to start fresh and doesn’t want to be at war with him his family and be his nemesis.  Stabler mentions the hit paid for in Wheatley’s proprietary crypto, and Wheatley says the only person who has access right now to that is his daughter, Dana. 

Later, Stabler and Bell arrive at Angela’s apartment and she lets them in as she struggles to walk with her cane.  They explain they are looking for Dana and Bell asks to look around.  As Bell starts to look, Angela questions Stabler about Dana and Stabler reminds her that is her daughter.  Angela asks where is she, saying she hasn’t seen her.  As Bell searches, Angela says she is on the mend and the next time they retry him, not seeming to understand the word retrial.  She asks if he wants tea and he declines.  Bell see no one and they make a quick exit,  Angela asking Stabler if he will come see her again.   He says he will try.  After they leave, Angela ditches the cane and walks normally to the kitchen to pour two glasses of wine.  Dana walks in the back door and asks what did they want?  Angela says Dana needs to disappear for a while, her father should be able to arrange something. 

Back at home, Stabler speaks to Eli in his room,, who is sorry he didn’t come to the verdict.  Stabler understands it has been hard on him.  They talk about the trial and Stabler says Angela is going to testify again and they have a new strategy.  Eli wants it to stop, he doesn’t want to think about it anymore. Stabler agrees.  Eli knows they can’t bring his mom back, he just wants to be with him and the family.  Stabler agrees. Eli says Stabler is here now, and Stabler says he has a meeting this morning but will be there the rest of the day, week, month. Eli tears up and Stabler leaves the room. 


Meanwhile, Barba arrives at the jail where Wheatley is being held and when Wheatley asks if they have a date for the retrial, Barba explains there isn’t going to be a retrial; the DA decided not to move forward as the case is weak and they don’t want to expend their resources. Wheatley is a free man.  As Barba walks off, Wheatley hopes Barba will reconsider his offer, but again Barba says he told him once he doesn’t suffer fools for clients, and  there will never be enough money in the world. Wheatley disagrees, adding there is plenty of money in the world and he plans on getting his hands on all of it. An officer takes Wheatley out of the cell. 

At the Stabler home, they are decorating and preparing for their Christmas  meal and there is a knock on the door.  Stabler opens it, expecting to see Benson and Noah.  Instead it is Bell, who apologizes for interrupting.  She says she just heard something and she didn’t want him to be blindsided by it.   We cut to black. 


Law & Order SVU “People Vs Richard Wheatley” Recap, Review, Discussion



Even though this episode aired as a Law & Order SVU story,  “People Vs Richard Wheatley” was focused on a storyline from Law & Order Organized Crime.  For those SVU viewers that weren’t watching Organized Crime during the first season, they could be a bit lost, despite the recap at the start of the episode.  The episode centers on the trial of Richard Wheatley, who was charged with the contract killing of Elliot Stabler’s wife, Kathy.  Anyone expecting to see the whole SVU crew will be disappointed.  Anyone expecting justice for Kathy's murder will be disappointed. Anyone expecting to see Benson hearing about Barba defending Wheatley with them hugging while meeting at a bar will be disappointed. That doesn’t mean that this wasn’t a good episode, in  fact, it was excellent. For those viewers who've been watching the Organized Crime series, it's an interesting progression in the Richard Wheatley story. 

The trial aside, some of the most satisfying scenes were the tense interactions between Benson and Barba, and Benson confronting Stabler.   The difference with those situations is that Benson feels hurt by Stabler’s past behavior, but feels completely betrayed by Barba’s current actions.   Benson was there to help Stabler through his grief, despite the sacrifices she had to make, and Benson is rightfully hurt that Stabler has not asked her one question about what has happened to her since he left.   Stabler comes off as selfish and/or self-centered and not very likeable.  Sadly, he’s been the same way with his kids – the job always came first.   When Benson asks Stabler about “the letter” and what was that all about, and Stabler can’t really answer it, Benson comments, “That makes two of us.”  You can add a big chunk of the fandom to that list; I don’t think anyone can figure out why Stabler gave Benson that letter.  Can we just forget the letter now? 

Strangely, even though Benson feels Barba has betrayed her, I can’t dislike him.  My reasoning is that he’s a damn good lawyer and a formidable opponent.  I suppose if you represent the defense, you are going to have to defend scum at some point.  Benson is making it personal and maybe she’s being unfair to Barba. 

Richard Wheatley is the gift that keeps on giving.  He’s got his hands in so many places and likely has paid off so many people in high places that he’s almost untouchable. As mentioned in the episode, they let his 30 RICO charges slide,  but he’s on the hook for  Kathy’s murder, making it sound like Stabler and/or the NYPD has it out for him.  Wheatley likes to fire his attorneys for what seems like the sole purpose of buying time to delay his trial, but even that had to come to an end.  Enter Rafael Barba. We all knew that Barba was going to defend Wheatley based on the promo released long before the episode aired, but Benson hearing about this was nothing like it was shown in the promo.  I preferred the way it was presented in the episode as I think it upped the tension between the two.   

The trial wasn’t as much solid head-to-head Carisi vs. Barba as many may have expected,  as Bureau Chief Phillip Baptiste did some of the questioning. But if Stabler had listened to Baptiste – who wanted Stabler “calm and collected up there” (that made me  laugh, we are, after all, taking about Stabler) - there wouldn’t have been the set-up to get Wheatley agitated enough to testify, despite Barba’s advice for Wheatley not to.  At least Carisi was the one to question Wheatley, and  eventually got Wheatley to show his true colors as someone who would kill at the drop of a hat.   While I am on the subject of Stabler’s effort to get into Wheatley’s head: how often is it that they allow a defendant and a witness in the same restroom?   Wheatley called it awkward but I thought this would be highly irregular and should be avoided at all costs. Can anyone out there shed light on this and how frequently it happens? 

Angela, still in bad shape, admits on the stand she loved Stabler, humiliating Wheatley and maybe causing Benson a twinge of hurt feelings.   After her testimony, Wheatley has a tantrum and asks Barba what kind of soap opera is he running? For a minute, I was seeing, in Wheatley’s outrage,  all those SVU fans who've had similar complaints about SVU these past few years.

All in all: excellent writing, excellent character interactions, a cinema-worthy production, and a lot to talk about!



Here is the recap:


Benson, bringing flowers, arrives at Kathy Stabler’s grave, the Stabler family is already there to honor her (belated) birthday.  They exchange greetings and Benson notes Stabler has shaved the beard. Stabler suggests Italian for lunch - Kathy’s favorite – but Eli begs off to meet with his steady partner.  Stabler tells him to check in but after he leaves, when Benson comments that he’s showing he trusts him,  Stabler mentions he trusts him but must verify; he has a tracking app on his cell and security cameras at home. Kathleen, who doesn’t want to hear this, walks off with Dickie.  Stabler comments the last 9 months have been a blur and until the Wheatley trial there isn’t closure. Benson comments Carisi said Wheatley is out of postponements and the clock is ticking. Stabler thinks it could tick faster. 

In motions court Part 45 on Monday, November 29,  the judge tells Carisi and Baptiste he is denying the motion for certain evidence regarding  Izak Bekher to be admitted at trial. The judge calls is hearsay and that Bekher can’t make himself available for cross examination.  Carisi counters he can’t as Bekher is presumed dead, likely at the hand of Richard Wheatley.  Wheatley’s lawyer Lisa states her case and the judge reminds her he is agreeing with her and to take yes for an answer.  Baptiste moves to set an immediate trail date and Wheatley says that won’t be possible as he is firing his lawyer, and when she is shocked to hear this,  he says she is fine for motions but is not cut out for trial.  He comments to the judge that is his right as defendant, and the judge agrees and gives him one week. Carisi looks frustrated.

Outside the courthouse, a reporter relays the news, adding Wheatley has changed lawyers for the fourth time since accused for the contract killing of Kathy Stabler.   Carisi and Baptiste relay the bad news to Benson and Fin, Carisi wonders how they got Judge Ellery, wondering how he is still on the bench.  The reporter comments Angela Wheatley will be taking the stand after turning state’s evidence. Baptiste tells Benson and Fin him will need their help prepping witnesses.  Fin comments Wheatley won’t go down easy, Benson adding he doesn’t want to spend one more minute in jail. 

Meanwhile in jail, Wheatley interviews potential lawyers and in walks Rafael Barba, Wheatley noting he was born in the south Bronx with a full scholarship to Harvard.  Wheatley thinks self made men always have a chip and asks what’s Barba’s?  Barba replies he doesn’t suffer fools, especially as clients.  He asks to hear Wheatley’s side.

Elsewhere,  Bell and Carisi meet with Angela, who is struggling to walk. She doesn’t recall Carisi right away and that he wanted to prep.

Richie Wheatley, on a video call with Fin, says he doesn’t need protective custody and no one knows he is going to testify.  Fin explains they will have to inform the defense before trial.  Richie knows they will have to tell his dad and seems to have no issue with it, saying that what he did to his grandfather and mother, he is dead to him. 

Meanwhile, Barba has accepted Wheatley’s offer. Barba thinks there is ample opportunity for reasonable doubt but they have work to do. He wants to know anything he told Izak, Angela or Richie and anything they told him. 

At SVU, Benson and Stabler start to discuss Barba and Fin tells them Barba is there.  Stabler introduces himself and Barba says he is sorry for his loss. But Stabler questions this, wondering why he is defending the man who killed his wife.  Barba is silent and Stabler walks off, leaving Benson to glare at him.  They then walk into her office and she asks why is he doing this? Barba believes it is wrong and if the DA can bring a case like this against someone as wealthy as Wheatley then that gives the license to railroad any defendant at any time.  Benson counters that Wheatley is guilty and Barba comments to let the state prove it, that’s how this works, adding they let 30 RICO charges slide but cherry picked this one, thinking One PP pressured them. Benson think that’s how he is justifying this to himself but she is asking him  not to take this case.  He tells her to be careful what she wishes for;  if he steps aside, whatever shark Wheatley hires  will put not just the NYPD on trial and Stabler, but HER and he relationship with him.  He adds Stabler should have never been allowed anywhere near this investigation and they will eviscerate her on the stand and maybe end her career.  She asks if he is protecting her or is this his defense attorney outrage.  She asks if this is about Stabler, and he says he doesn’t know Stabler.  He then says maybe it’s the first two out of three.  He says he knows she is sure Wheatley is guilty – she says she is – and Barba says that does not give the NYPD the right to frame him.  She shakes her head and whispers “Rafa” and he turns and leaves. 

Day one of the trial and reporter are outside the courthouse, covering the case.   Benson and Fin approach Carisi, Fin asking if he got any sleep. Carisi replies he was up all night and Benson says the same but Fin slept like a baby.  Carisi tells Benson that Baptiste is going to take her direct and they will both protect her on Barba’s cross. She says she is ready.   After they go their separate ways, Carisi runs into Barba who tells Carisi that he looks tired. Carisi smiles and says he slept like a baby.  Barba comments, “Good, you’ll need it.”   They walk to the courthouse.


In Supreme Court Part 45 on Wednesday, December 8,  Benson is on the stand and explains what happened when she arrived at the scene of the car bomb and why she was there. She explains she hasn’t  seen Kathy or Stabler in a decade.  She was part of the initial investigation because of the unrest that right and there were all hands on deck. The car bombing was not related to those incidents.  Under cross examination, he brings up the other suspect in the other car bombings and that the suspects claim of responsibility of the Kathy’s car bomb was not credible,  Barba brings up that she and Stabler decided this and she allowed Stabler to interrogate the suspect. She says her take was Stabler’s anger was for show. But Barba shows a video of that interrogation and how Benson had to step in to stop Stabler from getting to the suspect.  Barba brings up  the many Stabler command disciplines and IAB reviews for crossing the line with a suspect but she says it is over 10 years ago.  Barba counters she was aware of his history, asking in hindsight if it would have been better for her and the NYPD to follow protocol and recuse him from the investigation.  Benson insists it was with Stabler’s help that they were able to arrest Wheatley.  Barba questions if the NYPD condones vigilantism or only if the vigilante is a member of the NYPD?   He immediately withdraws the question.    Benson stares at him and he says he has nothing further.  Wheatley looks satisfied. 


Later, Bell testifies to her task force monitoring Wheatley’s organization.  They suspected Wheatley of the murder after they arrested Bekher and found records of him buying advice which was found by the arson squad to be linked to the bombing of Kathy Stabler.  Barba questions her that with Bekher history with Mossad why would he keep such a trail of evidence and  questions if Jet found connections to this and Wheatley and she evades a direct answer. Barba suggests the evidence was planted by the NYPD with a vendetta against Wheatley.  She  states this is not what happened.  Barba mentions the injuries to Bekher and suggests Stabler used excessive force.  She counters they had reason to believe Bekher was armed, so she would say no.  Barba states Bekher was not armed. He then brings up that her wife’s family is suing the NYPD for use of excessive force against her wife’s nephew, and Carisi quickly objects, asking for relevance.  The judge asks Barba is there is, and Barba admits he’s not sure, he just appreciates the irony.  Wheatley whispers something to Barba. 

Later, Wheatley is in a waiting area and Benson walks in. He thanks her for meeting with him and asks if Barba has to be there. Barba explains that technically Wheatley shouldn’t be meeting with someone who testified against him, and says yes, he has to be there.  Benson comments she doesn’t know why she is here and she won’t be here long, telling him to cut to the chase.  Wheatley talks about her crash and gives his word he had nothing to do with her car being run off the road. She asks if it’s like his word he had nothing to do with Kathy Stabler’s death.  He comments the jury is not even out yet but he wishes they had met under different circumstances. Benson quickly states she doesn’t, but if he has something he wants to confess to her…He says nothing so she turns and says she will see him in court. He says to her that before she goes,  the love of his life – Angela – takes the stand tomorrow and Benson may want to make sure that Stabler’s children aren’t there, they probably won’t want to hear what she has to say.  He adds that he guesses neither does she.  She gives him a hard look and then quickly leaves the room. 

Later, Benson and Stabler meet outside and talk about the trial.  She mentions she was warned about Angela and when Stabler asks by who, Benson replies whatever happened between him and Angela, Wheatley knows.  This means Barba knows and he will use it. Stabler thinks Wheatley is just stirring up Barba and her and Benson comments he is not answering the question.  He replies that is none of her business, or the courts.  He says the question is why is she really asking.  She comments she wishes she could trust him, and she starts to walk off.  He asks he what that means, and she sighs and says she knows he is carving his way through a mountain of grief and she has tried to be there for him, but this is a one-way street.  She adds he has not asked her one question about what has happened to her since he left.  She states he shows up at her house in the middle of the night when her son is there asleep, saying that is hard for her, scary.  She says, “And this letter.  Why did you give me that letter?  A letter that you didn’t even write? What was that about?” Stabler admits he is not sure he even knows.  He adds he guesses he did not know how to begin.  Benson comments, “That makes two of us.” 



Back in court, Angela testifies about how she was poisoned by a nerve agent and which still affects her cognitive skills and nerve functioning but she can still testify.  She talks about how Wheatley made her think Stabler killed her son.  Under cross examination, Barba gets her to admit that she grew close to Stabler and realized he was not capable of killing her son.  She admits they kissed once. He brings up that Stabler was told she had Kathy killed and had her arrested and that Stabler had interrogated her.   She said she wanted to tell him the truth.  Eventually she must admit she was in love with him. When Barba asks her if she is still in love with him,  Baptiste objects and the judge sustains it. Angela says she wishes she wasn’t, she didn’t ask for any of that to happen.  Barba counters all she asked for was for Stabler to suffer – and then he withdraws that statement. 

Afterward, Wheatley storms into the conference room, angry about the questioning, asking what kind of soap opera is Barba running? He starts throwing things.  Barba said he wanted to see that his co-conspirator had a motive to lie.  Wheatley is hot but Barba observes it’s Wheatley’s reaction that makes this resonate.  Barba brings up Richie’s damning testimony and Wheatley says he wouldn’t worry about him, the kid’s wet the bed his whole life. 

In Supreme Court Part 45 on Thursday December 9,  Richie is testifying on a video call,  Wheatley speaks out and tells Richie he’s always blamed everyone else and isn’t it is time to grow up, adding “You don’t want to do t his, son.”   Suddenly Richie looks like he can’t concentrate and then looks off camera and stops talking.  He then says he doesn’t recall what he heard.  Carisi, stunned, brings up Richie’s statement that he heard Wheatley arrange Kathy’s murder with Bekher and Richie states he doesn’t recall that. He then says he was lying in his statement. He was angry with his father and blamed him. He says he didn’t hear anything.


Later, in the courthouse hall, Baptiste asks Carisi what the hell just happened.  Fin is there as Carisi states they said there was no breach of security at the facility, but Fin says they are lying, someone got to Richie.  Stabler walks up and says it was Wheatley.  Baptiste tells Stabler he is up next and Barba’s whole defense is Stabler is out of control.  He needs him calm and collected up there. Stabler says no problem.  As Baptiste walks off, Stabler asks Carisi if there is something on his mind,  and Carisi explains right now there is no reason for Wheatley to take the stand, and to not let Wheatley to get into his head as Stabler knows this guy and find a way to get into his. 

In Supreme Court Part 45 on Thursday, December 9, Stabler must  testify about the circumstances of Kathy’s murder and how he got involved with the Intelligence Unit and Wheatley’s organization.  Barba cross examines and asks about Bekher and Angela Wheatley.  The judge warns Stabler to only answer the questions he’s been asked.  Barba continues to pepper Stabler with questions, bringing up his PTSD and treatment and his family problems.  Stabler continues to elaborate outside the scope of the question, causing the judge to continue to warn him.  Stabler brings up that Wheatley had Benson forced off the road and the judge tells him one more word and he is holding him in contempt.  Stabler asks the judge how much Wheatley is paying him, the judge holds him  in contempt and has the officers remove him. 

Later, an officer brings Stabler into the restroom, and Stabler quickly finds Wheatley is there, coming out of a stall.  Wheatley mentions this awkwardness and that Stabler had some  performance out there.   He adds he was surprised to see Benson in the gallery and that he must have some mansplaining to do.  Stabler says Benson knows a lot more about what went on between him and Angela that the jury does, she’s good like that.  Wheatley says Angela is a shell of her former self and she hasn’t been the same since her son died.  Stabler comments that is  not his experience with Angela, it seems as if grief was a powerful aphrodisiac.  Wheatley thinks she was playing Stabler, and Stabler says she was – over and over.  Wheatley says when this is over she will be by HIS side. Stabler counters maybe so, but trust him,  she’ll be thinking of HIM.   The officer comes in to get Stabler and Wheatley, saying the court is back.  As Stabler leaves, Wheatley quietly fumes. 


As the trial resumes, Barba claims the state hasn’t met its case, the defense rests.  But then Wheatley stands up and says he’d like to say a few words.  Barba quickly says, “No, you wouldn’t” and Carisi stands up and says if Wheatley is inclined to take the stand they have no objection.  Barba asks for a moment with his client and Wheatley says he doesn’t need a moment, he’d like to testify, it is his constitutional right and if his lawyer won’t go along with that he'd like to request a change in representation. Benson walks into the courtroom with Angela. Wheatley sees this, as does Barba, with a curious look.  Barba comments that Wheatley is the boss and it is his call.  Barba looks concerned. 

With Wheatley on the stand, he  testifies that his sense is Stabler experienced a terrible tragedy and the thick NYPD blue line allowed Stabler to run a rogue investigation during which he somehow fixated on implicating him in a crime he did not commit. His guess is Stabler was in New York to testify against some gentleman from Puglia and conflated that investigation with the death of his wife.  He adds as the jury as seen, once that man gets something in his head, he’s like a junkyard dog with a bone.  It has probably served him well as a detective; Stabler will grind his teeth to the nubs chewing through that bone and then swallow the shards.  He says that empathically, adding he too has suffered tremendous loss – his father and his adopted son – and his ex-wife poisoned, and as he starts to fake-cry, he mentions his son rotting in a jail cell. His whole family is torn apart.  He says he and Stabler have that in common.  Barba thanks him. But Wheatley keeps talking, and says to be fair to Stabler,  he is an obvious target. His father was a career criminal but he is a businessman, not a murderer.  Barba says to be clear, he had nothing to do with the murder of Kathy Stabler. Wheatley states not at all, nor did his ex-wife, Angela.  He goes on to say it has been suggested she conspired with Bekher to have Stabler killed and nothing could be further from the truth.  Barba asks so what is the truth?   Wheatley says despite the prosecution pressuring her to testify against him, but in no stretch of the imagination does that mean either of them set in motion a contract killing, saying that is ridiculous.  Barba asks who did, and Wheatley says Izak Bekher, of his own accord. When he found out about it he confronted him and threatened to report him but with multiple passports, he just slipped into the wind.  

Carisi, starting his cross examination, says that seems convenient, implicating the one person who can’t be called to testify.  Wheatley mentions Occam’s Razor – simple truths often seem convenient. Carisi asks Wheatley isn’t he the boss and how could an employee unilaterally murder Kathy Stabler without his knowledge?  Wheatley says Bekher’s job was security and not his (Wheatley’s) job to monitor his every waking moment.  He adds in hindsight he is guilty of trusting the wrong man. Carisi comments and making sure that guy is never seen or heard from again, which seems to be the fate of Mr. Bekher. Barba objects and Carisi withdraws it. Carisi says all the witnesses to the crimes Wheatley may have ordered are now either dead or incapacitated yet he’s not responsible for any of those attacks. Carisi laughs and says he must be the unluckiest guy in the world, maybe the luckiest – he quickly withdraws this.  Carisi mentions Raffiq’s death and at that time wasn’t he working as a drug dealer?  Wheatley replies he knows it is convenient to depict all young black men a drug dealers, but Raffiq was also a poet.  Carisi mentions Raffiq was selling a bootleg version of a drug Wheatley manufactured and when Wheatley found out a rival gang was doing the same thing, what happened to them?  Wheatley replies he has no idea what he’s talking about.  Carisi refreshes his memory, saying they were all gunned down, just like Raffiq.  Barba objects about the relevance and Carisi says it speaks to motive,  a question they have been circling for days – why Kathy Stabler?  He yells was Kathy Stabler murdered because Wheatley couldn’t risk Angela finding out it was Wheatley who executed her son because he was ripping him off?  Barba objects and the judge sustains it, but Wheatley tersely asks Carisi if he really thinks that repeating that canard over and over will  make it come true? His voice raised,  he says for the last time, he didn’t have anyone murdered; if he wanted someone dead, they would be dead, including Carisi.  The jury and the gallery whisper in shock, and Carisi looks at Wheatley with satisfaction.  Wheatley looks regretful and Barba looks dejected.  Benson and Angela look thrilled.   Carisi laughs, and says, “I’m sorry, did you just threaten a prosecuting attorney in open court?”  Carisi walks back to the table, leaving Barba concerned and Wheatley silenced. 

Later, in a bar, Barba walks in and seen Benson sitting near a window.  He walks over to her and tells her the jury is still out, the judge sent them back three times.  Benson says, “Deadlocked. So you did your job.”  Barba states he would have had an acquittal if her partner hadn’t feigned losing it, goading Wheatley into testifying. Benson thinks Barba wanted Stabler to lose it, and Barba comments that Stabler knew that and drove into the skid.  He even had her bring Angela in.  Benson says they both did their jobs. Barba agrees they did.   Barba stays Stabler coming back made things more complicated, but Benson interrupts him, asking now they are going to have small talk?  He says the problem being an empath is that it's too easy to lose yourself when other people need you.  She states just so they are clear, she feels betrayed by Barba and she doesn’t know how she will never get over it.  She gets up and moves to leave.  But he tells her the jury is back.  She walks off.


In Supreme Court Part 45 on Thursday, December 9,  Wheatley tells Barba whichever way  this goes, he did a hell of a job and asks if he would be his consigliere.  Barba replies “With all due respect, it’s not enough money in the world. “  Benson arrives in the back of the courtroom and sees Stabler, asking where is Eli.  Stabler says he studying, doing his homework but not answering his phone.  He shows her the security camera feed and says his mom is checking on him. He gets a call from Bernie and finds that Eli is not there and realizes that Eli has looped the camera video. He also heard Eli emptied her medicine cabinet.  Stabler has to leave.  But before he leaves, he hears the jury foreman say they have not reached a verdict and they are deadlocked and they don’t think more time will help them come to a verdict.  Carisi comments they have been deliberating for less than a day and Barba says any longer it could extend over the holiday break and moves for a mistrial.  The judge does not see this being resolved and he declares a mistrial.  Wheatley is happy and the judge thanks the jury.  Carisi and Baptiste are confused and disappointed.  Wheatley is remanded and he looks back to Stabler and spits on the ground. Kathleen asks Stabler what the ruling means, and he says it means they lost. Benson says they will try him again, but Stabler wonders will they? He says he has to find his son, and he walks off.  Benson turns to look at Barba and he gives her a long stare back. She shakes her head and she turns to walk away as we fade to black. 




Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Law & Order Organized Crime “The Christmas Episode” Episode Information

Here are advance photos from Law & Order Organized Crime, “The Christmas Episode”, the second part of an SVU/Organized Crime crossover event, which will air on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at 10 PM ET on NBC.

The photos feature Chris Meloni, Danielle Mone Truitt, Ainsley Seiger,  Mariska Hargitay, Dylan McDermott, Tamara Taylor, Raul Esparza, Nuala Cleary as Mia, Nicky Torchia as Eli Stabler, Jeffrey Scaperrotta as Dickie Stabler, Allison Siko as Kathleen Stabler, and Ellen Burstyn as Bernadette Stabler.
























Photos by: 
Ralph Bavaro/NBC
Will Hart/NBC
2021 NBCUniversal Media, LLC
My recap and review of Law & Order Organized Crime “The Christmas Episode” can be found at this link.

Law & Order SVU “People Vs Richard Wheatley” Photos

Here are advance photos from Law & Order SVU “People Vs Richard Wheatley” , the first part of an SVU/Organized Crime crossover event, which will air on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at 9 PM ET on NBC. 

The photos feature Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T, Peter Scanavino, Raul Esparza, Chris Meloni, Danielle MonĂ© Truitt as Sgt. Ayanna Bell, Dylan Mc Dermott as Richard Wheatley, Tamara Taylor as Angela Wheatley, Teagle F. Bougere as Bureau Chief Phillip Baptiste, Nicky Torchia as Eli Stabler, Jeffrey Scaperrotta as Dickie Stabler, and Allison Siko as Kathleen Stabler. 




















Photos by: 
 Will Hart/NBC 
Virginia Sherwood/NBC 
Heidi Gutman/NBC 
2021 NBCUniversal Media, LLC 



My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “People Vs Richard Wheatley” can be found at this link.