Law & Order Organized Crime “As Iago Is To Othello” Recap, Review, Discussion

Everyone is playing games in Law & Order Organized Crime “As Iago Is To Othello”. Some of those games are obvious, some are not.  Stabler knows that Richard Wheatley is behind the prison break and all the issues with the stock market.  We know this too as, unlike Stabler,  we can actually see what Wheatley is doing.  We also know that Wheatley is consumed by greed, power, revenge,  and hate towards Stabler, although Wheatley says he wants respect.  We don’t know exactly what Angela is up to, but she IS playing a dangerous game with Wheatley and probably with Stabler as well. Sebastian McClane was helping Wheatley because he has a Robin Hood complex,  and he’s sharing the illegally obtained wealth with others. But even McClane seems fed up with Wheatley’s behavior and tips off Stabler to what he did to track Wheatley’s trades.  Also in the mix is Sergeant Bell, who is finding herself walking a multi-layered tightrope between Stabler, her job, pressure from the governor and congressman, and  the Joint Operations Center.   A new twist is that Stabler’s  mother Bernadette has a new man friend, and when we first meet him I am  immediately suspicious. My suspicions are confirmed when we find he is working for Wheatley.  

There are a lot of balls juggling in the air, and this makes for a suspenseful episode. It also makes one wonder what else can go wrong and who else may be caught up in the mix? For example, while we believe that Nova is still working for the interests of the task force, she’s getting pulled in deeper to Kilbride’s inner circle.  Bell is right to be concerned that Nova’s law enforcement connections will be discovered.  We know that Kilbride is on the take and can only wonder how much deeper Governor Garcia will get sucked into Kilbride’s web. Clearly they want Stabler out of the way, Kilbride using Stabler’s tunnel vision with Wheatley as an excuse.  

It’s anyone’s guess as to how all these storylines will continue to play out, but we have to hope that Stabler’s gut feeling about Wheatley will eventually be proven right through hard evidence.  Right now, however, he’s taken to playing head games with Wheatley. Sadly, Stabler’s anger issues come forward as he has no problem with physically beating Wheatley.  What’s concerning is that Wheatley is right – he’s in Stabler’s head, and that could make Stabler continue to behave improperly.  Having Detective Maldonado steal some of Angela’s underwear was an inappropriate maneuver, and who  knows what bigger rules Stabler will break to get  to Wheatley? 

A wild card is Detective Cho, who openly refuses to  be a part of Stabler’s panty-stealing maneuver. She also is concerned that Stabler’s games are putting Angela in danger. The way Cho corrected Maldonado about how he referred to Angela (not using the title “professor”) makes me wonder if Cho will turn on Stabler and cause more problems for him with  Joint Operations.

This is an excellent production with top-notch writing and a wonderful cast that, even including the “villains”, has solid chemistry.  The only weak link is Richard Wheatley himself.  Dylan McDermott’s portrayal is still cartoon-villain worthy. He must be getting stuffed from all that scenery he is chewing.  Speaking of Wheatley – how can they not know where he is living by now?  Is there a  reason why they can’t tail him?  If Stabler could easily find him in that elevator at that specific point in time, why can’t they follow Wheatley to his home?  I’m perplexed. 

Here is the recap: 

Back at the building where the helicopter was seen fleeing, Stabler and Bell discuss the power outage, which seemed to be more widespread then the building itself.  There was also a break in communications for about a minute at that time.  Footprints are plenty as it is a construction site, and the helicopter had flown through and out of New York airspace. It had no flight plan, it disappeared.  The office space was presold and there is a waiting list.  Stabler notices a building nearby.

Stabler, Bell and Jet later visit that building and find it is the Quartext Data Center– the beating heart of the global financial center. The  people in charge become evasive when asked questions about the power outage and its effects on the facilities’ security regarding intrusion detection, especially when Jet mentions even infinitesimal time gaps can be exploited by traders. 

Outside, they discuss what are they hiding and why Wheatley picked this location and McClane as McClane has the skills. Trillions could be involved. 

At home, Stabler answers the door, and it is a new man friend of Bernadette’s – Miles, a neighbor - who is leaving a flower and quickly leaves.  Eli is also there and they discuss this and Bernadette’s smoking. 

Later, Stabler and Bell are at a meeting at the New York Police Department’s Joint Operations Center, discussing what happened at the building.  Only Stabler saw Wheatley and McClane,  and Bell can only confirm the power loss and the helicopter but not seeing Wheatley and McClane. Stabler is emphatic that Wheatley and McClane were there to hack the Quartext Data  Center, and also states Wheatley was behind the prison hack,  but no one else seems to believe him. 

Back at the task force, the team discusses hypothetical scenarios. Bell reminds them that officially the manhunt is for McClane, and their best lead is Wheatley, who is a ghost.  Stabler says McClane was at Angela’s apartment and where is the warrant to surveil her?  Bell explains she is leaning on Fraser’s office but McClane is Federal so Ann will have to make it happen outside the purview of the US Attorney.  Bell suggests that the empty apartment above Angela’s can be used and Cho and Maldonado pose as newlyweds who just moved in. Jet will install the surveillance tools and teach them how to operate them. 

Later, Cho and Maldonado are there when they hear Wheatley speak with Angela.  Stabler and Bell can also hear at the task force.  Wheatley showers Angela with gourmet foods and a diamond bracelet.  Angela talks about an interview the next day for a  teaching job and worries about blowing it.  Maldonado uses an infrared camera so see inside the apartment as Wheatley says they are there to celebrate the renewal of their bounty.  Wheatley kisses Angela passionately and she says the renewal of their bounty has never been a thing.  He questions her about McClane and behaves like he’s jealous, saying he doesn’t care who it is, it stops right now. He starts acting crazy and holds a knife to her throat saying he can’t tolerate it.   Maldonado worries about the knife to her throat but Stabler says he won’t hurt her, they have him right where they want him. 

Sometime later, the market is crashing but McClane is buying for Wheatley, using the short gap to make huge amounts of money.  He is also artificially inflating the stock.  He also added random code to the end of every transaction but says Wheatley would be bored if he explained it.  Wheatley wants all  his money back that was taken from him but says it is not just about money, it is about respect, and that McClane is richer than he’s ever been. McClane explains he has no intention of keeping a penny because he is not his friend.

Back at the Stabler home, Miles returns with a flower for Bernadette, and Stabler is there and he makes small talk.  But Stabler  “jokingly” asks if he knows the famed mobster Willie Maretti. He doesn’t and Bernadette says Stabler is teasing.  Stabler leaves for work and when Miles says Bernadette told him he is a police officer,  Stabler says if Miles gets fresh with her he will arrest him.

Back at the task force, Cho says Angela has an interview tomorrow at Colby Girls School. Stabler asks her to go into Angela’s apartment then and get some of Angela's underwear but Cho refuses, it violates the warrant.  When Bell hears this he explains it was questionable and Cho has every right to refuse.  When Stabler tells Bell she looks good and asks where is she going, she explains she has a lunch date with her wife Denise for their anniversary But when they walk off, Maldonado tells Stabler he’ll do it, and Stabler says pink, ideally. 

When Bell arrives at the restaurant, she is surprised to see Nova – "Carmen Reilly" – there with Congressman Kilbride and Governor Garcia, who says Denise is hanging back for a bit.  They talk about Stabler’s obsession with Wheatley.  They minimize the effects on the stock market and thinks Stabler has a vendetta. 

Later, Bell meets with Nova and says it was an ambush and Nova said she didn’t know why she was there.  Bell thinks Kilbride knows Nova is a plant and wants to pull her but Nova is confident he trusts her.  Nova says Kilbride and Garcia were telling Bell to be careful. She thinks Stabler is an honest cop but knows how he rolled when he was undercover; no matter how good a cop he is, that’s in his DNA now. 

At the task  force, they discuss the drop in the Dow and the market is in chaos.   When Bell asks how to stop it, Stabler suggests they go into the Quartext servers and find the proof Wheatley hacked them.  Mintock suggests a rainbow table which collects all the personal information about a person to look for patterns. Jet thinks they key is likely in Wheatley’s personal information. Bell says she and Stabler will give them access to all the personal info on Wheatley they have from their investigations and tells Jet and Mintock use all their resources to do a deep dive.  Stabler asks for a minute to talk to Bell but she blows him off, saying she is going downtown for a meeting. 

Back at Angela’s apartment, Wheatley has arrived with a large box but she is not there. He hacks into her computer and finds a shirtless selfie of Stabler that the team planted that looks like he sent it to Angela, saying “looking forward”.  Wheatley looks angry but slams the laptop shut as the door opens.  It’s Angela returning, and she tells him this has to stop.  He explains he got her a suit for her interview tomorrow. She says if she gets the job they can have a proper celebration.  He is “looking forward” . Wheatley leaves, Maldonado texts Jet to retrieve the photo before Mrs. Wheatley sees it, and Cho corrects him to  “Professor” Wheatley.  She also says if Jet does that she will  not know why Wheatley is in a jealous rage. Maldonado says he is pretty sure they don’t want her to know that, but Cho worries they are putting her in danger.  Maldonado says not to worry, Stabler knows what he is doing. 

Later, Angela gets out of a car outside a restaurant and Wheatley watches from afar. She is meeting with Stabler – he wanted to pretend to be in love with her. She asks why, and he says it is good she is suspicious, it keeps them alive.  He toasts to the truth and all its ugliness and beauty.  He adds neither of them should be trusted and they should know and admit it.  He doesn’t know when that changed but what either side they are on it is the same one.  She says she is not back with Richard.  Stabler says he doesn’t care. As Wheatley watches from outside, fuming, Stabler adds, “Because whatever you say to me, I'm going to assume is a lie. And you should assume the same thing about me.” Angela says that is a vexing conundrum, adding “If everything either one of us says is a lie, then how do I know when you're being true?” Stabler replies that she doesn’t, except for this, saying “I don't know what you're doing. I don't know what game you think you're playing. But please be careful. You're swimming in very dangerous waters.” Angela touches is face – Wheatley can see this, and says “That is so sweet of you to be concerned for me. “ She says she is going to go freshen up and will be back in a bit.   Stabler comments that she is lying to him again. She turns and walk off, Wheatley still watching from outside. 

The next day, Wheatley barges into the school and then barges in to Angela’s interview, saying it is like the Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie. When he goes on in a mocking tone, Angela is shocked and apologies, leaving the room and taking Wheatley with her, saying he is having a psychotic break.  Outside the room, she says “Damn you” and he says he had to, impressionable minds are at stake. 

Back at the task force, Brewster warns Bell that he is getting heat from upstairs, all the way from Garcia.  Bell thinks Wheatley has something on him. Brewster admits he is no fan of his but Garcia wants to psyche Stabler, which means he would lose his gun and badge. Bell promises that she will handle him. 

At Wheatley’s, while McClane works,  Wheatley drags Angela in – she is blindfolded, and he continues to berate her, and throws her to the ground.   McClane tries to interfere but Wheatley screams at him, saying no man touches his wife.  Wheatley is enraged and asks Angela if she is sleeping with Stabler, and she says it is none of his business. He continues to press and she says she is not.  She explains he asked to see her and told her she is in danger from him and he will protect her. Wheatley says that is absurd, he would never  hurt her. He tells McClane he loves her and needs her, everything they did is for her.  He tells McClane to tell him what he did, and when McClane says not now, McClane taunts him. But McClane yells to just kill him but Angela says no, asking McClane what he got.  Wheatley says he got millions of dollars which he gave away to some NGOs and miscellaneous vagrants.  Angela walks up to McClane and says he is an exceptional person and then asks Wheatley what did he get, thinking it’s billions. He says not yet but he is poised to.  Angela tries to distract Wheatley, saying he will have to figure out how to hide it and she is good at that.   She plays romantic with him and tells Wheatley to let him go, she wants to be alone with him. He says that’s all he wants. 

Meanwhile, Jet and Mintock have been working all night to crack the code and still can’t get it. But suddenly Jet has an idea and checks it out and she gets in.   The key was the date of Kathy Stabler’s death. Stabler is silent. 

Elsewhere, Wheatley meets with Miles who is clearly working for Wheatley. 

At a later time, Stabler gets into an elevator and Wheatley is in it, and Stabler head buts him, bloodying Wheatley’s nose. He continues to beat on him and says, “I had your wife” and brings out a pair of Angela’s panties.  They continue to brawl as Stabler continues to taunt him, saying they did it in a restaurant bathroom.  The fight is brutal but Stabler gets the upper hand.  He gets a call from Bell and she says the rainbow table worked, Ann is going to give them a warrant for Wheatley’s place, they just need to figure out where it is.  When Stabler says he has him, but she stresses they have a warrant on his residence, not on the man himself. She tells him to get out of there now.   Stabler asks Wheatley where does he live, and he says inside Stabler’s head. Stabler punches him and leaves him in the elevator as Wheatley reiterates “inside your head,” laughing

Stabler gets back to the task force and is called into Bell’s office.  She thinks Wheatley is getting the better of him. She asks him to stand down for now, saying it is out of her hands, Brewster came to see her and he asks please don’t do this. She explains she doesn’t have a choice. Stabler thinks this is what Wheatley wants. He says he will take the psych eval she just has to buy him some time.  Jet races in and says they have McClane. 

Mintock gives Stabler the phone – McClane asked for him – and Stabler asks where is he.  He says he has a gift for him – Wheatley on a platter. Jet is tracking his location.  McClane tells them every transaction he made he left a trail of digital dust. As McClane, in the library, passes out stacks of money to strangers,  he explains that digital signature will trace back to Wheatley and prove he defrauded the market for $700 million. McClane says he has everything he needs for the moment but has decided not to turn himself in, people like what he is doing. Jet has tracked him to the library. McClane suggests they stay focused on Wheatley, and  the call is over.

Later, Stabler meets with the shrink, who says, “Detective Stabler. How would you define the term "obsessive" or "obsession?" “ Stabler replies: “Is that the word they're using? I've done this before, you know…Obsession is an intense, some might say, unhealthy preoccupation with a person or idea.” The shrink asks “Are you obsessed, Detective Stabler?” Stabler goes on to say “My wife used to tell me I had OCD, but... You know the term, "justice is blind?" Right? Which means it's impartial. It's not. It's blind. It can be easily led. Or manipulated in the wrong direction. I am determined. Relentlessly determined. To guard against that happening.” The shrink asks “Do you see injustice happening right now?” Stabler states “All the time, everywhere, every day. It's my job to make sure that... It doesn't happen.” The shrink questions “So you're a warrior for justice?” Stabler’s phone rings – and he says “Maybe in my younger days. I'm a guardian.” He looks at his phone and sighs, and he asks the shrink “You're not Catholic, are you?” The shrink says he is Muslim, adding that probably, what Stabler is about to say would apply as well to his faith. Stabler comments, “ I understand why you or my superiors would be concerned about my behavior, regarding... my pursuit of this criminal. My obsession in the pursuit of justice. When our faith is taken seriously... It requires something of us. A call to duty. And I don't think we choose it. It chooses us.” The shrink counters, “Well, that brings me back to my original question. This criminal you're pursuing, are you obsessed with him?”  Stabler replies “If I tell you that the criminal I'm pursuing, if not stopped, will take down the New York Stock Exchange, and with it, the entire global financial system... Am I delusional or obsessive?  Give me two days to prove that. And if I'm wrong, you won't have to ask for my badge or my gun. I'll give them to you myself.”  We cut to black.