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Saturday, February 26, 2022

Law & Order “Filtered Life” Episode Information


Here are the details for a new episode of Law & Order “Filtered Life”. 


Law & Order   “Filtered Life” Air Date March 10,  2022 (8 PM ET/7C Thursday NBC)

Bernard and Cosgrove search for a social media star whose disappearance goes viral; Price and Maroun must make their own decisions about the case against the wishes of the missing woman's family.

My recap and review of Law & Order “Filtered Life” can be found at this link.

Thursday, February 24, 2022

Law & Order Organized Crime “As Hubris Is To Oedipus” Recap, Review, Discussion

 


Richard Wheatley continues to make trouble for Stabler, Bell, and the people of New York City, and it seems he’s again one step ahead of everyone. His wife Angela has joined him in his efforts. Sadly, Sebastian McClane figured out too late that Angela was using him.  I think this episode was written to appeal to the comic book villain crowd;  Dylan McDermott ramped up his cartoon-villain portrayal of the evil Wheatley to the max. For a while I felt like I was not seeing New York City in peril,  but instead Gotham City. All that was missing was Batman. 

Somewhat amusing was seeing Stabler seamlessly go undercover and  blending in by simply putting on a cap on his head worn by the rest of the group.  Had he not had Malachi on call, there is no way he would have passed the test of being a legitimate follower of McClane.  And hearing the group shouting “To the promised land” and "Project Bedlam" just made me laugh.  It seemed so…corny.  

Don’t get me wrong, I still really enjoy this series, but I’m happy that Dylan McDermott will be moving on to another show.  I'm not sure if it's Dylan McDermott's over-the-top acting, or that his character has been poorly written, or both, but I simply cannot take Richard Wheatley seriously. 

There was one comment that Sergeant Bell made that, for some reason,  raised my eyebrows.  She commented, “Never underestimate the sheer audacity of a white man with nothing to lose.”  What does Wheatley being white have to do with it?  Is this a racist comment, or simply inappropriate?   

It’s likely New York will survive this power outage and that Stabler and Bell will get the upper hand, but I’m very interested in seeing how they do it. Despite the comic book feel of the episode, I still want our superheroes to come out on top at the end of the story. 


Here is the recap:

Stabler and Bell are summoned the Governor’s office, who proceeds to say they were right and he was wrong, agreeing that Wheatley is behind the data center attacks and the prison break.   He states he has been sheltering McClane and playing him for a fool. He tells them to apprehend Wheatley with his full support – except Stabler can’t get a public statement clearing Stabler of the accusation of going rogue.

Meanwhile, McClane gets a young woman to get him some food, and the woman is followed by a black car.  Soon after, she delivers the food to McClane, who eats some of it and begins to black out. The food has been drugged and McClane is soon captured by Wheatley.  He wakes up and finds himself tied to a metal support beam along with Angela.  Wheatley threatens McClane with a gun, telling him to reach out to his followers. When McClane resists, Wheatley plays Russian Roulette with Angela. McClane caves in.  Wheatley tells him to assemble his people.

Stabler and Bell explain to the US Attorney how they tracked Wheatley’s money based on information from McClane about the “digital dust”.  Wheatley got away with $700 million before they shut him down. Angela has gone off the grid, the last time she was seen was at the aborted job interview.  Jet has access to a private gathering spots for McClane’s followers and loyalists on the dark web.  The mob is angry about the manhunt for McClane and they are going to meet in person.

Elsewhere, the McClane  devotees meet in a special location and see McClane on video. He assures them he is safe and is staying ahead of the NYPD and FBI.  He says it is time for the oppressors to pay for their crimes.  He will lead them one step closer to the promised land, welcoming them to Project Bedlam. The crowd cheers and applauds.  With McClane at the other location, Wheatley, with his gun, is thrilled. 

Later, a group of people break into a building to steal blueprints.  One person drops a flashlight and the security guard notices.  He eventually tries to apprehend them but they escape, except for one person who was waiting outside that helps them to get out – Donald Mathers. 

Later,  Donald is at the task force in interrogation and Stabler and Bell question him.  He says there was one guy who seemed to know the most about the mission to steal government building blueprints.    He mentioned he will find out more about the mission at the meeting on Thursday. 

Afterwards, Stabler wants to go undercover and Bell isn’t having it, wondering if she’ll wind up worrying about whether he will come out alive and how many lines he will cross.  He argues this is not fair, and she says nothing is fair, she has a list of grievances that would make his head spin. She raises her voice, saying she doesn’t deal with them by changing her identify and running away from her actual life.  Stabler says they have to find out.

Sometime later, Stabler comes up from the subway and  puts on a cap, which apparently everyone in the group is wearing. He makes it to the location and he communicated to Bell that he’s in.  He tells Bell he just spotted the Alpha (“Brother Bill”)  as a man walks past him on the phone. A young woman starts to chat up Stabler while someone nearby watches them.  Brother Bill addresses the group about the “Promise Land” and the large video screen begins to show a video with McClane. McClane talks about phase two, the five pillars of inequity. Bell radios Stabler and says those five places could be anywhere.  McClane adds the government, courts, the banks, health care, and law enforcement.  Stabler hears a sound off-camera and asks Bell to have Jet try to isolate it.  McClane continues to rally his group and says the time is now, the reckoning is upon t hem and they will meet at the other side. The crowd cheers about the promised land.  Brother Bill tells them under their chair is a card which matches them to their team and to not stray from their team. Bell thinks these are the attack teams. Brother Bill instructs them.   Stabler gets matched with the young woman who was chatting with him earlier.   But some of the group separate Stabler from the group and accuse him of flirting with the girl. As they continue to pressure him, he tries to convince them he is there for the same reason as there, saying Malachi will vouch for him. They don’t believe him but Stabler calls Malachi.  After a series of the men asking Malachi questions and he answers them correctly, they believe Stabler. 

Stabler and the young girl go with Brother Bill’s team, and there are explosives in the van.   Al the vans drive off. 

Brewster communicates with Bell who is heading to Wall Street. Brewster explains to her all the agencies that have been deployed.  Stabler is on the way to the Marshall courthouse and he is told to stop talking.  They arrive at the location in the parking garage and Bell arrives outside as well, and she is told ESU is on the way.   All Bell knows it is divide and conquer -  half of them run point and the others rig the explosives, that’s all she could get before she lost coms.  She asks for the building to be evacuated as discreetly as possible. 

Stabler volunteers to rig the explosives, saying that is why Malachi wanted him there.  The girl says she can program the detonator.  Brother Bill sends the others off to the other location.  As they walk off, Stabler tells the girl to pop the hood and then he puts a gun to Brother Bill, saying he is police.  He knocks him to the ground and then tells the girl this is the luckiest day in her life. She says she believes in McClane but didn’t  know it would be violent.  He convinces her to take off to give her a second chance. 

Meanwhile, McClane is still tied to the beam and he doesn’t want to be left without water. 

Stabler is now outside and he confers with Bell, Brother Bill has been silent.  Stabler gets into the vehicle and tries to get him to tell him the other locations, saying they are just pawns, explaining Bill is following Richard Wheatley, not McClane, and that Wheatley killed his wife and walked away. He wants to know if he wants to go down for  murder, saying they are fighting the same enemy.  Soon after, Stabler  gets out of the car and tells Bell the other locations are the New York Stock Exchange,  Bellevue, Manhattan DA,  13th precinct.  Bell radios the information for evacuations.

Back with McClane, Wheatley lets Angelo go and as they kiss, McClane realizes he’s been had.  The two of them leave Sebastian tied to the beam and with a ticking bomb. 

As TV covers an explosion near the stock exchange, Brewster  tells Jet and Malachi says that 3 teams have been apprehended and car bombs deactivated; a fourth detonated near the stock exchange which was already evacuated. Damage  but no injuries.  They isolated the sound from the feed from Stabler and the sound is coming from a recycling plant – Simms Municipal and McClane’s llocation has been narrowed to a 10 block area.  Brewster thinks that is not enough and Jet and Malachi think if they find a surge of electricity they will find McClane. 

Meanwhile, Wheatley waits in a car  with two  men and thinks he’s successful and says that McClane chose one of them – Wayne – for a special task.  He tells the men to say hello to Big Alex – it looks like a power station.

Jet tells Stabler and Bell how they isolated McClane’s location and the address, based on the energy the location had been drawing.  There is one point of entry off the back alley, the bomb squad is en route.  Bell asks Stabler if he is good, and he says he is recalibrating.  Bell says he may like to slip his skin from time to time but he is damn good at what he does. Stabler says he appreciates the trust, and Bell says trust is a two way street, his instincts were right and he shouldn’t have doubted him.  He nods. 

Back with Big Alex – Wayne disables the outside cameras and they explode a door to enter the facility. Wheatley tells them they just breached the most secure campus in all of New York and they made it look easy. Wheatley notes that some energy coils have 200,000 volts of electricity  in them and if they get too close to an arc flash they would vaporize on the spot. 

Meanwhile, Stabler and Bell enter the location that Jet gave them and find McClane and the bomb.  They  get McClane out and Bell calls in the bomb squad.   The device is quickly rendered safe.  Stabler tries to question McClane but he needs medical help and Stabler calls for a bus.  Bell looks at the blueprints that were left behind and discovers there is a sixth target – the Chalamet Power Company,  and electrical substation in Queens – Big Alex.  Stabler wonders if it is a controlled outage, and McClane tells them to guess again. 

Wheatley, with Gunther, who he spent time with in prison,  walk into the plant, and says this is his piece de resistance. 

Stabler and Bell radio in that the first five locations were distractions and the sixth - the power station - is his main target.  It controls the entire power grid.

Wheatley and Gunther enter the control office and Gunther and shoots a man as soon as he opens the door. 

Stabler and Bell continue to race to the substation, thinking they can stop Wheatley. Stabler tells Brewster on the phone that he thinks Wheatley is still there, having a front row seat to all the madness he created. He’s not going to slink away without taking a curtain call. Bell says never underestimate the sheer audacity of a white man with nothing to lose. 

Wheatley works on the computer to all a virus that will shut down the substation and the others will not be able to handle it and will also fail.  

As Stabler and Bell arrive, they are told by an officer that the bomb squad is two minutes out and there are units sealing off streets and evacuating.  Shots ring out and a shooter flees but walks into the power area and is vaporized. 

Stabler and Bell get inside with other officers and find the men in the control room dead.  Stabler sees a message on the computer which says “Hello Detective Stabler” and he says they have to get TARU in there. An officer says that will be a minute, every unit is either coming from or heading to a different location; the building has been cleared of explosive devices. Stabler asks if he is sure and when the officer asks if he is questioning him, Stabler says he is asking if he is sure.  The officer moves closer to the computer and asks what is that, as Stabler tells him not to get near it,  The officer bumps into the computer mouse and this triggers a 50 second countdown clock.  Stabler and Bell are shocked and she asks that if he said…he said he did, he is certain there are no explosives on the premises.  Stabler asks then what does that mean, and Bell says she doesn’t want to take any chances, radioing out a 10-13 calling for everybody to get out. Everyone runs away from the building.   Outside, as they look back at it, Stabler comments if that thing blows they don’t have a chance.  But there is no explosion. As they look to the New York City skyline, the lights in each building go out, one by one. Stabler stays Richard Wheatley just took the whole city hostage.  As the darkness surrounds them, we cut to black. 


Law & Order SVU “If I Knew Then What I Know Now” Recap, Review, Discussion



If I knew then what I know now…I may not have tuned into this episode.    Every  now and then there is an episode of Law & Order SVU where I am unable to connect in any meaningful way, and this is one of them.  It wasn’t just a weak,  uninteresting case, it was also the personal drama between Rollins and Carisi peppered within the story that distracted from connecting with the victim.  I found the daughter, Ashley, too annoying. She wants to study social justice and right off the bat, without really knowing her birth mother, decides to go on a crusade for her.  It’s clear even Rollins has some misgivings, and in this rare case, I found myself agreeing with Rollins.  She thinks they would have been better off if none of this ever came up, and  also has reservations about the  cognitive reenactment, wondering just because they can do something, should they? In the world of Law & Order SVU they will always find a way to turn a bad situation into something that’s all rainbows and unicorns, and they did in this case.  Sadly, reality usually doesn’t work this way and Rollins probably was taking the more realistic approach. 

This episode seemed to be written as a vehicle for Benson to be the center of attention, and to re-tell her story that she is a child of her mother’s rape.  Benson was involved in this case more than any one of the other detectives,  maybe because Fin and Velasco we missing,  both under quarantine. Detective Khaldun from Hate Crimes filled in, but I’m not sure that even that should have made Benson be front and center in almost every aspect of this case. 

The other thing that annoyed me is having yet another woman – this time Trial Division Chief Lorraine Maxwell – having to recount her tale of rape in order to advance a story line.  Must every woman in the Law & Order universe have to tell a rape story? And in this case, Maxwell decides her personal experience means that they should go after a rape suspect and take him down, even though she admits it’s a  bad case with no tox report, no outcry, no witnesses.  This is not practicing law. 

By the way, I thought the brother (Zach) was the obvious suspect and was surprised when the DNA didn’t match. 

I’ve separated the Rollins/Carisi detail  and my commentary from the recap. Full disclosure – and maybe an unpopular opinion – but I don’t see any believable chemistry between these two.  I’m glad they’re coming clean with their relationship, but I honestly don’t care either way.  It will finally be out in the open and will either work well, or implode in typical Rollins fashion.  But that personal drama ruined whatever momentum the story about the case, which was weak in of itself.   The Rollins/Carisi drama starts right out of the gate, with Carisi doing some cooking at the Rollins residence, and Jesse saying is her sister Billie’s has a question: Is Uncle Sonny her daddy?  Carisi and Rollins realize they have to address the issue as he has been around a lot for a while. Later, Rollins tells Carisi that her shrink thinks Billie is testing boundaries and they don’t need to bring it up again unless she does.   (I suppose Rollins needs parenting advice from her shrink because she has no friends outside of work in whom she can confide?)  Later, she and Carisi meet outside on a park bench and argue about how to proceed with their relationship. Carisi doesn’t want to be Uncle Sonny forever but Rollins doesn’t know if he wants them to disclose to the NYPD or just Jesse and Billie, their parents, etc. etc.   Carisi doesn’t want to live like this anymore, calling it a hand grenade in his pocket, worried it will come out in a trial.  Rollins doesn’t want to leave SVU.  Carisi floated it to HR as a hypothetical situation and if they both disclose to their bosses they are fine. Rollins is reluctant, but believes she’s never been more honest and open in a relationship.  At the end of the episode, Rollins comes clean to Benson that she and Carisi “are involved” and he is going to disclose to his bosses. Benson calls it a smart thing to do, and adds she is very happy for her.  Later, Rollins tells Carisi that Benson wasn’t surprised and thinks she knew all along, and Carisi says Trial Division Chief Lorraine Maxwell didn’t, and isn’t sure what she ever thinks. They decide to go home for dinner and talk to Billie and Jesse and they share a kiss.  (This is the scene that closed the episode.)


Here is the recap: 

Ashley, a hyper young girl who plans on studying social justice,   meets her birth mother  in a restaurant and asks about her biological father.  The next thing we know, Ashley is in SVU, reporting that he mother was raped by her father the night she was conceived.  She explains her mom was 15 and passed out at a party. She doesn’t remember anything, she drank a lot.  Her life has never been the same and Ashley wants to make it right.   Benson consults with Carisi and this will not be easy; they will have to question Michelle.  Khaldun and Rollins try to question Michelle and she is reluctant and tells them it is not her business. 

Carisi tells Benson they need witnesses or Michelle’s cooperation, and thinks it would be good for Michelle to hear about it from someone who’s lived it.  Of course Benson tells her own story to Michelle about her being a product of rape, and Michelle opens up.  The detectives speak with Ashley’s adoptive parents, Benson speaks with Michelle’s mother, who didn’t want Michelle to meet with Ashley.  They trace a classmate, Mavis,  who says she know nothing about the party where Michelle was raped. Michelle, seeing this, knows that Mavis was there as she put her in a cab, and produces a photo from the party.   Benson decides to conduct a “cognitive re-enactment” at the townhouse where the rape occurred – Rollins wonders if just because they can do something, should they?  Michelle recalls the attack and when in the room, sees a lion embossed in the ceiling – this is the place. 

Later, Rollins and Khaldun speak with the woman who owned the house at that time,  under the guise of doing a background check,  leading them to her two sons, Zach and Josh.  Zach is a lawyer and they come up with nothing. Josh is a park ranger in Vermont, but he walks into SVU. He really liked Michelle and seems thrilled that Ashley could be his son. Michelle later recalls making out with him but doesn’t think he would rape her and questions whether she recalls correctly she was raped.  

Benson and Rollins discuss the case and Rollins comments to imagine being a kid and finding out something like this, forgetting Benson’s situation.  Benson of course recounts her own story. 

Against advice, Michelle has told tell Ashley about Josh, and Ashley, overly happy, tells Benson she arranged for them to meet. She adds that Michelle said she was wrong about being raped. Rollins thinks Ashley is “pink clouding.” Benson puts a rush on the DNA tests.   

Later,  Benson and Khaldun bring Josh into SVU and he is not the father, and neither is his brother Zach.   In the meantime and elsewhere, Michelle apologizes to Rollins.  But Josh recalls  a friend who was there, Cole Eaton. 

Carisi and Benson speak with Trial Division Chief Lorraine Maxwell who knows Cole’s father, a big security and exchange lawyer in the 80s.   Mavis has corroborated Cole was there.  Cole is very connected and has a lot to lose. 

At Baker Eaton Capital,  Benson and Carisi speak with Cole and makes it sound like he was “catnip” to women came on to him with enthusiastic consent. Benson threatens a warrant for his DNA. They later find it’s a match.  Benson thinks Carisi will  not think this is enough. 

Later, Michelle meets with Cole at a diner and she is wearing a wire.  She tries to get him to admit to the rape but he  thinks she wants money.  She wants an acknowledgement, and gets loud and starts to make a scene.  He knows others are listening in and says he didn’t do anything she didn’t want.  She doesn’t want  money and he says she missed her chance. Rollins and Khaldun move to taking him to the station in cuffs, but he knows they don’t have enough and says he’ll meet them there. 

Benson and Carisi play the recording back for Maxwell and says it is bad case - no tox report, outcry, or witnesses. Carisi can’t guarantee a win.  Maxwell recounts her own experience being raped by the son, a multi-generation legacy,  of the father of a trustee of a prestigious club. She never told anyone about this until that day.  She wants them to take Cole Eaton down. 

At SVU, Benson and Carisi meet with Cole and his lawyer, and Carisi wants to go to trial, rape one. Josh is willing to testify as is Mavis.  They arrest him and say he will be a headline.   He says he will call Lorraine, and Carisi says she signed off on his warrant.

Afterwards, Michelle is concerned that she has to testify and Ashley wants her to try.  Michelle thinks Ashley should take the money but she wants justice for Michelle.

Later, in a meeting room at the New York DA’s office,  Ashley meets with Cole, who is there with his lawyer, along with Carisi and Benson. He shows her photos of her sisters and he says he’d like her to meet them.  He would tell them over time she is a daughter from a prior relationship.  She says he has to admit he raped Michelle. He says they are never going to agree on this, saying what matters  now is he is her father.  She states she has a father, he is her birth mother’s rapist and until he admits that he doesn’t want anything to do with him.  

Afterwards, Benson and Carisi is there with Ashley’s parents and Michelle.  They have a deal on the table. Carisi says to avoid a trial,  Cole is willing to waive the statute of limitations and plead guilty to a misdemeanor – endangering the welfare of a minor.  He will do two years probation and 400 hours of community service. He has offered to pay for Ashley’s college tuition and Michelle’s college debt.  There will be no contact with Ashley unless she initiates.  Carisi gives them the option of still taking this to trial.  Michelle says if Ashley is good, she is good.  Ashley agrees.  

Benson speaks to Michelle who says she is relieved.  She says for the first time in 18 years, her life has possibilities.  She thanks Benson.  Later, Rollins and Benson discuss that Ashley, her parents  and Michelle are all going out to dinner.  Rollins also admits to being involved with Carisi and that he will disclose with his bosses.   

Rollins and Carisi meet outside on the street and discuss the new development in their relationship and as they kiss we fade to black. 


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Law & Order “The Right Thing” Recap, Review, Discussion


(Please note: I viewed this episode early via an NBC screener so it's possible some things could have been changed before airing on the network.  I'll update later,  as needed.)

I still have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming…Law & Order is back!   After airing what was going to be its last episode in May 2010,  all I had left was my hope that *someone* would eventually realize their grave mistake and do the right thing and revive the series.  As the years passed, the less hope I felt.  I’m not going to rehash why it was canceled.  That ship has sailed.  I’m just thrilled that it’s returned.  

After watching the season 21 premiere of Law & Order,  it felt like Law & Order really hadn’t been gone over a decade.    The episode  included returning cast members Sam Waterston and Anthony Anderson, both which helped the new cast fit in seamlessly.  It's only been one episode, but the cast chemistry feels right - a good sign!  Steve Zirnkilton's opening narration is there; it wouldn't be a proper Law & Order without it.  The opening credits have updated visuals, and still include the familiar Law & Order theme as the original, with a slight modification to the tune to make it more contemporary.  The story is still told using the usual format: the crime and investigation in the first half, the legal wrangling in the second.   Also included were the black and white intertitles telling you when and where the action occurs, with the familiar “DUN DUN” sound.   They are still in the 27th precinct.  A huge plus:  the sets were recreated to keep the same look and feel, the only difference being the courtroom.  

Most importantly, the return of Law & Order brings back the opportunity to tell more stories based on the social issues of the day.  Law & Order excelled in focusing on the hot buttons of the times, topics that were often controversial and  polarizing. It gave viewers something to sink their debating teeth into. Likely the topics and the outcomes will continue to trigger disagreement. Will they get preachy? Probably, but this goes with the territory.  I’m looking forward to the "post-episode" debate, which is one of my favorite parts of the show.  

Here is the cast: 

Sam Waterston – District Attorney Jack McCoy
Anthony Anderson - Detective Kevin Bernard
Jeffrey Donovan - Detective Frank Cosgrove 
Camryn Manheim -  Lieutenant Kate Dixon
Hugh Dancy - Assistant District Attorney Nolan Price 
Odelya Halevi - Assistant District Attorney Samantha Maroun

The case involves the murder of Henry King, an entertainer  accused of 40 rapes. (I wonder who that could be based on…just kidding.)  He believes he was wrongfully charged for those crimes. He was released from prison after 3+ years because it was uncovered that the prosecution had offered him immunity so he could be deposed in a case involving one of the rape victims. The prosecutor who offered immunity: Jamie Ross, former ADA for Jack McCoy,  former defense attorney,  and former Judge (in Law & Order: Trial By Jury).  Jamie has excelled in these positions but it seemed like trouble and controversy always followed her close behind, and in this episode it sticks to her like flypaper.  With all her experience, one would think she’d know better.

After claiming his innocence on a talk show, Henry found dead on the street, shot multiple times.   Enter Detectives Bernard and Cosgrove, along with their Lieutenant, Kate Dixon. It’s obvious early on there is some tension between Bernard and Cosgrove, who have only been working together two months. Cosgrove can’t seem to censor himself and he appears to have a short fuse.  He and Bernard tangle a bit over their different approaches to current hot button issues: race, police behavior, bystanders recording police interaction on their phone, and police accountability.   Bernard seems world-weary; after all these years he’s still a detective,  but his experience helps him to find a way that he and Cosgrove can discuss their differences calmly. It’s yet to be seen whether they’ll continue to get along.  

Lieutenant Kate Dixon is a blank slate at this point, but it’s clear that she’s established herself as a no-nonsense boss, and the one who helps focus the detectives while she fends off the pressure from her own bosses.   I’m looking forward to seeing how Kate Dixon develops this season. 

The rape victim, Nicole Bell, becomes their prime suspect, and Cosgrove’s use of lies while questioning her gets her to confess.  When ADA Nolan Price (along with ADA Samantha Maroun) are given the case to prosecute, Price is concerned that Cosgrove’s lies will put his case in jeopardy.  Despite DA Jack McCoy’s assurances that the use of lies in the interrogation was perfectly acceptable, Price makes the error of deciding not to use it, thinking he can win the case on the evidence, which is weak at best.  Price forgot one of the  rules of Law & Order: when Jack McCoy gives advice, TAKE IT! (Jack gets his subtle “I told you so” moment later,  and I loved it.)  It was fairly obvious that Price was going to do his own thing. But, just like Jamie creating the situation which allowed Henry King to be released from prison, Cosgrove’s inability to control his mouth puts the case against Nicole in peril. After been told by Price not to mention Nicole’s confession, Cosgrove blurts it out on the stand anyway. Luckily for Price, the judge refuses to call a mistrial.  Cosgrove later angrily tells Price that he “catches” them and  Price is supposed to “cook” them. Clearly Cosgrove has a massive ego and expects full support from Price.   Price, on the other hand,  is naïve with a big ego of his own as well. He doesn’t understand – or maybe not care – that the “big bad police department”, who is their partner,  is under attack and their actions scrutinized.  I suspect there will be continued friction between Cosgrove and Price. (I think I see a pattern here with Cosgrove.) Having a character such as Cosgrove that’s a hothead  makes for good drama, as long as it’s not overused.  

But things get worse.  Jamie throws a massive wrench into the case when it becomes clear she had contact with Nicole on the day of the murder.  When Jamie refuses to reveal to Price what the conversation was about, this leaves him no choice: he must call on Jamie to testify. When she takes the Fifth, this helps Price’s case a bit, despite Jamie not saying a word about what she and Nicole discussed.   If the look on Jack’s face and his body language when he watches Jamie exit the courtroom is any indication, she’s in deep, deep trouble. 

The only minor criticism I have is with the closing argument.  It’s  obvious that Price alienated himself with the jury and that Nicole’s testimony affected them.  What is bothersome is that Price has ADA Samantha Maroun conduct the closing, using the fact that her  sister was raped and murdered years ago, and that the police never arrested the offender.  It’s another situation where some woman had to suffer (both Maroun and her sister) in order to win Price’s case, a case that he risked losing it because of his hubris and his weak evidence.  

One other star of Law & Order is not a person – it’s the  courthouse at 60 Centre Street in Foley Square, probably the most dangerous (or deadliest) location on television (wink). It  makes an important appearance at the end of the episode, highlighting the frieze over the entrance with the quote "The true administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good government".  We’ll see if they can live up to this standard. Doing the “right thing” is not always easy. 

NOTE: Five deleted scenes have been released and are on my blog at the following link; the videos may have a limited life so catch them while you can! Law & Order “The Right Thing” deleted scenes which aired on Thursday, Month, Date, 2022.



Here is the recap:

On a TV show, Henry King states he will say this one last time: he’s innocent. The host asks that all the allegations against him…and he finishes, saying they are false. He states he spent 3 years, 2 months and 11 days in prison for a crime he did not commit. He adds,  like many people of color, he was wrongfully charged, and wrongfully convicted.  He looks straight into the camera and says he has never had non-consensual sex with anyone, ever.  He states his mission in life is to make sure those responsible for this travesty of justice are held accountable.  Then and only then can they begin a path towards a more enlightened and racially just society. 

Later, police are on a scene and Detective Kevin Bernard and Detective Frank Cosgrove hear from an officer that a young couple were fooling around and walked down the stairs to have sex – explaining it’s their words not hers – until they see a dead guy bleeding out.  His name is Henry King, as singer, among other things. There are five gunshot wounds, 380 shell casings – four to the chest and one to the groin.  It does not look like a robbery as his wallet is still in his pocket and his watch is on his wrist.   Cosgrove comments the over/under on this guy was nine months.  Bernard says he gets it, but…and Cosgrove asks but what?  Bernard adds every victim deserves respect, even the ones that raped 40 women. 

Law & Order Organized Crime “Takeover” Episode Information


Here are the details for a new episode of Law & Order  Organized Crime “Takeover”. 



Law & Order Organized Crime “Takeover”  Air Date March 10, DAY  2022 (10 PM ET/9C Thursday NBC)

Bell's task force examines the connection between Congressman Kilbride and the Marcy organization; Stabler becomes close with a group of cops; Nova's two lives clash as she receives an important promotion.

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

Law & Order SVU “Promising Young Gentlemen” Episode Information


Here are the details for a new episode of Law & Order SVU Law & Order SVU “Promising Young Gentlemen”. 


Law & Order SVU  “Promising Young Gentlemen” Air Date March 10,  2022 (9 PM ET/8C Thursday NBC)

Carisi's niece stands by a friend as they report a sexual assault attack; Benson investigates a collegiate secret society that preys on female students.



My recap and review of Law & Order SVU “Promising Young Gentlemen” can be found at this link.

Law & Order “Impossible Dream” Episode Information


Here are the details for a new episode of Law & Order,   “Impossible Dream”. 



Law & Order   “Impossible Dream” Air Date March 3,  2022 (8 PM ET/7C Thursday NBC)

The COO of a major tech company is found murdered in Central Park. Price and Maroun work to untangle a web of deceit to expose a cunning narcissist.




My recap and review of Law & Order “Impossible Dream” can be found at this link.

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Law & Order SVU “If I Knew Then What I Know Now” Photos

Here are advance photos from Law & Order SVU “If I Knew Then What I Know Now” which will air on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 9 PM ET on NBC.

The photos feature Mariska Hargitay, Kelli Giddish, Peter Scanavino, Ari’el Stachel as Sgt. Hasim Khaldun, Lisa Joyce as Michelle Young, and Ben Jeffrey as Josh Wilcox. 













Photos by: Zach Dilgard/NBC 2022 NBCUniversal Media, LLC

Law & Order Season 21 – Meet The Squad (Video)

 Here’s an quick – and humorous - introduction to the Law & Order season 21 squad, featuring Camryn Manheim, Anthony Anderson, and Jeffrey Donovan. This video will be available for a limited time only. Enjoy! 

 Law & Order season 21 premieres on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 8PM ET on NBC.

 

Saturday, February 19, 2022

Law & Order Organized Crime “As Hubris Is To Oedipus” Photos

Here are advance photos for Law & Order Organized Crime “As Hubris Is To Oedipus” which will air on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 10 PM ET on NBC. 

The photos feature Chris Meloni, Danielle Mone Truitt, Ainsely Seiger, Dylan McDermott, Tamara Taylor, Wesam Keesh as Malachi, Guillermo Diaz as Sgt. Bill Brewster, Lea Ana Zawada as Ana Castro, Marc Menchaca as Brother Bill, and Robin Lord Taylor as Sebastian McClane. 




















Photos by: 
Eric Liebowitz/NBC 
Zach Dilgard/NBC 
Michael Greenberg/NBC 
2022 NBCUniversal Media, LLC



Thursday, February 17, 2022

Photos: Law & Order “Press Day”

Here are lots of photos from the “Law & Order Press Day” Red Carpet, held on Wednesday, February 16, 2022.  Stars from the returning series Law & Order, plus Law & Order SVU and Law & Order Organized Crime, were in attendance.

The photos feature Sam Waterston,  Camryn Manheim, Anthony Anderson, Jeffrey Donovan, Odelya Halevi, Hugh Dancy,  Mariska Hargitay, Kelli Giddish, Chris Meloni, Danielle Moné Truitt, and Ainsley Seiger. 












































Photo by: Cindy Ord/NBCUniversal  2022 NBCUniversal Media, LLC