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:
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
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.
Later, the detectives speak with Henry’s wife who says Henry was trying so hard to reclaim his life and his dignity. They ask where was she between the hours of 9 and 11, and she replies she had dinner with a few friends at Orto on 86th and Columbus. She returned about 10:45. Bernard notices surveillance camera and says they may need to see the video and she explains it is not possible, she hadn’t activated the system for years. Cosgrove questions that her husband is one of the most hated men in America and she doesn’t turn on the alarm? She states she is from North Carolina, with barely 1,000 people, they never think of locking the front door. Cosgrove comments they are a long way from North Carolina. Bernard asks since her husband has been released from prison have there been any problems or notice anything unusual, and she shakes her head. Cosgrove asks if any of the women who accused him of rape have reached out to express their “opinions” on the recent court ruling. She replies no, not that she is aware of. She last spoke with her husband four hours ago, after he did that interview.
Back at the precinct, Lieutenant Kate Dixon walks out of her office and into the squad room, explaining she just got off with the Chief, before that the Mayor, and before that the District Attorney. Bernard sarcastically says it’s the first time they actually cared about a black man getting shot. Dixon comments that’s funny if that was a joke, and if not, he can save his speech for someone else because she is not in the mood for politics. Cosgrave pipes in, saying that is music to his ears. Bernard asks why is that, and Cosgrove asks, “Excuse me?” Dixon reminds them they have a murder to solve, a murder that’s the lead of every news channel, the headline of every paper, so call her crazy but maybe they should focus on that right now. She walks off as Dani Vertiz enters and informs them she found a text on King’s phone sent two days ago which says “It’s over, I’m coming for you.” The detectives look interested.
At Allied Talent at 204 West 57th Street on Friday, December 10, the detectives speak with Henry’s agent who admits sending the text but was threatening Henry’s career, not his life. He explains she stood by Henry year after year in spite of all the allegations and Henry fired him 3 days ago as they were about to close a $50 million deal with some podcast company. He scoffs and says the son of a bitch was trying to screw him out of his commission, after all he did for that two-faced prick. He even had to beg the CEO just to meet with the guy. Cosgrove comments that is a $5 million commission, and the agent denies shooting Henry. Cosgrove says he believes him, saying what’s more honorable than that, but unfortunately some of his colleagues aren’t as trusting, and Bernard smiles. The agent says he was at home in Westport, he had dinner with his wife, it was their anniversary. He shows them a photo of them together at the dinner. Bernard asks if he can think of anyone else who had a serious grudge, against Henry, and the agent replies he can think of thousands but is not aware of any specific threats. Cosgrove asks if Henry owed anyone money, and the agent replies half the city – Henry was the cheapest son of a bitch on earth. The joke was the only reason he roofied those girls was because he was too cheap to pick up dinner. Bernard and Cosgrove are not amused. Bernard questions if any of those people are capable of murder, the agent says Henry told him some gang-banger was shaking him down for a lot of money, and Bernard asks if Henry happened to name this gang-banger.
Elsewhere, Bernard and Cosgrove question a man on the street, Cosgrove saying they are looking for Shabazz Walker, asking if he has seen him. The man starts to walk off and Cosgrove, irritated, says he is not done talking to him. The man tells Cosgrove to kiss his ass, and Cosgrove gets angry and grabs his arm, asking what did he just say to him. As the others in the area move in, some with their phones recording, Bernard tries to simmer Cosgrove down, saying they are good. Cosgrove sees a person recording things and, as he walks off with Bernard, says kids have no respect, they get to say and do whatever they want, it’s like a free pass. Bernard says he is not sure what he means by that. Cosgrove says he means he is white and the guy is black, he says the wrong thing and your career is over. Bernard comments, “Maybe” and Cosgrove questions this, asking if there is another way of looking at this. Bernard tells Cosgrove he came at him hot. Cosgrove counters he showed him his badge and said how are you doing, how is that coming off hot? Should he have offered him a croissant and invited him to tea at the St. Regis? Bernard asks that he could have treated him a little more polite, like a law abiding citizen minding his own damn business. Cosgrove comments that the truth is these damn phones have ruined everything. Bernard says that’s one way of looking at it, and when Cosgrove asks “the other?”, Bernard explains they hold them accountable. Cosgrove tells Bernard he knows they haven’t been working together for very long – Bernard interjects “two months”, which makes him the longest relationship he’s had the last six years – Cosgrove says if they are going to keep this thing going, Bernard has to know something about him: he speaks his mind, probably about things he shouldn’t be speaking his mind about, but it is just how he is wired. Bernard says he senses that, but does Cosgrove speak his truth? Cosgrove says he appreciates that, and the statement Bernard made about cameras holding them accountable, he actually agrees with. Bernard gives him a hard look. Bernard sees two guys walking nearby and calls out “Shabazz!” and they stop and look. Bernard holds up his badge and says “Hey!” as Cosgrove walks over to them.
Bernard and Cosgrove speak with Shabazz who tells them every dude in the joint wanted to bust Henry King’s head wide open so his friend kept him alive. Bernard asks if it was for a fee, and hears it was for 100 grand a year for life. Once Henry got sprung, he didn’t want to pay. Cosgrove said that’s not unreasonable, but Shabazz says it doesn’t matter, a deal is a deal. He talked to Henry about this and he laughed at him, so he slammed his ass into a wall. Some bodyguard ran up and broke things up and pulled out his glock. Bernard comments now he is intrigued, asking what happened next. Shabazz told Henry they needed to work out an arrangement. Cosgrove asked if that was it, no violence or no threat. Shabazz says he was in a good mood, he just had a baby boy. Cosgrove congratulates him and gives him a fake smile and Shabazz looks back at him knowing it wasn’t sincere. Bernard asks where was he last night at 10 PM, and hears he was in a bar in Red Hook called Ray’s, talking with the bodyguard to work things out. Bernard asks if he made a deal, and hears he was offered 50K and he told him he could go to hell. Cosgrove comments “dumb move” and Shabazz looks at him with surprise, asking why is that. Cosgrove tells him King is dead, and Bernard adds somebody shot him. Shabazz looks dejected, saying he needed that money. Cosgrove comments unless he is named in his will, he’s out of luck. Bernard tells him they’ll be in touch and they walk off.
Back at the precinct, Dixon is at her desk and Cosgrove enters her office and explains Shabazz isn’t their guy. He talked to the bodyguard and confirmed the meeting in Red Hook. Dixon asks if he said anything else or witness any other altercations, and Cosgrove explains King got into an argument with a woman 3 days ago on White Street just west of Baxter. Dixon asks if she was one of the rape victims, and Cosgrove replies he wasn’t sure. Bernard, at his desk, calls out to them that he’s got it and tells them to come check it out. He shows them a surveillance camera view of the confrontation and when Bernard says he run it through facial recognition, Dixon says there is no need, she knows her. She’s a prosecutor, her name is Jamie Ross.
In the office of ADA Jamie Ross on Friday, December 10, Jamie tells Bernard and Cosgrove that Henry King has been harassing her since he got out of prison. He blames her for ruining his life. Bernard asks why her, and Jamie explains she was the lead prosecutor on his rape trial. She was also the one who made the original promise not to prosecute him. At the time, there was only one victim – Nicole – and it was a tough case there wasn’t a lot of evidence. Nicole sued him and Henry refused to testify, so she offered him immunity for that one case so Nicole’s lawyer could depose him, Cosgrove comments she was the reason why he went to prison and why he was released. She says, “Something like that.” She adds once the lawsuit was settled, the evidence just kept pouring in, woman after woman talking about being drugged, raped, and sodomized. None of the cases was perfect but it was clear Henry King was a predator, so she said screw it, let’s roll the dice and take this bastard to trial. And they did, but as they all know, the appellate court vacated the verdict, saying her promise not to prosecute was binding. Cosgrove bluntly says, “You screwed up” and Bernard gives him a look. Jamie explains she did what she thought was best at the time. Bernard asks why she and Henry met the other day, and Jamie replies that he had a private investigator digging into her life and her cases so she called his lawyer and said she wanted to resolve the nonsense. But he wasn’t interested and said he was going to destroy her and her family, and she just lost it. Cosgrove said because of her mistake, King is walking out of jail a free man. Jamie gets annoyed, and asks what is he really asking her, that she killed him? Cosgrove asks blankly, Did you?” and Jamie says, “Get the hell out of my office.” They exit.
Outside her office, Bernard asks what the hell was that, and Cosgrove does not answer and continues to walk off.
As Bernard and Cosgrove arrive back in the precinct, Dixon announces she just got a call from a friend at the DA’s office and asks Cosgrove, “Did you really…” He cuts her short and says damn right he did. Dixon is not pleased and he explains Jamie and King got into a heated argument three days before the murder. Dixon tells him not to do this, not to her. He holds up his hands and claps, saying he’s sick of it, all they ever do is question the way their do their jobs, their tactics, their integrity. He adds it’s like their goal is to pull their pants down at every turn. Dixon counters that she gets it but Ross is solid and she is not some progressive crusader trying to get her name in the paper. She adds like it or not, they are partners with these guys so he’d better stay above the fray. He says he’s not so good at that, especially when it’s them that caused the fray. Bernard hangs up the phone and announces he just got off the phone with the manager at Orto who said Veronica left at 9:24, he has her on video. Cosgrove said the restaurant is 10 blocks from the brownstone, about a 12 minute walk, and she should have arrived around 9:36, not 10:45 like she said. Dani calls out and says she got a hit, seeing King’s wife on a street camera near the corner of 78th and Columbus, 2 blocks from her house. The time stamp says 9:33. Bernard comments that is 27 minutes before Henry got popped. Dixon tells them to get a search warrant for her cell sites and confirm her whereabouts prior to, during, and after the murder. Bernard says he’s on it.
At the 27th precinct interrogation room on Friday December 10, Bernard and Cosgrove question Veronica and she says she didn’t lie, she just left out a few details. Bernard comments that’s what lawyers call a distinction without a difference. Cosgrove adds cops might call it serious red flags. Cosgrove pressures her about her lying about the time she got home and she states her life was spinning upside down so she kept a few things to herself. Bernard asks if she cares to elaborate. She explains after dinner she started walking home but she knew Henry would still be awake and she couldn’t bear it so she went to a bar a block away – Maxwell’s – had a few drinks, it helps her cope. She was having a martini and heard the sirens; word started to spread and people started buzzing around like something important had just happened. The she heard the bartender say “Serves the bastard right.” That’s when she knew it was Henry. Cosgrove sits down and says just so they are clear, she didn’t shoot him – she says correct – and Cosgrove asks if she hired someone to shoot him. Veronica states if she wanted to kill Henry she’d want the satisfaction of seeing him pass right in front of her eyes. Cosgrove looks to Bernard and quips, “So much for the grieving widow.” Veronica comments all of her grieving has been reserved for the women whose lives Henry destroyed. Bernard asks again if she noticed anything unusual, and Veronica says it’s probably nothing but she did notice someone handing out at the end of the block a few times in a green hoodie and he was wearing sunglasses even though it was dark. It felt odd.
Back in the squad room. Cosgrove tells Bernard and Dixon that Veronica is telling the truth about the bar and the bartender said she left about 10:15 which is shortly after the news of Henry King’s murder broke. Bernard adds she is also telling the truth about the dude in the green hoodie. He shows them the video from the street camera standing on the corner a block away from the brownstone. They freeze the video when they see the person drop a cigarette butt. Dixon thinks it’s a long shot but there’s a chance that cigarette butt is still there.
Bernard and Cosgrove head to West 75th and Columbus Avenue on Friday, December 10, and the cigarette butt is still there. Bernard tells Cosgrove he’s feeling lucky - Cosgrove says he is not - and, as Bernard picks up the butt for evidence, bets him $20, and Cosgrove calls it a bet.
Back at the precinct, they tell Dixon they got a hit from the DNA, it’s a woman named Nicole Bell, maiden name Nicole Adkins. Dixon repeats the name and says that makes a lot of sense. She enters some information into the computer, and shows them that Nicole Adkins was the first woman to accuse Henry King of rape. Cosgrove gets a wry smile on his face, pulls out a $20 bill, and pays Bernard.
At the apartment of Ryan and Nicole Bell at 243 Perry Street on Saturday, December 11, Bernard and Cosgrove, with other offices, execute the search warrant. Ryan seems clueless as Bernard asks if his wife is home. Ryan says she just left for work, and then asks if this is about Henry King, asks if they think…Cosgrove cuts him off and says they aren’t thinking anything, they are just executing a search warrant. Ryan states Nicole is the victim here, she was the one that was drugged, raped…Bernard tells him they understand but says they will need him to step aside, they won’t be long. Cosgrove comes to the laundry area and there is something tumbling in the dryer. He opens the dryer and finds the hoodie.
Back at the precinct, Dixon tells the detectives there was no GSR, blood, or DNA on the hoodie, but it still puts her near the scene. Bernard states Nicole’s subway card shows she exited and entered the 72nd street subway station 3 times in the past week. That’s about 4 blocks from Henry’s brownstone. Dixon asks where does Nicole live, and Cosgrove replies West Village. Her yoga studio is down there too. Dani calls out and says she got another hit on the person in the green hoodie, except you can see her face in this one. On December 9, 9:27 PM, about 33 minutes before the actual murder. They look at the video and it is definitely Nicole Bell. She is standing on 74th between Columbus and Central Park West, about 2 blocks from King’s brownstone.
Later, Bernard and Cosgrove speak with two officers who are canvassing that area and they found a gun thrown in the trash dumpster. Cosgrove notes it is a Sig 380, which will match the casing found at the crime scene.
Back at the precinct, Nicole is in interrogation and she states he was home Tuesday night with her husband. Bernard asks if she was on the upper west side at all that day, and Nicole says she is not sure. Bernard shows her a photo from the street camera and asks if that is her and she asks if she is under arrest. Bernard says no, but if she keeps lying to them they will have no choice. Cosgrove comments that no one in this building thinks anything she did was wrong, and if it were up to him he’d give her the key to the city, the prick King got what he deserved. He adds she has to understand they have the whole thing on video, holding the Sig 380 waiting outside the service entrance, shooting King. He states there were two surveillance cameras on the wall hidden from plain view, the video is perfect and they see her face, the gun, the muzzle flash. She asks if they already know what happened, why are they talking? Cosgrove replies they want to help her, no one here thinks she did anything wrong and nobody wants to prosecute her. He goes on to ask what prosecutor would want to punish a good woman like herself for shooting the man who raped her. It’s a career killer. He asks her to tell them what really happened, tell them her side of the stories so they can help her. She asks then what, and he says you go home and move on with her life, he gives her his word. She looks rattled. She asks that they saw his TV interview, there was no remorse – none – it’s like he was mocking them. She couldn’t take it. Cosgrove says, “So you killed him” and Nicole states he needs to be stopped, he would have kept raping people, so yes, she shot him. Bernard asks her to tell them what happened after she shot him, and Nicole states she tossed the gun in a dumpster and went home, took a shower, said a few prayers, made her peace, and went to sleep. Cosgrove moves in and gets her out of the chair and begins to cuff her, saying he is arresting her for murder. She’s stunned, saying “You just said that…” and Cosgrove, still cuffing her, says he lied. She sobs and yells, “NO!” as they lead her out of the room.
Sometime later, outside the courthouse, as ADA Nolan Price, and ADA Samantha Maroun arrive, protesters, yelling “Let her go!” are waiting. Price and Maroun race into the courthouse.
Inside, the bailiff reads docket 373988, the People vs Nicole S. Bell , murder in the second degree. The defendant’s attorney pleads not guilty for Nicole. When asked about bail, Price states the defendant has no priors and is not a flight risk so they request bail at $200,000. The defense has no objection, but the judge says he does. He states this is a murder case and bail is set at $1 million. A few women in the gallery yell out and say this is crazy and she did the right thing and to let her go and the judge bangs his gavel and says “Enough!”
Later, Maroun enters Price’s office and says Keller filed a motion to suppress Nicole’s confession. He asks on what basis, and she explains “the usual stuff” - the defendant wasn’t properly Mirandized, the confession wasn’t voluntary and the police used improper and coercive tactics. Price asks did they use improper techniques, and she explains no, she watched the interrogation. He asks if Cosgrove lied, and she says yeah, and he did a good job, too.
Afterwards, Price walks into DA Jack McCoy’s office, who says this case is front page news. Price states he gets it, but with all due respect, that’s not relevant. He says when Jack asked him to come here, he said he needs someone to see the world through a different lens, someone with the guts to make hard decisions. Jack says he remembers; he still feels that way. He adds it is a legal confession – cops are allowed to lie. Price agrees, but says it makes the confession less reliable, less ethical. Jack disagrees, saying if it’s legal, it’s ethical. Jack asks him where to they draw the line – one lie, two lies, or do we analyze the severity of the lie, do white lies count? Do we examine how charming a detective is? How about embellishments, do they count? What if a cop says we have five witnesses and instead of four, do we throw it out? Price state he thinks they need to analyze it on a case by case basis, but to be clear, in this case, it wasn’t one little lie or embellishment, Cosgrove spun the suspect upside down. He practically promised her immunity, told her no one in the DA’s office would even consider prosecuting her, exploited the fact she was a rape victim, that she shot the man who assaulted her. Why let the defense tear her apart on cross? Shift the focus away from the evidence and on to her sympathetic client and the big bad police department. Jack pauses, sits back in his chair, and says like it or not, the big bad police department is their partner. In case he hasn’t been paying attention, they are under attack and every decision and arrest is scrutinized. He adds there are people trying to defund them for god’s sake and here is Price, asking him to castrate them. Price counters that is not his intent, he just wants to do what is best for this case. Jack asks if he can win this trial without a confession, and Price says yes. Jack says it is Price’s call, as long as he is willing to live with the consequences. Price states he is. Jack tells him, “Okay, then it’s out.” Price nods, thanks him, and leave’s Jack’s office.
In Supreme Court, Trial Part 21, on Wednesday, February 9, Price mentions the video they have of Nicole two blocks from Henry’s brownstone 30 minutes prior to shooting, and video of her two blocks from the brownstone in the same clothing and sunglasses, tossing the murder weapon into the dumpster 5 minutes after the murder. He mentions the motive – vengeance – when the justice system failed her, she took matters into her own hands, got justice her way - the old testament way. He says the evidence will prove he did some despicable things to her and she had every right to loathe him, but the evidence will also prove that on the date of Henry’s death, Nicole grabbed a Sig 380 handgun, secreted herself in a dark place outside Henry’s home and then shot him 5 times. He adds Henry King committed some abhorrent acts of sexual violence to the defendant; he took things from her she will never get back. Unfortunately, for her, that has no bearing on this trial. In the eyes of the law, when a good woman kills a horrible man in cold blood, it’s called murder. As Price steps away. Nicole’s lawyer, Keller, says the defense waives opening at this time. Price gives Maroun a glance, and the judge asks him to call his first witness.
Cosgrove is on the stand and the green hoodie is discussed and where it was recovered and when. They also explain where the murder weapon was recovered. When Price mentions the person in the hoodie being a woman, the defense objects, saying there is no evidence the person in the hoodie was a woman. The objection is sustained and Price ends his questioning.
Under Keller’s cross examination, Cosgrove must admit the hoodie he recovered may not be the one the person was wearing, and that there was no blood or DNA on the hoodie. Cosgrove mentions the hoodie had likely just been washed, getting a little testy during the questioning. Keller comments what he’s saying is he has no evidence Nicole committed this crime, just some random blood-free hoodie that vaguely resembles the hoodie that the person in the photograph is wearing. Cosgrove counters that is not what he is saying, adding the woman in that green hoodie by that dumpster is Nicole Bell, and since they found the murder weapon in that very dumpster – Keller objects, saying it is speculation, saying Cosgrove has no personal knowledge that the person in the photo tossed the gun into the dumpster. Cosgrove sits back in the seat and the judge sustains the objection, telling Cosgrove to restrain from drawing conclusions. Cosgrove apologizes, saying he is not drawing conclusions, because the defendant actually told him (Price and Maroun look on with concern) she tossed the murder weapon into that dumpster when she confessed that she…Keller objects but Cosgrove continues to try to talk. The judge sustains the objection and calls counsel into her chambers. Price looks displeased.
As they walk into chambers, Keller moves for a mistrial, saying they had an agreement that the people would not introduce this confession. Price counters that Cosgrove made a mistake, and Keller says it is a mistake that the jury heard that Nicole confessed to that crime. The judge tells Price it’s a confession he decided to toss. She asks Price what the hell is going on here. Price comments, as he said, Cosgrove made an honest mistake. The judge says she knows Cosgrove, he’s smart and doesn’t make honest mistakes; whatever he said, he said for a reason. Price states it’s possible, adding it is his fault, he should have reminded Cosgrove the confession was inadmissible. He apologizes but says his testimony wasn’t overly prejudicial, and a curative instruction can fix this. The judge agrees, and says she will advise the jury to disregard Cosgrove’s statement. Keller is upset, saying “What? No mistrial? The jury cannot un-hear what Cosgrove just said!” The judge counters they’ll have to because they are moving forward.
Afterwards, in the courthouse hall, Price tries to catch up with Cosgrove and asks what the hell was that? Cosgrove keep walking and Price states he told him five times he is not allowed to mention the confession, they are not using it. He asks if he is trying to blow the whole… Cosgrove tells him to go to hell. Price says, “Excuse me?” and Cosgrove explains he catches them, Price cooks them, that’s how this is supposed to work. Price says they talked about it, and Cosgrove angrily says he doesn’t care what they talked about, he’s a cop, a good cop, and like it or not, he gets paid to lie to people like Nicole Bell. Price nods and Cosgrove tells him to just stop trying to change the world, do his damn job. Cosgrove storms off, leaving Price standing there, stunned.
Back at Price’s office, Maroun knocks on his door and he says if she is there to gloat about the confession snafu, he is not interested. She promises no gloating, she is simply the bearer of information. She just got notice that Nicole is claiming self-defense. She adds that King’s wife was just added to the witness list. She is going to testify she actually saw King attack Nicole right before the shooting. Price questions seeing him, as she was in the bar. Maroun comments you don’t see that every day – the victim’s wife committing perjury to help the killer walk free. Price sits back in his chair.
In Supreme Court, Trial Part 21 on Thursday, February 10, Veronica says she heard Henry scream at Nicole, calling her a whore and a liar. She went downstairs to the maid’s room and saw Nicole trying to hurry out the door. Henry ran after her and grabbed her and she heard gunshots. She did not tell the police as, for the past 25 years, her number one priority was to protect Henry’s brand, and perpetuate the myth he was a good kind man, a family man, and it was her first instinct to protect him, even in death. Price cross examines, bring up that she was in Maxwell’s bar at the time of the murder a block away from her home. She says she was home. Price counters the manager, Daniel, who knows her, said she was there until 10:15 PM and confirmed seeing her there as word of Henry’s murder began to circulate. He says she is lying, she didn’t witness any sort of altercation. She says Daniel must be mistaken, she left the bar before 10 and says she saw Henry and Nicole fighting and heard the gunshots. Price says she is calling Daniel a liar, but she say no, he is. Price states the real reason she is testifying is because she is ashamed of herself, but she says it’s the right thing. He says it’s the right thing for her, because of the anguish she caused the defendant and 39 other women that he raped. She regrets that and what Henry did to those women is unthinkable, and Price says so she agrees she is testifying she feels guilty. He adds she is trying to help Nicole get away with murder so she can feel better about herself. She insists she is there to tell the truth. Price calls it rewriting the truth – changing her brand, going from Henry King’s supporter to Henry King hater. Keller says he is badgering the witness and the judge sustains it, telling Price to move on. Price says she stood by Henry even though 40 women accused him of rape. She attacked their integrity and motives and called them tramps, gold-diggers, sluts. He can only imagine the shame and remorse she must feel. Keller objects and Price withdraws the question and ends his cross examination. Keller calls Nicole Bell.
Nicole testifies about how charming Henry was and they were going to open a chain of yoga studios together, She describes when Henry assaulted her, and says she did not call the police and pretend it didn’t happen. She cries and admits they remained friends, hoping they could forget what happened and it would be like before. But the next time he drugged her and raped her. She was only 24 and he was one of the most famous men in America. She sobs. When asked why she agreed to go to his house that night, she said he wanted to apologize and she believed him. She admits she had the gun with her in case he attacked her again. He poured her a glass of wine and she was afraid he put something in it. He saw she was nervous and that infuriated him and he started berating him so she ran outside. He followed her and grabbed her and she thought he was going to kill her so she shot him. He cries and states Henry King ruined her life, and he ruined 39 other lives too and some judge just let him walk free, Price objects, saying she is making a speech. But she goes on and says so she shot him so the women he raped can move on. The judge stops her and quietly says that’s enough, she’s already answered the question. Nicole continues to cry as she apologizes, the jury looking distressed while Maroun and Price look on.
Back at the DA’s office, Price storms in to his office as Maroun runs after him. He complains she put on a hell of a show today, and Maroun adds the jury ate it up too, jury number 4 had tears in her eyes. Price says he gets it, her story is heartbreaking but they have to know she is lying, saying the self defense claim in nonsense. Maroun states they know, they just don’t care. She’s been digging into her testimony. Nicole talks a lot about what she did the day of the murder – where she went, what she was thinking - but she left out something pretty significant: she came to their offices at 4:45, the day of the murder, to see ADA Ross. It’s an odd thing to admit if you’re going to talk about taking a walk to the gym, why not slip in the fact you had a chat with the prosecutor who actually tried Henry King for rape? Price thinks it is because the conversation was incriminating. Maroun nods.
Later, Price walks into a restaurant and walks up to Jamie Ross, who is there dining with someone, and Price says they need to talk. She asks what the hell he is going there, and he says they need to talk, privately. She asks her dinner companion for a few minutes so he steps away. Price sits down and asks if she met with Nicole Bell the day of the murder. Jamie replies, “No comment.” He tells her not to do this, and she says she is not having this conversation. He says she is a prosecutor for god’s sake, and she states she already ruined that woman’s life she’s not doing it again. Price says he needs to know, but Jamie says she is not talking. He asks her if Nicole told her she was going to kill Henry King. Jamie says nothing, and Price cautions her not to ruin her career over this. But she shakes her head and says she is not talking. He states then he will subpoena her and if she wants to lie on the stand, that is up to her. She tells him to do what he has to do. He gets up to leave.
In court, Price questions Jamie who is now on the stand, asking her if she knows the defendant. Jamie says yes, she was a witness in the Henry King rape trial, she was amazing too – strong, determined, fearless and she has a great deal of respect for her. He asks if she met with the defendant the day of the murder, and Jamie states she refuses to answer the question on the grounds it may incriminate her. Price asks if she is taking the fifth, and Jamie says she refuses to answer…Price asks if she is saying she committed a crime…Keller objects and the judge tells Price to back off. He stops, then says he will try one more time: Did the defendant tell her she planned to kill Henry King? Again, Jamie states she refuses to answer on the grounds it may incriminate her. Nicole seems to relax and Price says he has nothing further. Keller says she has no questions, and the judge tells Jamie to step down. As Jamie walks off, she looks at a relieved Nicole and smiles. But Jack is waiting in the back of the courtroom, his arms folded across his chest, and he glares at Jamie. She continues to walk out. The judge asks Keller to call her next witness, and she says the defense rests. The judge adjourns, closing arguments tomorrow.
Afterwards, Price and Maroun are back in Price's office. Price, his voice raised, says they have to poke holes in their absurd defense and reinforce the idea that the character of the victim – and of the defendant – are irrelevant. Maroun says they already know that, they’ve been pounding that into their heads from the beginning. She adds like it or not, they want to believe Nicole’s story. Price shouts that it’s preposterous. But Jack, standing in the doorway, chimes in and says he agrees with Maroun; the jury wants to acquit, irrespective of the facts and irrespective of the law. He adds, “Too bad we didn’t have a damn confession. It’s okay to play the hero Nolan, as long as you win. And right now, that appears highly unlikely.” He turns and walks out of the office. Maroun looks at Price, who says Jack is right, every woman on that jury hates him and right now he is just another man victimizing Nicole Bell. He thinks they need to re-frame the argument. He tells Maroun she told him a story a while back about her family. She looks taken aback, asking if he is saying he wants her to deliver the closing. He gives her a look that indicates yes.
At closing, Maroun says as a prosecutor, she is sworn to uphold the laws of the state. Yet she understands the defendant’s desire for revenge and justice. She explains that nine years ago, her sister was raped and murdered in Georgia. Police never arrested the offender but she knew who did it. The police know too, they just couldn’t prove it. She states it is easy to understand the defendant’s rage and her desire for vengeance, her need for the son of a bitch to pay for what he did to her, to suffer like he made her suffer. When Henry King was released from prison, the defendant’s thirst for revenge escalated. Maybe she even began to fantasize about killing him; picture herself grabbing a gun, going to his house, waiting for him to show up. She probably even planned what she was going to say and where she was going to shoot him. She adds those fantasies are normal, and also perfectly legal. But to actually take the life of another human being, to wait outside someone’s house and shoot him five times in cold blood, that’s not only wrong, that’s criminal. Just because you’re suffering and filled with anger, doesn’t mean you get to play god. She states that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have tremendous sympathy for the defendant or appreciate the pain and the suffering she endured. She tells them when they go back to the jury room to deliberate, they should give themselves permission to feel sorry for her. She states that doesn’t mean she is innocent, that she should walk free. She adds this case comes down to one simple question: Did Nicole Bell intentionally shoot and kill Henry King. If the answer is yes, they must convict. Maroun ends her closing argument and sits down.
Later, the judge asks the jury if they reached a verdict; they have: guilty on the count of murder in the second degree. Gasps arise from the courtroom gallery and Nicole is cuffed by the court officers. As she is being taken away, she shouts out to those in the gallery, “I did this for you! For all of us! Move on! Live your lives!” As people in the gallery stand and applaud, Jamie sits there, silently, with a pained expression. As some in the gallery shout “Let her go! Let her go!”, her family looks on and the judge bangs her gavel, calling for order. Maroun looks around as does Price; he sees Jamie sitting there, saying nothing but looking distressed.
Price and Maroun walk down the courthouse steps. Maroun looks forward blankly, but Price says the jury got it right. She shakes her head and says it doesn’t feel right. She adds her goal is to help victims, not send them to prison. Price explains if she tries a good case, do it the right way, whatever the jury decides is right, whether or not it feels good. He adds that’s the only way he knows how to do it, the only way that lets him sleep at night. She counters the only thing that will let her sleep is Price requesting the lightest sentence possible. He nods his head. She walks away, and Price turns to look back at the courthouse, where, about the pillars, is a frieze with the words “The true administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good government”. As Price looks back on those words, we fade to black.
16 comments:
Chris apparently you saw something i didn't. I was disappointed but not surprised its hard to catch the old magic. Jeffrey Donovan was a mistake the writing for him seemed clunky i have never watched anything with him in it before. Hugh Dancy is a good actor he's been in a lot of good stuff they are lucky to have gotten him. Sam Waterston seems too old at 81 i know its sacrilege to say it.The first episode had a female murderer and now the second looks to have the same which is unfortunate i hope they won't have her sitting next to the coat rack too.
What a throwback. Sometimes I wish there was some more context that acknowledges character trajectory. Jamie went from a ADA to a judge back to a ADA? I wish she and Jack shared more than a look. I mean his look did say a lot. You can also hear the age in Sam’s voice. The show is lucky to have his reprisal. I like Price so far. It’s good to have the balance of law and order again.
It’s a comfort to read your recap & review- I enjoyed the show and I’m mostly excited to see how Bernard keeps Cosgrove in line and maybe educate him along the way- hope to see more of Lt. Dixon bc I always enjoyed Van Buren- looking forward to next week
I enjoyed this episode. I'm a huge Law & Order fan and believe the show should never have been canceled. IMO it was simple greed on the part of Wolf Ent and NBC both that kept it off the air so long. Anyway, having the familiar introduction, dun-dun, format, and especially Sam returning helped make this seem so good. Anthony did seem subdued but Bernard is like a pot ready to boil over. He and Cosgrove will butt heads more, I bet. Cosgrove and Price too.
I like Kate Dixon so far, agree her character isn't much right now but give it time.
Jack is the most wise one and Price should have listened to him but I guess there'd be no story if he did! Cosgrove is a massive jerk and if he behaves this way every week it WILL get boring. They did need something to create some drama with the characters right off and this worked for me. The writers also seemed to step around the hot button issues so they can show both sides of the argument and not piss off anyone right in the first episode.
I agree Chris that they should have not used a rape and murder of a woman even though ti happened years ago to Maroun's sister as an excuse to give Maroun her scene. Someone with the Law & Order whole franchise thinks that rape sells.
Jack McCoy is back and all is right in the Law & Order universe. It felt so good seeing him back in the Law & Order universe and he's the glue that will make this new cast work. I can't wait for more Law & Order!
I throughly enjoyed it! Welcome back Law and Order..
Not a great return. So obviously the Cosby case, and so much of a caricature of it. Frankly there's a strong element of emotional masturbation in a story like this, a playing on the audience's feelings of victimhood and revengefulness. Do the producers think their public would like to see Bill Cosby dead? Suppose someone shoots him and says watching this episode made them think he deserved it? Now that'd be an interesting story...
Sam Waterston looks and sounds very old. I don't think we'll see him for more than a couple of minutes per episode.
@gummboote - Sam is 82 and he looks good for that age! He probably works harder than a lot of people his age.
he looks fine but his voice sounded horse old
If it was spur of the moment, i.e. self-defense on Nicole‘s part than yeah, I could understand that. The fact is, though, she planned to kill Henry and sick fuck though he was, it’s still murder and it doesn’t make him any less a murder victim. Like Olivia and Company repeatedly tried to stress to Kat during the latter’s two season run on SVU, “We don’t get to pick our victims.“ what happened to Nicole and all the other women he victimized was awful, but did that give her the right to plan and play the role of executioner years later?
This is what I’ve always loved about “Law and Order,“ at least with regards to the original; it forces you to wrestle with this kind of thing. Frankly, I’d like to see more of that on SVU again.
The guy’s 81 years old; of course he isn’t going to sound the same as he once did and plus, hasn’t his voice always been somewhat hoarse/raspy?
I know the "law is the law" and murder is murder, however it is not enough to keep repeating that anymore. The justice system let's people down and when they take matters in their own hands, they get taken down. Perhaps no one would have to do that if criminals would be published in the first place. It appears that society is more angry at the response than what caused it in the first place. In real life, I think a case like this would result in a mistrial. No way everyone in the jury would see eye to eye on a case like this, just because the prosecuter had truama she didn't take into her own hands. Hey I didn't go after the criminal who caused me pain, so why should anyone else? That argument wouldn't be enough for some people who want to see others punished sometimes and sympathize with what would lead someone to actions like this.
What’s wrong with there being female murderers? They do exist even if, statistically, they’re in the minority.
It would have been cool if they picked an ADA that was on SVU instead of having Jaimie Ross reprise her role as technically an SVU ADA..they have a few choices from the ADAs that made minor appearances in the SVU world over the years.. (Rose Caliay, Kendra Gill etc..)
Im hoping for crossover and continuity between both shows
Great episode and great to have L&O back. New cast meshed well and I think they will continue to deliver solid storylines.
Like with SVU, the opening should just have some bystanders stumbling across the body and then the investigators on the scene. The TV interview scene completely ruined the reveal from Bernard (the "raped 40 women" line). Didn't really like the changes they made to the theme song, but it wasn't as bad as CI poaching TBJ's in Season 7.
Speaking of TBJ, did they forget that Jamie Ross is a judge now? Also, she mentions the name Nicole in her conversation with the detective, but they don't make the connection when the DNA evidence comes back?
Bernard's line about his 2 months with Cosgrove being the longest partnership in 6 years (is that when Lupo left?) confused me. So in 6 years, all of his partners kept quitting, getting transferred, or dying and all in <2 month stints?
Cosgrove's altercation with the kid was about age and not race, so it was a really squandered opportunity to address the real issue. Yes maybe "kids these days" should be more respectful, but respect is earned and not automatic. Also, and I may be speculating here, but the kid's response was likely not due to rudeness but to fear (despite whatever macho image the teen wants to project).
Alicia Coppola was really wasted as the one-dimensional defense attorney, but overall it was a great return for the show and I look forward to what the rest of the season has to offer.
Five deleted scenes from this episode are now on my blog. I don't think the link will work here, you may have to copy and paste. But I'm going to try to add a link in the review above and that may work better!
https://allthingslawandorder.blogspot.com/2022/03/law-order-right-thing-deleted-scenes.html
Finally, this return series has come to the UK… but not entirely, it seems. No scene with Cosgrove and a kid, no Bernard talking about the new partnership and no Jamie on the stand… the only time we saw her in court was when the verdict was announced, and she looked very small in her chair. I don’t think we even got the DUN DUNs! Honestly!
I really didn’t like Maroun being asked to bring her family’s private pain to fhe courtroom… and Price calling it a ‘family story’ she once told him, as if it was a fun anecdote. And am I the only one disappointed in how OK McCoy was with Cosgrove’s methods?
Still, I loved this episode
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