Law & Order Key Art Reissue for “The Paley Center Salutes NBC’s 90th Anniversary”

NBC has re-released Law & Order key art for seasons 7 and 14 for the “The Paley Center Salutes NBC’s 90th Anniversary” which will air on Sunday, February 19 from 9-11 PM on NBC. Enjoy!

LAW & ORDER -- Season 7 -- Pictured: (l-r) Benjamin Bratt as Detective Rey Curtis, Jerry Orbach as Detective Lennie Briscoe, Carey Lowell as A.D.A. Jamie Ross, Sam Waterston as Executive A.D.A. Jack McCoy -- Photo by: Stephen Danelian/NBC 2017 NBCUniversal Media, LLC

LAW & ORDER -- Season 14 -- Pictured: (l-r) Elisabeth Rohm as A.D.A. Serena Southerlyn, Fred Dalton Thompson as D.A. Arthur Branch, Jerry Orbach as Detective Lennie Briscoe, Sam Waterston as Executive A.D.A. Jack McCoy, S. Epatha Merkerson as Lt. Anita Van Buren, and Jesse L. Martin as Detective Ed Green -- Photo by: David Rose/NBC 2017 NBCUniversal Media, LLC

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Law & Order SVU “Home Invasions” Recap & Review

All photos by NBCUniversal

Law & Order SVU has pulled out another fantastic episode with “Home Invasions.” In the process of telling a story of a home invasion with apparent hate crime overtones, the episode revealed a back story for Detective Amanda Rollins,  exposing her own troubles which quickly invaded her job. It’s not the first time in the Law & Order Universe that a detective’s gambling problem was exposed; Ed Greene (Jesse L. Martin, Law & Order) from the 2-7 had his gambling problem come out in a case that ultimately ended his career. In “Home Invasions”, Captain Cragen, while not pleased with Rollins’ revelation, is there to support her in getting her life – and her career - back on track. This story line finally brings some much needed dimension to Rollins.

I am not quite sure why, but I suspected almost from the onset of the episode that Emmy was going to be involved in the home invasion and murder of her parents.  Still, the writers did a great job of weaving in all the pieces and ultimately exposing Emmy’s secret and what lengths her friends would do to protect her. The writing has dramatically improved this season; it is clear that there is much thought being given to creating scenarios and dialog that utilizes the best of the regular cast. (Munch was MIA again, but at least we got a good dose of Cragen.)

I know I've ask this before and I will ask it again - does anyone in New York actually look to see who is at their door before they open it? I can only wonder as to how many deaths in the fictional Law & Order world would have been avoided if people would just look before opening...

Here is the recap

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

Guest stars:
Esai Morales – Jimmy Vasquez
Jake T. Austin - Rob Fisher
Tommy Flanagan - Murphy
Elizabeth Rodriguez _ Carmen Vasquez
Lauren Kelly – Emmy Eckhouse
Danny Mastrogiorgio – Rob’s father
Delaney Williams – Murphy’s lawyer
Alan Davidson - McCort
Isiah Whitlock. Jr. – police captain
Cady Huffman – Joan’s work partner
Betsy Aidem – Doctor
Alex Manette – Sidney Eckhouse
Eric Kappenberg – Anthony Parker
Dawn Evans – Joan Eckhouse
Miriam Morales – CSU Tech


While the Eckhouse family watches a basketball game, Sidney Eckhouse makes his daughter sit and watch the game and orders his wife Joan to answer the door. They think it is their Chinese food being delivered, but Joan opens the door and find a masked gunman, who shoots her twice and then enters the house.

At SVU, Captain Cragen tells Detectives Amaro and Rollins to hold off on leaving for their dinner break, they got a shooting in Yorkville with two fatalities confirmed. When Rollins questions why it is for SVU, Cragen tells her the shooting took place at the home of Joan Eckhouse, Chief Counsel for the New York Gay Right Coalition, and he will have Benson and Fin meet them there.

Detective Benson arrives on the scene and sees CSU at work. She comments on the messy crime scene and asks what happened. Amaro explains the a delivery guy found them, there was no sign of forced entry or sign of robbery. The intruder walked past the wife, Joan,  and kills her and before they can react, he moved to the husband, Sidney, and their daughter on the couch. The daughter, Emmy, 14, is in surgery at St. Michaels’ with a bullet in her head. The CSU Tech shows them a bullet in the wall that she found, and they are looking for the others. She tells them it is a mess and good luck in reconstructing what went down. Benson sees the bullet has a full metal jacket, and Amaro says it is from a Winchester 357 sig. The  word  “Queer” is sprayed all over the walls, and Benson says she has seen her share of hate crimes, but the execution of a whole family is extreme.

Outside, a man races up to Fin and Rollins and asks if everyone is OK. He says he is Rob Fisher, and he is there with his father who introduces himself. Rollins says Emmy is at the hospital, and then Rob asks if dad if he is happy now, it is all his fault.

Later, Rob tells Benson and Amaro that Emmy was supposed to come over but his dad made him cancel, adding that if she had not been grounded she would not have been shot. She comes over all the time and his father thought she was distracting him. They have been together 8 months. He told his father they were not sleeping together and he even got Emmy to take the abstinence pledge, but his father could not let it go.

Fin and Rollins speak with Rob’s father about the Eckhouses. He knew Sidney better, Joan was always working, calling her a real crusader. He and Sidney were on the same page regarding Emmy; they are kids and it was too intense. They had curfews and ground rules emailed, adding it is all part of being a dad. He had to lock him in when he had to go out and walk the dog. He said there was a squad car parked outside the Eckhouse residence about a month ago for at least an hour. He didn’t ask Sidney about it, saying it was not his business.

More Photos Law & Order 20 Year Celebration

Here are a few more candid shots from the September 23rd cast party celebrating Law & Order’s 20 years. The mayor also gave Dick Wolf a proclamation making the date Law & order day which you can see in 2 of the photos.

(Steve Zirnkilton, the voice of the Law & Order franchise)

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Law & Order: 20 Years And Counting

Let the celebrations for Law & Order’s 20th season begin! NBC has released a quick behind the scenes look (video below) at the show featuring some of its cast members (such as Sam Waterston, Linus Roache, Alana De La Garza, Jeremy Sisto, Anthony Anderson, Jesse L. Martin, and Dick Wolf, Supreme Being in the Law & Order Universe. (Video clips of the premiere episode ”Memo From The Dark Side” will be coming later today.) The season premiere episode will air on Friday, September 25 at 8PM ET/ 7C. Be there - and let the party begin!


PS – don’t forget to check your newsstands at the end of this month for the special collector’s edition of the TV Guide devoted to Law & Order.



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

Law & Order Marathon Honors Jesse L. Martin

On Sunday, May 18, 2008, the TNT Network will be presenting an 11-hour marathon of memorable episodes featuring Detective Ed Green (Jesse L. Martin). It will include his first appearance in “Gunshow”, plus a two-episode crossover with Law & Order Trial By Jury, where Ed Green is critically injured.

Here’s the schedule and episode information:

2 p.m. “Tombstone” – Detective Green is critically injured while trying to transport a reluctant witness to a trial about the murder of a prestigious lawyer.

3 p.m. Law & Order Trial by Jury – “Skeleton” – This special crossover episode covers the investigation and trial of the person who shot Detective Green.

4 p.m. “Gunshow” – After the case of a mass murder in Central Park is settled, the DA goes after the gun manufacturer. This marks Green’s first appearance on the series and the revelation that the character has endured two prior complaints of excessive force.

5 p.m. “Prejudice” – The murder of a black publisher by a racist turns into a difficult trial when the defense claims racism is a mental defect.

6 p.m. “Foul Play” – Corruption, deceit and immigration fraud within a baseball league for youth come to light when a private investigator is killed.

7 p.m. “Suicide Box” – Deep racial tensions arise after the re-opening of an old case involving the brother of an African-American teenager accused of killing a police officer.

8 p.m. “In Vino Veritas” – A washed-up, anti-Semitic actor is accused of murdering a television producer after he is arrested with blood on his clothes.

9 p.m. “Gunplay” – A bitter defense attorney may be at the middle of a case in which two undercover police officers are killed during a sting operation against black market gun dealers. Det. Green must now put his own life on the line by going undercover to weed out the killers.

10 p.m. “Caviar Emptor” – A caviar salesman from Persia is found murdered in his bed, and immediate suspicion lands on his children and new young wife.

11 p.m. “White Lie” – The murder of a drug dealer leads detectives to the door of a military officer’s wife who may be involved in a Colombian smuggling ring.

12:00 Midnight “Stiff” – After a woman dies of a prescription drug overdose, detectives uncover some disturbing sexual secrets in which she and her husband engaged.


Enjoy!


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

Jesse Martin: Open to Law & Order Return Visit

Buffalonews.com spoke to Jesse Martin about leaving Law & Order, returning to Law & Order, and life after Law & Order. Jesse spent many years in Buffalo in his early years.

Here’s the article:

Jesse Martin open to ‘Law & Order’ return, Studio Arena show
Alan Pergament
Updated: 04/30/08 8:35 AM

I didn’t know how “Law & Order” star Jesse L. Martin would react to my attempt to ask an opening question that played to his hopes of making a film about singer Marvin Gaye.

“ ‘What’s Going On?’ ” I asked Martin in a telephone interview Tuesday.

Fortunately, the former Buffalo resident cracked up laughing at the reference to one of Gaye’s famous songs.

For now, not much is going on for Martin, who supposedly had his final appearance on “Law & Order” as Detective Ed Green a week ago. It may not have been Martin’s final appearance on the series after all.

In a telephone interview Tuesday, Martin said that producer Dick Wolf left open the possibility that Martin’s character, Detective Ed Green, could return in a future episode.

“I owe Dick Wolf the world,” said Martin of his nine-year run on the series. “The guy gave me exactly what I asked him for.”

On his emotional last day filming “Law & Order,” Martin said Wolf asked him if he spoke French. Martin said he did, thanks to one of the Buffalo teachers who inspired hin, Fortunato Pezzimenti.

“Dick said, we have a ‘Law & Order: Paris,’ a ‘Law & Order: London’ and a ‘Law & Order: Moscow,’ ” recalled Martin. “So who knows, maybe I could do a ‘Law & Order: World Tour.’ ”

Right now, Martin’s immediate plans are to take a vacation. He said reports that he had agreed to appear in a Broadway version of the movie, “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” were premature and that he hadn’t signed a deal.

His plans to star and produce a film on the life of Gaye, the late troubled, influential Motown star, have been stalled by the current economic climate that makes it more difficult to raise money for entertainment projects.

“At this point, I’m still trying to get it together,” said Martin, who is narrating an American Masters special, “Marvin Gaye: What’s Going On,” that airs on PBS at 9 p. m. next Wednesday.

“They asked me if I would narrate it,” said Martin. “I couldn’t think of anything cooler.”

He also sang the praises of his character’s exit last week on “Law & Order,” which found Detective Green willing to accept a manslaughter charge to protect a woman whose life unraveled after he started her gambling habit. Green eventually was exonerated but left the force voluntarily.

“I thought it was a real classy exit,” said Martin, adding it also took his character full circle. “[Green] started off nine years ago as a gambler, so it didn’t surprise me it came back.”

And what kind of reaction has he had since the finale aired?

“A lot of people felt [his leaving] was bittersweet,” said Martin. “[But] they loved the exit.”

He left the show because he felt the need “to pursue other things creatively.”

It made one wonder if Martin would be willing to appear on the stage of the struggling Studio Arena Theatre. He said he got e-mails about the theater’s problems from two Buffalo actors he keeps in touch with. He remembers seeing many actors perform there, including his unofficial mentor, Stephen Henderson (who stars in the Fox series “New Amsterdam”).

“Why not?” Martin said of appearing at Studio Arena. “I spent the better part of my youth seeing shows there and hoping some day to get on the stage. . . . Yes, of course, I have a romantic notion of getting back on stage in Buffalo.”

With Martin’s schedule, it is hard to promise he could make it happen, if asked. But to paraphrase his own words about the Gaye special, I can’t think of “anything cooler.”



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Law & Order “Burn Card”: Green Gambles With His Career

Photo NBC

It was fitting that Ed Green (Jesse L. Martin) started his career on Law & Order with a reference to his gambling, and ended it by gambling on his career. It was an interesting episode that made for a memorable farewell for Jesse L. Martin. At the same time, we get introduced to his replacement, Kevin Bernard (Anthony Anderson).

This episode put Ed Green in the crosshairs of both Internal Affairs and the District Attorney’s office. Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place.

The show begins with Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) and Green investigating the murder of John Singer. The investigation takes the detectives to an acquaintance of the victim, and we discover that Singer was her sponsor for Gamblers Anonymous. During the questioning, Ed has a look on his face of recognition, as if he knows where this investigation may be heading. They find a bookie that tries to identify the suspect, and while doing so makes mention that the person he saw had a cauliflower ear and blond hair, making him stand out for a black man. Green suddenly finds an excuse to leave the squad, saying he has to visit a friend in the hospital, leaving Lupo somewhat perplexed that Ed is breaking away from the investigation.

While Lupo is trying (in vain) to get his dog to do its business, he receives a phone call about a shooting, and is shocked to see that the shooter being held is none other than his partner, Ed. The victim is “Bunny”, who matched the appearance of the suspect in Singer’s murder. Lupo is stunned, and Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson) also runs interference between Ed and Internal Affairs, which are already digging into matters. This is where we first meet Kevin Bernard, who is with IA. We later find out that he was “drafted” for the job and it was not his preference.

Green is questioned by IA in the presence of his attorney, and Bernard puts pressure on Green to get ALL the facts out now rather than have them come out later with a grand jury. Green tells the whole story, and gets suspended. We also find out that Ed did know Bunny long before he shot him, and beat up Bunny in what appeared to be a dispute over gambling money Ed owed Bunny.

The DA’s office discusses how to proceed. Clearly McCoy (Sam Waterston) and Rubirosa (Alana De La Garza) are conflicted about the matter, since they have worked with Green and believe him to be an upstanding detective. Cutter (Linus Roache) understands where they are coming from, but knows that he must remain objective.

Lupo stops by Cutter’s office and finds IA present and Cutter not willing to talk to Lupo at that time and brushes him off. Connie, however, runs out and catches up with Lupo and says:

Connie: Lupo! I’m guessing there was something that you wanted to talk about.
Lupo: Looks like I took it to the wrong office.
Connie: I have my own office.

We cut to the grand jury, with Cutter questioning a witness to the crime. Connie decides she also wants to question the witness, probably based on information received from Lupo. She proceeds to cut holes in his testimony, calling his credibility into question. Cutter is clearly annoyed, and he says to her:

Cutter: If you were planning on demolishing one of our witnesses, you might have, you know, mention it to me.”
Connie: Well, sometimes the only way to get your attention is to actually DO something.

Connie and Cutter argue the point, with Cutter clearly focused on trying to clarify Green’s intent in the shooting.

We then see Van Buren and Ed discussing the whole situation, and Ed confesses to Anita that when Lennie left, and then when Lennie died, Ed turned back to gambling in order to find comfort. This is the first reference that I can recall that Ed has made that acknowledged that he was affected by Lennie’s death. While they are talking, Anita receives the call telling her that Ed has been indicted, and she relays the news to him.

At that point, Van Buren receives a visit from Bernard, who explains his reluctant role with Internal Affairs. Anita still thinks there are unanswered questions about Ed’s involvement, as his side trip to New Jersey was never explained. Anita thinks that IA, and Bernard, has only done half of an investigation.

Ed is now on trial – and it’s strange seeing him in the defendant’s seat. Lupo is questioned by Cutter about the fact that Ed left the investigation that night and how unusual that behavior was. Another witness explains that Ed used to be a regular at the gambling place, and that night, Bunny was all “coked up.” She also mentions that Ed asked if someone else had been asking for Bunny, to which she said no. But Lupo thinks something is odd, and investigates further. He takes Anita back to the crime scene and walks through a scenario with her that indicates there may have been another person involved in this shooting that Ed is trying to protect. The crime scene is scoured in other directions, and a slug from Bunny’s gun is located. Lupo drops this information on Bernard, and they decide to head to New Jersey to hopefully find a pay phone that Ed may have used to call someone before the shooting.

They manage to get a phone number and identification for the person Ed called at the pay phone at the gas station, and it leads them to April Lannen (Carmen Ejogo, another “Kidnapped” alumni). They arrive at her home, finding her also arriving. They question her briefly about her contact with Ed, which she admits but gives little details. She is greeted at the door by the babysitter of her child, and when the sitter leaves, Lupo suggests they question her about Lannen’s whereabouts that night. I found myself wondering….could that child have been Ed’s? No one ever seemed to raise that question but if it were, it would be a motive for him to protect her.

Lupo and Bernard relay their theory to the DA’s office that it is possible that Ed was shooting to protect Lannen from Bunny, as Bunny was probably shooting at her. Cutter still wonders if they could have both been involved. They decide to leverage Green’s involvement with Lannen to get to the truth, and decide to indict her as an accomplice.

We are then taken to 256 West 30th Street, which turns out to be Ed Green’s place. And quite a nice looking place it was, something I would never have expected from a NYC detective. (Maybe Ed had made some nice money on his gambling habit?) Green and Lannen are talking the situation through, and Green promises he will take care of everything.

Green shows up at the DA’s office with his attorney, saying he will take a plea of Manslaughter 2. Cutter refuses to bite on the deal, bringing in Lannen and saying that they have information that implicates Lannen in embezzling and phony contracts with her job as Deputy Director of Purchasing at the school board. Of course, she folds and explains that Ed was covering because he felt guilty that he got her involved in gambling to begin with. She was going there to warn Bunny to leave to avoid being caught by the police, and so she would not be exposed herself in her own crimes. Ed beat Bunny up years ago because Bunny was forcing her into sex with others to cover her debts. Apparently Bunny though she was getting the police – not that she was warning him about the police - and he shot at her. Ed returned the fire in defense.

While Ed is essentially cleared of the murder, he decides that he’s too worn out to go any further, He asks Anita "How do you do it?" She responds "One foot in front of the other, for 30 years." Ed thanks Lupo for being a good cop, and departs.

This was a great episode to feature Jesse Martin and in a way, close the loop from when he started. He had a gambling problem then, and gambling – whether he really WAS gambling again or not I’m not sure of – brought him down again. The burning question that seemed to be unanswered is “Who the baby daddy?” When they kept talking about Ed protecting the woman, they all turned to the gambling angle, but nobody ever looked at the baby angle. Maybe I was missing something, maybe there was nothing there, but it sure seemed like they wanted viewers to speculate.

This was also a great introduction for Anthony Anderson. I think the last time they had the new character and the old character overlap may have been when Lennie (Jerry Orbach) came on board, replacing Phil Cerreta (Paul Sorvino), who had been shot in the line of duty. During that time, Logan (Chris Noth) was hoping that Phil would return, so we got to see him visit Phil while he was paired with Lennie. In this case, we meet Bernard on the side of Internal Affairs, but it gave him and Lupo a chance to get on their better side before they start working together as a team.

It also provided a little tension again between Connie and Cutter. Connie seems to be very strong willed and very passionate about the job and the law, and is also willing to go the extra mile to make sure that the cases are done right. I was glad to see that she stood up to Cutter and pressed the issues in Green’s defense. I also understand why Cutter did what he had to do, after all, he had to remain objective. But I think it's good Connie gives him a little bitch-slap now and then, so to speak, to bring him back down from his ivory tower.

All in all, this was an excellent episode that provided a story that properly allowed Jesse to shine, and to provide an interesting exit for his character. And while I’ll miss Ed Green, I think that Anthony Anderson will make a nice addition as Kevin Bernard.

And that’s a sure gamble.


Burn Card 2 minute replay




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A Law & Order Jesse L.Martin Tribute Video

Jesse L. Martin’s last episode of Law & Order airs this week on Wednesday, April 23. In honor of his departure, and to recognize his upcoming role in the movie “Sexual Healing”, where he will be starring as signer Marvin Gaye, I’ve created this short music video. It features the familiar faces of Jesse and some of his co-stars on Law & Order. (By the way, the singing voice is Snoop Dogg, in case you didn't already know.)

Enjoy!

(Best wishes to Jesse)



Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information,
here.

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

Law & Order New Episode “Burn Card"

NBC has released the episode information for the next L&O episode, which will be Jesse L. Martin’s last, and Anthony Anderson’s first. It’s has a bit of a SPOILER so those of you who don’t want advance notice, don’t read the episode information below. The air date was not released, but seeing that it was already reported by previous sources that the next L&O episode will be April 23, and it will be Anthony Anderson’s first, I assume the airdate for "Burn Card" will be April 23.


Episode Titled "Burn Card"

THE DEATH OF AN AVID GAMBLER PUTS DETECTIVE ED GREEN’S (JESSE L. MARTIN) BADGE IN JEOPARDY FORCING HIM TO REVEAL HIS TROUBLED PAST. INTERNAL AFFAIRS DETECTIVE KEVIN BERNARD (ANTHONY ANDERSON) IS ASSIGNED TO THE CASE.

A part-time referee is found murdered, and Detectives Ed Green (Martin) and Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) investigate the victim’s gambling habits. The detectives are led to notorious hustler, “"Bunny” (guest star Bobby Jones), a familiar face from Detective Green’s past. When "“Bunny” is found dead, Detective Lupo is called to the scene and discovers his partner, Detective Green, is the shooter causing confusion in the department and disbelief in the DA's office. The case is turned over to internal affairs Detective Kevin Bernard (Anthony Anderson) and Sergeant Gregory Cole (guest star Peter Bradbury), leaving Detective Green to face his dark past and in danger of losing his badge. Sam Waterston, S. Epatha Merkerson, Linus Roache and Alana De La Garza also star.

Starring: S. Epatha Merkerson, Jesse L. Martin, Sam Waterston, Alana De La Garza, Jeremy Sisto, Linus Roache

NOTE: My review of “Burn Card” can be found HERE.


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Dancing with the Law & Order Stars

It’s what you’ve been waiting for. Today, April 1, is the premier date for the Law & Order dance video. Famous “faces” of the Law & Order franchise do their interpretations of dances of the world, strictly for your entertainment.

I had no idea these people were so talented.

I hope you'll enjoy seeing some of your favorite faces - like Sam Waterston, S. Epatha Merkerson, Chris Meloni, Vincent D'Onofrio, Mariska Hargitay, Linus Roache, Alana De La Garze, Jeremy Sisto, Jesse L. Martin, and a few more - performing international dances.

Dancing with the Law & Order Stars


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here.

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Law & Order “Angelgrove” Guilty of Preachy Predictability

With all the talk about redemption in this episode, I don’t think it had one redeeming quality of its own. This was probably the dullest, preachiest, and most predictable episode of this current season.

The episode opens – again – with a very Criminal Intent feel, where we get a glimpse of the victim and, in this case, see part of the crime taking place. I wish they would go back to the old “some stranger just stumbles onto the victim” theme because it just seemed to add more interest to the discovery of the evidence or how the crime was committed. And part of what we did see was never even used in the case. Even though a woman was murdered by stoning, the fact that some stones were thrown off the building and onto passers-by below, this fact seemingly was forgotten as part of the crime.

It’s mistakenly thought the woman was killed for the art she wanted to display (which had preachy overtones all its own). It turns out that (not a surprise) that the son of the victim, Jason Lortell (Will Denton) was the guilty party, and he did it because his mother was an adulterer. Once it became obvious that it had religious overtones as well, the show went rapidly downhill. The only interesting character was the pastor at the Angelgrove camp, Samwise Gamgee – oops, I mean Mr. Hensley (Sean Astin). I was obvious once he appeared that the trial would take a turn and he would be prosecuted.

The entire episode is filled with commentary about the behavior of religious fanatics, this time from the Christian side. Even so, the theme seems tired, overdone, and frankly, boring.

Luckily, when Detectives Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) and Green (Jesse L. Martin) bring in a girl from the camp fro questioning, she comes with a video camera, which Hensley tries unsuccessfully to confiscate before she leaves. But, while this videotape seems to have a lot of inflammatory dialog on it, probably plenty to be used against Hensley, it seems that we only see it being used during closing arguments. Cutter (Linus Roache) and Rubirosa (Alana De La Garza) seemed to be fighting an uninspiring battle.

The judges also seemed to have been struck dumb, one making a ruling that set new legal status for religious mystics, and another not calling a mistrial when a Bible was found on a juror during deliberations. Maybe it’s just me, but my understanding as that you are not allowed to use ANY outside reference when deliberating. I sat on a jury in a local trial a few years ago, and that point was made very, very clear. Since I’m not a judge, I don’t know how much wiggle room they are allowed on this issue, but I would think in a case with stakes such as these, there should be NO wiggle room.

Even Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) seemed to be bored with the case. He did, however, give a grudging yet sheepish “thank you” to Olivet (Carolyn McCormick) for her help ion the case, to which she gave no verbal response, just “a look.” I’m surprised after what happened in the episode before that she’s even working with them, or that they would even want to use her. Personally, I think it’s time to get a new shrink for the show. There hasn’t been anyone who can match Dr. Skoda (J.K. Simmons) and maybe a new shrink would be an added spark for the show.

Eventually they cut a deal with Lortell, in order to after the pastor. Strange, but the whole incident with the kids throwing the stones off the roof was never used in any case to speak to intent. After all, they may have been there to kill his mother, but the people on the street who were struck or could have been struck were innocent victims.

While working on the trial of the pastor, Jack, after chiding Cutter and Rubirosa for possibly counting chickens before they hatch, gets in a little dig when a problem with the case come up, saying “Looks like one of your chickens just got run over.” It was the only interesting line in the show, I think.

But the theme of the story just didn’t cut it. The Law & Order franchise has given treatment to the religious fanatic issue so many times that it has become trite. And with the exception of Sean Astin, who seemed to portray the perfect extremist, the rest of the cast seemed to be going through the motions. I was unimpressed with Will Denton, who seems to only have one boyish look on his face no matter what show he’s on.

On a side note, I was surprised to see the scene with Anita Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson) in the morgue with the detectives. I can’t recall ever seeing her in a scene in the morgue before. Was that a first for her? It’s possible she may have been in one before; if anything it’s not something she’s done often. I’m not sure, though, why they felt it necessary to bring her in there for this case.

My verdict on this episode: Guilty of putting me to sleep.


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Law & Order Episode Summaries Week of March 16

Law & Order offers up a “Kidnapped” reunion when the new episode “Angelgrove” airs on Wednesday, March 19. Will Denton guest stars; he starred on NBC's failed series "Kidnapped" along with Jeremy Sisto and Linus Roache. Law & Order also re-airs both “Darkness” on Sunday March 16, and “Executioner” on Saturday, March 22 at 10:00 PM ET.

It looks like “Angelgrove” will be the last episode we’ll have for a little while until the show gets caught up from the writer’s strike.

SVU re-airs “Paternity” on Tuesday March 18 at 10:00 PM ET. On Wednesday March 19, Criminal Intent re-airs both “Untethered” at 8:00 PM ET, and “Offense” at 9:00 PM ET. On Saturday March 22, SVU’s “Signature” re-airs at 9:00 PM ET . Verify dates and times with your local listings.

Will Denton (on Kidnapped)

Here’s the summary of the ALL NEW Law & Order:

“Angelgrove” Air Date March 19, 2008
THE BRUTAL MURDER OF AN ART DEALER LEADS TO A DEBATE BETWEEN RELIGION AND FANATICISM - When art dealer Audrey Lortell (guest star Lisa Peluso) is found stoned to death, Detectives Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) and Ed Green (Jesse L. Martin) suspect her killing may have been linked to some of the cultural and religious artwork showcased in her gallery. After Lupo listens to an intimate taped conversation between Lortell and an artist, the detectives look further into her personal life; uncovering infidelity and her son’s, Jason (guest star Will Denton), troubled past and current involvement in a fanatic religious group. Initially, the murder appeared to have a terrorist link, but Jason’s new behavior suggests the killer is closer to home. Also starring: Sam Waterson, S. Epatha Merkerson, Linus Roache, and Alana De La Garza.


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Law & Order “Submission” Is Not a Dog

This episode of Law & Order had it all: dog fighting, wine counterfeiting, a dishonest reporter, and bad cosmetic work. The latter refers, of course, to Lara Flynn Boyle, who looked like someone plumped up her face with a gallon of collagen, and did a lopsided job on her lips. I found her mere presence a nuisance.

The episode begins with two people looking for their lost dog, which had an embedded GPS tracker. When they locate the source of the GPS tracker, they hear dogs barking, and stop police that very conveniently – too conveniently - just happen to be driving by. The police buzz the door and announce themselves. The mystery here is why they were let in. Think about it, if you were operating an illegal dog fighting enterprise, would you buzz anyone in you didn’t invite, much less the police? Then the police just allow the two people looking for their dog to walk right in the building with them. That seemed a little unsafe to me. By the way, later in the episode, an attorney says the police made an illegal entry; how could that be if someone actually buzzed them into the building?

Anyway, a necropsy on one of the dead dogs turns up a finger, and Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) and Green (Jesse L. Martin) are brought into the case. Their investigation leads them to one of the men involved in the dog fighting enterprise, who the detectives believe murdered his wife over a failed marriage and the possibility of the husband’s hidden assets. During this time, we see reporter Dawn Talley (Boyle) covering the story. Frankly, I found myself extremely distracted by her face. Her lips looked so artificial and sometimes looked lopsided. Her face looked overly plumped. I wish they had picked a different guest star because her face seemed to get in the way in every scene where she appeared.

Of course, we knew there would be trouble when, during Talley’s grand jury testimony, we see Cutter (Linus Roache) gazing at her, almost enamored. (I think I saw the word “sucker!” appear on his face, just for a brief moment.) Further investigation of the case causes the discovery of a wine counterfeiting enterprise, where bleach (traces of which were found on the finger of the victim) is used to processes the wine corks. Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) walks into his office, greeted by Cutter holding out a glass of wine, when McCoy says, “When you said you were buying breakfast, I was thinking more along the lines of orange juice.” Yeah right Jack, we know you know you probably meant scotch. We then find out Jack is becoming a bureaucrat when he gets worried that the alleged $2,000 bottle of wine was charged to their expense account. Jack later gets a little testy with Cutter, when it seems that after uncovering the wine counterfeiting, Cutter is unsure about whom to prosecute. Seeing that Cutter has a hearing 45 minutes later, he gets creative and finds an excuse for a delay, buying him more time to clarify his case.

There were some amusing and revealing lines during this segment of the episode. I admit I laughed out loud when, after watching the video of the reporter with their new suspect, Cutter says to McCoy, “The part of the tape that comes before that, you’re not old enough to see.” Shortly afterwards, Cutter says:

Cutter: She played me Jack. I fell for her zeal in the pursuit of truth and justice.
McCoy: That sounds like YOU.
Cutter: She probably knew that. She did her homework. No one ever said she was a lousy reporter.
McCoy: You’re not the first DA who’s ever been played.
Cutter: You?
McCoy: Back when I was young enough.

C’mon Jack, we know YOU'RE never too old to be played.

Cutter gets smart though, and decides to play the player himself. He has a sit down with the reporter, getting a little casual by opening a bottle of wine for them to enjoy, one he says was a gift from Jay Carlin (David Harbour). Of course, Cutter never lets on that he knows that she’s in a relationship with Carlin or that he knows the wine is a fake. Talley goes into a description of her own investigation of the dog fighting ring, explaining dominant and submissive dogs. Cutter stages Connie (Alana De La Garza) to come in with some new “evidence” of footprints at the murder scene, and he knows that Talley will run right to Carlin with the information. You know, for someone who’s supposed to be such a cagey reporter you’d think she’d smell a rat right away. But no, she plays right into Cutter’s hands.

When Carlin and Talley are caught trying to fix the footprint problem, Talley begins to cave and tries again to play to Cutter. He isn’t buying it this time, and tells her, “I guess that would be the submissive signal. But, I’m not like the other dogs. I don’t stop.”

Later, however, Connie brings Cutter down to earth with this exchange:

Rubirosa: You know, if she wasn’t such a lying slut and a disgrace to her profession, and you know, an accessory to murder, you two might have hit it off.
Cutter: Could we please do this another time?
Rubirosa: Sure. What kid of dog did you say you were?

The show closes with a scene with Lupo and his newly acquired dog. How nice for him.

While generally I liked this episode, it did seem like they made the crime overly complex, and at one point I was having a hard time keeping track of the names of all the people involved. This also had such a Criminal Intent feel to it, especially toward the end, that I fully expected Bobby Goren (Vincent D’Onofrio) to make an appearance. The other downside was Lara Flynn Boyle. I’m sorry, but her face did not look normal and I found it overpowered some of the scenes. What saved the show for me was that the dialog seems to be snappier, funnier, more interesting, etc. than when the season first started. I think we’re seeing more of the real Jack McCoy, and getting to know the newer characters even better by some of tidbits of information we’re given in casual dialog.

And that’s my submission for this episode.

By the way, it looks like next week’s Law & Order episode “Angelgrive” will be a “Kidnapped” reunion. Besides having Roache and Sisto who both starred on the short-lived NBC series, this episode guest stars Will Denton, who played the kidnapped son on “Kidnapped.” I’ve been watching Kidnapped recently (it’s been airing on Universal HD) and frankly, I think the show was just average and am not surprised it got canceled.



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Law & Order Episodes Week of March 9. 2008

NBC re-airs many SVU and Criminal Intent episodes this week on Sunday March 9, Tuesday March 11, Wednesday March 13, and Saturday, March 15. Law & Order is also running a current season episode re-run on March 15. But don't dispair, the “mothership” Law & Order is thankfully running a new episode this week in its normal Wednesday night time slot. Here’s the episode synopsis:


Law & Order “Submission” Air Date March 12, 2008
DOG FIGHTING; A WINE DEALERSHIP AND AN OVERZEALOUS REPORTER:LARA FLYNN BOYLE GUEST STARS - The police break up a dog-fighting ring, and discover a woman’s finger inside one of the dead animals. The finger is identified as belonging to Lauren Vance, soon-to-be ex-wife of Marty Vance (guest star Adam Rothenberg), after her body turns up near a dog breeder. Since Lauren and her husband were in the process of divorce proceedings, Detectives Ed Green (Jesse L. Martin) and Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) initially suspect Marty as the brutal murderer. Marty was involved in the dog-fighting ring with friend and business partner Jay Carlin (guest star David Harbour), an extremely wealthy wine dealer. As the investigation unfolds, the detectives plot to trick an ambitious reporter, Dawn Talley (guest star Lara Flynn Boyle), who uses her sexuality to try to break the case. Turns out Jay’s business is a scam, which leads prosecutors Michael Cutter (Linus Roache) and Connie Rubirosa (Alana De La Garza) to a new suspect. Also starring: Sam Waterston and S. Epatha Merkerson.


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

Law & Order “Betrayal”: The Betrayers Are Betrayed

This Law & Order episode had everyone turning on each other. The only exception may have been the murder victim.

A minor annoyance with the new season of Law & Order has the show starting with a more Criminal Intent feel to it. Mind you, I like Criminal Intent just fine, but always felt that for the original Law & Order, it’s always been better not seeing up front information on the victim. I always liked the way the show had people finding the murder victims in often-accidental ways.

We see the murder victim, psychiatrist Isaac Waxman (L&O repeat offender John Shea) talking into a tape recorder… and then he’s found dead in a spray of bullets. The detectives perform their usual inspection of the crime scene, the usual questioning of witnesses, family, etc, and the usual discussion of the evidence. It was all a little too patterned. The first half of Law & Order still seems to be inconsistent in its delivery. Green (Jesse L. Martin) and Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) work well together, but maybe it’s become a little to routine. And they seemed to have left Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson) behind in this episode, giving her very little face time. My wish is that they could add a spark to this half of the show.

The detectives initially suspect the murderer is one of the psychiatrist’s young patients, who said the doctor always told him to repeat the phrase to “be a rock in a sea of chaos.” (For some reason, I kept thinking of the Seinfeld episode where George’s father keeps shouting "Serenity now!”) The problems with this young patient gives them an excuse to bring in their shrink on call, Dr. Olivet (Carolyn McCormick). Personally, I always preferred Dr. Skoda because he always seemed more in tune with his role with the DA’s office, yet still remained objective. It seems like Dr. Olivet has always been a little unpredictable, unreliable, and self-absorbed. Of course, she lived up to my expectations in this episode.

But, more evidence points to the doctor’s wife Catherine Waxman (Moira Kelly), coming from a wrinkle in her alibi based on comments from her daughter. She is arrested and the DA's office gets involved. This is when the show picks up a bit and got a lot more interesting. And, during the second half of the show, Michael Cutter (Linus Roache) suffers a few times from accent reversal and says “Emmer” for Emma, “lawr” for law, and “sawr” for saw. Not a big deal, I just found it funny.

Back to the case. Waxman gets her daughter to change her story, and this precipitates Cutter to go back and question the daughter about her statement. As he was questioning her, with Lupo present, I found myself wondering how people can get away with questioning minors without their parent’s permission. It seems to happen on Law & Order frequently and it always seems to be a problem when it’s discovered, so I wonder if it’s legal for them to do it. Cutter gets the daughter to tell the accurate story, but not before Lupo attempts to cut him off. Outside, Cutter and Lupo have an exchange, when Lupo accuses Cutter of roughing her up:

Cutter: Would you feel better if I offered her a lollipop?
Lupo: I’d feel better if you hadn’t roughed her up.
Cutter: How’d you think her mother got her to lie? I'm playing to win detective. Winning means putting Catherine Waxman in jail.
Lupo: Is this some kind of sport to you?
Cutter: Stick with your law books detective. On the page the law is a much purer thing.

While Cutter’s comments were somewhat dismissive and condescending, he was probably right to explain the real world to Lupo. Somehow, though, I sense Cutter is a little too big for his britches.

One segment of the show that seemed a little too contrived was the playing of the voice mail from Waxman to her mother, which conveniently had the sound of a cruise ship in the background. Of course, it points them to a specific dock where divers conveniently find the murder weapon. How does that work, exactly? Can a ship’s horns be only loud enough to be heard in a specific area? I would think that sound in the Law & Order universe would follow the same laws of nature and be able to travel outside the confines of one area or dock. Maybe it’s just me, or my unfamiliarity with the area in question, but I would think that the sound of a ship’s horn couldn’t be that precise.

Later, when Cutter retracts his plea offer, we hear the defendant offer up her story of being abused as a teen by her doctor/husband, and then proceeds to fire her attorney. Later, when Cutter decides to bring in a controversial expert witness, Jack has a bit of a cow but allows Cutter to go forward. And that’s when things get interesting.

The expert testifies that contrary to popular belief, it’s not true that in all cases of willing sexual encounters between adolescents and adults, it does not cause psychological harm or trauma. The defendant (now acting as her own attorney) attempts to discredit her credentials by saying the doctor was condemned by congress, which was to be expected.

Dr. Olivet, however, makes this all about herself, getting upset with the DA's office as she drops the bomb that the defense called her to testify. “She studies studies. I counsel victims” Olivet moans to McCoy (Sam Waterston) and Cutter. Cutter tells Olivet that Waxman is using her to support a bogus defense. Olivet whines that the expert’s position “devalues what I do, who I am….I’m going to set the record straight.” Jack retorts “ You understand you’re working for the other side now. That means the gloves have to come off. “ Of couse Liz, we know this is all about YOU.

Jack offers his help to Cutter with the problem with Olivet, and Cutter assumes it’s because Olivet was a rape victim herself and it may affect her credibility. Jack says, “No, not that.” Uh-oh!

Olivet gets the surprise of her life when her relationship with a detective who she counseled after the detective lost a partner is outed. I assume that this was in reference to a long speculated - but never actually proven on an Law & Order episode (as far as I know) - relationship that Olivet had with our one and only Detective Mike Logan (Chris Noth)? I could see Olivet just seething. I enjoyed ever second of Ms. High-and-Mighty getting her comeuppance.

This brings me to the best dialog of the episode, in the parking garage where Jack is getting ready to leave on his motorcycle:

Olivet: That hurt, Jack.
McCoy: I warned you.
Olivet: You betrayed a confidence
McCoy: You went to bat for a woman who shot her husband in cold blood, and who would have killed anybody else she found in his office. If I had to betray a confidence to ensure she goes to jail, so be it. These are the rules we live by.
Olivet: This isn’t your finest hour, Jack.
McCoy: Nor yours.

Olivet can sure dish it out, but she can’t take it. I am so glad that Jack put her in her place one and for all. And maybe also added fuel to the Logan/Olivet rumors. It was worth sitting through a flat first half to get to this gem.


After that, things wrap up quickly. As expected, the defendant crumples during cross examination when the realization that the “Meredith” her husband was talking about on the tape recording was not another woman. It was the town to where the doctor drove the defendant to the psychiatric hospital as a teen and also the name of a memoir that her husband was writing about this time. Of course, this rattles the defendant and she starts repeating the phrase “ I am a rock in a sea of chaos.”

Later in Cutter’s office, Rubirosa (Alana De La Garza) tells Cutter that the next time she says it’s a slam dunk to “drop that on my foot”, looking at a large piece of concrete marked as evidence on Cutter’s file cabinet. Maybe that was the rock in the sea of chaos we heard so much about in this episode? I have to say, they are trying a little too hard to bring out some of the stuff Cutter keeps in his office.

So let me get down all the betrayals here. The wife thinks the husband betrayed her so she kills him. Lupo thinks Cutter is betraying the law. Olivet thinks the DA’s office betrayed her by cutting her out, so she betrays them and testifies for the defense. McCoy betrays a confidence to counter Olivet’s betrayal. And it turns out Olivet betrayed her oath by having an affair with a patient. But wait, the husband really didn’t betray the wife after all, so she killed him for nothing.

I think I got it.


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Law & Order “Tango”: Rubirosa Learns the Dance, The Hard Way

Law & Order’s “Tango” seemed more like a Special Victims Unit episode, as the detectives and the DA’s office worked on a case dealing with rape and murder. It seemed like there were hard lessons to be learned about how things work for detectives and prosecutors, with all parties using deception and whatever edge they can find to work and win a case. It seems although Connie Rubirosa (Alana De La Garza) has worked in the DA’s office for a while, she’s just now learning how things work. Let’s just say it may have not only left her disappointed in the inner workings of criminal prosecution, but the viewers as well.

The case begins with two drunken high-school girls whose car is impounded. One girl walks off and goes missing, and is later found raped and dead in a dumpster. Upon finding the body, Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) deadpans, “See? We find ‘em,” a reference to a dialog earlier in the show where Green (Jesse L, Martin) indicate to the girl’s parents they will find her, and of course doesn’t indicate they often find them dead. Lupo and Green work to track down the suspects, a drug-addicted prostitute (who came from a rich family), known as “Sugar”/Melinda (Maria Dizzia) and her partner Tito (Pedro Pascal). Lupo uses a fake note to trap Sugar into bringing Tito out, and both are arrested. Later, Lupo’s note would be used to sideline the trial. This was predictable. Even though Cutter (Linus Roache) indicates that the police can use deception, Lupo’s note made it sound more like a threat on Sugar’s life, causing her information on Tito to be considered worthless.

During this whole process, though, I found myself wondering why, since the girl was found raped, that it wasn’t an SVU case. I was even wondering why the detectives were looking for the girl in the first place, seeing that she wasn’t missing all that long. Sometimes how detectives get assigned cases, and which group gets them, seems muddy in the Law & Order universe.

While investigating the case, a potential witness, “Timmy,” surfaces. Timmy, by the way, was played by Scott William Winters, the brother of Dean Winters, who did a stunt on SVU as Detective Brian Cassidy. While questioning Timmy in lockup (he was there for another crime), Rubirosa picks up on a signal from Timmy that he wants Cutter to get lost. Connie tells Cutter to leave, and then when Timmy plays coy, she says, “this isn’t a date, Timmy.” After he asks for special consideration for another crime in order to get him to talk, McCoy (Sam Waterston) gets involved.

As McCoy is talking to the Bronx DA Juan Delgado (Nestor Serrano) in order to get his support, Delgado says “You know Jack, I’m a little surprised you were even able to find your way up here, on that white horse of yours.” Despite the sarcasm, Jack seemingly agrees to fix some parking tickets as a favor to Delgado, in order to get some charges dropped to get information from Timmy. I suppose even Jack has learned he has to do some favors to get his way.

As the case goes to trial, during jury selection, both Connie and Cutter (independent of each other) notice a juror paying close attention to Connie. Neither says anything to the other about it. But later, Cutter asks Connie to do the cross examination of Tito, and while Connie agrees, she really doesn’t seem to have a clue as to the real reason Cutter is having her do it.

Connie later seems weirdly happy about an anonymous email she received, which says, “Amazing performance today. Great legs and smart. You’re the total package.” Connie is smiling and seems almost tickled by the letter, I found it immediately creepy and thought it should have been suspect. But, she’s even happier when Cutter’s response to the letter is a sheepish “I completely agree” and he then adds “Are you ready to cross Melinda?” She responds, “No. You know, uh, Mike, you’ve got great legs too.” It seemed to me like it was a throwback to the Jack McCoy EADA years where he reportedly had relationships with a few of his ADAs. Personally, I think I’d rather keep a relationship with Mike and Connie under wraps. I don’t want the show to become a soap opera.

Still, there doesn’t seem to be a chance for Cutter and Rubirosa in the future, as Connie learns the hard way that everybody can be used to get an edge in a case. When the stalker-juror confronts Connie on the street, and she tells him it’s inappropriate, she confesses the encounter to Cutter. A bit of an argument ensues, under the watchful, somewhat eavesdropping eyes of McCoy. Connie is stunned to learn that Cutter was well aware of the juror’s eye for Connie. When she becomes indignant that Cutter would use her in this way, he calls her on it, saying that she used her sexuality to get Timmy’s cooperation in the jail. Connie clearly didn’t get that she was holding Cutter to a double standard, but Jack settles it all and figuratively slaps Coonie back to reality by saying, “We use what we have.” I guess Connie learned the hard way that not everything seems on the up and up in the DA’s office.

Personally, I believe that what Connie did with Timmy and what Cutter did with the juror were in fact two totally different situations. Yes, Connie may have used herself to get what she needed from Timmy. After all, they too are allowed to use things like deception to get information or to get people to confess. It was her own decision to use herself in that way. But, she did not agree to be used to sway a juror, which to me is a totally different ball game. It would have been OK had the juror not approached her or emailed her, because there would never have been any indication or proof that the juror’s had definite feelings for Connie. But once he approached her – again, I still think the email should have been suspect even before this – all bets should have been off. They should have reported it immediately. So, I’m disappointed in McCoy, Cutter, and even Connie for going along with it.

Seeing Connie look so conflicted during the verdict, I think it’s unlikely that she and Cutter will be doing a Tango – or any dancing - in the near future.


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Law & Order March Episode Summaries

The information on the Law & Order episode listing for March has been released by NBC. It looks like we’re in for some “March madness.” According to TVGuide.com, Law & Order is scheduled to produce five more episodes to begin airing on April 23.

“Betrayal” Air Date March 5, 2008
WHEN A PSYCHIATRIST WHO TREATS DISTURBED TEENS IS FOUND MURDERED HIS TROUBLED PATIENTS AND JEALOUS WIFE ARE THE PRIME SUSPECTS - A psychiatrist is found shot to death in his office, and Detectives Ed Green (Jesse L. Martin) and Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) initially suspect one of his young patients. Clues lead the detectives to the doctor’s jealous and much younger wife, Catherine (guest star Moira Kelly). The pressures of the case drive Catherine to admit her troubled past leading to his murder. The prosecuting team, Michael Cutter (Linus Roache) and Connie Rubirosa (Alana De La Garza) are then faced with the daunting task of convincing the jury that Catherine’s troubled youth is no excuse for murder. Also starring: Sam Waterston, S. Epatha Merkerson, Linus Roache, and Alana De La Garza.

“Submission” Air Date March 12, 2008
DOG FIGHTING; A WINE DEALERSHIP AND AN OVERZEALOUS REPORTER:LARA FLYNN BOYLE GUEST STARS - The police break up a dog-fighting ring, and discover a woman’s finger inside one of the dead animals. The finger is identified as belonging to Lauren Vance, soon-to-be ex-wife of Marty Vance (guest star Adam Rothenberg), after her body turns up near a dog breeder. Since Lauren and her husband were in the process of divorce proceedings, Detectives Ed Green (Jesse L. Martin) and Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) initially suspect Marty as the brutal murderer. Marty was involved in the dog-fighting ring with friend and business partner Jay Carlin (guest star David Harbour), an extremely wealthy wine dealer. As the investigation unfolds, the detectives plot to trick an ambitious reporter, Dawn Talley (guest star Lara Flynn Boyle), who uses her sexuality to try to break the case. Turns out Jay’s business is a scam, which leads prosecutors Michael Cutter (Linus Roache) and Connie Rubirosa (Alana De La Garza) to a new suspect. Also starring: Sam Waterston and S. Epatha Merkerson.

“Angelgrove” Air Date March 19, 2008
THE BRUTAL MURDER OF AN ART DEALER LEADS TO A DEBATE BETWEEN RELIGION AND FANATICISM - When art dealer Audrey Lortell (guest star Lisa Peluso) is found stoned to death, Detectives Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) and Ed Green (Jesse L. Martin) suspect her killing may have been linked to some of the cultural and religious artwork showcased in her gallery. After Lupo listens to an intimate taped conversation between Lortell and an artist, the detectives look further into her personal life; uncovering infidelity and her son’s, Jason (guest star Will Denton), troubled past and current involvement in a fanatic religious group. Initially, the murder appeared to have a terrorist link, but Jason’s new behavior suggests the killer is closer to home. Also starring: Sam Waterson, S. Epatha Merkerson, Linus Roache, and Alana De La Garza.

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

Law & Order “Executioner” Fails to Execute

If it weren’t for the great chemistry of the players in the second half of the show, I’d say this episode would have remained plodding and devoid of drama and interest. But, even the second half teetered on a snooze-fest.

The case involved Dr. Mark Burns (Alan Zweibel) being murdered while attending a conference. While investigating the crime, Detectives Lupe (Jeremy Sisto) and Green (Jesse L. Martin) originally believe the doctor was murdered as part of a con. Instead they find that the intended target was Dr. Garrison (James Rebhorn), who we later discover participated in a botched lethal injection. And it seems that Dr. Garrison was being targeted for revenge.

It seems that the introduction to the show had more of a Law & Order Criminal Intent feel, which made it a little dull to start. What is noticeably absent is the witty line – which I call the “Lennie Line” - that used to take viewers to the opening credits. It seems since Jerry Orbach left the show, this intro segment has continued to be weak, but in this episode it was as if they completely abandoned any “hook” whatsoever. I think the writers need to work harder to grab the viewers into the show. It doesn’t have to be a Lennie Line, but there should be something to spark interest.

For the most part, the first half of the show was bland and frankly there is not much to even write about. But, as the pattern has been for this new season, the second half has been giving us some great interactions with the people in the DA’s office.

For example, when Cutter (Linus Roache) seems to be uncomfortable with proceeding with the murder case, he says to McCoy (Sam Waterston):

Cutter: I’m sorry. I…I don’t know that I can defend this against a motion to dismiss.
McCoy: Then I’ll defend it.

That’s Jack, still showing he has the desire to be in the thick of things and pick up on something that may be controversial. Later, while standing up for his principles with the judge, Jack says, “They imported a doctor because they couldn’t find one in their own state. Like the mob, bringing in an out of town hit man.” That’s Jack again, going for the jugular with an analogy that is hard to refute. Of course, he makes his point and gets his way. When Jack tells Cutter to make his efforts worth his while, we get a little humorous sarcasm from Cutter:

Cutter: Putting lethal injection on trial, an appeal to the jury’s political views.
McCoy: That shouldn’t be a problem.
Cutter: Because Lord knows something like that will never work!

Later, while McCoy, Cutter, and Rubirosa (Alana De La Garza) debate the case and Cutter’s wanting to proceed despite the influence of the witness who was incapacitated by the lethal injection, we get this exchange:

McCoy: No shades of gray in this for you, Mike.
Cutter: Nope.
McCoy: Good.

Rubirosa looked a little defeated, while McCoy looked at Cutter like a Jedi Master looks at a Padawan Learner who just learned an important lesson.

Still, the case really wasn’t that interesting and never really grabbed me or drew me in to the story. If it was supposed to elicit some kind of emotional response from viewers about the death penalty and lethal injection, it really didn’t do it for me.

I did enjoy the “light” parts of the show, like when Lupo picks dog hair off the woman at the shop and shares a dog story to get her to give him information, and when the warden at the prison facility called Connie “Ruby-Rosa” as a bit of a dig. The bad part is that when they say the case is taking them someplace, as in this episode Hilton Head or Charleston, at least pick a setting that looks a little like the location. You know, sunny and with some green trees? I bet they just filmed that in New York or New Jersey or something. I also find it interesting that this season, they are giving Connie more backbone. I enjoyed when she nudged Cutter to “make a choice, Mike.” While she didn’t get Jack’s approval on her views on the case, at least she’s not being intimidated in her job.

Still, this story failed on quite a few levels. The first half needs some adrenaline, or at least not start the show with that “Criminal Intent” feel. But, at least they are building up an interesting team in the DA’s office that makes it worth watching. And there are no shades of gray in that.

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Jesse Martin Leaving Law & Order, Replaced by Anthony Anderson

Variety reports today that Jesse L. Martin will be leaving Law & Order, and is being replaced by Anthony Anderson, formerly of “K-ville.”

Here’s the news from Variety:

“Martin leaving 'Law & Order'
'K-Ville' star Anthony Anderson joining show
By JOSEF ADALIAN

After nine seasons, Jesse L. Martin is leaving "Law & Order" and will be replaced by "K-Ville" star Anthony Anderson.

Martin's departure has been buzzed about for months. He's expected to lens one more episode of Dick Wolf's NBC drama, with Anderson joining later this season.

For Anderson, the "L&O" role reps his latest gig on a cop show. He played a New Orleans detective on Fox's "K-Ville" and made the jump from comedy to serious drama on FX's "The Shield."

Fox has never officially admitted that it and "K-Ville" are splitsville, but Anderson's casting would seem to be the final nail in the coffin for the highly touted 2007 drama.

On the feature side, Anderson's credits include "Transformers," "Hustle & Flow" and "Kangaroo Jack." He toplined his own WB laffer, "All About the Andersons," in 2003.

As for Martin, thesp has played Det. Ed Green since 1999. He shot to fame in the original Broadway production of "Rent," reprising his role for the movie version.”

Law & Order fans knew that Jesse wasn’t going the full season, still, it’s sad news to hear that now it’s official.

Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information,
here.

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

Law & Order Episode Summaries for the Week of February 17

Law & Order is running a new episode this week, with SVU and Criminal Intent rerunning episodes previously aired this season. All are on NBC.

Law & Order SVU “Svengali” Episode 09-06, Re-Air Date February 19, 2008
CAN COMIC BOOKS BE DANGEROUS? FOR DETECTIVE OLIVIA BENSON (MARISKA HARGITAY) THEY COULD BE DEADLY– When a college student is found murdered in her formal wear, Detectives Benson and Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) recognize the body’s mutilation as a “copycat” of serial killer Robert Morton (guest star Jared Harris). Cecilia (guest star Shannon Woodward), the last person to see the victim alive, suddenly goes missing herself. In a race to find Cecilia alive, the detectives seek out Morton and discover his loyal following of people, including one twisted man and his comic book series that glorifies Morton’s murders. The comic books are the key to finding Cecilia, but the investigation angers Morton’s followers and Detective Benson find herself in serious danger. Also starring: Adam Beach, Dann Florek, Ice-T, Diane Neal, Tamara Tunie, Richard Belzer, and BD Wong.

Law & Order Criminal Intent “Smile ” Episode 07-03, Re-Air Date February 20, 2008
When a dentist is murdered by the mother of one of his patients, Goren (Vincent D’Onofrio) and Eames (Kathryn Erbe) follow the trail of evidence to a company that appears to have been the victim of a criminal conspiracy involving contaminated mouthwash. Also starring Eric Bogosian.


Law & Order “Executioner” Episode 18-09 Airdate February 20, 2008
BEING AT THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME PROVES TO BE DEADLY FOR ONE SURGEON -Dr. Mark Burns (guest star Alan Zweibel) is found murdered in his hotel room while attending a out-of-town convention. Detectives Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) and Green (Jesse L. Martin) learn that Dr. Burns’ made a large withdrawal from his bank account moments before he was murdered. Evidence rules out the con artists who scammed Burns as suspects, but a hotel surveillance tape shows a man with a southern accent vehemently knocking on the door looking for a different physician, Dr. Garrison (guest star James Rebhorn). This finding leads the detectives to believe Dr. Garrison may have been the intended target and his life is still at risk. Also Starring: Sam Waterston, S. Epatha Merkerson, Linus Roache, and Alana De La Garza.


Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, HERE!

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