Law & Order CI “In Treatment” Recap & Review

Photo from USA

Last night’s episode of Law & Order Criminal Intent (USA) “In Treatment” was a real treat. This was a far better episode for Jeff Goldblum and it provided a great opportunity to provide some back story for his character. It also provided a great excuse to bring out Wheeler’s pregnancy. I was amused when Nichols asked her early in the episode if she wanted to remover her coat, clearly he knew she was covering up something. But it was Nichol’s back story of a genius psychiatrist father that brought real depth to the episode. Apparently when Nichols was a child and his father was doling out psychobabble over his corn flakes, Nichols must have been paying close attention, seeing that he was able to out-psych the doctor in this case. This was the Zach Nichols that I expected to see in Goldblum’s first appearance. While Goldblum himself did shine through on many occasions, I thought that we actually saw more of who Zach Nichols is.

The case itself was very well done, and a much more interesting take on the “corrupt financier” storylines that we’ve seen of late. It was an interesting twist having the doctor be the one who was manipulating things from the sidelines. Dennis Boutsikaris, who often has played an attorney on the original Law & Order, did a great job as the murdering and manipulating doctor. I did find myself wondering though, was it the securities company that was making deals in advance of them being announced and profiting from them, or were we to assume that was the doctor who was doing that? I am not quite sure they closed the loop on that end of the story.

All in all, I think this was an excellent episode and one much more worthy of the talents of Jeff Goldblum. The dialog was much improved over the previous Goldblum episode, and it seemed to solidify the working partnership with Nichols and Wheeler. I wonder, though, will Danny Ross really help change diapers?


Here is the recap:

There is a very fancy high class private social event going on. One man is trying to get in, but he can’t get past security. He calls them a bunch of crooks. People are gathered to hear Archie Beuliss (Norbert Leo Butz), who is the CEO of Beuliss Securities, give a speech. He is there with his wife, his CFO Frank Hatcher. His wife Elaine (Alexa Havins) introduces to him to Ron Hemmings (Wass Stevens), who thanks Archie for allowing him into his fund. Ron invested over a billion dollars. As everyone sits down for the speaking to start, and while Archie is being introduced, Archie’s and Frank’s cell phones ring. They leave the room to take the call, and Archie begins to get crazed with anger, apparently there was a news release that his company is under investigation by the SEC and people are trying to redeem their securities. Frank tells them they have to stall and put on a good face. Meanwhile, many other cell phones begin to ring at the dinner, and outside the room, Archie goes into a rage and throws things. Frank says he has to go to the bathroom. When he gets there and tries to calm himself, he turns around to see something. Back at the dinner, Archie has returned and gets on the stage and begins to speak, telling everyone that they should be calm, that they understand that temporary market retractions are meaningless. The man who just introduced Beuliss leaves and gets on his cell phone, and tells the person on the other line to try to redeem his securities with Beuliss’ company in Singapore. He walks into the men’s room and finds Frank Hatcher collapsing, a knife stuck into his chest.

Later, on the scene, while Detective Megan Wheeler (Julianne Nicholson) scans the men room, Captain Ross (Eric Bogosian) tells Detective Zach Nichols (Jeff Goldblum) if he says something and he’s wrong Wheeler will never forgive him. Nichols asks doesn’t he thinks it’s obvious, and Ross says he thought it was obvious with his cousin Rita and for 19 years yet she has given him cat toys for Christmas. She notices them watching and asks, “What?” and Ross responds, ‘Nothing.” When Nichols asks ‘How’s the body” she states the obvious to him, ‘Dead.” She adds he has a knife in his chest, it’s a hotel steak knife, and there was a banquet there with big shots from Wall Street. Ross adds that the victim was one of them, his name Frank Hatcher, CFO of Beuliss securities, and Archie Beuliss was the guest of honor. Nichols comments that someone stole the silverware –“A high class crowd like that.” Wheeler wonders if it was a spur of the moment murder, and Nichols agrees, saying that with premeditation, you bring your own cutlery.

Back at Major Case, Wheeler tells Ross that half the people at that banquet had means, opportunity, and motive, and they were going broke between the dessert course and coffee service. When Nichols states that is it so hot in there and asks Wheeler if she wants to take off her coat, she says no. Most of those in attendance at the banquet collected funds from their clients and then funneled their money to Beuliss. Nichols states that until last night, the fund was netting 15% a year, Ross stating that this is not possible. Ross suspects someone realized this and “pops a vein” and killed the Beuliss #2, but why Hatcher? Wheeler thinks they could have been sending a message, trying to intimidate #1. Nichols adds that maybe somebody didn’t like Frank Hatcher. Ross tells them to go see the guest of honor, maybe he has an idea.

At Beuliss’ office, he says the death is terrible and the killer must have been a lunatic. Nichols wonders if that is really the case, that a lunatic just happened to be passing by the men’s room, containing his right hand man at that moment when word was spread that his company was collapsing. Beuliss says he doesn’t see it collapsing, and shows an adjoining room where people seem to be busy. He says he sees an emotional reaction to a speculative news report about an unconfirmed investigation. Wheeler states that the SEC confirmed it this morning. He says he has been investigated virtually non-stop by the SEC since 1996 and he has given depositions so many times he swears to tell the truth when he orders dinner at a restaurant. He states Beuliss securities is sound. But Nichols questions that they have stopped their redemptions. Beuliss says that is temporary, his customers understand – or they should - that the company is not a piggy bank that they can break open whenever they get a funny feeling in their tummies. He says he stays calm and he convinces them to do also. He says if Nichols is suggesting that someone worried about his or her investment in Beuliss Securities that they murdered Frank Hatcher, maybe they can tell him why. Wheeler says maybe it’s because they lost all their money, and adds “just off the top of my head.” Beuliss says, “And killing Frank Hatcher was gonna get their money back? How?” Someone walks in, and tells Beuliss Dr. Ernst is calling, and he tells her to tell him to reschedule for tonight and he will meet him at the Southampton house, he’ll book a car and send him a helicopter. Wheeler asks if Beuliss knew anyone that had a grudge against Hatcher, and he points them to a staff accountant that made accusations against Frank that did not make sense so Beuliss fired him and he didn’t take it well.

At the home of the fired Mr. Cramer, he explains that somehow someone always knew what Beuliss’ company was going to buy in advance and was taking advantage of the information. He said someone inside is getting ahead of the trades and making a profit on every one and he thought it was Hatcher but Beuliss didn’t believe him. He went to the SEC but had no proof. He went to se Beuliss to beg for his job back and surrender but they would not let him in.

Outside, they talk about Cramer and try to rationalize if he could have killed Hatcher, thinking he could have picked up the knife off a tray. When Wheeler thinks that some may think that the murder did them a favor, Nichols says, “which by your logic would be a good things since they were doing a bad thing?” She asks, “Since when did you become such an expert on vulture funds anyway?” He answers, ‘Since I live in the land of the vultures. No, it’s the psychology to me, just interesting, for these guys good news is bad, bad news is good, you gotta feel you’re right and everybody else is wrong.” Nichols says when Cramer went to the SEC he had no proof but now the SEC is pursing an investigation someone must have gone there with proof.

At the office of a US attorney, she gives them the brush off. As she tries to walk up the stairs, Nichols grabs her hand on the railing and tries to talk his way into getting the answer out of her. As he talks, she pulls away her hand. He says the target must have been Beuliss, who was swindling with Hatcher’s help. The attorney says nothing and Nichols says if they are on the right track to blink her left eye. She does not, and says that the investigation has been hampered but it is ongoing. Nichols suspects Hatcher was the snitch. As they walk off, Nichols turns back to look at the US attorney, and winks his left eye at her.

Back at the office of Beuliss Securities, Beuliss’ wife Elaine is talking to Martin, Beuliss’ attorney, about her credit cards and what money she still can access. Nichols and Wheeler arrive and when they ask to see Beuliss, Martin tells them Mr. Beuliss checked himself in to an inpatient treatment facility for a psychiatric condition and his therapy requires a total break with the outside world. We then see Archie Beuliss entering a building, asking if there is a massage room, and to start with a massage.

Back at Major Case, the detectives bring Capt. Ross up to speed. Beuliss is at a place called “Pledges” and when Ross asks what is Beuliss’ alleged affliction, Nichols says “Umm, I’m guessing it’s a bad case of the SEC is up my ass for fraud and I’m preparing a psychiatric defense-itis.” Wheeler says it is a financial Twinkie defense. The rehab has a strict no-contact policy. Ross tells them to find a way to ask Beuliss if he new Hatcher was screwing him and how he felt about it.

Later, at the office of Dr. Ernst (Dennis Boutsikaris) they try to talk about Beuliss but the doctor won’t give them anything. Nichols tries to “take a crack” at what Beuliss’ problem is, and the doctor says it is very impressive and asks if he learned that at the police academy. Nichols says no, he thinks he say that on a TV show. Ernst asks him is he is always this hostile, and starts to psychoanalyze Nichols, and tells him his insistence on putting things in his own terms, his need to know more than someone who is clearly an expert, his twisting conversations to control them, if he were a child, his behavior would be oppositional defiance disorder, and in some sense, Nichols still is a child. He asks if Nichols thought about seeking professional help, and Nichols says if this is a speech to recruit new patients it’s very good. He says he doesn’t accept union insurance so Nichols couldn’t afford him

Outside the doctor’s office, when Wheeler comments that Nichols didn’t seem crazy about the guy, Nichols says he hates him. When Wheeler comments that Nichols father was a shrink, he says he used to get that every morning when he was a kid with his corn flakes. He also hasn’t see his father in decades, even though he lives on West 64th. When he asks if she is giving a joint diagnosis, she says she has just been thinking of fathers lately. Nichols states, “You’re pregnant, aren’t you?” She says, “Yeah.” Nichols asks, “The father?” Nichols says, “Lied to me, made me a fool, is in a federal prison for 12 years, otherwise perfect.”

We then see Beuliss talking to Dr. Ernst. Beuliss seems bored, but Ernst tells him Archie has issues. Beuliss feels like everything is coming down on him, and Ernst asks him about his business liquidity. He says only if people would just continue to invest, and Beuliss says that would be nice.

Back at Major Case, when Ross asks how things went with the shrink, Wheeler takes off her coat and says, “I’m pregnant. “ Ross quips, ‘That well?” He congratulates her, and she says that he knew. He says they are detective my dear, and she says they are male detectives, a female would have figured it out weeks ago. Nichols hands her a pair of yellow baby socks. He says she can continue to perform her duties. They talk about the lab report from the knife but the blood wasn’t Hatcher’s. Nichols asks if it was the cow’s and Ross says it was human so it would be nice to get a DNA sample from Beuliss. Wheeler tell him they can’t get anything out of Beuliss, but the doctor told Nichols he has authority issues, and apparently he needs therapy. Nichols gets and idea, and says maybe he does.

Elsewhere, Elaine Beuliss and Ron Hemmings are arguing about his investment, and she tries to calm him. He says he can’t talk to Beuliss about the business, only their mothers. She says she is leaving, and he should grow up.

Later, in a group session with Dr. Ernst, Beuliss is there, and so is Ron. Nichols barges into the group, and Ernst tells him to leave but Nichols announces to the group that there are police officers waiting outside to take the names and addresses of those that are outpatients about the murder investigation. Beuliss isn’t buying it. Ernst pulls Nichols aside and tells him his father is Dr. W.P. Nichols, and Ernst studied with him at Columbia, he was one of the most brilliant psychiatrists of his generation. He says he had a son who was admitted to medical school but dropped out to join the police force. Nichols says the pension plan was great. But Ernst adds that he rebels against his father and gives up a gold opportunity to spend his days as a civil servant, he says it is fascinating. He tells them if he calls off the troops he will let them talk to the group. He agrees.

Nichols sits down next to Beuliss, and he says he feels a compulsion to judge people, to solve puzzles , to assign blame, but others find he is being hostile and it ruined his marriage. He continues to talk and engages the group about betrayal and tried to get Beuliss to talk, and Ernst gets him to stop. But Ron shouts out, looking at Beuliss that he trusted someone and was betrayed. Ernst tries to get him to stop. Ron pushes Beuliss and Ernst tells Beuliss to go to his room and ends therapy session. Nichols reaches over and takes Beuliss’ coffee cup. Nichols says he feels better already and can’t wait for his next session.

Back at Major Case, they find the DNA from the coffee cup doesn’t match what was found on the knife. Nichols says that Ron Hemmings that had a strange outburst to Beuliss, and a week ago he invested all his family money with Beuliss just a week before the bad news and he was also at the dinner. Ross tells them to go see him.

When they go see Ron, he says he hadn’t lost anything yet, and says even if it is all true he made a mistake and has to take responsibility for it. He made his own decision to invest. Failure can be a part of success. He says his family is in Texas and he will be flying home this weekend to explain. Later outside, Wheeler says it seems Ron took a crash course in Zen and art of losing every penny he has. Nichols thinks Ernst may have had him on the couch. Wheeler thinks someone else had him on the couch, she smelled very expensive perfume on Ron, Elaine Beuliss was wearing it the other day.

At the home of Elaine Beuliss, she says she is “screwing” Ron, assuming Ron already told them this, which he had not. She says she picked Ron to have a fling with and she told Ron thanks but now Archie needs her. Nichols asks that if Ron is talking about being betrayed, it wasn’t about the money? Elaine says it is about her, and their undying love. Nichols tells her Hemmings didn’t mention her at all. She asks then why are they here? She says he was with her when Hatcher was killed, he was at her table begging for another chance. She tells Wheeler to “never give a man another chance, Honey.”

Later, Elaine is in Ernst’s office, telling her about the police coming to her apartment and about Ron. She asks why no one takes her seriously. He begins to analyze her. She asks is it the way she talks, or the plastic surgery. He thinks this is something they need to work on.

Back at Major Case, Wheeler is looking at Elaine’s high school picture and what she wrote in her yearbook. Nichols is doodling a picture of a huge eye. Wheeler wonders if Elaine suspected that Hatcher was going to kill her golden goose, Nichols says she gave Hemmings an alibi for the murder, maybe she was giving herself one? They decide to check with Hemmings, but when they get there, police are on the scene. The find Hemmings is dead in the bathtub, cuts in his arms, in an apparent suicide. They scan the room. The bathtub water is ice cold. Nichols finds many bottles of drugs, and picks up a paper from the trash and asks for it to be checked out.

Later, at the ME’s, Rodgers (Leslie Hendrix) says the cuts are consistent with suicide. His blood did not match the blood on Hatcher’s murder weapon. Nichols wonders if he was helped to suicide, but Rodgers says there was no sign of struggle. Tox scan is still in the works. Nichols thinks something happened after they last saw them. As Nichols walks out, deep in his own thought, Wheeler asks Rodgers if Nichols ever played well with others. Rodgers says she’s not even sure he is even fully aware they are there.

Back at Dr. Ernst’s’ place, Nichols says Ernst seems surprised that Hemmings killed himself. He says he is not a physic, and he thinks when wealthy people find their money collapses, so do they. The detectives question him about his specialty with wealthy clients. He says the super rich are more resistant to opening ups. Nichols wonders why they would accept help from him, a “relative pauper.” Ernst seems offended, but Nichols continues to harp on him, indicating that Ernst is nothing more than staff help, like a gardener or manicurist. Ernst says he helps them achieve their goals, like make another billion dollars. Nichols picks up on that comment, saying happiness and money are two different things.

Back at Major Case, Wheeler tells Ross that Nichols seems more interested in the shrink than the murder, maybe because of his father. Ross cautions her not to go there. She says she already did, she has father issues of her own. Ross asks her if she told the ex-fiancé and she says it’s none of his business. Ross says if she ever needs a had, and she comments about changing diapers, Ross says “whatever.” She thanks him. Nichols enters and says he has been going over Ernst’ patients list that he got from a birthday party Ernst’s patients had a year ago that made the society page. Nichols asks Wheeler if she has a list of Beuliss investors, and she says she’ll get that for him, and adds that the tox report came in and Hemmings was a walking pharmacy. Nichols looks at the file and shows that two drugs setraline and meclobomide he was taking were contra-indicated, the side effects of seizure, delirium, high heart rate and raised body temp. Ross comments suicide and Nichols says “Evidently.” Ross wonders that if he put himself in hot water to save himself. Wheeler thinks the delirium happened after the hot flashes. CSU found that the setraline was prescribed by a doctor in Houston where Hemmings was from, but found no bottle labeled meclobomide – there was no prescription. They suspect someone gave it to him, maybe on purpose.

Back at Dr. Ernst’s office, he is in a group session, and Nichols arrives, and begins to ask how many of the invested in Beuliss Securities, and they all had. The doctor had given them the advice to invest there. Nichols begins to hammer on this conflict of interest and mentions Ron Hemmings’ death. Nichols brings out the fact that Ernst was “fundraising” but Beuliss says he didn’t know what Ernst was doing. They did talk about the business in his sessions, though – that took place on his flight to Southampton on his yacht. All the patients begin to look at the doctor as Nichols continues to point out the doctor’s involvement and the doctor begins to talk about the business using the word “we.” Nichols says that Hemmings was unwilling to invest only on Ernst’s word, so Ernst sent over Archie’s wife as a convincer.

Wheeler brings in Elaine and she admitted she had an affair with Ron, saying Ernst encouraged her. Archie is shocked when Nichols says Ernst “pimped out his wife” to get more investment money from Hemmings. Nichols brings out the paper found in Hemmings trash that had Ernst’s fingerprints and traced of meclobomide, and tells him about the bad side effects. He serves Ernst with a warrant for the patient file, and Ernst says there is such as thing as doctor/patient privilege, Wheeler reminds him the privilege belongs to the patient, and Ron’s heirs will be happy to waive it. Nichols comes back to Frank Hatcher, who was also a patient. The presume Frank told Ernst he was going to the SEC, and when Archie says Frank was his best friend, Ernst says Frank was going to bring “us” down. Archie wants him to stop the “us” thing but Ernst continues to dig himself deeper, saying he helped guide some decision making. Archie is incredulous saying he didn’t take the advice he gave him, he humored him because he was bringing in money from the other people. He adds if a dog walker told him to invest in other dogs he would have dropped Ernst in a second and gotten a real psychiatrist, his dog walker at least got his dogs to stop pissing in the sunroom. Ernst is enraged, trying to say that Archie’s distractions were a problem and Frank was going to destroy them. Archie admits that Ernst was there that night, he came to buck him up for the big speech and he didn’t see him for the rest of the night. Wheeler says they will need a sample of the doctor’s DNA to match to the murder weapon, and he says fine, and then he will tell the SEC everything that Archie and Frank told him about their scheme to swindle the investors. Nichols says this is very much appreciated and says maybe the two of them can continue their therapy sessions in prison. As the police lead Ernst off, he tells the patients not to say a word, he forbids it. As they patients all look on, and as Elaine consoles Archie who is holding his head in his hand, Nichols dryly states, ‘I think that’s all for today” and we fade to black.


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Law & Order Franchise Episode Info Week of May 10, 2009

We have new episodes of Law & Order and Law & Order Criminal Intent for the week of May 10. There will be no episode of SVU airing on Tuesday. Here is the episode information for the new episodes.


Law & Order Criminal Intent “In Treatment” Air Date May 10, 2009

What should have been a simple meeting turns to murder, leaving Wheeler and Nichols to question an embassy, a security company, the victim's relatives, and how it all connects to the Olympic Site Selection Committee. Starring Jeff Goldblum, Julianne Nicholson, and Eric Bogosian

My recap and review of Law & Order Criminal Intent "In Treatment" can be found here.


Law & Order “Exchange” Air Date May 13, 2009
A DOUBLE MURDER LEADS DETECTIVES TO A JEALOUS, MENTALLY DISTURBED WOMAN

Two young engaged scientists die in a fire and a mentally challenged neighbor Charlie Headlind (Guest Star Christian Anderson) is badly burned trying to save the couple. Detectives Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) and Kevin Bernard (Anthony Anderson) discover that both of the victims were stabbed before they burned in the fire, leading them to a mentally disturbed woman, Wendy Teal (Guest Star Gretchen Hall), Charlie's former girl. Also stars S. Epatha Merkerson, Sam Waterston, Linus Roache and Alana de la Garza.

My recap and review of Law & Order "Exchange" can be found here.



Law & Order CI In Treatment Preview Clip





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

Law & Order SVU “Zebras” Season Finale Episode Information

The episode information for the season finale of Law & Order SVU has been released. The episode is titled “Zebras.” It looks like annoying CSU tech Dale Stuckey is alive in this episode, hopefully, they will find a reason - ANY reason - to make him gone before it is over. And, it looks like we will get to meet Munch’s ex-wife. By the way, NBC still lists Michaela McManus in the credits, but I don’t expect to see her.

Law & Order Svu “Zebras” Air Date June 2, 2009
WHEN AN ERROR JEOPARDIZES A MURDER CASE, THE DETECTIVES RUSH TO FIND MORE EVIDENCE BEFORE THE KILLER TAKES REVENGE ON THE SQUAD

When a tourist is found dead in Central Park with the word “guilty” written across her forehead, Detectives Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) recover photos from the victim’s camera. With the help of crime scene unit technician Dale Stuckey (Guest Star Noel Fisher), they discover that former artist Peter Harrison (Guest Star Nick Stahl) was at the park during the crime. After arresting Harrison for questioning, the detectives leave Detectives John Munch (Richard Belzer) and Fin Tutuola (Ice-T) to keep Harrison under close surveillance. But when Harrison suddenly escapes, Detective Munch (Belzer) must turn to his ex-wife Gwen (Guest Star Carol Kane) for help. Also starring: Richard Belzer (Detective John Much), Dann Florek (Captain Donald Cragen), Ice-T (Detective Odafin Tutuola), Michaela McManus (A.D.A Kim Greylek), Stephanie March (ADA Alexandra Cabot), Tamara Tunie (Dr. Melinda Warner), and B.D. Wong (Dr. George Huang).

My recap and review of Law & Order SVU "Zebras" can be found here.


NOTE: Preview Promo Clip for "Zebras" has been added here:




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

Law & Order All New Episode Recap & Review

All Photos NBC


Well, things must really be a mess at NBC because they have yet to give this episode a proper title - it is still listed with the name of “All New.” I call it “Murder by Firefighter” because it involves three murders at the hands of New York firefighters. (A side note to NBC – can we get a real name for this episode? And how about for last week’s "Promote This" while you are at it.)

The episode was rather good, and the case itself interesting. It started off with a murder of two people, and later led to some drug money that was stolen by a cop and later hidden by his wife, then another murder to cover up robbery and murder. Of course, any case these days seems to cause heartburn for Jack McCoy and his campaign for the DA’s office. Jack seems to be taking it all in stride, but also puts the heat on Michael Cutter not to screw things up for him. At times, Jack seems frustrated with Cutter, but later thanks him for not totally blowing things. We also see a glimpse of what looks like may be some sort of poll – it likely is not election results as the election isn’t going on yet – and Jack’s rival Joe Chapell seems to be in the lead, but there is a high enough percentage of undecideds that Jack still looks like he is still being taken seriously. I find myself wishing that Jack could find a nice clean way to give Chapell and the governor a smackdown.

The only problem with the episode is yet again, Cutter goes to trial with what appears to be a highly circumstantial and flimsy case. There was no proof of murder and he relied heavily on the testimony of two firefighters. The case was weak and I was shocked that he actually got a conviction out of it. Yet, he used that conviction to break the other partner in crime, in a confession that was really more worthy of being given to someone more intimidating like Bobby Goren. It was probably one of the better confession stories we’ve seen in a while on Law & Order. When you think that Cutter really had nothing to go on with that case either, he should be thrilled that he got anything at all.

If it wasn’t for what is turning out to be a cohesive cast and some decent writing these days, the show would not be as interesting, because the legal aspect of the series seems to be on the weak side. Cutter frequently has any hard evidence when he goes to trial and seems to get there based on trickery or slight of hand, or just a hairlike thread of evidence connecting someone to the crimes. No wonder Jack looks cranky all the time.


Here is the recap:


In an apartment that looks like it is undergoing renovations, Thomas Cooper (Bill Dawes), surprises his wife Linda (Bethann Bonner) with a new antique art deco chandelier. It was for their three-month anniversary. They decide to delay their trip to New Pulse in order to have a little “fun”.

Later, we see Detectives Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) and Bernard (Anthony Anderson) are at the apartment, Linda dead on the floor. Tom is also dead on the floor, and they are told he was a lieutenant with the fire department. They moved in 2 months before. They were renovating the apartment on their own. It seems like a home invasion. A policeman enters and tells the police sergeant that some other fireman are trying to break through the line. As the detectives head outside, they see a group of fireman shouting to get in. Lupo tells them to relax and it is a crime scene and they have to keep it clean. Lupo tells them they can get some guys and escort their lieutenant out. As the police carry Thomas’s body down the steps, they accompany him and help carry the stretcher, the crowd silent. As the firefighters touch the body bag as the stretcher passes, Bernard says, “I tell you what Lupes, we’d better do right by these guys.”


At the ME’s, Rodgers (Leslie Hendrix) tells the detectives that Thomas Cooper took seven hits to the face. She estimates 12 minutes start to finish. Mrs. Cooper was raped vaginally, rape kit showed no seminal fluids but there was Octyl-9, a condom lubricant. She was strangled repeatedly, Lupo saying it was “stop and go”, just like the husband. The killer was trying to get something out of them.

At the 2-7, Linda’s sister tells the Lt. Anita Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson) and the detectives that the couple was supposed to come to her dad’s last night, but they called to say they were coming in the morning. She said the couple was having no problems with anyone. They had nothing of real value, al their money going into their place in Washington Heights. After she leaves, they talk that they think that more than one person was involved. Van Buren hones in on the antique art deco chandelier, and tells them they run about 10 grand. She tells them to check out Cooper’s buddies to see how he came up with the money for it.

At Engine Company 29, Lupo and Bernard talk to Cooper’s colleagues, and one person told them that Tom was just tight with his money. Lupo finds a can of dog food and asks if they have a dog and are told that they used to. Another says they are wasting their time trying to dig up dirt on Cooper he was one of the best Lupo finds a card in Cooper’s locker from an Upton Paints, telling him to call ASAP!!! They are told the guy came in for Cooper a couple weeks ago and he was real steamed. And said if Cooper didn’t call he’d make real trouble for him.

Later. at Upton Paints, the owner says that he thought Cooper was trying to rip him off and it was an honest mistake. He said when Cooper paid for the paint he rolled out a wad of cash and paid for it, the bank later calling him and saying there was something wrong with the bills and they would not credit his account until they were checked out. He thought Cooper was passing counterfeit bills, but the bank later called and told him the bills were genuine, they were just 40 years old.

Back at the 2-7, Bernard says the bills were printed between 1965-69 but usually paper money is taken out of circulation after 5 years, but Cooper’s bills are in mint condition. Lupo, using Van Buren’s magnifier that he borrowed from her office, notices the initials LB in the lower right hand corner of one bill, and says he had an instructor at the academy that told him before copy machines, he said to put your initials on drug buy money so you could identify it at trial. Lupo thinks this is old drug bust money, and Bernard squeals it could be from “The French Connection.” He adds they just need to find the undercover narcotics detective with the initials LB.

At the Savingsmart, the detectives speak with Lou Bullard (Bernie McInerney), who now works at the store. He is surprised to hear the money is out there. They tell him that for that case where this money was involved, the case never went to court because the dope dealer was killed with another dope dealer. The informant said there was $400,000 but only $100,000 was accounted for at the time. They press Lou to tell them how the money got out there, Bernard saying the statute of limitations ran out on the grand larceny years ago but he could get jammed up now for lying. Lou says that someone named Paul Mansfield, his partner, was splitting up the money and he told him to make sure the marked bills get back where they came from. He doesn’t have the money anymore, he spent it and his ex-wife took what was left. He doesn’t think Mansfield ever spent a dime, he was concerned about attracting attention, and he think the stress killed him, as he died five years later. His wife stayed in their little house in Washington Heights until she passed.

Back at the Cooper home in Washington Heights, forensics are on the scene and they find old tobacco tins in the wall hanging on wires where the likely was stashed. Lupo found a bill in the bathroom where the linoleum wasn’t completely tacked down. They suspect someone knew Cooper hit the motherload.

Back at the 2-7 the detectives tell Van Buren they think finding the location of the money is why the killers took their time beating up the Coopers. They tore the place looking for the cash. Van Buren tells them to alert the banks in case another bill turns up. Van Buren notices they were going to replace a load-bearing wall with a steel column, and says this is a two-man job, nothing he and his wife could have done alone. They think whoever helped them may have been there when they found the money. Van Buren tells Lupo he owes $25 to Harlem Boys and Girls Club for borrowing her magnifier. As they look through construction bills, she finds the bill for the steel I-beam.

At Metropolitan Lumber, they speak to a manager who tells him Cooper said his and his pal had the installation of the steel beam covered. His pal was a young guy, white, in his 20’s with a crew cut and a tattoo saying “Hellfire boys.”

Back at the fire department, they talk to the guy with the tattoo, Nick Spence (Tom Degnan), who says he helped him put up the column and held with the demolition. He said he did not work in the dining room. They ask him where he was the night of the murder and he is shocked. He says he went out for Italian with his girlfriend.

At the Flowers Café, they speak with his girlfriend, and said after dinner he was tired from the job and went home to crash. They ask him what he said about Cooper. She said Nick would never admit it but said a few weeks ago he went out to Suffolk County to visit his grandmother and the next thing he is calling her from a hospital with food poisoning. He didn’t want to talk about it but she knew something happened.

At the ME’s, Warner is looking at records from the Suffolk County Hospital, saying Nick Spence had his stomach pumped, and spent two days there. He had internal bleeding from eating dog food, which contained ground bone meal that is not meant to be digested by humans. Lupo recalls that Cooper had dog food in his locker but the firehouse had no dog – but they did have a “probie.”

At the 2-7, the detectives have some of the firemen in interrogation. They talked about pranks they played on Nick, Cooper cut the kid slack but Walters made Nick clean his gutters in the rain. One says that Cooper wouldn’t make Spence eat dog food, Cooper was a good guy. They ask him why Nick put in a transfer a two weeks ago, could he not take Cooper’s hazing? They are told that Nick’s is just like his father Bill Spence, a department legend.

Later, Lupo tells Van Buren it was the big sucking sound of the NYFD closing ranks. Lupo still likes Spence for the murder, and Bernard walks in saying 40 year old bills have now turned up at banks in Bayridge and Smithtown Long Island. Spence has a grandmother close to Smithtown, and Van Buren says it is time to bring him in.

Lupo and Bernard head over where Spence’s group is fighting a fire. The find the fire chief there yelling at his men. When they ask to speak with Nick Spence, he tells them they are a little late. They find Nick is dead from the fire.

Back at the 2-7, along with the fire marshal, they look over blueprints of the location where they were fighting the fire and where Nick was killed. He described the building and fire as the “perfect storm.” He says that Nick should have been with the senior man Toshak, and Toshak advised Nick of his responsibility before they entered the site, but Spence disobeyed him. The warehouse was empty, the auto parts company leasing it went out of business the week before. They cannot determine how the fire was started but there were traces of an accelerant. The facility had no sprinklers and the asbestos had been removed, the walls acted like kindling. The fire marshal says “You wanna blame someone? Blame the laws of combustion.”

Later, in Cutter’s office, Bernard says Spence ate dog food on command, but asks if they are supposed to believe that he disobeyed a superior at a fire. When EADA Michael Cutter (Linus Roache) asks what they expect him to believe, Lupo thinks it is “firehouse justice.” ADA Connie Rubirosa (Alana De La Garza) asks that the beloved lieutenant is killed by the probie, so all his men take revenge? Lupo says they sent Spence into a firetrap.

DA Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) enters, and asks if the fire marshal signed off yet on their theory. Bernard says no. Jack tells them to stick to their original mission – the robbery/homicide of the firefighter and his wife. Cutter stands up and says the investigations take their town course. McCoy turns and looks at Cutter and says “I have nothing but respect for firemen. I know what it takes to run into a burning building, safe life and property. It’s bad enough your murder suspect was a probationary firefighter and that hazing might have played a role. You don’t need to put the rest of the fire department in the crosshairs.” McCoy walks off, and Cutter looks to the rest of them. Lupo comments sarcastically, “More like candidate McCoy doesn’t need it.” Cutter tells them one case at a time, Spence is dead but it is possible an accomplice is still running loose. Lupo says if Spence was still around, they may have gotten him to flip on his accomplice. Cutter thinks Spence must have talked to somebody, and when Lupo says not his girlfriend, Rubirosa wonders if it would have been to another fireman, and Bernard wonders if it was maybe a retired one.

Lupo, Bernard, and Rubirosa are at the home of Nick’s father Bill Spence (Thomas C. Waites), and he says there was nothing wrong with Nick. He did tell him Cooper was riding him pretty hard and he talked him out of quitting, even when his transfer was denied. Nick said crazy stuff, like he felt responsible for Tom Cooper getting killed. He just told him to shut up and forget about it. He says “screw Cooper and the fire truck he married” and when he gets upset about his son’s death, he leaves the room. Rubirosa wonders about the comment about being married to the fire truck. Lupo says his guess is all the fireman rode her.

Later, Rubirosa is talking to Linda Cooper’s sister, and she wondered how long it was going to take them before they started slamming her sister. Linda dated a lot of fireman. She said it all ended when she found Tom. She said she got “fan mail” but put all of it away when she met Tom but she kept it at her mom’s house.

Back at her office, Rubirosa is looking through all the letters. Cutter wonders about the thing women have with men in uniform, and Rubirosa says she can see the appeal but not to worry, she outgrew it by the time she was ten. She found one admirer who took Linda’s marriage hard, it was signed LDH. There was no one at the firehouse or Cooper’s friend that matches that initials. She sees a picture of Cooper and his buddies wearing T-shirts and points out Toshak T-shirt and says it could be LDH. The nicknames on the T-shirts are all fireman’s tools, but they wonder what an LDH is. Rubirosa looks it up and says it stands for a large diameter hose, and she chuckles. And says he does have a pretty inflated sense of himself. Cutter wonders if it is the kind of ego that doesn’t like rejection. The talk about Toshak's alibi, he was off duty but called into work at 11:10. Cutter says, ‘LDH, let’s reel him in.”

In interrogation, with the detectives and Cutter, Toshak (Eric Michael Cole) denies involvement but Lupo says they traced the emails to Linda to the firehouse computer. Cutter thinks he could not have done all those things without leaving one thread loose, and Toshak says he supposes not, but still denies doing any of those things. When Lupo mentions that Cooper's nickname of deck gun implies he was superior over Toshak, and that all that “thrust and power” sealed the deal for Linda, Toshak says he could do this all day, and will wait for his lawyer now.

Upon leaving the interrogation room, Rubirosa tells Lupo and Cutter that she checked the firehouse records and found the duty roster for the night Cooper was killed. Toshak drew it up, and he, McShane, and Walters were all off duty. There was a notation made next to Spence’s name that said, “ Probie can detail to EMT or not, his choice, you don’t give someone the option of working through a murder if you wanted (unintelligible) committing it. “ The speculate that Spence felt responsible as he told Toshak about the money. Bernard enters and said he went through Toshak bank statements, he wasn’t dumb enough to deposit any cash, but he did find that last week he deposited a check for $3,500 from a company called Mulberry Waste Remediation. Cutter wonders if he is moonlighting in the hazardous waste business. Bernard says this could involve asbestos, and someone was in the warehouse where Spence died and had just stripped out the asbestos.

Later, Rubirosa tells Cutter that the waste company confirmed Toshak worked on the fourth floor. He knew the layout of the place and knew the aerosols were there. But they can’t tie him to Cooper’s money. So they decide to go after him for Spence’s murder, but Rubirosa says the fire marshal has not ruled that fire as arson and they can’t prove Toshak set it. Cutter says he won’t need to prove it, and asks her for a leap of faith, saying “I hope you’re up for it.”



In McCoy’s office, the fire chief (Robert Clohessy ) is yelling saying this is an attack on every firefighter in the city, but McCoy says it is only on one very bad apple who just happens to be a firefighter. The fire chief is still crazed over this. Cutter tells him they don’t have the evidence to go after Toshak for the murders of the Coopers. The fire chief tells McCoy, “This is some office you’re running.” He insists the owner of the auto parts business as he illegally subdivided his building, and McCoy says the owner will be next. But the fire chief digs at McCoy, saying, ‘If you’re still in office by then. You actually think you can get elected without the support of the firefighters?” McCoy smiles and says ,’ I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.” The fire chief retorts, “I’ll pretend you did.” As he gets up to leave, he adds that they are filing a writ to appoint a special prosecutor to go after the business owner for the death of firefighter Spence. After he leaves, Cutter leaps up and is upset that prosecuting the owner now will undermine their case against Toshak, they have to stop this. McCoy says, “Fat chance, you know who appoints special prosecutors.” Cutter knows it’s the governor. McCoy adds “And he’s not one to let an opportunity pass to stick it to me, ‘specially is if helps his boy Chapell win an important endorsement. Fireman are saints in this city, deservedly so. Now that you’ve put Toshak in the crosshairs, better not miss.”

At Supreme Court, one of the firemen, Walters (Dash Mihok), is testifying. He says Brad Toshak told them to forget about the fourth floor, to all the members of his team. He told Spence to stick close and not lose sight of him. Cutter asks if Toshak asks if he pointed out the hazards, and the fireman says he didn’t have to. Cutter asks where, in his statement to the fire marshal, did he mention any warning not to go to the fourth floor. He admit she did not mention it. Cutter asks if other firefighters trust him with their lives, and he says yes. But when Cutter asks him if he would warn others about dangers he said yes, but when he asks if he considers it his duty as a firefighter, he stalls in answering and the judge orders him to respond. He says that is correct.

Back in McCoy’s office, he is watching a press conference being held by Chapell, who says he has received the endorsement of the firefighters for the position of district attorney. Cutter enters and McCoy turns off the TV. Cutter says luckily most firefighters can’t vote in New York County, but McCoy says the people that love them can. He says even if he convicts Toshak it is an empty victory unless he can show why he wanted Spence dead. Cutter thinks one of Toshak accomplices testified today. McCoy tells him unless Toshak is held accountable for all his crimes Cutter asks if McCoy can’t justify this trial to his constituents and since when is it all or nothing? McCoy calmly says, “Sometimes a half measure of justice is worse than no justice at all.” Cutter looks befuddled at this statement, and says unless McCoy orders him, he is not withdrawing the charge of depraved indifference and he won’t offer Toshak a deal. McCoy just glares at him, silent. As Cutter leaves his office, McCoy lets out a sigh.

Back at Supreme Court, Toshak is on the stand testifying he told the men what he knew about the building but t was noisy and they were on the move and he can’t be sure all heard him. He told Nick Spence to keep an eye on him and to go where he goers, but the smoke was think and when he couldn’t find him he tried to raise him on the radio but he couldn’t. he says unless you have been inside a fire you can’t know what it is like.

Cutter cross examines him, and asks him if he knew that Spence was s suspect in the murder of Cooper and his wife. He said yes but he did not believe it. Cutter mentions the Cooper hazing and Toshak admits Cooper also hazed him as well. He says he loved Cooper like a brother, and Cutter mentions that Toshak loved Cooper’s wife, too. Toshak says their relationship was over. When Cutter asks how Toshak is sure that Spence did not commit the murders, unless he was there. Toshak says he was not there at the murder of the Coopers. Cutter reminds him that Walters also said that Toshak did not warn Spence of the dangers in the fire, but Toshak says Walters was wrong. Cutter says he was in the lead with Walters and Spence was in the rear, and it was Walter’s responsibility to make sure the warning was relayed to Spence, and is now passing the buck to Walters, his “brother firefighter” and the man who trusted him with his life. Toshak seems to be rattled a bit, and Walters glares at him from the gallery.



Later, in Supreme Court, the verdict is read, and they find Toshak guilty and the gallery erupts. As the judge tries to calm the crowd, Cutter leans over to Rubirosa and says they are not done yet, and to issue an arrest warrant for Walters.

In the 2-7, Cutter has Walters in there, who is questioning that now they think HE killed Spence. Cutter says that the jury did not believe Toshak’s testimony that he passed along the warning to Spence through Walters. Walters says they didn’t believe because it was crap, and Cutter tells him another jury might not think so. Rubirosa tells him they are going to try him for depraved indifference murder, and they will use the transcript of the testimony from Toshak’s trial and that Toshak may testify against him for a reduced sentence. Cutter adds that he can set aside the charge and offer a reduced sentence for the murders of Tom and Linda Cooper, it’s 25 to life for depraved indifference murder, and 15 to life for a double murder, and it’s a one time only offer. Walters’s lawyer whispers to him, and Rubirosa asks what happened in Cooper’s house. Walters folds like it is laundry day, and said that Toshak heard from Spence that Cooper found the money in the house, and Toshak, McShane and him decided to steal it. Cooper was not supposed to be home. When he didn’t tell them where they hid the money, Toshak hit him a little to hard, then went after Linda. Walters said he and McShane couldn’t abide that, but they couldn’t stop him. Linda didn’t know where the money was, but Toshak killed her anyway. When he got called back to the firehouse, and he stayed with McShane to look for the money. They found it. Toshak got worried that Spence knew too much so he set a fire and he sent Spence upstairs – all for the damn money. When Walters and McShane heard the cops were tracing the bills, they lit his barbecue and made a fire, and over 100 grand went up in smoke. The money was bad news.




Back in McCoy’s office, he is watching another “breaking news” press conference featuring Joe Chapell. There are results streaming at the bottom of the page which show “Chapell 47%, McCoy 44%, 9% Undecided.” Cutter tells McCoy hat Walters took 15 to life, McShane 15 to life, Toshak 35 to life. Cutter moves to leave and McCoy says “Eat and run?” Cutter says he is filing an indictment against the owner of the warehouse, he wants to beat the special prosecutor to the punch. McCoy says “Mike, thanks… I think.” Cutter nods his head, smiles, and walks out. As McCoy puts back on his reading glasses to go back to work, we fade to black.


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Law & Order SVU “Crush” Recap & Review

All photos from NBC

I am really unsure about what to think of this episode of Law & Order SVU “Crush.” I went from liking it to hating it to liking it to hating it so many times that my head is spinning. For example, the guest attorney, Samantha Copeland, went from being someone who seemed to want to help to someone who suddenly took an overly hard line toward the victim. When the mess got bigger than she could handle, she backed off, then suddenly later decided to help. Her constant changing was giving me whiplash. It appears there are few guest attorneys in the Law & Order franchise universe that actually seem to have a heart; they are all women who happen to be cold, calculating, unfeeling bitches. It doesn't matter if they are prosecutors or defeense attorneys. I am getting tired of the stereotype.

And the judge – let me see, where do I start? I think the best I can say here is that she should have just had the word “Evil” stamped on her forehead, because that would have been the only thing that would have made her appear even more dishonest. Can someone explain to me how they all managed to get away with rigging a fake case all on their own – and doing it so quickly, too? The last time McCoy did that, he had to jump through hoops and he caught holy hell for it. This seemed way too easy. And why did the SVU team handle what clearly became a case of judicial corruption? Was it right for Huang to fake he was an attorney? That whole scenario made me wonder if the writers were smoking some wacky tobacky when they wrote this episode.

I am also amused by the fact that when Olivia goes undercover, it usually involves wearing sexy outfits. When Stabler does it, he just puts on a pair of glasses. I think to be fair we need Stabler in an undercover role where he gets to wear sexy clothes too, maybe going undercover as a male exotic dancer?

I also thought the whole Kathleen Stabler acting as the expert in Kim’s problem was a little much. I didn’t see Kathleen’s problems as the same as Kim’s, and I just though that the scene was too contrived. It seemed to be a wasted scene. Why not bring in Huang to try to talk to Kim?

The whole issue with kids sending inappropriate pictures of each other is a hot button issue, that is for sure. Should a kid be prosecuted for doing this? I say it could depend, based on the circumstances. Clearly taking nude pictures is not a wise thing to do, and the pictures could always end up in the wrong hands. I would have to say that each situation would have to be handled on a case-by-case basis; I am not sure that where minors are involved that one law will fit all. Personally, I don’t understand why any kid would want to send anything via email or phone these says that could be incriminating, and it’s not like the media hasn’t been quiet on the issue. Maybe parents shouldn’t be buying cell phones that take pictures for any of their kids under the age of 18?

Are there any some law experts out there that can explain how someone can still have the freedom of speech, but then still be held in contempt of court for speaking their mind? I find those two things to sometimes be in conflict. I don't know how this judge even got away with what she did.

Now I am really hoping that Dale Stuckey will wind up being the person who gets killed before the season is over. Is it wrong to wish for something bad to befall him? In this case, I make will make an exception and wish the worst for him. I think what annoys me even more about him is that the writers seem to want to beat us over the head with him, making him annoying to the tenth power. We get it, he’s a jerk. Now make him and his bing bang bong go away!

Bottom line, now that I’ve written this all out and thought it over, this episode really was just a crushing mess.

Here is the recap:

A girl, Kim Garnet (Carly Schroeder) and a guy are in a school hallway, kissing at a locker. When she says she has to go to class, and they say they love each other, other kids in the hall taunt her about the guy loving her, and that they have seen what he loved. We then see her seemingly be pushed and then fall down the stair, another student calling out for an ambulance.

Later, Detectives Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot Stabler (Chris Meloni) are at the hospital, being told that Kim was in a coma from an inter-cranial bleed from the fall. Her parents are also there. The doctor says the girl has been physically abused, likely being kicked in the head a few days prior. He also ordered a full body scan and finds that she has many previous injuries, and Benson said someone is beating the hell out of her.

When they talk to her mother, she is perplexed that the police were brought in for a fall down the stairs. Benson explains the doctor called them because Kim has been injured a lot lately. Her mother says the dislocated shoulder was an accident, she got knocked into a wall playing basketball and hurt her face as well. When Benson asks if that is when she broke her ribs, her mother said she did not break any ribs. When Benson tells her what the evidence shows, Kim’s mother becomes upset because she did not know it. Meanwhile, Stabler is talking to Kim’s father Bill who also indicates he had no knowledge of her other injuries. Bill says her grades had slipped from As to Bs and she made her drop a sport and clean up her act. He says he has been out of work since last fall, and was a senior VP who was fired before the bankruptcy for opening his mouth and warning them they were in trouble.

Benson asks Kim’s mother about this, who says Bill has been angry about this and he still can’t find another job. She says Kim has always been daddy’s little girl, and when Benson implies he may be the one beating her, Kim’s mother gets annoyed with Benson, Meanwhile, Stabler tells Bill he knows how it is having a daughter that age and implies anger may be getting the better of Bill. Bill repeatedly tells him to stop it, and when Stabler does not, Bill begins to beat at a vending machine. As Bill apologizes and says that is not who he is. His wife comes over to him, and Bill says he will take a lie detector test. Stabler asks if Kim would confide in anyone like a boyfriend, and her mother says Steve Walker is her boyfriend, and Bill says they spend too much time together.

At the school swimming pool, the detectives speak with Steve (Alexander Nifong). He says he and Kim have been seeing each other about a year and they are good friends. They always have to go to his place because of her parents. He said he did not hurt her, and indicated she may have gotten hurt in her boxing class, but no one is supposed to know about that. Later, at Mike’s Gym, they speak with the teacher, and she said Kim was her best student. She says another “dirtbag” student named Rick Edwards puts the moves on Kim and she blew him off and he later tripped her. She suspended him for 7 days. Her problem only got worse, and Rick was bothering him again. When the teacher calls Rick over from the boxing ring, he calls her a bitch. Stabler shows him his badge, and Rick blows him off. As Stabler walks up onto the ring, Rich takes off his helmet and asks his partner for a minute, asking Stabler what is his problem, asking if the bitch Kim called the cops. He takes a swipe at Stabler, who kicks him squarely in the groin, Rick falling to the floor in pain. When Rick calls it a cheap shot, Stabler said he thought it was a street fight.

Stabler brings Rick into the SVU lockup, and Fin (Ice-T) introduced him to “Little Pete” who is already in there, who raped a 13-year-old boy. Rick gets worried and says he will tell them everything. He shouts out that last week he tried to apologize to Kim but she wouldn’t give him the time of day. He swears he did nothing. Fin says to Stabler as he is looking over to annoying CSU guy Dale Stuckey who is talking with Cragen, “You really want to put the screws to him make him go 10 rounds with you know who.” Stabler says, “He’ll talk too much tech.” Fin tells Stabler to go save the captain and he’ll go lock up “Rocky” downstairs.

Cragen, to Stabler "Please save me from this annoying tech geek."

Stabler walks over to Cragen (Dann Florek) and is greeted by annoying SVU tech Dale Stuckey (Noel Fisher). Stuckey asks Stabler, calling him “The Ellster”, “how’s it hanging” and Stabler, looking perturbed, ask him what he’s got. He says he has an updated 411 on the stuff he pulled out of Kim Garnet’s school locker. Cragen adds “ which he neglected to forward to TARU as instructed.” Stuckey says yeah, he took a little peek-a-boo at it himself, he knew Stabler wanted to take a look at what was on there ASAP. He says the victim has bee “sexting.” When Stabler asks, “sexting?” Stuckey says she sent nude photos of herself on her cell phone. When Stuckey says the girl is smokin’ hot, Stabler moves to take the cell phone. One message says “I luv u” and Stuckey says there is a lot more, including full frontals, close-ups, and he suspects that judging by the amount of hate mail she got, someone made those pictures go viral to her school. He says anyone with access to her phone could have done it. One message says “Ur gonna die” and Stabler asks who sent that text. Stuckey says, “She did” and Stabler asks “What?” Stuckey confirms it came from her number. Cragen asks, “Why would she send a death threat to herself?”

At the CSU lab, O’Halloran (Mike Doyle) tells Stabler that Kim did not send this message to herself, as he can’t see her number calling her on her cell phone. Stuckey wonders if someone “spoofed” her, faking the caller ID, making it look like she sent it. When Stuckey says he can show him, Stabler tells him “You sext me Stuckey you’re toast.” Stuckey shows them a web site that allows someone to fake a number. He enters in his phone number 646-555-0142, and then Stabler’s number 917-555-0122, and then the number he wants the call to appear as, 917-555-0122 which is Kim’s own number, and then bing, bang, bong (I am praying right now that Stabler will beat Stuckey on the head right now), it looks like Stabler called himself. Stuckey says you can even fake your voice. When Cragen questions if this is legal, Stuckey says that no one has shut it down yet. When Cragen asks how they can trace the death threat, Stuckey says therein lies the rub; there are dozens of spoofing sites on line. When Stabler states no judge will give them a subpoena for all of them, O’Halloran says that Stuckey is wasting their time again, but if they work the other way, they can find who she sent the naked photos to. It looks like she sent them to Steve Walker, but according to her cell phone bill, she first texted them to Ethan Morse who is in Little Neck, NY. When Stabler says he guesses he is going to Queens, Stuckey says he can save him a trip, Ethan is in Manhattan, he Googled him and he should try Grandview Prep. He says he got great reviews in Oklahoma that fall, and is the star of their theatre program.

At Grandview, Stabler and Fin talk to Ethan (Ezra Miller) about Kim. He says he and Kim are friends, and says he got the pictures first because she meant to send them to Steve. He wishes they were more than friends but girls don’t go for drama geeks. Ethan says he last saw Kim on Monday, at first bell before she got hurt.

Back at the SVU squad, Fin tells Stabler that Ethan isn’t telling them everything; they can place her cell phone in his area on Friday night. He also says Ethan has a temper, finding he was suspended twice for starting fights, kicked a student in the head. Fin says he got Ethan’s school file from a buddy who is head of security at Grandview who slipped him the file on the “down-low.” A lawyer walks in who overheard this comments, and tells them to give them back, he got them without a subpoena so for her they don’t exist. Cragen introduces them to Samantha “Sam” Copeland (Melinda McGraw), who is corp counsel. She asks them if they have any evidence she can actually use to prosecute Ethan. Stabler and Fin recap what they have so far, they assume she was attacked Friday night when they believe she was with Ethan. They think when he got the pictures he thought she was interested in him, and when she told him it was a mistake, he went ballistic on her. But Benson wonders if it really was a mistake, maybe she was dating Ethan behind Steve’s back. Benson shows them video surveillance from Penn Station on Friday night, and both Kim and Steve were there, Steve was going to Little Neck and used his credit card three minutes after Kim. It appears he was following her. Copeland tells them to bring Steve and Ethan in there and find out what happened.

In interrogations, Steve is there with his father. He says Kim asked her to go along because she wanted him to protect her from Ethan, she was afraid of what he would do when she told him of her mistake. In another room, Fin is talking to Ethan who is there with his mother, who said Kim said she just wanted to be friends, but admits Kim knew he had a crush on her and he has known her since September. As Cragen and Copeland watch room behind the glass, Cragen says that her head injury occurred in September, and Copeland thinks that this may be why Kim wanted Steve’s protection when she talked to him again. As they watch Steve and his father, they indicate that Ethan is out of control, and that it was Kim’s idea to use separate ticket booths at the train station so Ethan wouldn’t see them together on the train. The detectives continue to press both boys and they both deny hurting her and both parents say they aren’t answering any more questions without a lawyer present. Steve’s father says they are leaving, and Sam tells Cragen to cut them loose. When both boys find themselves in the main squad room at the same time, Ethan makes a run for Steve and they have to be separated. Benson walks in, and announces Kim is awake.

At Mercy General Hospital, Benson and Copeland talk with Kim, her parents present. She implies her head injury was an accident, and Copeland tells her if she is afraid of someone they can protect her. Benson asks about her broken ribs, and she says those were an accident too. When they tell her they know she went to see Ethan and about sending the nude pictures, her parents are shocked. She says it was a mistake, and Copeland says it is a mistake to protect her abuser; he could kill her and tells her parents they could be saying goodbye to their daughter on a slab in the city morgue. Benson tells them to excuse them both and she takes Copeland aside. Benson reminds Copeland the girl is a victim and browbeating won’t help. Copeland says then they will arrest her for possession and distribution of kiddie porn and she’ll turn around after a few days in jail. Benson asks her if she is out of her mind, she is not collaring a victim to make her talk. Copeland tells her to arrest her or she will find someone who will and she will report her to internal affairs for failure to take police action. Benson reluctantly arrests her and cuffs her to the bed. Kim wonders why they are doing this to her, she thought they wanted to help her.

Back at SVU interrogation, defense attorney Miss Pond (Alex Kinsgton) asks Copeland how low she can get. Copeland says she is trying to save her life. Pond says Kim committed no crime, and Copeland says she will not allow another to get victimized or murdered, but Pond says blackmailing her won’t get her to cooperate. Benson tells Kim she will not be safe until he is locked up, and begs her to talk. Kim is silent, and Copeland walks out, saying. “See you at trial.”

In the chambers of Judge Hilda Marsden (Swoosie Kurtz), she says this looks like kiddie porn and Copeland cites what precedent indicates this is kiddie porn and may only be a matter of time before they wind up in the wrong hands. Pond says she did not intend to distribute the pictures. Marsden asks Benson her opinion, and Benson says that by the letter of the law, yes, but does not believe that was her intent. Copeland glares at her and the judge thanks her for her honesty. Pond moves to dismiss the charges based on Benson’s statement, but the judge says not so fast. She says kids are doing this without any regard to consequences and they have an epidemic on their hands and it is time to send a message – enough - and the evidence is more than enough to proceed to trial.

Outside the courthouse, Pond wants more help from Benson but she says it is out of her hands. She gets a phone call, and says she is on her way, telling Pond she’d better come with her. It's Kim and she's been hurt again.

Back at the hospital, Kim is back in there, her face beaten and arm in a case, and she says it was an accident. She says she fell off her skateboard. She says to leave her alone and says she wants Benson out of there.

At the SVU squad, Cragen gets an update from Benson. He says he heard she sandbagged the prosecutor, and Benson said Copeland got what she wanted. Cragen says this does not give her license to defect to the defense. Benson says they are supposed to protect the victims, not throw the book at them. Cragen reminds her Kim committed a crime, and the law just hasn’t caught up with it. Benson thinks this is criminalizing private behavior, but Cragen disagrees, saying it is not private when they begin sexting others; college admissions, future employers, and even their own kids could see these pictures. Benson says Kim made a stupid decision but she should not go to jail or be labeled a sex offender for life. Cragen says it is not up to her, it is up to the judge.

In family court, Kim says she is ashamed, and she did not mean to send them for them to be forwarded to everyone else. Copeland asks about the death threat, and Kim says she does not know. Copeland thinks Kim was attacked in order to influence her and intimidate her as far as her testimony. She tells the judge she has an accident, but the judge presses her. Kim begs to not to have to tell her, and Marsden gives her one more chance to name her assailant or she will be in contempt. Kim still refuses, and the judge says that maybe a night in the court lockup will change her mind, much to the shock of her parents. As they take her away, Copeland says to Benson that at least she will be safe tonight. Pond approaches Benson, and says maybe this is the only way. Benson thinks she knows someone who may get through to her.

In jail, Pond and Benson bring in Kathleen Stabler (Allison Siko) to talk to Kim. When Kim asks her if Benson put her in jail too, she says “Yeah, and my dad’s detective Stabler.” Kathleen tells her she is glad Benson put her in jail, it made her stop hating herself. She explained her own situation and told her Benson is trying to help her. But she says he loves her and she feels like she is betraying him. Kim sounds like an expert on the issue, and Kim manages to break down. Kim says the first time it happened they were at a party, and he slapped her in the face for spilling punch on him, and later he would hit her for no reason at all. Kathleen says if someone really loved her they would never hurt her, they would treat her with respect. She begs her to let them help her. Kim says Ethan is always doing nice things for her, and they text each other all the time. She sent those pictures by mistake to Ethan. As we watch them putting cuffs on Steve we heard Kim say that Friday after school, she went to make a call and saw her cell phone was missing from her purse. Steve stole it because he is always taking it from her and he saw the pictures and he thought she was cheating on him. He sent the photos to everyone in the school and said if she saw Ethan again he would kill her. When she told him she sent the pictures by mistake, he called her a liar. While we continue to hear Kim’s story. they lead Steve into the SVU squad, and into the cell. Her story continues, and she says she took the train to Little Neck to explain to Ethan what happened, Steve followed her and kicked her in the head and she passed out. Now she is on the stand, saying that she was not dating Ethan, she just wanted to be friends. She adds that Steve attacked her the day before they came to court. Pond moves for a dismissal of charges, and Copeland has no objections. But Judge Marsden denies the motion, and Benson and everyone else is shocked. Copeland argues that the testimony shows Kim had no intent to distribute pornography, but the judge calls Kim to rise for her decision. Pond questions this, saying that they haven’t even delivered closing arguments. Marsden coldly says she is not required to hear closing arguments. She barks, “Stand up, young lady” to Kim. She finds Kim guilty of producing, possessing, and distributing a sexual performance by a child. She sentences her to incarceration to a secure facility for juvenile sex offenders in Wellsburg, Ohio, for one year. Everyone is stunned. As Kim is being led away, she says to Benson, ‘This is all your fault. I listened to you and you lied to me. You said that if I told you the truth I would be safe!”

Afterwards, Copeland tells Benson and Pond that this caught her completely by surprise, she thought the worst she would get was probation. Benson harps on her, saying now Kim is going to prison 500 miles away, and if something happens to that girl, it is on Copeland. Pond asks her how she is going to fix it. Copeland doesn’t know, and Benson tells her to talk to the judge. But Copeland says she has other cases with Marsden and if she challenges her it will make her life a living hell. Pond says she’s not the only one, she is filing a 440 motion to vacate the conviction and sentencing and she is reporting Copeland to the bar. Copeland says he is sorry, and walks off. Pond says her head is not the only one she wants on a platter, Marsden did not allow closing arguments, there was in instant sentence, why the rush to judgment? Benson asks why send Kim to a facility so far away? Pond wonders if she has a thing about sex offenders, and Benson said there is only one way to find out.

Benson and Pond arrive at the office of the clerk for family court, and she asks of they keep statistic on judges. They ask about Marsden, and he says it should not take long to put something together for them. But someone else overhearing that says actually it will take long. He tells them there is a certain protocol they have to follow, all requests have to go through him, Ed Mangini (Geoffrey Cantor), senior clerk. All requests have to go through him and if they put in a request in writing and he will get back to them. Pond says to let hew guess, they are really busy and it will take six weeks. He says yeah, and that’s if he expedites it. Benson asks why judge Marsden doesn’t want them looking at her stats, and the other clerk, who had received a phone call, says to ask her yourself, her honor wants to see Benson, pronto.

Back at family court, Benson and Pond arrive as Marsden is on the bench. She calls a recess. When Benson approaches, Marsden asks Pond if she is representing her. Pond asks does Benson need representation, and Marsden flippantly says “Of course not! We’re off the record! Join the party, counselor.” She asks why the sudden interest in her and why is she so hot for her sentencing stats. Pond says they are jus trying to understand her decision to send Kim away. She says there were no facilities with available beds in New York for sex offenders. When Olivia voices and objection, Marsden says she is so tired of these kids waltzing in there thinking they can get away with everything and she had to take a stand. When Benson asks her if she just gets off on the power, Pond seems to caution Benson and Marsden says,” Mock me again, Olivia, and I’ll hold you in contempt.” Benson asks, ‘How? I thought this was just a friendly chat?” Marsden shouts, ‘That’s it!” When Pond says that Marsden doesn’t have the authority to sanction Benson, Marsden curtly says, “Watch this. Officer, take detective Benson and Miss Pond down to the lockup. They’re in contempt.” As the both are taken away, Marsden says “Have a nice day, ladies.”

In jail, Cragen comes to see them, and Benson asks what is he waiting for, to spring them. He says, “After I am done savoring the moment.” When Pond asks if this is her boss, Benson says ‘Yeah, he’s very supportive.” As they leave, Benson states that they didn’t even get their phone call, and asks how he knew they were there? He tells her Sam called, and the find her there waiting for them. Pond thought Copeland didn’t want to cross Marsden, and says this will put her in the line of fire. Copeland says at least she will be in good company. She says she pulled up Marsden’s stats off her database and thinks she knows what Marsden doesn’t want them to see.

Back at the SVU squad, Benson says that Marsden has send 19 kids to Wellsburg this year, and 33 last year, all as teenage sex offenders. But Copeland says it all depends on how you define that term. Copeland says none of the offenses are sex offenses, and Benson adds that Marsden still took them to trial and shipped them off to Wellsburg. Pond adds she is taking minor offenses and turning them into felonies. Cragen says Marsden is a “hanging judge” and she is harsh but it is all within her discretion. But Benson asks why she locked them up for looking into her records, and Pond questions why Mangini tipped her off?

Elsewhere, we see Ed Mangini yelling out “Hey! Hey!” and yells at Stabler, who is sitting on his car. Stabler comments on Mangini’s nice wheels, saying it is pretty pricey for a government hack. Mangini says he doesn’t have to explain himself to him, but Stabler shows him his badge, and says “Actually, you do.” He gets on Mangini for ratting out his partner to Marsden. Later, he is in the SVU interrogation room, with Benson and Stabler both putting the heat on him. He says he would like to talk to his lawyer. Stabler says that is a good idea, maybe he can explain how Mangini can afford a Mercedes and a seven-figure condo in Boca. Benson tells hi tax evasion and corruption could men 20 years federal time. Stabler tell him if he tells them where the money came from, he could be a cooperating witness and not a co-conspirator. Mangini folds like a lawn chair and says that Judge Marsden likes a certain kind of case, and he makes up her docket. Marsden pays him to pad her calendar with the kinds of cases where she can send kids to Wellsburg, her cousin runs the place and she gets a commission for every bed she fills. He says he is so sorry, and when he says he will never do it again, Stabler says, “No, actually, you will.”

Later, we see Stabler, under a false identity, coming to see Judge Marsden. He says he grew up with Mangini. He says his 13 year old has been hanging out with a low life 15 year old kid who boosted his Deville and took his daughter for a ride car and totaled the car. The cops just busted him for joyriding but he thinks more should be done. She asks what he wants her to do, and he says Eddie says she knows how to deal with kids like this and is not afraid to deal with them and give them what’s coming to them. She says he just serves the public good. He gives her the kids name and says he is in the schedule for tomorrow, first up on the docket. She says she will read up on the case, and when Stabler thanks her, she says he can show his appreciation with a donation to her reelection campaign. He shakes her hand, and then pulls out a brown envelope, with what looks like money it, out of his pocket and drops it on her desk, telling her to have a nice day. She closes her folio over it.

Back in family court, Marsden is making her ruling, saying that the case has been woefully undercharged, and she is amending the complaint to grand larceny, custodial interference, and endangering the welfare of a child. Dr. Huang (B.D.Wong) who appears to be there pretending to be an attorney, objects, saying this is way out of proportion for the crime. She says this is his first time in front of her, and he should not tell her how to run her courtroom. The kid – who really is Ethan - yells at her, “You can’t do this! Who the hell do you think you are?” Cragen, in the gallery, says “Shut up, Paul.” Marsden says she is going to teach him a lesson. Huang objects, and she says object all you want, she is remanding his client to jail until trial. She tells the officer to take him into custody and adjourns the court. When she does so, Stabler stands up, shows his badge, and says she is the only one going in to custody. She asks, “What the hell is this?” Copeland answers it’s the end of a nightmare for hundreds of kids, as Stabler reads her rights. He places her under arrest for bribery, official misconduct, and false imprisonment. Huang adds federal charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States. When Stabler says she ahs the right to remain silent, she says she knows her rights, she is a judge and has done nothing wrong. She says these kids need to be put away and adds it is people like her who keep this country safe. She says she has the balls to stand up for what is right, not like you lousy bleeding hearts. AS Cragen and Huang take her off in cuffs, she turns back and looks at Copeland, who seems happy. Ethan walks up to Stabler and asks how he did, Stabler says he has a shot at Broadway. He asks what about Kim. We later see Kim outside of the courthouse, calling out to Ethan ho is waiting there with Stabler, and she hugs him. Stabler asks how it went, and Copeland says the chief judge vacated the verdict and the sentence and Pond adds her record is expunged as if nothing ever happened. But Kim says a lot happened but they all helped her. Benson said she helped herself. As Kim smiles, we fade to black.



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Law & Order SVU Crush Clip # 1


Law & Order SVU Crush Clip # 2

Law & Order Absent From NBC Fall Schedule

Here’s the announcement from NBC from their “Infront” announcing their fall schedule. Law & Order is not on the fall list but I am not panicking as yet, they may pull it out in January like they did in an earlier season, for a shortened run. Stay tuned!



NBC Press Release:

NBC ANNOUNCES AMBITIOUS LINEUP OF PROGRAMMING DOMINATED BY NEW SCRIPTED SERIES FOR 2009-2010 PRIMETIME SEASON THAT EXTENDS THE NETWORK’S QUALITY BRAND
Published: May 4, 2009

New Series Include Four Dramas: "Trauma," "Parenthood," "Mercy" and the Event Series "Day One" as Well as Two Comedies: "Community" and "100 Questions"

Returning Series Pickups Include "Heroes," "Southland," "Parks and Recreation" and Six New Episodes of "Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday"


NEW YORK CITY – May 4, 2009 – NBC unveiled today a strong lineup of broad and diverse quality programming for the 2009-2010 television season announcing the pickups of six new series featuring four new dramas including "Trauma," "Parenthood," "Mercy" and the event series "Day One," as well as two new comedies including "Community" and "100 Questions." Four returning series pickups were also announced today including "Heroes," "Southland," "Parks and Recreation" and the addition of six new episodes of "Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday" skewering today’s top stories in live half-hour primetime shows.

The new and returning series will launch next season and the epic event series "Day One" is slated to premiere out of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

"The Jay Leno Show" will be broadcast Monday-Fridays, 10-11 p.m. ET beginning in the fall. Previously announced series pickups include "The Office," "30 Rock," "The Biggest Loser," "The Celebrity Apprentice," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Friday Night Lights," and new alternative series "The Marriage Ref," "Breakthrough With Tony Robbins" and "Who Do You Think You Are?"

Additional series pickups will be announced May 19, when NBC announces its 2009-2010 schedule.

NBC unveiled pickups for the upcoming broadcast season in the first of a series of presentations today and tomorrow to key advertisers from Studio 8H—the home of NBC’s "Saturday Night Live"—at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. Presentations will continue in Chicago on May 7 and Los Angeles on May 12.

"We are thrilled to be announcing such an awesome slate of new series that build on our existing quality brand and deliver emotional, human stories," said Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios. "NBC will strive to make viewers feel and our shows represent the full range of human emotion from laughter to tears. We can’t wait to share these concepts with our audience and our advertising partners."

"These new series will showcase fresh talent and bold, original concepts that are extremely well executed," said Angela Bromstad, President, Primetime Entertainment, NBC and Universal Media Studios. "We are grateful to the producers, casts and crews -- and our team -- who have delivered incredibly compelling and entertaining new series."

In response to an evolving media marketplace and the changing needs of advertisers, NBC has created a more innovative, client-centric approach to its traditional Upfront with a series of one-on-one client presentations, which began today in New York City. These presentations are interactive and, unlike other networks’ Upfront presentations, will include a Q & A with advertisers and NBC sales and entertainment executives.

NBC will also host advertisers and affiliates at a "Night of Comedy" featuring appearances by some of its biggest comedy stars including Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Rainn Wilson and Tracy Morgan on Tuesday, May 19 in New York City.

Detailed new series descriptions are listed below. For photography, log on to www.nbcumv.com. For additional press materials including EPK and new series promotional trailers, please see companion media advisory.

2009-2010 NEW SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

New Dramas

PARENTHOOD
From the executive producers of the box-office hit "Parenthood" -- Ron Howard and Brian Grazer (Oscar winners for "A Beautiful Mind"), and writer/executive producer Jason Katims ("Friday Night Lights") -- this contemporary re-imagining of the blockbuster film depicts the colorful and imperfect Braverman family -- four grown siblings sharing the headaches, heartaches and joy of being parents. The star-studded cast includes Peter Krause, Maura Tierney, Craig T. Nelson, Dax Shepard, Bonnie Bedelia, Monica Potter, Erika Christensen and Sarah Ramos. When Sarah Braverman (Tierney, "ER"), a financially strapped single mother, returns home to her parents and siblings in Berkeley, Calif. after packing up her Fresno apartment and uprooting her two inconvenienced kids, Amber (Mae Whitman, "In Treatment") and Drew (Miles Heizer, "ER"), she is greeted by her opinionated father, Zeek (Nelson, "Family Stone," "Coach"), and strong mother, Camille (Bedelia, "Heart Like a Wheel"), who are privately dealing with their own marital issues. As Sarah is reunited with her siblings -- sister, Julia (Christensen, "Traffic"), and brothers Crosby (Shepard, "Baby Mama") and Adam (Krause, "Six Feet Under") -- all struggling with issues of their own, it’s clear that the Braverman reunion is just what they need to face the everyday challenges of modern family life. "Parenthood" is a production from Imagine Entertainment and Universal Media Studios. Emmy winner Thomas Schlamme ("The West Wing") directs the pilot.

TRAUMA
Executive producer Peter Berg (NBC’s "Friday Night Lights") delivers "Trauma," the first high-octane medical drama series to live exclusively in the field where the real action is. Like an adrenaline shot to the heart, "Trauma" is an intense, action-packed look at one of the most dangerous medical professions in the world: first responder paramedics. When emergencies occur, the trauma team from San Francisco General is first on the scene, traveling by land, by sea or by air to reach their victims in time. From the heights of the city’s Transamerica Pyramid to the depths of the San Francisco Bay, these heroes must face the most extreme conditions to save lives -- and give meaning to their own existence in the process. Starring in "Trauma" are Derek Luke ("Notorious"), Cliff Curtis ("10,000 B.C"), Anastasia Griffith ("Damages"), Aimee Garcia ("George Lopez"), Kevin Rankin ("Friday Night Lights") and Jamey Sheridan ("Law & Order: Criminal Intent"). "Trauma" is a production of Universal Media Studios and Film 44. Berg, Sarah Aubrey ("Bad Santa," "Friday Night Lights"), Dario Scardapane and Jeffrey Reiner ("Friday Night Lights") serve as executive producers. The pilot was written by Scardapane and directed by Reiner.

MERCY
"Mercy," a new medical drama with a unique point of view, portrays the lives of the staff at Mercy Hospital as seen through the eyes of those who know it best -- its nurses. Nurse Veronica Callahan (Taylor Schilling, "Dark Matter") returns to Mercy from a military tour in Iraq -- and she knows more about medicine than all of the residents combined. Together with fellow nurses Sonia Jimenez (Jamie Lee Kirchner, "Rescue Me") and Chloe Payne (Michelle Trachtenberg, "Gossip Girl"), Callahan navigates through the daily traumas and social landmines of life and love both inside the hospital and out in the real world. The cast also includes: James Tupper ("Men in Trees") as Dr. Chris Sands, a new doctor at the hospital who complicates Veronica's life; Diego Klattenhoff ("Supernatural") as Mike Callahan, Veronica’s husband; and Guillermo Diaz ("Weeds") as Nurse Angel Lopez. "Mercy" is a production from Universal Media Studios and Berman Braun. Joining writer/executive producers Liz Heldens (NBC’s "Friday Night Lights") and Gretchen Berg & Aaron Harberts ("Pushing Daisies," "Pepper Dennis") are executive producers Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun. Emmy Award winner Adam Bernstein (NBC’s "30 Rock," "Rescue Me") is the director.

DAY ONE
From executive producer/writer Jesse Alexander ("Heroes," "Lost," "Alias") and director Alex Graves ("Fringe," "Journeyman"), "Day One" tells the story of life on earth following a global catastrophe that has devastated the world's infrastructures. Beginning with the immediate aftermath of the cataclysmic event, an eclectic band of survivors -- played by Adam Campbell ("Date Movie"), Catherine Dent ("The Shield"), Julie Gonzalo ("Eli Stone"), David Lyons ("ER"), Derek Mio ("Greek"), Carly Pope ("24"), Thekla Reuten ("Sleeper Cell") and Addison Timlin ("Cashmere Mafia") -- strives to rebuild society as they unravel the mysteries of what happened and face their uncertain future. The group, all residents of one apartment building in suburban Van Nuys, Calif., embarks on a quest for survival and discovers that hope is found in small victories -- and heroes are born every day. "Day One" is a Universal Media Studios production.

New Comedies

100 QUESTIONS (fka "100 Questions for Charlotte Payne")
Emmy winner James Burrows ("Will & Grace," "Friends") directs "100 Questions," a new comedy series written and executive-produced by Christopher Moynihan ("For Your Consideration") that provides hilarious answers to 100 questions about love. Charlotte Payne (Sophie Winkleman, "Peep Show") is looking for love and has rejected multiple marriage proposals -- but she has yet to meet Mr. Right. When she joins a popular online dating site, she gets a little help from her dating counselor Ravi (Amir Talai, "The Ex List") – who requires her to take a 100-question compatibility test. The questions aren’t easy for Charlotte to answer, and each one requires her to recount a poignant and humorous time in her life with friends Leslie (Elizabeth Ho, "Women’s Murder Club"), Jill (Joy Suprano, NBC’s "Law & Order"), Mike (Christopher Moynihan "For Your Consideration") and Wayne (David Walton "Quarterlife"). The test becomes a journey of self-discovery for Charlotte who begins to realize what she truly wants in a relationship. Ron West ("Psych"), Kelly Kulchak ("Psych") and Michelle Nader ("King of Queens") join Moynihan as executive producers. The series is produced by Universal Media Studios and Tagline.

COMMUNITY
From Emmy Award-winning directors Joe and Anthony Russo ("Arrested Development") comes "Community," a smart comedy series about higher education -- and lower expectations. The student body at Greendale Community College is made up of high-school losers, newly divorced housewives, and old people who want to keep their minds active. Within these not-so-hallowed halls, "Community" focuses on a band of misfits, at the center of which is a fast-talkin’ lawyer whose degree has been revoked (Joel McHale, "The Soup"), who form a study group and end up learning a lot more about themselves than they do about their course work. In addition to McHale, the series also stars: Gillian Jacobs ("The Book of Daniel"); Yvette Nicole Brown ("Rules of Engagement"); Danny Pudi ("Greek"); Alison Brie ("Mad Men"); and comedy legend Chevy Chase ("Saturday Night Live"). "Community" is a Krasnoff Foster Entertainment, Harmonious Claptrap and Russo Brothers production in association with Sony Pictures Television and Universal Media Studios. Russ Krasnoff ("The Soloist"), Dan Harmon ("The Sarah Silverman Program"), Joe Russo ("Arrested Development"), Anthony Russo ("Arrested Development") and Gary Foster ("The Soloist") serve as executive producers. Joe and Anthony Russo directed the pilot that was written by Dan Harmon.


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

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