Law & Order: - TV.com

Law & Order: The Reaper's Helper

« prev episode next » episode

When construction worker Bobby Holland is found dead in his apartment from a gunshot wound, Logan and Greevey investigate and soon learn that Holland was gay. Thanks to a magazine article, Greevey links the death to another that had taken place in San Francisco, which also leads them to a similar murder in Los Angeles. They arrest Jack Curry, the one man who is connected to all three cases, but rather than hide his connection to the three deaths, Curry admits that he was involved each time, and claims that each man asked him to help them commit suicide because they had AIDS. Stone has a hard time prosecuting the case because, deep down, he isn't certain Curry really did anything wrong. Add a recap »

YOUR SCORE

RESET

N/A n/a

Writers:: Thomas Francis McElroy David Black Robert Stuart Nathan Thomas Francis McElroy

Director:: Vern Gillum

Stars:: George Dzundza (Det. Sgt. Max Greevey); Dann Florek (Capt. Don Cragen); Chris Noth (Det. Mike Logan); Michael Moriarty (Exec. A.D.A. Ben Stone); Richard Brooks (A.D.A. Paul Robinette); Steven Hill (D.A. Adam Schiff)

Guest Star:: Millie Tirelli (Lois Rivera); Steven Gilborn (Trial Judge Greenbaum); Francis Guinan (Jed Coles); Susan Knight (Allison McGill); Suzanne Shepherd (Arraignment Judge Violet Sawyer); Jack Laufer (Wellman); Frank Girardeau (Massacio); Tommy A. Ford (Harry Pincher); Merrill Holtzman (Hurley); Josh Pais (Cioran); Roger Rignack (Irate Man); Matthew Locricchio (Court Officer); Olinda Turturro (Jury Forewoman); Christopher Rubin (Reporter); Daniel Kenney (Bradley); Richard Steinmetz (Terry Roland); Neal Ben-Ari (Mr. Gordon); Peter Frechette (Jack Curry); Tom Signorelli (Anthony Holland); Barbara Andres (Patricia Holland); Jesse Corti (Angel Suarez); Charlotte Moore (Julia DeBakey); John Fiore (Tony Profaci)

The department's fax number is 212-555-8342. edit »
When the police hit Jack Curry's door with the ram, the door is already slighly open. This eliminates the need for the ram, as it would be much simpler to just open the door and go on in. edit »

German episode title: "Sterbehilfe", meaning "Euthanasia". edit »
This episode was the first "warm weather" episode (with no one wearing overcoats) of the series ever to air. edit »
When A & E aired this episode of the series prior to TNT taking over the first eight seasons in September 2002, A & E would air a disclaimer at the end of the episode, noting it originally aired in 1990, and that AIDS research had greatly advanced since the episode originally aired. A & E also gave a number to call for more information on AIDS. edit »
This is one of the very few episodes in which the accused (Jack Curry) shares a scene with the district attorney (Adam Schiff). edit »

Max Greevey: Who shoots in the head besides dealers?
Mike Logan: A robber who gets surprised?
Max Greevey: A burglar who's so surprised, he leaves behind a full wallet? edit »
Max Greevey: Do you think a lot of cops are gay?
Mike Logan: No way, man. The department's got a special test. They look you in the eye, and if your left eye blinks before your right eye, they know you're gay. (slowly blinks his left eye at Greevey) edit »
Jack Curry: What gives you the right to decide how I should live the rest of my life?
Ben Stone: Unfortunately, you did. Not once, not twice, but three times. edit »

This episode appears to be ripped from the headlines of the Dr. Jack Kevorkian case. Dr. Kevorkian became famous in the late 1980s and early 1990s as a supporter of assisted suicide, and was lucky enough to have three acquittals and a mistrial before being convicted of the second-degree murder of Thomas Youk in 1999. edit »