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Law & Order

Political Animal

Season 18, Episode 6, Aired Jan 30, 2008

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A triple homicide has ties to a politician, but he may be just the first step toward the truth and a killer who will take desperate measures to keep his freedom.

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Cast & Crew

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GUEST STAR
Jayne Atkinson

Melanie Carver
GUEST STAR
John Ortiz

Victor Vargas
GUEST STAR
Michael Genet

Franklin Slater

Alana De La Garza

A.D.A. Connie Rubirosa
Jeremy Sisto

Det. Cyrus Lupo
Sam Waterston

D.A. Jack McCoy
S. Epatha Merkerson

Lt. Anita Van Buren
Linus Roache

Exec. A.D.A. Michael Cutter
Jesse L. Martin

Det. Ed Green

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Fan Episode Reviews (2)

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Been here done this a political episode and of course it's over the top with a lobbyist killing people. The case started out interesting enough with odd deaths linked to

8.3

"Great"

By danharr, Mar 19, 2008

Been here done this a political episode and of course it's over the top with a lobbyist killing people. The case started out interesting enough with odd deaths linked to politicians but the fact and the money trail led to a political over achiever. The show had some minor twist with the criminal appearing to run from prosecution but really trying to kill himself. It was nice to see a 24 alumnus the leader of CTU from season four since I don't watch that show anymore. The ending with this psychotic being tricked by one of the politicos he idolized wasn't impressive. A standard hour killing Wednesday in the L&O universe that's all.moreless
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Politicians gone awry.

8.0

"Great"

By lawgotham, Jan 31, 2008

For me this was a good episode, not great. Like an old friend, we know what to expect from this show. Formulaic with a few twists and turns. We're met with some dead bodies, a few of which are gay men. We're initially led to believe it might be a local politician (played by John Doman, most recently "Acting Commissioner Rawls" of "The Wire") but as always it's never the first guy or the first theory that is presented. What I did enjoy about this episode was how politicians try to use their power to influence. This time Jack McCoy (Waterston is masterful in his role) is asked to make a case go away but he is something of an idealist and won't be swayed. You'll notice now as D.A., McCoy is more a realist and his underlings Cutter and Rubirosa are the idealists.moreless
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (1)
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- This is one of only episodes in which the district attorney (Jack McCoy) shares a scene with the accused (Victor Vargas).
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QUOTES (3)
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- Jack McCoy: There's a limit to what I can discuss with you, Melanie. Melanie Carver: If I say the wrong thing, call a cop.
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- Anita van Buren: The only way to find out if Gilles actually takes advantage of that men's room Cyrus Lupo: Come on. Anita van Buren: Unless you wanna slip into something sexy and buy the guy a drink, you need to start arguing about who goes on stall duty.
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- Ed Green: It turns out our gay love triangle has two straight guys in it. Anita van Buren: Plus your murder-suicide doesn't have a suicide.
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NOTES (2)
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- Original International Air Dates: Finland: July 9, 2010 on YLE TV2
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- Special billing was given to John Doman (with) and Jayne Atkinson (and) in this episode.
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ALLUSIONS (3)
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- This episode appears to be ripped from the headlines of the Norman Hsu scandal. Hsu was a major political fundraiser, who was a fugitive for more than 16 years.
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- Michael Cutter: How many people think Hillary Clinton murdered Vince Foster over Whitewater? Vince Foster served as Deputy White House Counsel during Bill Clinton's presidency. In 1993, he was found dead in a Washington park. He died from a gunshot wound to the head. His death was ruled a suicide by the coroner and Special Prosecutors Robert Fiske and Kenneth Starr, but conspiracy theorists have accused the Clintons of killing him to prevent him from talking about Whitewater and other Clinton-related scandals.
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- This episode appears to be ripped from the headlines of the Larry Craig sex scandal that came to light in summer 2007. Senator Craig was caught tapping his foot in a men's room stall in an airport bathroom, resulting in his arrest on a sexual misconduct charge.
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