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Law & Order Season 19 Episode 1

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8.4

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 11/5/08

A stockbroker is beaten to death and the investigation leads to an illegal street-fighting ring. Issues around misuse of terrorism statutes are explored.

Fan Episode Reviews (5)

After a death a huge brawl breaks out.

7.5

By thefanof, Nov 14, 2010

Finally television's best legal drama Law and Order returned. We were given an episode that featured a very real problem in our society with illegal streetfighting. A death led to an all-out brawl The Outsiders style.

The detective team of Jeremy Sisto and Anthony Anderson is starting to mesh well. There aren't too many funny lines like you got on a regular basis with Jerry Orbach, but the team is still a very believable police duo.

This cast as a whole is actually very strong. People have criticized the actors on the past few seasons of Law and Order but I think the program has a very strong ensemble right now. Sam Waterston is an improvement over Fred Thompson as DA and is still entertaining after being on the show so long. Alana De La Garza and S. Epatha Merkerson also contribute well to the program. This will not go down as a classic due to be replayed on TNT for decades, but it gives me hope that Season 19 can be a very strong year for Law and Order.moreless
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Average, but thought provoking

8.0

By XMLarry, Oct 10, 2010

Once again they twist the laws of the land to cover up their mistakes or ineptitude or the incompleteness of an ongoing investigation. But the laws against those who would commit terrorist acts against us apply to us as well as those outside the country. It seemed to be a bit of a stretch but when all was said and done it worked for me. I commend Cutter for stading up to McCoy (he ought to run against Jack in the election) but Cutter did stay professional and do what he was told even though he did not agree with the approach and I can hardly blame him.moreless
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Fun episode despite not blowing my mind. Makes me confident that Season 20 will happen yet.

9.0

By bluejayfusion, Nov 07, 2008

Law and Order has gained new life via Jeremy Sisto and Linus Roach. The show feels more cohesive since Rene Balcer returned and scenes which feature the detectives and Connie drinking together are really refreshing. The case was so-so- anyone could have guessed that the brother of the victim would take justice into his own hands, however, the opening was intriguing. The character development between Sam Waterston and his protege 'Mike Cutter' justified the rather wild attempt to prosecute the defendents for terrorism. The writing has definitely improved since the Arthur Branch days- and the feel of the District Attorney's office strikes just the right amount of levity/seriousness such that the second half of the show is a pleasure to watch now. I'm also surprised by the fact that Anthony Anderson is holding his own about as well as anybody could replacing an actor as beloved as Jesse Martin.moreless
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Anger over a questionable involuntary manslaughter plea leads to a massive street fight, killing three. McCoy orders Cutter to go after the brawlers using a peculiar terrorism theory.

8.0

By XfuturePlayer, Nov 06, 2008

I feel this was a okay episode. This episode seems to me as having definite high and low points.

High point- The characters. This episode did very well at showing us more of McCoy and Cutter. McCoy, in the pursuit of justice, has always been happy to come up with any theory of law that would allow him to get his man. These theories sometimes go from clever to political to asinine. However, when he goes too far, the DA is there to call him off. The problem is, now he is the DA, and until the election, he can do whatever he pleases. Cutter appears to be becoming the new voice of reason. Roache, IMO, is doing very well with his role. He stands out in all of his scenes.

Low point- Plot. Nothing gave me the impression that the writers put any real effort into the script. The dialogue, the detective half (where the shop keeper remembers who the girl was from somewhere else- how many people are there in NYC?), the underworld fireman-stockbroker fight club, the bizarro law half, and the defendant's testimony all struck me as sub-standard. Although, of course, I'll always take this over CSI.

Middle point- Anderson's acting. I'm not sure where I stand on Det. Bernard or Anderson just yet. His lines struck me as poorly delivered, but they were pretty poor to begin with. The "pun" was godawful, as was Bernards newfound interview tactic of flashing a picture and saying "This man was beaten to death.". I think this is more the writers fault, they didn't give him anything to work with.moreless
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For a Season's first episode, this was definitely not my favorite. The attempt to make this season's opener a controversial and pivotal episode was not as successful as it could have been.moreless

7.5

By jaredzusmc, Nov 06, 2008

This season we begin with a continued feeling of the DA's office under Jack McCoy as having a weak ability to accomplish its goals as Prosecution on behalf of the "People." I'm not sure if a series prolonged over 19 seasons can continue to pump out or generate original material that doesn't undermine its once glory years. Here we have a group of reputable professionals from Wall-Street brokers to Public servants like FDNY pinned against a group of angry amateur street fighters. The debate here is, when to draw the line between unsportsmanlike conduct, public violence and of all things terrorism. There is a good point being made in this episode regarding how far we (society) have allowed violence to creep into all of our lives. Now I find myself sounding more of a political analyst (funny this) instead of a TV fan. But that's sort of the nature here. I liked some of the underlying plot, but I've become almost desensitized over the 911 historical event. Law & Order, I think, has really worn a hole into referencing 911. Making this type of statement makes me sound almost unpatriotic. To the contrary. My statement is, Law & Order's constant referencing 911 for plots has almost cheapened those memories. That's my opinion. Political as it may sound, this entire episode revolved on this very issue. Politics, politics politics. I usually enjoy the political developments of a show... but this episode's expression of its stance, has been done so many times. The attempt at controversy played itself out, but not to my satisfaction. Still if you're a true and blue Law & Order die hard fan, it'll still be good viewing. I gave this episode a 7.5 in part because I really enjoy watching the season opening episode with anticipation, but mostly because this attempt to grab you withmoreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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S. Epatha Merkerson	Lt. Anita van Buren
Anthony Anderson	Det. Kevin Bernard
Jeremy Sisto	Det. Cyrus Lupo
Sam Waterston	D.A. Jack McCoy
Alana De La Garza	A.D.A. Connie Rubirosa
Linus Roache	Exec. A.D.A. Michael Cutter

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Graham Outerbridge	Todd Hauser	Guest Star
Dana Shiraki	Donna	Guest Star
Josh Hamilton	Attorney Reardon	Guest Star
Patricia R. Floyd	Judge Rochelle Desmond	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (1)
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- This episode marks two rare situations-
  1) the district attorney (Jack McCoy) appears in court and
  2) the district attorney (Jack McCoy) shares a scene with one or more cops (Cyrus Lupo and Kevin Bernard).
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QUOTES (7)
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- (after Lupo and McCoy have an argument)
  Jack McCoy: Take Detective Lupo off the witness list.
  Michael Cutter: Guess that's easier than deciding if he has a point.
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- (being arrested for murder at work)
  Vince Fonsella: My buddies aren't going to forget this or you. Lupo and Bernardo.
  Kevin Bernard: Bernard, Bernard.
  Cyrus Lupo: Why is everyone so hostile?
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- Reporter: Mr. McCoy, is it true that you've been asked to join the Obama administration?
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- Michael Cutter: Crossing the line was one thing when Adam Schiff had your back. Now, you're out there all by yourself.
  Jack McCoy: It doesn't bother me.
  Michael Cutter: No. It just makes you more stubborn.
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- Connie Rubirosa: Court officers just broke up a fist fight in the jury room.
  Michael Cutter: Great, maybe we can watch it on the internet.
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- Jack McCoy: My father used to talk about the bare-knuckled street fights during the Depression. But they were fighting for money to feed their families.
  Michael Cutter: These guys are fighting to feed their egos.
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- Kevin Bernard: A stockbroker beaten to death in the middle of a workday? In this economy, this is the kind of thing that might catch on.
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NOTES (2)
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- Original International Air Dates:
  United Kingdom: June 28, 2010 on Sky One
  Czech Republic: December 12, 2012 on Prima family
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- Special billing was given to Josh Hamilton (and) in this episode.
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ALLUSIONS (2)
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- This episode also appears to be partially ripped from the headlines of the events surrounding the rise of Kimbo Slice.
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- Jack McCoy: Mallet, crowbar, hatchet? It's the Gangs of New York open warfare.
  
  This is a reference to the 2002 Martin Scorsese film, Gangs of New York starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Daniel Day-Lewis. The story is set against a particularly violent part of the city's history when gangs ran lower Manhattan and Tammany Hall was in ascendancy.
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