Law & Order

A once fine television show apparently has suffered from the Jeffrey Immelt jinx. It appears as if the writers cannot think of anything original. All season, episodes have ripped headlines and made stories into them. There are too many sub-plots in most. This one mixes the Elliott Spitzer fiasco into the Blagojovich disaster into gay loving. Give me a break! I could write better if I had the chance. This episode, as with most this season, sucked. And get rid of Linus Roache. He is annoying. I sure wish we could clone Jerry Orbach and I wish that Jesse hadn't quit.

I loved Sisto as Julius Caesar a few years back, but he is unconvincing as a cop.

Double Spoiler Alert:



So for anyone who saw the Special Victims Unit finale last night... this is what subtlety looks like. (yeah, I know atleast one person is going to give me a 'thumbsdown' for taking a shot at SVU)



Unlike 'Zebras', 'The Drowned and the Saved' had the suspense in the right places, set up its story arcs and recurring characters well in advance (a full season- see episode Excalibur), and while the case was complicated- it made sense. Jack and Mike pulled out a crazy combination of strategy, bluffs, and ultimatums in order to take down long-time nemesis, Governor Shalvoy- a convincing villain. Almost hate to see him go, he really got under Jack's skin.

Excellent finale to the 19th season of a series that has had its ups and downs over recent years to be sure. Complete with twists and turns galore, it kept my interest the whole way through. When an episode has you thinking that we are actually living this, that it is not just a tv show, that is the mark of a good episode and series and it is my sincere hope that this momentum continues into Season 20 next fall. The writers, actors, and everyone else involved with Law & Order should be commended. I raise my glass to you!

As always in any Dick Wolf production, this episode, The Drowned and the Saved, was outstanding. Unlike other series that have undergone cast changes, Law and Order never seems to miss a beat and even gets better in many ways. The 2009 version enjoys not only some great interplay between the two main detectives, but also DA McCoy provides a much more interesting counterpoint to his two ADA's than his three predecessors did.



Since TV.com didn't reflect a full listing of the guest stars, I am wondering if the young man who conspired with the Governor's wife to take out the charity association executive is the same actor who played the brother/uncle in "Grounded for Life."

While Law and Order: Special Victims Unit's season finale was shocking and mind-blowingly exciting, Law and Order's was dull, predictable and uneventful. I am glad the show is returning for a record tying 20th season, but if this is the quality we get next year it will be the show's last. I am tired of Jack McCoy's political aspirations. He needs to go back to being a tough, no nonsense lawyer and needs to stop simply being a patsy for Michael Cutter.



Not a terrible episode, but the excitement and intrigue just was not there when they needed it to be.