Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Law & Order SVU “Authority” Forces You To Suffer


Well, despite the decent performance by Robin Williams in this 200th SVU episode, even he couldn’t save an awful story, bad detective work, and bad prosecuting.

This episode begins with an almost hard to believe scenario. An employee at “Happy Burger” was forced to strip down to only an apron, and was gagged, by Dwight Lomax (Scott Adsit), the manager of the establishment. The manager claimed that he was told to do it by a Detective Milgrim because apparently the worker stole from a customer. (In reality, there have been real life cases like this, one in Kentucky (story here) where an 18 year old employee at a McDonald’s was forced to strip and perform a sexual act in the McDonald’s back office. She – and the assistant manager who took the call – were duped into believing the person ordering her to do these things – via telephone no less – was a police officer. Hard to believe, but there it is.)

The manager is brought to SVU for questioning, and when the man explains why he did it, Stabler (Chris Meloni) says “You’re an idiot.” (No kidding.) And the detectives are told this has happened before, and Stabler wonders why they hadn’t heard about it. Good question!

Munch (Richard Belzer) later comes to the man’s defense in a sideways manner, saying that Lomax was a victim of corporate America, that the franchise mentality mandates conformity, and employees are lemmings. It was classic Munch, and it was good to see his cynicism back in full force.

Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Stabler dig into the case, and discover “Detective Milgram” is really Merritt Rook (Robin Williams). (Stanley Milgrim is the name of a man who was testing people’s tolerance levels for pain on others by faking electric shocks – you can read about him here.) Rook claims to have an alibi for the time the phone hoax occurred, and conveniently has a hotel receipt, fishing license, and business card from a diner with a phone number of a waitress. While Munch checks out the alibis via the phone, we hear him calling the waitress, who sounded strangely like a young Mrs. Doubtfire. OK, clearly we are supposed to know immediately this is really Rook faking it, but it doesn’t occur to the detectives, even after the third alibi call. It isn’t until Cragen (Dann Florek) also conveniently happens by, hears them talking about fishing in the area, and just so happens to know that fishing was banned in the area due to chemical runoff in the area. When the “hotel clerk” is asked about the fishing up there, he answers that they’re “biting up a storm”, so now the detectives know that even the alibis are a hoax. The get to Rook’s apartment and catch him in the act with his multiple alibi phones in place.

Keep in mind that they already knew Rook was an engineer, and if they would have bothered to check out his background they would have found out he had an audio background AND that his wife and daughter died due to a medical mistake. In my opinion, this is another example of the lazy, halfhearted work done by the SVU detectives. It seems that lately they react too quickly before they really have enough facts.

This comes back to haunt them when Rook goes to trial, and decides to represent himself. He dances circles around Casey, and also punches holes in the testimony of Lt. Morales (Joel de la Fuentes), by showing the original picture they used to show Rook going into the library to make the original hoax phone call. I would think in this day and age, anyone could take a photo like the original shown and enhance it enough for it to look like anyone. Casey again provides a weak prosecution, not really presenting any solid witnesses, and she seems startled at how well Rook has done. She even opens a door wide for him when, bringing out a childhood arrest, Rook says “I can explain” and she answers, “I’m sure you can.” He goes ahead and comes up with a convincing rationalization for his teenage criminal record. Later, when Casey wonders how good Rook would be if he had a law education, I thought out loud, “I wonder how well YOU would be if you actually USED your law degree!”

Rook is found not guilty, and uses his newfound fame to draw attention to fighting authority. He turns up on Joe Scarborough’s “Morning Joe” show (in an act of shameless, blatant self promotion by NBC) with a sheep named Elliot, telling people not to act like sheep when it comes to authority. He holds a public protest of sorts, which turns into a large pillow fight. (Was that Mo Rocca helping to lead the charge? He wasn’t in the credits but it looked like him.) I laughed when Munch joined in and got a laugh from his fellow detectives. It was also funny when he returned to the squad in a light cloud of feathers. He seems to understand Rook, and also adds that Rook lost his wife and child in childbirth. Now, where was this information earlier?

Stabler and Benson check this out, and in talking to a nurse (played by Didi Conn), they find that the doctor involved with Rook’s wife’s childbirth was killed in an auto accident by ramming into a truck, and it was believed it was from brake failure. This immediately raises the suspicion of Stabler and Benson, who manage to get the accident re-investigated. Apparently it was later ruled as a suicide, when a suicide note was revealed that referenced repeated calls from a detective Milgrim regarding the death of Rook’s wife. The detectives figure this is enough to go back and get Milgrim for the death of the doctor. Conveniently it’s found that Milgrim’s website shows a gathering at Grand Central Station in a short while, just enough time for Benson and Stabler to get there.

Shortly after they arrive, they find themselves in the midst of a “freeze” event, where people just stop and freeze for a few minutes while the rest of the world goes by. Benson sees Rook standing still, radios Elliot, and approaches Milgrim. Rather than cuff him, though, she takes his arm. At that point, everyone un-freezes and Elliot loses Rook…and Olivia now seems to be gone. They find on surveillance that Olivia ditched her gun and cell phone and seems to be Rook's hostage. Now if she had cuffed Rook to begin with, this would have never happened.

Stabler discovers that Rook’s wife was a singer, and he had produced one of his wife’s recordings. If they would have done a simple background check on Rook right from the start or even before the trial, they may have already known this. Again, incompetence, I say. But, it leads Elliot to a recording studio. Elliot goes in alone (there’s a cop being held hostage and Stabler goes with no backup?), where he finds Rook holding Olivia in a soundproof room, wired with explosives, and Olivia is tied to a form of electric chair. Rook taunts and screams at Stabler to shock Olivia to save her, but Stabler refuses. Rook then gives up, pronouncing to Elliot, “You’re a man. Thank you.” We then see that he wasn’t shocking Olivia at all, it was just a recording. I would think that since Rook was supposed to know how to work audio hoaxes, that Olivia was never really in peril. Now, if they had studied their lesson on the real Stanley Milgrim, Stabler would have known right off the bat that the whole scenario with Olivia wired to an electric chair was a hoax. Detectives – DO YOUR HOMEWORK.

As they walk out with Rook, he asks to tie his shoe. They allow him, and he bends down and triggers a bomb in the building, which provides a diversion for him to escape. They assume that he jumped into the river and he’s dead. Well, you know detectives, Rook IS A HOAXSTER. I wouldn’t believe he was dead until I saw the body. Are they setting us up for Rook to return? I hope not.

I have no problem with Robin Williams and I understand that with this being their 200th episode that they wanted a big star. I get it. While I think Robin did a great job at the end of the show, I found his presence somewhat distracting and thought maybe a lesser name could have pulled off the role better.

I also think that with each week, the detectives become less thorough in their work and too quick to act. After all, in the initial situation, no lives were in immediate danger, they could have taken a little time to do a complete check on Rook and his past and his connections, and by doing so they may have been able to convict him. I think the DA’s office should also hold some of the blame for presenting a weak case, and presenting it sloppily. It’s clear that Casey needs to have someone riding her to make sure she has all her ducks in a row before she proceeds. She needs the scrutiny of someone like Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) or Bureau Chief Donnelly (Judith Light), the latter who was always a great balance for Casey’s predecessor, Alex Cabot (Stephanie March). SVU is just missing something when it comes to the prosecution of cases, and I hope with Diane Neal leaving the show the producers will use this as a chance to bring some life back to this segment of the show.

It was great to see Munch back in full form, and also great that we only got one tiny scene with Chester Lake (Adam Beach). I hope when Beach leaves that we can get back the Munch and Fin (Ice-T) dynamic.

As far as this episode, they threw way too much into it. They seemed to be trying too hard to make this episode exciting, and instead, it seemed long and overly complicated. There was no drama, no thrill. Putting Olivia in peril again for the second week in a row detracted from the suspense. It only made me more annoyed that she seemed to err in her judgment, which eventually got her into trouble. When they assumed Rook was dead and then seemed to give up, I wanted to do the same thing.

So, if you want to have your own protest of authority, maybe you should just not watch this episode. It's not worth the suffering.


Robin Williams & SVU cast talk about their work on ‘Authority”








"Authority" Two Minute Recap



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

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

Monday, April 28, 2008

Law & Order SVU: “Trade” & “Cold” New Episode Information for May

Information on two new episodes for Law & Order SVU has been released for the month of May. Here are the details:

Law and Order SVU “Trade” Airdate May 6, 2008

A WEALTHY FAMILY OF COFFEE TRADERS COMES UNDER SUSPICION WHEN A PREGNANT WOMAN IS FOUND RAPED AND DEAD IN HER BURNT LOFT APARTMENT.

Firefighters are called to put out a fire in a burning brownstone, and among the debris uncover a pregnant woman’s body, Jenna Ludlow. Detectives Elliot Stabler (Chris Meloni) and Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) are called to the scene and question the victim’s affluent fiancé, PJ Bartlett (guest star Matthew Davis). Interrogating Barlett and his family proves to be a challenge, as Attorney Trevor Langan (guest star Peter Hermann) represents the family and is trying to cover their mistakes all over the country. But when an affair between Ludlow and her fiancé's father, Peter Bartlett (guest star Stephen Collins) is revealed, the detectives unveil a web of family secrets including conspiracies, sex, and blackmail. Also starring: Adam Beach, Dann Florek, Ice-T, Diane Neal, Tamara Tunie, Richard Belzer, and BD Wong.

Show Cast: Chris Meloni, Mariska Hargitay, Dann Florek, Richard Belzer, Ice T, Diane Neal


Law and Order SVU “Cold” Airdate May 13, 2008

THE TABLES ARE TURNED WHEN DETECTIVE CHESTER LAKE (ADAM BEACH) REOPENS A CLOSED MURDER CASE, AND BECOMES THE PRIME SUSPECT CAUSING CHAOS WITHIN THE SQUAD.


An old murder case of a teenage girl is reopened, when Detective Lake (Adam Beach) is caught in a gunfight and wounded by the case’s former investigator, Detective Mary Kralik (guest star Eva Kaminsky). The shooting leaves Kralik dead, and Lake’s uncooperative answers lead to confusion in the squad room. The case intensifies when Lake escapes from the hospital, and takes hostage the original case’s only witness, Celina Cruz (guest star Victoria Cartagena). The SVU squad is left to revisit the original murder case, as Detectives Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot Stabler (Chris Meloni) search for Lake and his hostage. Also starring: Dann Florek, Ice-T, Diane Neal, Tamara Tunie, Richard Belzer, and BD Wong.


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

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

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Law & Order May Episodes, “Personae Non Grata” Synopsis

May brings a few new episodes for Law & Order. Besides ‘Strike” which will air on May 7 (synopsis on my blog here,) the episode “Personae Non Grata (synopsis below) is scheduled to air on May 14, and “Excalibur” (episode synopsis not yet available, and title not completely confirmed) will air on May 21. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Tom Everett Scott will be a guest star on 2 episodes of Law & Order. Since he’s on the list of credits for "Personae Non Grata", he may very well also be appearing in the following episode “Excalibur.” His role will be Governor Shalvoy.

Law and Order Personae Non Grata, Air Date May 14, 2008

A FRAUDULENT ONLINE RELATIONSHIP IS EXPOSED, LEADING THE DETECTIVES TO A BIZARRE CASE OF BLACKMAIL AND LAUNDERED MONEY.

Automobile mechanic Eric Greenwood is found murdered outside of a bar leading Detectives Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) and Kevin Bernard (Anthony Anderson) to question the victim’s boss, Bob Munsen (guest star Barry Del Sherman). Lupo and Cyrus discover Munsen was involved in an online relationship that Greenwood had sabotaged. Munsen profited over $60,000 dollars of stolen money, and laundered the money to his young, online lover, "Chrissy Cheponis." The case takes some strange twists and turns, as "Chrissy" turns out to be an older woman, Donna Cheponis (guest star Melissa Leo), with a missing daughter. Greenwood exposed the online relationship between Munsen and Cheponis and ended up dead, but "Jenny" remains missing. The detectives struggle to solve the case of murder and deceit in this online murder mystery case.

Also Starring: Sam Waterston, S. Epatha Merkerson, Linus Roache, and Alana De La Garza.

Special Guest Star: Tom Everett Scott

My recap and review of “Personae Non Grata “ can be found here.



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

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

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Law & Order “Bogeyman” and SVU “Authority” New Episodes, Week of April 27

NBC



We’ll get new episodes for Law & Order and Law & Order SVU for the week of April 27. SVU celebrates its 200th episode with guest star Robin Williams. A sneak peak video for Authority is below, along with the episode summaries for "Authority" and "Bogeyman."


Law & Order SVU " Authority" Airdate April 29, 2008 10:00 PM ET

ENGINEER MERRITT ROOK (GUEST STAR ROBIN WILLIAMS) PLAYS DANGEROUS MIND GAMES WITH HIS FOLLOWERS PUTTING DETECTIVE OLIVIA BENSON'S (MARISKA HARGITAY) LIFE AT RISK IN SVU'S 200TH. EPISODE

When restaurant manager Dwight Lomax (guest star Scott Adsit “30 Rock”) is caught molesting a female employee, he claims that he was following orders from a “Detective Milgram” over the phone. As detectives Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot Stabler (Chris Meloni) delve into the case, they discover “Detective Milgram” was a hoax by engineer, Merritt Rook (guest star Robin Williams). Rook later turns his trial into a media circus by using the courtroom as a soapbox. Rook’s courtroom antics set him free, and with a group of followers, detective Benson and Stabler fall prey to another one of Rook’s psychological schemes leaving the SVU department vulnerable. Also starring: Adam Beach, Dann Florek, Ice-T, Diane Neal, Tamara Tunie, Richard Belzer, and BD Wong.




Note: My review of “Authority” can be found here.

Sneak Peek “Authority”








Law & Order “Bogeyman” Airdate April 30, 2008 10:00 PM ET

THE DEATH OF A NOVELIST LEADS THE DETECTIVES TO SUSPECT SOME INVOLVEMNT FROM A CONTROVERSIAL CULT BUT PROSECUTING THIS CASE PROVES TO BE A CHALLENGE

A novelist is found dead in her car, which appears to be a suicide at first inspection, but Detectives Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) and Kevin Bernard (Anthony Anderson) have reason to believe a cult known as “Systemotics” is involved. The victim’s husband, Bradley Cameron (guest star Daniel London) explains to the detectives that he and his wife were paranoid that members of the cult had been trailing them recently. However, Bradley comes under suspicion as the detectives begin to chip away at his alibi. When the case goes to trial, ADA Michael Cutter (Linus Roache) has trouble prosecuting his case when several members of the jury fear for their own safety. Sam Waterston, Epatha Merkerson, and Alana De La Garza also star.



NOTE: My review of Bogeyman can be found HERE.

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

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

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Law & Order “Burn Card”: Green Gambles With His Career

Photo NBC
It was fitting that Ed Green (Jesse L. Martin) started his career on Law & Order with a reference to his gambling, and ended it by gambling on his career. It was an interesting episode that made for a memorable farewell for Jesse L. Martin. At the same time, we get introduced to his replacement, Kevin Bernard (Anthony Anderson).

This episode put Ed Green in the crosshairs of both Internal Affairs and the District Attorney’s office. Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place.

The show begins with Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) and Green investigating the murder of John Singer. The investigation takes the detectives to an acquaintance of the victim, and we discover that Singer was her sponsor for Gamblers Anonymous. During the questioning, Ed has a look on his face of recognition, as if he knows where this investigation may be heading. They find a bookie that tries to identify the suspect, and while doing so makes mention that the person he saw had a cauliflower ear and blond hair, making him stand out for a black man. Green suddenly finds an excuse to leave the squad, saying he has to visit a friend in the hospital, leaving Lupo somewhat perplexed that Ed is breaking away from the investigation.

While Lupo is trying (in vain) to get his dog to do its business, he receives a phone call about a shooting, and is shocked to see that the shooter being held is none other than his partner, Ed. The victim is “Bunny”, who matched the appearance of the suspect in Singer’s murder. Lupo is stunned, and Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson) also runs interference between Ed and Internal Affairs, which are already digging into matters. This is where we first meet Kevin Bernard, who is with IA. We later find out that he was “drafted” for the job and it was not his preference.

Green is questioned by IA in the presence of his attorney, and Bernard puts pressure on Green to get ALL the facts out now rather than have them come out later with a grand jury. Green tells the whole story, and gets suspended. We also find out that Ed did know Bunny long before he shot him, and beat up Bunny in what appeared to be a dispute over gambling money Ed owed Bunny.

The DA’s office discusses how to proceed. Clearly McCoy (Sam Waterston) and Rubirosa (Alana De La Garza) are conflicted about the matter, since they have worked with Green and believe him to be an upstanding detective. Cutter (Linus Roache) understands where they are coming from, but knows that he must remain objective.

Lupo stops by Cutter’s office and finds IA present and Cutter not willing to talk to Lupo at that time and brushes him off. Connie, however, runs out and catches up with Lupo and says:

Connie: Lupo! I’m guessing there was something that you wanted to talk about.
Lupo: Looks like I took it to the wrong office.
Connie: I have my own office.

We cut to the grand jury, with Cutter questioning a witness to the crime. Connie decides she also wants to question the witness, probably based on information received from Lupo. She proceeds to cut holes in his testimony, calling his credibility into question. Cutter is clearly annoyed, and he says to her:

Cutter: If you were planning on demolishing one of our witnesses, you might have, you know, mention it to me.”
Connie: Well, sometimes the only way to get your attention is to actually DO something.

Connie and Cutter argue the point, with Cutter clearly focused on trying to clarify Green’s intent in the shooting.

We then see Van Buren and Ed discussing the whole situation, and Ed confesses to Anita that when Lennie left, and then when Lennie died, Ed turned back to gambling in order to find comfort. This is the first reference that I can recall that Ed has made that acknowledged that he was affected by Lennie’s death. While they are talking, Anita receives the call telling her that Ed has been indicted, and she relays the news to him.

At that point, Van Buren receives a visit from Bernard, who explains his reluctant role with Internal Affairs. Anita still thinks there are unanswered questions about Ed’s involvement, as his side trip to New Jersey was never explained. Anita thinks that IA, and Bernard, has only done half of an investigation.

Ed is now on trial – and it’s strange seeing him in the defendant’s seat. Lupo is questioned by Cutter about the fact that Ed left the investigation that night and how unusual that behavior was. Another witness explains that Ed used to be a regular at the gambling place, and that night, Bunny was all “coked up.” She also mentions that Ed asked if someone else had been asking for Bunny, to which she said no. But Lupo thinks something is odd, and investigates further. He takes Anita back to the crime scene and walks through a scenario with her that indicates there may have been another person involved in this shooting that Ed is trying to protect. The crime scene is scoured in other directions, and a slug from Bunny’s gun is located. Lupo drops this information on Bernard, and they decide to head to New Jersey to hopefully find a pay phone that Ed may have used to call someone before the shooting.

They manage to get a phone number and identification for the person Ed called at the pay phone at the gas station, and it leads them to April Lannen (Carmen Ejogo, another “Kidnapped” alumni). They arrive at her home, finding her also arriving. They question her briefly about her contact with Ed, which she admits but gives little details. She is greeted at the door by the babysitter of her child, and when the sitter leaves, Lupo suggests they question her about Lannen’s whereabouts that night. I found myself wondering….could that child have been Ed’s? No one ever seemed to raise that question but if it were, it would be a motive for him to protect her.

Lupo and Bernard relay their theory to the DA’s office that it is possible that Ed was shooting to protect Lannen from Bunny, as Bunny was probably shooting at her. Cutter still wonders if they could have both been involved. They decide to leverage Green’s involvement with Lannen to get to the truth, and decide to indict her as an accomplice.

We are then taken to 256 West 30th Street, which turns out to be Ed Green’s place. And quite a nice looking place it was, something I would never have expected from a NYC detective. (Maybe Ed had made some nice money on his gambling habit?) Green and Lannen are talking the situation through, and Green promises he will take care of everything.

Green shows up at the DA’s office with his attorney, saying he will take a plea of Manslaughter 2. Cutter refuses to bite on the deal, bringing in Lannen and saying that they have information that implicates Lannen in embezzling and phony contracts with her job as Deputy Director of Purchasing at the school board. Of course, she folds and explains that Ed was covering because he felt guilty that he got her involved in gambling to begin with. She was going there to warn Bunny to leave to avoid being caught by the police, and so she would not be exposed herself in her own crimes. Ed beat Bunny up years ago because Bunny was forcing her into sex with others to cover her debts. Apparently Bunny though she was getting the police – not that she was warning him about the police - and he shot at her. Ed returned the fire in defense.

While Ed is essentially cleared of the murder, he decides that he’s too worn out to go any further, He asks Anita "How do you do it?" She responds "One foot in front of the other, for 30 years." Ed thanks Lupo for being a good cop, and departs.

This was a great episode to feature Jesse Martin and in a way, close the loop from when he started. He had a gambling problem then, and gambling – whether he really WAS gambling again or not I’m not sure of – brought him down again. The burning question that seemed to be unanswered is “Who the baby daddy?” When they kept talking about Ed protecting the woman, they all turned to the gambling angle, but nobody ever looked at the baby angle. Maybe I was missing something, maybe there was nothing there, but it sure seemed like they wanted viewers to speculate.

This was also a great introduction for Anthony Anderson. I think the last time they had the new character and the old character overlap may have been when Lennie (Jerry Orbach) came on board, replacing Phil Cerreta (Paul Sorvino), who had been shot in the line of duty. During that time, Logan (Chris Noth) was hoping that Phil would return, so we got to see him visit Phil while he was paired with Lennie. In this case, we meet Bernard on the side of Internal Affairs, but it gave him and Lupo a chance to get on their better side before they start working together as a team.

It also provided a little tension again between Connie and Cutter. Connie seems to be very strong willed and very passionate about the job and the law, and is also willing to go the extra mile to make sure that the cases are done right. I was glad to see that she stood up to Cutter and pressed the issues in Green’s defense. I also understand why Cutter did what he had to do, after all, he had to remain objective. But I think it's good Connie gives him a little bitch-slap now and then, so to speak, to bring him back down from his ivory tower.

All in all, this was an excellent episode that provided a story that properly allowed Jesse to shine, and to provide an interesting exit for his character. And while I’ll miss Ed Green, I think that Anthony Anderson will make a nice addition as Kevin Bernard.

And that’s a sure gamble.


Burn Card 2 minute replay




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

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

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Law & Order SVU ‘Closet” Should Have Stayed In There

Photos from NBC.com
One would expect an episode titled “Closet” would bring huge, jaw-dropping secrets, especially considering the hype NBC gave to the big special guest star. Frankly, this tepid episode should have stayed in the closet.

The story opens with the discovery of the murder of money manager Jeremy Grandon in his apartment. Detectives Benson (Markisa Hargitay) and Stabler (Chris Meloni) first rule out the red herring, a teenager Freddie Ramirez (David Del Rio) who worked at a local gym. Lucky for the detectives, “pole cam” – as Munch (Richard Belzer) called it – sees a late night visitor at the victim’s grave. It also uncovers the victim’s secret lover, Lincoln Haver (Bailey Chase), a star pro football player. Stabler and Benson question various people who were with Grandon last at a dinner that night, including Haver’s agent Gary Lesley (Rick Hoffman) and a woman who had no clue Haver was gay. Olivia misunderstands a response made by the woman to mean the woman knows Haver is gay, and says, “So you knew about him and Jeremy?” Clearly the woman did not know, and Olivia finds that she just outed Haver. This was a rookie mistake that Benson should not have committed, and will have a domino effect. By the way, I was horrified when Stabler grabbed the woman’s phone to prevent her from calling her friend and telling her Haver was gay. Excuse me, but what right does Stabler have to prevent the woman from speaking, much less pretty much confiscating her phone? Of course, the woman demanded her phone back and Stabler grudgingly returns it. Sometimes Stabler can be such a bully.

The problem worsens when Haver is outed by a radio shock jock and the New York Ledger, and gets beaten by some homophobic fans, eventually putting Haver into a coma. Cragen (Dann Florek) has a major fit as he tells Benson and Stabler that IAB would now be getting involved to find out who leaked the story. During this process, Sgt. Tucker (Robert John Burke) of IAB has Benson’s phone records pulled and challengers her as to why she had 12 calls over 5 days to Kurt Moss (Bill Pullman), who is an editor at the Ledger. Olivia is forced to “out” her own relationship and gets suspended. Stabler of course comes to her defense and pays a visit to Moss to plead for his help to get Olivia off the hook, by suggesting what sounds a little like a little blackmailing of the IAB in order to get them to back off. Olivia does not look happy when she goes to visit Moss and finds Stabler there. We also learn that Moss had asked Olivia to move in with him, but she had refused for reasons she never really explains. But Moss does seemingly heed Stabler’s advice and “somehow” finds the right words that get IAB to back off.

Cragen advises that One Police Plaza has pressured them to arrest Haver now that Haver came out of his coma. In a scene that screams “this will come back to haunt you at trial,” Benson and Stabler arrest Haver now that he’s out of his coma. Considering that he was just beaten the day before and just came out of the coma, I found it incredulous that a hospital would even consider releasing someone so soon. It was almost a certainty that Haver’s mental state would be in question, which it was.

Casey Novak (Diane Neal) brings the case to trial, opposite defense attorney Rebecca Balthus (Beverly D’Angelo), and Balthus immediately brings up Haver’s mental impairment. Dr. Huang (B.D. Wong) examines Haver and confirms Haver is impaired. Still, Casey moves ahead and gets in a bind when Haver mentions on the stand that he was married to the victim. By the way, I found myself incredibly distracted by Diane Neal and her inability to stand without wiggling. She seemed to have the look that she was being tickled.

Casey gets dealt another blow when she finds Elliot has been called for the defense. The defense attorney wants to use Elliot’s interrogation of Haver while Haver was just out of the hospital to indicate that Stabler may have encouraged Haver to confess by suggesting the facts of the crime. Balthus makes a mistake, though, and during questioning opens the door for Casey to show that even before the beating Haver had rage issues while he was on the football team. Of course, the jury convicts Haver based on this flimsy evidence.

We get a twist at the end, where, during a televised press conference, agent Gary Lesley makes a comment to his new star football player which makes Benson and Stabler suspect him as the murder. Of course, they search his home, find the murder weapon, and he confesses at light speed. Haver is released equally quickly. This is another case where sloppy detective work caused them to prosecute the wrong person. I don’t think they did a good enough job in ruling out all the people that were with the murder victim the night he was murdered. Seeing the rampant homophobia that ensued when it was made public that Haver was gay, I thought they should have looked much harder at that angle. It seems that the SVU detectives are getting a little lazy in their detective work. And I was also disappointed that there seems to be disregard for the health of a patient, regardless if he is a suspect. Really now, Benson, Stabler, and Cragen should know that someone who has literally just come out of a coma may not give a reliable account of what happened. In a way, for being a “special victims” unit, they sometimes have blinders on and sometimes treat victims as criminals.

Oh, Olivia dumps Moss. Personally, Bill Pullman’s appearance was horribly wasted and frankly for such a short appearance, the show gave it way too much build up. So Olivia was seeing a man? So what if he worked for the Ledger? You would think that with all the build up this received that somehow maybe she would have accidentally leaked the story to Moss during “pillow talk.” That scenario would have been more interesting for the show and for Olivia’s character. No, instead, we find that Olivia is still pure as the driven snow, but that’s about it. They tried to tease with Moss’ questioning Olivia about why she won’t move in and then…nothing. But why were supposed to be shocked that Olivia was dating someone? I just don’t get it.

So while Closet wasn’t horrible, it just wasn’t anything special. And what a waste of Bill Pullman.



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

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

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Law & Order SVU’s Chris Meloni on the Today Show

Today, Chris Meloni (Elliot Stabler, Law & Order SVU) had a quick chat with the hosts of The Today Show to talk about what’s happening on the show – and the 200th episode next week. Here’s the video link to the MSN video:

Talking with Chris Meloni of ‘SVU’
Talking with Chris Meloni of ‘SVU’



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

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

Monday, April 21, 2008

A Law & Order Jesse L.Martin Tribute Video

Jesse L. Martin’s last episode of Law & Order airs this week on Wednesday, April 23. In honor of his departure, and to recognize his upcoming role in the movie “Sexual Healing”, where he will be starring as signer Marvin Gaye, I’ve created this short music video. It features the familiar faces of Jesse and some of his co-stars on Law & Order. (By the way, the singing voice is Snoop Dogg, in case you didn't already know.)

Enjoy!

(Best wishes to Jesse)




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

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

Sunday, April 20, 2008

SVU’s Hargitay and Meloni: TV Guide Photo Shoot Video

Here’s a short video from TV Guide Broadband, with Chris Meloni and Mariska Hargitay. They talk to Hollywood 411 about Law & Order SVU and working together. This was filmed during their recent cover shoot for TV Guide.

Enjoy!





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

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

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Law & Order SVU’s Adam Beach Leaving – HOORAY!

It’s being reported by many sources that Adam Beach, who played Detective Chester Lake on Law & Order SVU, will be leaving at the end of this season.

I’m happy for two reasons. First, Beach was just plain awful in this role and really was a drag on the show. Second, maybe this means that the rumor that Richard Belzer (who plays Detective John Munch) was going to leave are not true.

Either way, this is one cast change that makes me very happy.

Here’s the news release from E!Online:

SVU Loses Another Caseworker

By Natalie Finn
Fri, 18 Apr 2008 07:02:25 PM PDT

The pickings are getting a little slim over at the Special Victims Unit.

Just days after the pending departure of longtime castmember Diane Neal was announced, relative newcomer Adam Beach confirmed he would be leaving Law & Order: SVU at the end of this season.

"I very much enjoyed my year on Law & Order: SVU," Beach, who after guest-starring as Det. Chester Lake toward the end of season eight became a series regular, said Friday. "Now I'm looking forward to new adventures."

The 35-year-old actor had an option in his contract to stay on for another year, but he and NBC mutually agreed to call it quits, per trade reports.

"Adam is a superb actor," series creator Dick Wolf said. "From the first day I met him on the set of Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, I was knocked out by his commitment, dedication and total immersion in the film's most crucial role. He did a terrific job this season on SVU, and I look forward to working with him again in the near future."

Wolf produced the Emmy-winning HBO movie, in which Beach played doctor and author Charles Eastman, who penned two memoirs about growing up as a child of mixed white and Native American heritage.

The Canadian-born Beach, who was nominated for a Golden Globe for the role, is of Saulteaux Indian descent. His big-screen credits include the World War II-themed dramas Windtalkers and Flags of Our Fathers.

During his SVU tenure, Beach's character partnered with Ice-T's Det. Fin Tutuola after Fin's longtime partner, Det. John Munch, played by Homicide holdover Richard Belzer, started putting in more acid-tongued hours at the office and fewer on the street.

But perhaps Munch has decided he has spent enough time pushing papers, because Beach's role isn't expected to be recast.

Wolf & Co. are looking, however, for another bright young thing to fill the soon-to-be vacant Assistant District Attorney's chair. Neal played ADA Casey Novak for five seasons.

Meanwhile, in further restructuring of the natural Order of things, Jesse L. Martin's last Law & Order episode airs Wednesday, and it's being teased as a real doozy.


# # # 

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

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

Friday, April 18, 2008

Law & Order and L&O SVU Updated New Episode Information

Best Wishes to Jesse
We have exciting new episodes coming up in the next few weeks for Law & Order and Law & Order SVU. Sorry, nothing new on the horizon for Criminal Intent until possibly June when its season premiers on USA network. Of course, we have the big episode on April 23, which will be Jesse L. Martin’s last and Anthony Anderson’s first.


Here’s what’s coming up for Law & Order over the next few weeks.

Law & Order “Burn Card” Airdate April 23, 2008 10:00 PM ET

THE DEATH OF AN AVID GAMBLER PUTS DETECTIVE ED GREEN’S (JESSE L. MARTIN) BADGE IN JEOPARDY FORCING HIM TO REVEAL HIS TROUBLED PAST. INTERNAL AFFAIRS DETECTIVE KEVIN BERNARD (ANTHONY ANDERSON) IS ASSIGNED TO THE CASE.

A part-time referee is found murdered, and Detectives Ed Green (Martin) and Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) investigate the victim’s gambling habits. The detectives are led to notorious hustler, “"Bunny” (guest star Bobby Jones), a familiar face from Detective Green’s past. When "“Bunny” is found dead, Detective Lupo is called to the scene and discovers his partner, Detective Green, is the shooter causing confusion in the department and disbelief in the DA's office. The case is turned over to internal affairs Detective Kevin Bernard (Anthony Anderson) and Sergeant Gregory Cole (guest star Peter Bradbury), leaving Detective Green to face his dark past and in danger of losing his badge. Sam Waterston, S. Epatha Merkerson, Linus Roache and Alana De La Garza also star.

Starring: S. Epatha Merkerson, Jesse L. Martin, Sam Waterston, Alana De La Garza, Jeremy Sisto, Linus Roache

My recap and review of “Burn Card” can be found here.


Burn Card Recap



Law & Order “Bogeyman” Airdate April 30, 2008 10:00 PM ET

THE DEATH OF A NOVELIST LEADS THE DETECTIVES TO SUSPECT SOME INVOLVEMNT FROM A CONTROVERSIAL CULT BUT PROSECUTING THIS CASE PROVES TO BE A CHALLENGE

A novelist is found dead in her car, which appears to be a suicide at first inspection, but Detectives Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) and Kevin Bernard (Anthony Anderson) have reason to believe a cult known as “Systemotics” is involved. The victim’s husband, Bradley Cameron (guest star Daniel London) explains to the detectives that he and his wife were paranoid that members of the cult had been trailing them recently. However, Bradley comes under suspicion as the detectives begin to chip away at his alibi. When the case goes to trial, ADA Michael Cutter (Linus Roache) has trouble prosecuting his case when several members of the jury fear for their own safety. Sam Waterston, Epatha Merkerson, and Alana De La Garza also star.

NOTE: My recap and review of Bogeyman can be found HERE.


Law and Order “Strike” Airdate May 7, 2008 10:00 PM

A LEGAL AID STRIKER IS KILLED ON THE PICKET LINE. THE TRIAL HAS ADAS MICHAEL CUTTER (LINUS ROACHE) AND CONNIE RUBIROSA (ALANA DE LA GARZA) DEFENDING OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE CASE.

When legal aid striker Frank Dresner (guest star Justin Hagan) is killed outside the courthouse, the sand in Dresner’s wounds lead Detectives Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) and Bernard (Anthony Anderson) to investigate a greensmen at a local golf course. Greensmen Ted Sanderson (guest star Brad William Henke), who had already served nine years in prison for the murder of his wife, claims he is innocent once again. Due to the legal aid strike and the shortage of defense attorneys, ADA Connie Rubirosa is ordered to represent the defendant, pitting Rubirosa and Cutter against one another. Also starring: Sam Waterston and S. Epatha Merkerson.

My recap and review of “Strike” can be found here.


NBC also announced that an upcoming episode will be named “Personae Non Grata”, but the details have not been released. It was also previously reported weeks ago that Law & Order was planning an episode called “Righteous Shoot”, but since there has been no information given on that episode, I’m assuming it may have been a working name for “Burn Card.” But you never know. It isn’t the first time NBC has changed a name of an episode after they initially released the name.


Here’s a summary of what’s on tap for Law & Order SVU in the coming weeks.

Law & Order SVU "Closet" Airdate April 22, 2008 10:00 PM ET

THE MURDER OF AN INVESTMENT BANKER UNCOVERS A HIDDEN AFFAIR WITH A PRO FOOTBALL QUARTERBACK AND PUTS DETECTIVE OLIVIA BENSON’S (MARISKA HARGITAY) JOB IN JEOPARDY.

When money manager Jeremy Grandon is found murdered in his loft, detectives Benson and Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) initially suspect troubled teenager, Freddie Ramirez (guest star David Del Rio). A hidden video camera leads the detectives to the victims secret lover, Lincoln Morse (guest star Bailey Chase), a star-studded pro- football player whose agent, Gary Lesley (guest star Rick Hoffman), may go too far in protecting his client’s persona. Morse’s history of memory loss brings defense attorney Rebecca Balthus (guest star Beverly D’Angelo) into the case, while Detective Benson finally finds a boyfriend, Kurt Foss (guest star Bill Pullman, left), an editor at the Ledger who unfortunately clashes with her detective wor k. Also starring: Adam Beach, Dann Florek, Ice-T, Diane Neal, Tamara Tunie, Richard Belzer, and BD Wong.

Cast: Chris Meloni, Mariska Hargitay, Dann Florek, Richard Belzer, Ice T, Diane Neal

My recap and review of “Closet” can be found here.

Law & Order SVU " Authority" Airdate April 29, 2008 10:00 PM ET

ENGINEER MERRITT ROOK (GUEST STAR ROBIN WILLIAMS) PLAYS DANGEROUS MIND GAMES WITH HIS FOLLOWERS PUTTING DETECTIVE OLIVIA BENSON'S (MARISKA HARGITAY) LIFE AT RISK IN SVU'S 200TH. EPISODE

When restaurant manager Dwight Lomax (guest star Scott Adsit “30 Rock”) is caught molesting a female employee, he claims that he was following orders from a “Detective Milgram” over the phone. As detectives Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot Stabler (Chris Meloni) delve into the case, they discover “Detective Milgram” was a hoax by engineer, Merritt Rook (guest star Robin Williams). Rook later turns his trial into a media circus by using the courtroom as a soapbox. Rook’s courtroom antics set him free, and with a group of followers, detective Benson and Stabler fall prey to another one of Rook’s psychological schemes leaving the SVU department vulnerable. Also starring: Adam Beach, Dann Florek, Ice-T, Diane Neal, Tamara Tunie, Richard Belzer, and BD Wong.

My recap and review of “Authority” can be found here.


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

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

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Law & Order SVU “Undercover”: Dark, Intense, and Slightly Clichéd

Olivia Uncovers for 'Undercover"
Image NBC.com


This episode of Law & Order SVU – “Undercover” – delivered an intense episode that seemed a clear vehicle for an Emmy bid for Mariska Hargitay.

The episode opens with a red herring (smart to get them out of the way early) where a crazed man with a machete (played by the ever creepy Matthew Cowles, best known for playing “Billy Clyde Tuggle” years ago on All My Children). A policeman very conveniently stumbles into the situation and finds an injured Ashley Tyler (Shareeka Epps) lying nearby. Of course, crazed machete man has nothing to do with the matter, but Ashley’s attack opens up a whole new matter. While Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot Stabler (Chris Meloni) investigate who attacked Ashley, they uncover a possible problem with drugs and abuse in the women’s Sealview Correctional Facility. Olivia goes undercover in an effort to expose prisoner abuse and Ashley’s rape, as Ashley's mother is a Sealview prisoner who has some connections to the crime. Complicating matters, Ashley’s mother appears to have been murdered – staged to look like a suicide – possibly to silence both of them.

Olivia’s prison experience brings her to the harsh reality of prison life, although I would think that working in law enforcement as long as she has, none of what happened to her as she went through “orientation” should have been a surprise. A little heavy handed was the voice-over narration by Dr. Huang (B.D. Wong) as Olivia goes through the process. And of course, we get the gratuitous shot of the undressed Olivia, with her hands covering the appropriate places. Well, at least two of them.

Lucky for Olivia, Fin (Ice-T) has also been planted inside the prison as a guard, in order to keep a watchful eye on her.

Olivia quickly tries to establish that she needs drugs in order to get an in to the drug process and the people in charge. Of course, we see what we think is the clichéd nasty prison guard (played by the also creepy Todd Stashwick, a Criminal Intent repeat offender from the episode “Zoonotic”). We also meet who seems to be the protective prison Captain Harris (Johnny Messner), which I thought screamed, “Look out, he’s the bad guy!”

Olivia quickly makes herself the bait to try to flush out the corruption and abuse. During this time, Ashley becomes ill with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. ME Warner (Tamara Tunie) finds that this is not the first case of MDR TB connected with the prison, and it gives an excuse to test prisoners and guards for the disease. While it’s discovered the source of Ashley’s TB is not from the prison, the testing continues as there still were too many cases of the disease at the prison. During this process, Fin gets detained waiting for his test, and Olivia decides to create an uproar, which causes a near riot with the female prisoners. It gets Olivia what she needs but soon regrets: getting pulled away by whom she possibly thinks is a protector. Of course, it was long obvious to me this guy was up to his eyeballs in the abuse, and Olivia was being let to her very own up close and personal encounter.

While the “woman in peril” plot device is overused, I thought that to tell this particular story it was needed and they did a very good job with showing the danger to Olivia, without completely crossing the line. Lucky for Olivia, Fin comes in and saves the day, but things did progress far enough where Olivia got to see a distinguishing mark on the prison captain’s “privates”.

Meanwhile, back at the squad, Olivia does what all rape and near-rape victims seem to do on this show – she clams up about it. Why she did not tell anyone what she saw that would clearly identify the attacker was confusing to me, in fact, why this guy managed to get released was confusing to me. Sometimes the law - and the Law & Order SVU Universe – works in mysterious ways. But, armed with information from her personal experience, Olivia manages to get Ashley to speak about her attacker, asking if there was anything special about the man’s “privates”. Funny, no one asked this girl this information sooner. Wouldn’t it have saved a lot of time and helped them to identify the attacker? If they had this on record, when Olivia was attacked, she could have easily confirmed the ID.

Despite the cliché of prison guards always being corrupt or abusive (at least in the L&O Franchise Universe), and the cliché of a prison suicide that’s really a murder, and the cliché of the female lead star in peril, I really liked this episode. I thought the acting of all the key players and guest stars was top-notch and Shareeka Epps did a fantastic job playing Ashley Tyler. In fact, I think her performance certainly was Emmy-worthy. One good thing is we only got short exposure to Chester Lake (Adam Beach), but it was still obvious that he just doesn’t fit.

But this episode was all about Mariska, and I believe she delivered on of her best performances. And yes, it could very well be Emmy worthy. And as Olivia says at the end of the show – which may be prophetic about her Emmy chances - “It’s the closest I’ve ever been.”


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

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

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Law & Order SVU’s Diane Neal Leaving The Show

Michael Ausiello of the TV Guide is reporting that Diane Neal is leaving SVU. Here’sthe scoop from Michael:

Man, they're dropping like flies this week on the procedurals. Less than 24 hours after I reported that Gary Dourdan and CSI would be parting ways by season's end, word comes that Diane Neal has given notice at Law & Order: SVU!

A show spokesperson confirmed the actress' departure, saying, "Diane spent five years on SVU and was a tremendous addition to the SVU team. She is looking forward to new opportunities and she will be missed."

Neal, who will make her final appearance in next month's season finale, joined SVU in 2003 as A.D.A. Casey Novak, replacing Stephanie March. She had previously appeared in a Season 3 episodeas a different character, a female rapist by the name of Amelia Chase.

The search for a new A.D.A. is already underway, and, sadly, bringing March back doesn't appear to be an option. Word is Dick Wolf is looking to fill the void with an up-and-comer. No disrespect to Neal, but, for my money, SVU is unlikely to ever find an A.D.A. as arresting as Alex Cabot.



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

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

Monday, April 14, 2008

Law & Order SVU “Undercover” New Episode This Week

The wait is over. The Law & Order Universe finally airs a new episode this week for Special Victims Unit. NBC has a lengthy sneak preview available on their web site and a link is available below. Catch it while it's available. The short trailer can be viewed below.


Episode Titled "Undercover" Airdate April 15, 2008

THE RAPE OF A YOUNG WOMAN AND A STOLEN RAPE KIT PROMPTS DETECTIVE OLIVIA BENSON (MARISKA HARGITAY) TO GO UNDERCOVER IN PRISON.


When Ashley Tyler (guest star Shareeka Epps) is found raped and beaten in a local community garden, Detectives Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) initially suspect her drug-dealing uncle, Rick Tyler (guest star Hassan Johnson). After the rape kit identifying the rapist goes missing, a crooked prison guard comes under suspicion. Detective Benson puts herself in great danger as she goes undercover as a prison inmate to catch the predator. Also starring: Adam Beach, Dann Florek, Ice-T, Diane Neal, Tamara Tunie, Richard Belzer, and BD Wong.

Lengthy Sneak Preview at link here.






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

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

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Law & Order SVU “Authority” Episode Summary

Photo Steve Sands, more at link.
Finally – NBC has made available the official summary for the upcoming episode “Authority”, starring Robin Williams. It is also being billed as SVU's 200th episode. Here it is!

Law & Order SVU "Authority" Airdate April 29, 2008

ENGINEER MERRITT ROOK (GUEST STAR ROBIN WILLIAMS) PLAYS DANGEROUS MIND GAMES WITH HIS FOLLOWERS PUTTING DETECTIVE OLIVIA BENSON'S (MARISKA HARGITAY) LIFE AT RISK IN SVU'S 200TH. EPISODE

When restaurant manager Dwight Lomax (guest star Scott Adsit “30 Rock”) is caught molesting a female employee, he claims that he was following orders from a “Detective Milgram” over the phone. As detectives Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot Stabler (Chris Meloni) delve into the case, they discover “Detective Milgram” was a hoax by engineer, Merritt Rook (guest star Robin Williams). Rook later turns his trial into a media circus by using the courtroom as a soapbox. Rook’s courtroom antics set him free, and with a group of followers, detective Benson and Stabler fall prey to another one of Rook’s psychological schemes leaving the SVU department vulnerable. Also starring: Adam Beach, Dann Florek, Ice-T, Diane Neal, Tamara Tunie, Richard Belzer, and BD Wong.

Note:My review of “Authority” can be found here.

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

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

Friday, April 11, 2008

Law & Order New Episode: “Bogeyman”

NBC has released the episode summary for another new episode of Law & Order. Called “Bogeyman,” the air date has not been released as yet. It appears it will air sometime after “Burn Card.”

Law and Order Episode 18.16 “Bogeyman”

THE DEATH OF A NOVELIST LEADS THE DETECTIVES TO SUSPECT SOME INVOLVEMNT FROM A CONTROVERSIAL CULT BUT PROSECUTING THIS CASE PROVES TO BE A CHALLENGE

A novelist is found dead in her car, which appears to be a suicide at first inspection, but Detectives Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) and Kevin Bernard (Anthony Anderson) have reason to believe a cult known as “Systemotics” is involved. The victim’s husband, Bradley Cameron (guest star Daniel London) explains to the detectives that he and his wife were paranoid that members of the cult had been trailing them recently. However, Bradley comes under suspicion as the detectives begin to chip away at his alibi. When the case goes to trial, ADA Michael Cutter (Linus Roache) has trouble prosecuting his case when several members of the jury fear for their own safety. Sam Waterston, Epatha Merkerson, and Alana De La Garza also star.
NOTE: My review of Bogeyman can be found HERE.

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

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

Law & Order and Criminal Intent: D'Onofrio and Sisto Spotted in NYC

There seems to be a lot of filming going on these days in New York City for the Law & Order franchise, so some of the stars are being spotted. In addition to the pictures posted here yesterday for the SVU episode “Authority”, here are a few pictures of Vincent D’Onofrio, taken while he was on location filming Criminal Intent, and two nice shots of a relaxed looking Jeremy Sisto while he was walking in SoHo.

Enjoy!

A scruffy Vincent from Meevee.com



From Mavrixonline

Sisto in SoHo, Janet Mayer PR Photos (above and below)







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

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

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Law & Order SVU “Authority” Pictures

Photo by Steve Sands

Some interesting photos from the upcoming Law & Order SVU episode with Robin Williams, titled “Authority”, can be found at this link. There are some nice action shots with Robin, Chris Meloni, and Mariska Hargitay.

Enjoy!


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

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

Law & Order SVU Virtual Interrogation with Fin


You can experience a virtual interrogation with Odafin “Fin” Tutuola (Ice-T) from Law & Order SVU on NBC.com’s web site.

It’s interesting and I found it funny – especially when I got Fin angry and he gave me a beat down. You can ask for a lawyer…but it didn’t do me any good. Note to NBC - could you do a virtual cross examination with Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston)? I would really enjoy that!

Check out the virtual interrogation here. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

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

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

Monday, April 7, 2008

Law & Order SVU April New Episode Update

Here’s the up to date schedule and information for the two new episodes coming up for Law & Order SVU this month. The official NBC episode synopsis for “Authority”, starring Robin Williams (airdate April 29) has not been released as yet.


Episode Titled "Undercover" Airdate April 15, 2008

THE RAPE OF A YOUNG WOMAN AND A STOLEN RAPE KIT PROMPTS DETECTIVE OLIVIA BENSON (MARISKA HARGITAY) TO GO UNDERCOVER IN PRISON.

When Ashley Tyler (guest star Shareeka Epps) is found raped and beaten in a local community garden, Detectives Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) initially suspect her drug-dealing uncle, Rick Tyler (guest star Hassan Johnson). After the rape kit identifying the rapist goes missing, a crooked prison guard comes under suspicion. Detective Benson puts herself in great danger as she goes undercover as a prison inmate to catch the predator. Also starring: Adam Beach, Dann Florek, Ice-T, Diane Neal, Tamara Tunie, Richard Belzer, and BD Wong.


Episode Titled "Closet" Airdate April 22, 2008

THE MURDER OF AN INVESTMENT BANKER UNCOVERS A HIDDEN AFFAIR WITH A PRO FOOTBALL QUARTERBACK AND PUTS DETECTIVE OLIVIA BENSON’S (MARISKA HARGITAY) JOB IN JEOPARDY.


When money manager Jeremy Grandon is found murdered in his loft, detectives Benson and Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) initially suspect troubled teenager, Freddie Ramirez (guest star David Del Rio). A hidden video camera leads the detectives to the victims secret lover, Lincoln Morse (guest star Bailey Chase), a star-studded pro- football player whose agent, Gary Lesley (guest star Rick Hoffman), may go too far in protecting his client’s persona. Morse’s history of memory loss brings defense attorney Rebecca Balthus (guest star Beverly D’Angelo) into the case, while Detective Benson finally finds a boyfriend, Kurt Foss (guest star Bill Pullman), an editor at the Ledger who unfortunately clashes with her detective wor k. Also starring: Adam Beach, Dann Florek, Ice-T, Diane Neal, Tamara Tunie, Richard Belzer, and BD Wong.

Cast: Chris Meloni, Mariska Hargitay, Dann Florek, Richard Belzer, Ice T, Diane Neal



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

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

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Law & Order New Episode “Burn Card"

NBC has released the episode information for the next L&O episode, which will be Jesse L. Martin’s last, and Anthony Anderson’s first. It’s has a bit of a SPOILER so those of you who don’t want advance notice, don’t read the episode information below. The air date was not released, but seeing that it was already reported by previous sources that the next L&O episode will be April 23, and it will be Anthony Anderson’s first, I assume the airdate for "Burn Card" will be April 23.


Episode Titled "Burn Card"

THE DEATH OF AN AVID GAMBLER PUTS DETECTIVE ED GREEN’S (JESSE L. MARTIN) BADGE IN JEOPARDY FORCING HIM TO REVEAL HIS TROUBLED PAST. INTERNAL AFFAIRS DETECTIVE KEVIN BERNARD (ANTHONY ANDERSON) IS ASSIGNED TO THE CASE.

A part-time referee is found murdered, and Detectives Ed Green (Martin) and Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) investigate the victim’s gambling habits. The detectives are led to notorious hustler, “"Bunny” (guest star Bobby Jones), a familiar face from Detective Green’s past. When "“Bunny” is found dead, Detective Lupo is called to the scene and discovers his partner, Detective Green, is the shooter causing confusion in the department and disbelief in the DA's office. The case is turned over to internal affairs Detective Kevin Bernard (Anthony Anderson) and Sergeant Gregory Cole (guest star Peter Bradbury), leaving Detective Green to face his dark past and in danger of losing his badge. Sam Waterston, S. Epatha Merkerson, Linus Roache and Alana De La Garza also star.

Starring: S. Epatha Merkerson, Jesse L. Martin, Sam Waterston, Alana De La Garza, Jeremy Sisto, Linus Roache

NOTE: My review of “Burn Card” can be found HERE.


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

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

Friday, April 4, 2008

Law & Order SVU Theme – UK Edition

Something that we don’t hear or see much here in the U.S. are the Law & Order franchise themes and title cards used when the show is aired in other countries.

The title theme for Law & Order SVU - shown below - for UK channel “five” is the instrumental version of the song, "I'm Not Driving Anymore" from Rob Dougan's Furious Angels. I really like it, it sounds contemporary and exciting. And the title cards look great. Take a look and listen, and I hope you enjoy it too.

If anyone else has any other "official" versions of any of the Law & Order franchise themes that can be shared here, let me know!

Law & Order SVU Into – UK five edition




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

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

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Law & Order Franchise Fall and Winter Schedule 2008-2009



The new schedules are out for all the Law & Order franchise shows for the 2008-2009 fall and winter season. Unfortunately, Vincent D’Onofrio and Chris Noth fans will have to be content with getting their fix on USA, since NBC is giving it no respect. This is, of course, despite the fact that it pulled in decent ratings in its outings on USA and also when NBC used the show to fill in during the writer’s strike,

NBC has Law & Order SVU returning on Tuesdays, in its current time slot of 10-11 PM ET. NBC also has scheduled “encores” of SVU on Saturdays at 10-11 PM.


The “original recipe” Law & Order won’t be returning until the winter season, also in its current day and time slot of Wednesday at 10-11 PM ET. The winter season will add encores of Law & Order at 10-11 Saturdays, moving the SVU encores to the 9-10 PM ET slot. So far, the cast looks to be unchanged. As long as Sam Waterston is still there, I'm still watching.

USA will be starting the new season of Law & Order Criminal Intent on Sunday, June 8, 2008 at 9 PM ET. Right now, there is nothing on the NBC schedule for the new season – including the summer of 2009 – for Criminal Intent. But, that doesn't mean that NBC won't tap this show if NBC finds itself again in a bind.

While it sounds like we’ll have something new with the Law & Order franchise year round, I still prefer the days when we were able to get all our new episodes in one week.



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

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

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Dancing with the Law & Order Stars

It’s what you’ve been waiting for. Today, April 1, is the premier date for the Law & Order dance video. Famous “faces” of the Law & Order franchise do their interpretations of dances of the world, strictly for your entertainment.

I had no idea these people were so talented.

I hope you'll enjoy seeing some of your favorite faces - like Sam Waterston, S. Epatha Merkerson, Chris Meloni, Vincent D'Onofrio, Mariska Hargitay, Linus Roache, Alana De La Garze, Jeremy Sisto, Jesse L. Martin, and a few more - performing international dances.

Dancing with the Law & Order Stars



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

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