DR 1-102 (Season 12 Review)
By Hank 74
Lennie-10/10
Ed-10/10
Van Buren-10/10
Jack-10/10
Serena-10/10
Nora-10/10
Supporting Cast-9/10
Plot-9/10
Performance-10/10
Value-10/10
Total Grade-98/100 or an A+
Notes:
Wow! I was impressed with where this episode went. The "Order" side
was truly a surprise and the way they handled it was terrific. We now know what
the title meant. That was a surprise since I presumed it had to do with police
regulations and not the disciplinary code of attorneys. Just when you have them
figured out, Mr. Wolf and company throw a curveball. Netherless it was a home
run.
I liked the "Law" side in terms of their investigation and whittling
out suspects. The kid from forensics was a riot and I hope he returns. He was
great in giving Lennie and Ed some pointers on how he does his job. I liked the
fact that we didn't see the identification of the eventual perp until the
second half. We didn't even get to see his face until the "Order"
side was there. This has to be a first. My only complaint would be the third
part went too quickly from the hostage situation to him going to prison. Maybe
they could have had a session with Skoda to see why he did this and what
triggered him taking a hostage. But that was before the fourth part which was
the best of them all. I can live with that in the sense that we have seen
before defendants snapping and then getting their head examined. TPTB wanted to
try something new, and they certainly did this with a detailed approach on the
disciplinary committee. Nice to see Judge Rivera back on the bench again. We
even got to seeing Rivera, Jack, and the defense attorney walk around the
courtroom instead of the usual posture. I have a feeling when they bring back
the judges who have been around for a long time, it will only be for a small
snippet (ie. Judge Quinn earlier this year in "Formerly Famous").
Let me say this is the best episode so far from Serena. She didn't say too much
in terms of lines, but the way she handled herself from the start to finish was
excellent. This could be a breakout ep for her, to tell the world that she is
worthy of being on L&O. But as has been said before, no one single ep makes
a star. It'll be interesting to see what next week's "Missing" ep
will be. I think she may have another great ep.
Finally, the disciplinary committee. This is by far the most detailed Mr. Wolf
and company has taken us into how lawyers police themselves. Now, I'd like to
see an ep where we get to see a detective face an IAD hearing, a formal one,
not some quick session we've seen in the past. My prime candidate to get the
third degree would be Ed since Lennie and Van Buren have gone through this already.
Some things of note came from this note. There have been now three ADAs who has
had to appear before the committee as defendants (Claire in
"Censure," Jack in "Monster," and now Serena). For the
first time, a DA has testified in a legal setting. I wondered which ep would
you have wanted Adam to have taken the stand. Also, we know some more about
Nora Lewin. She was an ethics professor at a law school and has been in the
legal profession for 20 plus years. I think we also got to see how she
operates. Whereas Adam was the true political man and saw this from the
perspective of how it might help him come election time, Nora looks at things
from a more moral and ethical perspective, something more deeper than one's own
personal fate. She was terrific on the stand and it was natural and appropriate
that Jack would be defending Serena in this situation. Would you agree with me
that the person going after Serena in the disciplinary committee hearing looked
just like Ben Stone, maybe during the first two seasons? He even dressed and
walked the same way Stone did. Notice when Jack gave his summation he was right
next to this Stone look a like. That scene has to be priceless just for the
picture. One thing I need clarification on, who is chosen to serve as the "prosecuting"
attorney who goes after a lawyer for misconduct? Is it a judge, retired lawyer,
defense attorney, former prosecutor, etc.? How is this person selected anyway?
We don't know and didn't get any clues from this ep just as we didn't get any
from "Censure."
What do you think about this ep overall and specifically how would you compare
this disciplinary hearing with that Claire faced in "Censure"?
Obviously the circumstances are different with Judge Thayer and the hostage
taker. One last thing, who was the one who actually initiated the proceedings
against Serena? We know about Thayer against Claire and Judge Feldman against
Jack in "Monster," but what about this one? Some things we'll never
know. That's the way I like it with L&O.
A must tape and a must keep!