Reviewer Rating: 4.8/5.0
4.8
Wow! Maura Tierney’s Jessica Brady launches Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1 into a powerful new era the moment she steps into a crime scene for the first time .
The way Brady is officiating makes it clear that this is different than the past three seasons.
Brady’s new leadership, especially Baxter’s statements to the media at the start of the game, heightened the tension in one of the most intense episodes of “Law & Order” in the past few years.
‘Law & Order’ Is Latest Dick Wolf Show to See Changes in Leadership
Dealing with a tough new boss seems to be a theme for most of Dick Wolf’s shows this season, with “Chicago Med” and “Chicago Fire” also having stories surrounding new leadership.
In Law & Order’s case, it was much needed, although I’m sad to see Dixon leave, especially in the midst of a disappointing exit story.
Still, Brady was one of the best things that could happen to Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1.
Brady is more hands-on than Dixon, jumping into both crime scenes and interrogating suspects.
It’s unrealistic – in real life, police department heads do administrative and supervisory work rather than being out in the field – but it helped establish the new tone of the series, so I’m all for it.
Brady’s desire to close the case rather than befriend her detectives symbolizes the best things about this new era.
Brady: I’m feeling a little nervous, Vince.
Riley: No nerves. I just don’t think you trust me.
Brady: I don’t think so. I don’t know you.
“Law & Order” is supposed to be a police procedural, but in recent years it has abandoned the “case first” principle.
I’m all for having something personal so the characters don’t feel like cardboard cutouts, but this show went too far in the other direction and it disrupted the rhythm of the show.
The Law & Order brand has always shown police solving tough cases and prosecutors subsequently working to secure convictions. period.
Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1 did a better job of finding the right balance. The pace becomes tighter and everyone seems to be more focused on the case.
The show still sneaks in some social justice messages, but it’s done in a way that feels more organic.
For example, the convenience store staff made some assumptions about Mexicans being undocumented, which Shaw shrugged off, but Shaw kept his annoyance at bay without getting any information from the clerk.
Rather than discussing the issue after the fact, Shaw and Riley pressed on, with the first half feeling more like a true investigation than it had for some time.
Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1 Returns to Roots
It takes the case out of the headlines without losing focus
“Law & Order” has always been known for keeping cases out of the headlines, but in recent years, those cases have become little more than a proxy for writers’ opinions.
Not so this time.
Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1 avoided the tired TV tropes associated with the show by letting the case stand on its own.
Going in the direction of a domestic violence story rather than the politically motivated murder of Messi was a wise decision.
The show can comment on politics without getting too political, and this episode managed to find that balance.
It cites real-life cases, including controversial ones such as former President Trump’s conviction in New York on charges related to the use of hush money, but not so obvious that the author’s opinion of the case is inconsistent. Not obvious.
Maroun’s ‘Law & Order’ Season 24 Episode 1 Story Is Powerful, But Writers Missed an Opportunity
Victim’s sister offers a potential plot twist
I had my doubts when Phipps was found dead by his own hand shortly after the trial began.
Seems too convenient.
While it’s logical that a person realizing they can’t escape a serious act of murder might decide to end their own life, suicide on television is often not what it seems.
It seemed like a perfect plot twist for Sarah to kill Phipps herself when she showed up at Mauron’s office filled with rage.
That would create a more compelling conflict for Malone and Price. Maroun may want to turn a blind eye because she feels the killing is justified, but the DA’s office may not accept that.
Malone’s arc was strong on its own, so I can’t complain, but Phipps’ suicide that turned out to be murder would have been interesting too.
As for Maroun, her trauma has never been triggered to this extent before, and I’m glad Odelya Halevi finally found some material that works.
In the past, Malone was often sidelined and given only a few lines, while Price did all the heavy lifting on the case.
The case is also a step forward in another way: For the first time, it’s not an automatic win in court.
This is something I’ve wanted for a while. It seems that in previous seasons, Price won too easily and got conviction even when he shouldn’t have.
This time, prosecutors were forced to drop the case because an uncooperative witness may have been bribed to silence him.
The best Price could do was comfort Malone and convince her not to give up on her career, trying to force the witness to do the right thing rather than a happy ending.
Nolan: Sam, look at me. If you talk to him or even knock on his door you will be disqualified.
Sam: I don’t care. I’m tired of these rich assholes getting away with murder.
This makes the case stronger, similar to what Law & Order did in the 1990s.
Over to you, Law & Order fanatics. What did you think of Law & Order Season 24 Episode 1?
Vote in our poll to rate this episode, then voice your thoughts in the comments!
Law & Order airs Thursdays at 8/7c on NBC and Fridays on Peacock.
