This week, Regulation & Order turns its focus to “The Perfect Family.” However there was nothing excellent in regards to the Chapmans. The episode had all of the substances for a gut-wrenching drama—filicide, psychological sickness, ethical dilemmas, and authorized maneuverings—however in some way, it by no means ignited. As an alternative, it stayed procedural, with each character taking part in their tragic function as anticipated.
Detective Riley (Reid Scott) and Lieutenant Brady (Maura Tierney) examine the homicide of 13-year-old Emily Chapman (Riley Vinson), pushed to her dying—however by whom? The dad and mom, Derek (Brett Zimmerman) and Melinda Chapman (Alison Miller), are devastated. At first, suspicion falls on an excessively attentive coach, however it’s too apparent. He has no strong alibi, which is OK as a result of he didn’t do it.
This forces the detectives to reinterview Melinda Chapman. She insists she was dwelling, struggling to get her seven-month-old to nurse. Surveillance video exhibits Melinda on the roof her daughter was pushed from, proving that she lied. Confronted with this proof, Melinda instantly invokes her proper to counsel as she is arrested.
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| “A Perfect Family” – LAW & ORDER, Pictured: Allison Miller as Melinda Chapman. Picture by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC @ NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. |
The DA’s workplace determines the true difficulty on the coronary heart of the case: untreated postpartum psychosis—and the ripple results of a husband’s inflexible worldview. Derek Chapman, formed by his mom’s suicide whereas taking antipsychotics, refused to permit his spouse remedy. He sees psychological sickness as weak point. As an ex-Navy Seal, Melinda’s damaged thoughts was one thing he couldn’t tolerate. His resolution led to tragedy, leaving Govt ADA Nolan Worth (Hugh Dancy), with no selection however to cost Derek Chapman with manslaughter.
Investigating a baby’s homicide by their guardian rattles detective Riley—not simply professionally however personally, reminding him that no guardian is proof against failure. One of the fulfilling components of “The Perfect Family” is the glimpse into Riley’s private life, introducing his teen daughter, Bridget (Justine Colan). His struggles as a father stand in stark distinction to Derek Chapman’s. Whereas the crime is constructed on benign neglect, tragedy, and irreversible penalties, Riley’s relationship with Bridget is a quieter reflection on the difficulties of parenthood.
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| “A Perfect Family” – LAW & ORDER, Pictured: (l-r) Justine Colan as Bridget Riley, Reid Scott as Detective Vincent Riley. Picture by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC @ 2025 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. |
In distinction to Derek Chapman, who’s willfully blind to his household’s struggling, Riley’s want to bridge the communication hole along with his daughter is palpable. At one level, he texts Bridget in school. Nevertheless, Bridget’s quick suspicion—accusing him of ‘testing’ her—highlights the pressure of their relationship, revealing a dynamic laced with energy struggles and misunderstandings. He merely needs reassurance that they’re nonetheless tethered. When she lastly provides him a hug, it’s a quiet, stunning second.
Again to the case. Melinda’s madness plea places her on a collision course together with her husband because the prosecution’s star witness. Sadly, DA Worth rapidly realizes {that a} witness who brazenly admits madness lacks credibility. The case devolves right into a “he said, she said” mess. DA Nicholas Baxter (Tony Goldwyn) asks Worth bluntly, “Can we win?”
Worth admits the one approach to show Chapman’s prior data of his spouse’s instability is to name their 10-year-old daughter, Amanda (Delaney Quinn), to testify. However there’s an issue—she’s proven indicators of suicidal ideation. Worth doesn’t wish to hurt her. Baxter urges him to make use of Chapman’s aversion to psychiatric intervention towards him.
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| “A Perfect Family” – LAW & ORDER, Pictured: Delaney Quinn as Amanda Chapman. Picture by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC @ 2025 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. |
The courtroom’s “high-noon” second—a father watching his ten-year-old daughter being referred to as to testify—has the potential for an emotional reckoning. However the DA folds after the kid’s easy admission, “He’s, my daddy.” Worth’s case might have been a gripping struggle for accountability, however as an alternative of a dramatic conclusion, his case collapses in gradual movement. It seems like a pulled punch. Chapman is left along with his personal guilt, however the episode by no means forces him to actually confront it.
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| “A Perfect Family” – LAW & ORDER, Pictured: (l-r) Natalie Gold as Atty. Megan Wallace, Brett Zimmerman as Derek Chapman. Picture by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC @ 2025 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. |
“The Perfect Family” isn’t a foul episode—it’s well-written, well-acted, and follows the authorized drama components. However for a narrative tackling such high-stakes materials, it by no means transcends expectation. As an alternative of ethical ambiguity, we get resignation. As an alternative of an indictment of the daddy, we get a quiet unraveling of a case that perhaps shouldn’t have been pursued in any respect.
Parenthood is impossibly advanced. No excellent fathers. No excellent households. Simply folks doing their finest, typically failing, typically succeeding, all the time hoping they’re making the suitable decisions. Whereas the episode lacks fireworks, it delivers one thing deeply relatable—the easy human want for connection.
Total Score:
8:10
