Why does a tv present final for twenty-four seasons? I believe it’s as a result of the present adheres to the idiom, “make them care.” Sadly, the most recent and appropriately titled episode of Regulation & Order, “Truth and Consequences,” did not make me care. This episode crammed a convoluted plot into a brief runtime, resulting in a complicated narrative stuffed with morally ambiguous characters. The end result was an uninspired and joyless viewing expertise. Let me clarify.
“Truth And Consequences” — LAW & ORDER, Pictured: Michaela Watkins as Judge Madeline Bennett. Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC @ 2024 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved
One of the goals of season 24 is to make the characters more likable by exploring their personal stories. The show’s been successful so far focusing episodes on Riley’s brother, Lt. Brady’s sons, and Sam’s sister who was a causality of intimate partner violence. However, this week, a professor gets (golf) clubbed to death in his home. Why? The professor was married to a New York State Supreme Court Judge, Madeline Bennett, who was apparently the intended victim.
The murderer, Thomas Norton, is a student who is actively involved in the pro-Palestinian campus protest. He was also supposed to clerk for Judge Bennett. Unfortunately, she rescinded his clerkship when she learned about his political views. Enraged because the Judge’s actions threaten his academic career; he storms off to confront her. Judge Bennett isn’t home, but hubby is, and he ends up dead.
The investigation begins with the housekeeper. She found the body and witnessed a guy walking away from the house. He was dressed in hooded sweatshirt with a watermelon logo. The logo is a symbol of Palestinian support. However, the housekeeper never saw his face. The CTV cameras never capture his face. Backtracking to campus thirty minutes before the murder, the detectives find video of Norton walking across campus with a Venezuelan student, Rojas. Rojas is forced by the district attorney to testify against her will because the bloody sweatshirt collected as evidence was ruled inadmissible. Rojas’s testimony was needed to corroborate the timeline and that the sweatshirt was Norton’s.
“Truth And Consequences” — LAW & ORDER, Pictured: (l-r) Hugh Dancy as ADA Nolan Price, Odelya Halevi as ADA Samantha Maroun. Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC @ 2024 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved
On cross, Norton’s lawyer got Rojas to admit that participating in the student protest was in violation of the student code of conduct which put her student visa in jeopardy. In classic courtroom speak, Norton’s attorney turns to the jury and asks Rojas, “Isn’t it true that you’re only testifying because the district attorney’s office promised to help you with your visa?” Price emotes a strong, “Objection!” The judge overrules Price and Rojas was obliged to answer. Rojas said she hoped the DA could help. On redirect, Prices asked Rojas if she’d been promised anything by his office. Tearfully, Rojas said, “No. In fact, I think you pretty much just screwed me.”
“Fact And Penalties” — LAW & ORDER, Pictured: (l-r) Stephen Kunken as Sam Bennett, Mehcad Brooks as Det. Jalen Shaw, Reid Scott as Det. Vincent Riley. Picture by: Will Hart/NBC @ 2024 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved
In the course of the investigation, Lt. Brady learns Choose Bennett has lied about her location the day of the homicide. Due to the lie Brady desires to carry Choose Bennett for 72 hours, which she will be able to do, for obstruction of justice. DA Baxter received’t enable it as a result of she’s a latest widow. Nonetheless, the police know its often because she’s a decide. Later within the episode, the Mayor compels Baxter to disregard the subpoena he’d personally served to drive Bennett to testify. Baxter tells ADA Value “There’s been a change in plans,” and directs him to supply Norton a plea deal. Value is dumbfounded particularly since Baxter gives no affordable rationalization for the change. Value emphasizes to Baxter that that they had ruined a Venezuelan pupil’s life. By making her to testify, she will be able to not examine in America.
“Truth And Consequences” — LAW & ORDER, Pictured: (l-r) Michaela Watkins as Judge Madeline Bennett, Bruce Altman as Mayor Payne. Photo by: Will Hart/NBC @ 2024 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved
Without the sweatshirt evidence and with Rojas’s testimony impugned, Price fears he can’t win a murder conviction. Judge Bennett’s testimony is now essential to establish Norton’s motive for being at her home. Bennett, without explanation, refuses to testify. Price rightly points out the weakness of his case because the victim’s spouse refuses to testify. When Baxter confronts Bennett, she doubles down on her refusal to testify without saying why. Baxter asks one of his and the judge’s mutual acquaintances why. She leans in with a pained expression and says, “She had a ski accident…”
There is a fast edit to Baxter serving Choose Bennett, a functioning opioid addict, with a subpoena. Therefore, the Mayor pressures Baxter to disregard the subpoena in favor of the “greater good.” If Bennett’s dependancy bought uncovered, it will put her earlier rulings in query. Baxter reluctantly directs Value to supply a plea deal, which Norton accepts. He is sentenced to 12 in state jail. The episode ends with Choose Bennett thanking Baxter for serving to her. Baxter responded, “I didn’t do it for you.”
I am not naïve. I do know Regulation & Order tales deliberately function flawed, even detestable characters to impress robust reactions or as a critique of sure conduct in society. Nonetheless, they’re often the criminals, not victims like Choose Bennett. She prioritized her profession and repute over the justice she’s sworn to hunt. If the target was to painting the decide as an unlikable character to focus on unbridled self-interest or to handle social points such because the Palestinian-Israeli battle and immediate viewers to mirror critically on these facets, the try fell quick.
“Truth And Consequences” — LAW & ORDER, Pictured: (l-r) Tony Goldwyn as DA Nicholas Baxter, Michaela Watkins as Choose Madeline Bennett. Picture by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC) @ 2024 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved
The aim of fine storytelling is to evoke an emotional response. “Truth and Consequences” left me chilly and disliking the sufferer’s widow, Choose Bennett, the perpetrator, Michael Norton, and everyone within the DA’s workplace, save Sam. Whereas I acknowledge that the success of an episode is subjective, my expertise suggests the present failed to attach with the meant viewers—or at the least with me. Though my adverse response would possibly point out that the showrunner succeeded in scary a powerful response, what really issues is whether or not the story achieved its meant goal. Sadly, I discovered myself needlessly distracted from the story’s fundamental purpose.
What did you concentrate on this week’s Regulation & Order?
Total Ranking:
5/10
Lynette Jones
