‘Law & Order’ Season 21 Premiere: What Did You Think of the Return? (POLL)
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for the Law & Order Season 21 premiere “The Right Thing.”]
“In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separately, yet equally important groups: the police, who investigate crime, and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders. These are their stories.” Welcome back, Law & Order!
What’s the same (besides the format): Sam Waterston and Anthony Anderson are back as D.A. Jack McCoy and Detective Kevin Bernard, respectively. What’s new: Bernard has a new partner, Detective Frank Cosgrove (Jeffrey Donovan), who’s probably never going to be able to make friends with the other man (“I’m white, he’s Black, I say the wrong thing and my career is over,” he claims after the two disagree about how he treated a young man) or ADA Nolan Price (Hugh Dancy). Also joining McCoy in the D.A.’s office is ADA Samantha Maroun (Odelya Halevi). Bernard’s new boss is Lieutenant Kate Dixon (Camryn Manheim).
The first case after 12 years involves the murder of an entertainer, Henry King, whose verdict was vacated; he gives a TV interview claiming he didn’t rape 40 women. Among the early suspects: his wife, his agent, and a guy he owed money. All have alibis. Then video surfaces of Henry arguing with a woman on the street. That woman turns out to be ADA Jamie Ross (Carey Lowell)!
Henry blamed her for ruining his life, since she was the lead prosecutor on his rape trial and originally promised not to prosecute him. (There hadn’t been enough evidence with his first victim, Nicole.) He had a PI digging into her life and cases, threatening to destroy her and her family. Dixon is none too pleased to hear that Cosgrove asked if Ross killed Henry. “All they ever do is question the way we do our jobs, our tactics, our integrity,” he complains, prompting Dixon to remind him that the police and ADAs are partners.
Eric Liebowitz/NBC
It’s Henry’s wife Veronica who then clues them in on someone in a green hoodie watching their home. Video leads them to a cigarette butt, with DNA: Nicole’s. They find the hoodie while executing a search warrant in her home, but there’s no GSR, blood or DNA on it. But with that and the murder weapon found in the same area where they have her on video, Bernard and Cosgrove question her.
Cosgrove tells her they have everything on video but not to worry: No one thinks she did anything wrong, and if she tells them her side, she can go home. He even gives her his word. But after she confesses, he arrests her. Her lawyer then files a motion to suppress the confession, and since Cosgrove lied, Price doesn’t want to use it.
“When you asked me to come here, you said I need someone who sees the world through a different lens,” Nolan reminds McCoy. “Someone with the guts to make hard decisions.” While McCoy points out that cops are allowed to lie, “It makes the confession less reliable, less ethical,” Price argues. So where do they draw the line, his boss wants to know. It should be a case-by-case basis in Nolan’s mind, and in this instance, Cosgrove practically promised Nicole immunity. Now it’s McCoy’s turn to remind Price that the “big bad police department” is their partner. But if he feels like he can win the trial without the confession, fine. He’ll have to live with the consequences if he’s wrong.
Eric Liebowitz/NBC
Cosgrove continues to be a problem for Price, this time on the stand, “drawing conclusions,” if you ask Nicole’s attorney and even bringing up the confession he’s been explicitly told not to mention. Price’s explanation for the judge, to counter Nicole’s attorney’s bid for a mistrial? It basically boils down to “oops?” The trial continues.
Price then confronts Cosgrove about what he did, but the detective doesn’t really care. “I catch ’em, you cook ’em, that’s how this is supposed to work,” he says. “I’m a cop. I’m a good cop. Like it or not, I get paid to lie to people like Nicole Bell. Just stop trying to change the world. Do your damn job.”
Nicole then claims that it was self-defense, and Veronica even perjures herself on the stand by saying she saw Henry attack her. “Henry King ruined my life. He ruined 39 other lives too, and some judge just let him walk free, so I shot him, so the women he raped could move on,” Nicole says when she takes the stand. The final piece of the case falls into place when Maroun discovers that Nicole hid that she visited Ross on the day of the murder. Did the ADA know what she was going to do? Ross refuses to ruin Nicole’s life again and takes the fifth when Price subpoenas her.
Michael Greenberg/NBC
“Too bad we didn’t have a damn confession,” McCoy remarks as he watches Price tear himself up over the fact that the jury wants to believe Nicole’s story. “It’s OK to play the hero, Nolan, as long as you win, and right now, that appears highly unlikely.”
With the jury seeing Price as another man victimizing Nicole, he realizes they need to reframe the argument. That means Maroun delivering the closing. As she shares with the jury, she can understand Nicole’s desire for revenge. Her sister was raped and murdered nine years ago, and while everyone knows who was responsible, they couldn’t prove it. It would have been normal and legal for Nicole to fantasize about killing Henry, but what she did, shooting him five times in cold blood, was wrong and criminal. The case comes down to one question, Maroun tells the jury: “Did Nicole Bell intentionally shoot and kill Henry King? If the answer is yes, you must convict.”
After the verdict comes in (guilty), Maroun admits to Price that it doesn’t feel right. Her goal is to help victims, not send them to prison. If you try a good case the right way, whatever the jury decides is right, whether or not it feels good, he tells her. That’s the only way he knows how to do it that allows him to sleep at night. What she needs is for Nicole to get the lightest sentence possible. And with that, Price is left staring up at the courthouse.
What did you think of Law & Order‘s return? Let us know in the poll below.
Law & Order, Thursdays, 8/7c, NBC
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Frank Cosgrove character doesn't fit in today's world and detracts from new seaon. Would much rather see Jesse L. Martin as the detective partnered with Anthony Anderson. Need to give Sam Waterston a larger role!
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agree 100%
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Sadly, do not like the Frank Cosgrove character (or the actor, Jeffrey Donovan). Was quite annoying and not believable…. Certainly not up to the par established for actors/characters in all Law & Order series across the board…. I had to force myself to continue with the show, he was that annoying and also bland…
Felt the same about the Nolan Price character…. Absolutely blah….
I’m a huge fan of the Law & Order series….. Never remember having these negative feelings about any new characters when they were introduced….
19 2
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G
Do not care for Cosgrove’s attitude. Really bad or can’t act.
Agree Camron is also to hard. Reminds me of her character from Major Crimes.
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severely unhappy that they did not bring Jesse L Martin back. nothing against Anthony Anderson. They could have played together in the return of this show. I don't even recognize the ADA Jamie Ross. she doesn't look the same. don't know what she's done to her face.
45 mins left of this. Hoping Sam waterson will make up for my disappointment. Cameron Mayhem is acting too hard. I wish that S Epatha could have come back.
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Jamie's face has aged. Everything else you typed I agree 100%. I hate this, I don't think it is going to last long.
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I did not like either the Frank Cosgrove or the Nolan Price characters. They seemed like throwbacks to the 1950s. Give Anthony Anderson a spunky smart female detective partner (maybe an Asian woman), and make the male ADA a handsome Latino man, someone with sex appeal. There's just no chemistry. And the episode seemed in certain ways like it was done on the cheap, as if they weren't sure they could sell it, so they limited their budget. It was too much of a tired overused story line.
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I watched the original series - still do on reruns; this reprisal was "meh"
Sam Waterston (Jack McCoy) seemed very frail and feeble - was hoping to see him as a stronger figure as the D.A.Anthony Anderson's acting seemed stilted and off - and I really like himAgree with others about bringing Jessie Martin backI, too, wonder what happened to that A.D.A.'s face..lol - thought I recognized her from the original (and of course she'd be younger) but yeah - or was that another actress portraying her?Wish Jack had confronted her in the courtroom about her failure to testify.Plot-wise was okay - will give it another episode or two - hoping for improvement
12 2
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B
I absolutely love law and order
I have watched for years
I can watch re runs over and over
but this new one last night
this cast was
Horrrible
I had to turn it off.
10 2
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Weak Weak Dick Wolfe must have turn over the production to someone else. I’m a loyal fan of law & order (original & reruns). The characters had attitudes & appeared not to like each other.
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I agree
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I've liked Jeffrey Donovan since Burn Notice. I think he just needs to settle in into his character - hopefully he won't be quite as harsh, and a little more humorous.
9 2
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B
I was very disappointed. The old episodes were good, but this fell short in many ways. The acting was stilted and unconvincing. The writing didn’t hang together well. I’ll give it another episode or two.
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Don't like Cosgrove....throught story line was only average...and seemed to have been used before....not overly impressed. Will have to wait and see
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I was hoping that Jack would confront Jamie about her refusing to cooperate in court. I am also not a fan of Anderson and would have preferred Jesse L. Martin coming back. And finally, it would have been nice if they had cast a female for the other detective like they did in Season 17 with Melina Govich as Det. Cassady.
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Highly agree about that first sentence!
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As an officer of the court, if they get the murderer to say she told the ADA what she was going to do, not only would she lose her livelihood and license, she could go to prison as an accessory
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G
I liked it ok. I am a huge L&O fan in reruns. Always like how it seems politically timely and fairly honest...and it's amazing how issues from old shows are still issues today. I think this new version will be fine once it settles in.
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Am a little offended that after a 12-year break they begin the series with a broken woman being brought to justice for, you know,...killing her rapist and the episode ends with the ADA Nolan Price victory-dancing his happy ass out of the courthouse as if he successfully took out a notorious mob boss. #Rapevictimslivesmatter
I feel that Special Victims Unit should've handled this case.
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Great point about SVU….. ‼️‼️‼️
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Anthony Anderson needed to shave beard, reminded me of Dre to much.
If this was supposed to be a continuation of 10 years ago should have given some insight where the characters that were last seen ended up. Thought it was slow moving and when assistant d.a. did closing way to much swaying back and forth almost dizzying.
4 2
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I actually liked Jeffrey Donovan bringing something else to L&O even if it’s messy and unpopular, just like real life. I do agree that he needs to grow as a character
4 2
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Law- Frank Cosgrove character was terrible he was out of place. Loved Donovan in Burn Notice though.The new Lieu wasn't strong enough to hold the character. Not a fan of Anthony Anderson but he does carry his character. Bring Jesse L. Martin back. Order- The DA characters are ok. I have to see more of them for a final decision. Sam Waterson is always Fantastic. Would like to see more of him and some of that Jack McCoy fire.
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Will continue reruns. New show is terrible!
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I thought that the "Bill Cosby" angle unnecessary, It's beating a dead horse. It's too preachy and the characters were worried more about how they perform their jobs instead of doing them... Go back to the old vibe or it's going to just be "Law and Order : SJW
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I didnt like it. I love the original law and order. I love Benjamin Pratt on law and order.
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I liked it but they need to bring more original characters back.
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👎 Should have left it alone.
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It wasn’t as edgy as the first run..:too many gaps with the new players unexplained
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This one is difficult. The chemistry between Anderson' and Donovan's characters is non existent. One of them needs to be recast. I agree with others that I would like to see Jesse Martin back. Cameron is trying too hard and doesn't fit. The ADA and his Asst both feel too incompetent compared to what the show is used to. Throwing out the confession was ludicrous. Can't believe they cut the scene btwn Lowell and Waterson. (She should be fired.) This storyline was so banging over the head it's a wonder we didn't get headaches from watching. Sam was the best part of the episode. More of him is needed.
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P
Meh is right. The acting is terrible. Anthony Anderson talks like he’s on What’s My Line and he needs to lose that horrible beard. Camryn Mannheim just doesn’t fit. The Frank Cosgrove character is really angry and the stories so far are mediocre. Very disappointing.
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I'm a huge L & O fan and still avidly watch reruns. Unfortunately the new series is unsatisfying due to my some miscasting and lousy writing. The 2nd episode was even worse. I don't mind Donovan's character. I like that he's flawed. I like Dancy, too. His acting is very good but most of the other actors don't measure up to him. His assistant DA is no way believable. Too pretty. Not realistic. I like Camryn Manheim but she's not believable in this role. One of the hallmarks of the original series was the great casting of guest actors. This new version so far is unimpressive. It's a shoddy, contrived version of the original. Very disappointing.
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B
I enjoyed episode one of the new season, love Jeffrey Donovan. There are all kinds of people in the world and I appreciate that he isn't playing a likable character. I will continue to watch and am thrilled that I get to see 3 version of law and order in one night.
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O
It was ok, I give it a B minus. But I'm not sure what disturbed me more, Bernard's hair plugs, or McCoy's drooping eyebrow.
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B
The Cosgrove character seems like he's just reading the script.
I like the actor but not in this role love seeing the other original cast.
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I watch Law & Order reruns almost every day and love them. Cosgrove character is a too abrupt and dislikeable!! The show won’t last long like it was Thursday night!
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Loved it! Been watching the original with Jack McCoy, Adam (miss his heavy sighs), and Prosecutor Alex, etc... Now we have McCoy back, former Hannibal actor (I also enjoyed him in King Arthur), and the bonus is Jeffrey Donovan! I'm hooked!
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I liked it just because I have been watching as a fan since day one. I think there is some rust that still needs polishing. Cosgrove leaves a little to be desired but Anthony Anderson's character as the better cop settles the unevenness. It still needs development after 12 years. I think it will get better with time. I was just happy to see it back on TV.
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What's really ironic is that what's going on at the real life Manhattan District Attorney's Office is far more exciting than the fictional show. Two veteran prosecutors just quit because real life Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg doesn't want to go forward with the Trump investigation. If the real world is more exciting than "Law and Order," then the flagship original is in big trouble.
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I absolutely can't stand the Det. Cosgrove character. There were times I was hoping Det. Bernard would punch him in the face. I don't recall ever disliking any of the main characters during the original run as much as I dislike Cosgrove.
I didn't even recognize ADA Ross. So much time has passed, I guess that's to be expected. Given what she did on the witness stand, she may not appear in too many more episodes.
Since the final episode of the original run seemed to suggest Lt. Van Buren beat cervical cancer and the HPV, I hope that we eventually see S. Epatha Merkerson show up as Deputy Chief Van Buren or maybe even Chief Van Buren. If Ross and McCoy are still working, I don't see a reason why Van Buren wouldn't still be in the NYPD.
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B
I don’t agree with these comments on Frank Cosgrove (Jeffrey Donovan). I thought he was great,real. I liked his direct personality. I get honest, hard truth and I’m direct myself. He had great facial expressions. Everyone shouldn’t have to fit into a neat box. Give him a chance. I wasn’t crazy about the DA but time will tell.
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R
Didn’t like the remake. The returning actors seemed to old. Hardly recognized Some of them. I’ve watched all the original when they aired and the reruns.
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Agree 100%
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I'm happy it has returned, but I think they could have gone with a different first case. Pretty sure SVU did this one a few years ago. Cosgrove didn't really bother me, reminded me of Logan.
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I was thrilled to see Sam Waterston & Anthony Anderson. Would have liked to see Jesse L. Martin back in a new role. The chemistry isn’t good between the players yet. Get Jack McCoy more involved. What would really be great is if CBS would agree to a crossover episode and let Tom Selleck appear as the Chief of Police since both shows are set in NYC.! Let’s give it a few more episodes before writing it off.
1 1
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G
Pretty bad and please trim Sam Waterson's eyebrows.
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Started to watch. Very offensive language which is not necessary. Did not finish watching and will not try again.
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Loved it! Good TV!
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Give Sam Waterston more to do. The story told me there is no Justice. Disappointed. Characters are not fully developed. Do better. But left a bad taste.
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B
Who played Nicole Bell, the defendant?
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Donovan got the Cosgrove part correct. Not being truthful to folks is legal according the the Supreme Court. Besides it’s entertainment people.
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Loved it and the Cosgrove Character. Love having Anderson toned down!! We need much more Waterson!! Camryn was okay, hope they develop her more!!
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