How Did ‘Law & Order’ Write Out Camryn Manheim’s Dixon & Introduce Maura Tierney’s Brady?
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for the Law & Order Season 24 premiere “Catch and Kill.”]
Since last spring, fans have wondered how Lieutenant Kate Dixon would be written out of Law & Order with Camryn Manheim‘s exit. The Season 23 finale didn’t even hint at a possible way. The Season 24 premiere finds Detectives Jalen Shaw (Mehcad Brooks) and Vincent Riley (Reid Scott) wanting that answer as well after being surprised when a new lieutenant, Jessica Brady (Maura Tierney) shows up at a crime scene.
When Shaw asks her what happened to Dixon, she doesn’t know and turns the focus to the case. Riley tells her she needs to give them more than that, but, “No, because I don’t know,” she says and again turns to the case. And while the detectives may have the crime scene covered, since she’s already there, she’s not leaving.
Brady continues to remain hands-on throughout the investigation, wanting updates and interrogating a suspect. That’s not surprising. After all, Tierney did tell TV Insider ahead of the premiere, “She likes to be part of the action. Also, she’s very good at interrogating people. I don’t know if she trusts the detectives yet to do it on their own. She’s out in the field and more active with the suspects.” We also learn that there’s a “long story” behind her not gambling after she demonstrates how good she is at picking up tells from a suspect.
Riley butts head with Brady when she says the DA, Brooklyn DA, and mayor all want updates since a Brooklyn prosecutor was murdered, and she pulls him aside. There’s no tension, he insists, “just feels like you don’t trust us very much.” She doesn’t deny it: “I don’t. I don’t know you. I’ve never worked with you before. I can’t afford to take anything for granted with everybody breathing down my neck. Look, I know you were close to Dixon, I know it’s hard to start all over again with someone new and all that stuff, but really, that’s your problem, not mine. I don’t need you to like me. I don’t need you to agree with me. I need you to listen to me,” she says.
After no word from Dixon for a while, which Riley notes is weird, she finally sends him a text: “Patrick got a great job at a school in Miami. Mom is tagging along. Didn’t want to make a big to-do about it, tears and all that. Come visit.” Riley plans to “take that up with her later,” but he’s glad she’s okay.
What did you think of how Law & Order wrote out Dixon? What do you think of Brady so far? Let us know in the comments section below.
Law & Order, Thursdays, 8/7c, NBC
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I really loved Camryn Manheim in this role and I still don't understand why she still doesn't have it! That bothers me because she said that she was really happy there.
On another note, I really like Maura Tierney! I hope she gets to stay more than one season.
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I think Brady is a keeper.
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C
A text is not acceptable. They should have let her tell them face to face.
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O
I really liked Manheim. I would like to see the female prosecuter be replaced. She is hard to look at.
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The text from Dixon was totally lame. Is she going to be a helicopter Mommy? Will she have a job? It would have been more believable if she referred to a new federal position which had to be kept sub rosa. She sure doesn’t come across as anyone who would sacrifice her personal goals for family. I was just glad to be rid of her. The total humorlessness of the character was a real turn off and she barely did anything besides bark orders and look disapproving.
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It's cryptic, I'll say. I think there's more to the story here, and I hope we see it unfold as a really interesting idea, that could lead to "competition", of sorts and even a "distrust" of sorts, between the detectives and the LT.
Personally, I like Maura Tierney, especially from her days on "ER" but was there a reason Camryn Manheim actually left? Or was it a plot thing. I loooove the fact that the original 'Mothership' is continuing, but since they came back, they have had so many turnovers in cast, how long can they continue?? We have to know the players and the characters. I'm happy that Sam.ie, Jack McCoy, tried his own last controversial case. He was wonderfully tremendous!!!!!!! This show is still top notch. I think it is time for the spin off svu to go. How many sickening ways can you tell stories of rape, abuse and child stuff too. Sickening. Not entertaining, but disgusting already!! Bring back Criminal Intent!!
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Never liked Maura Tierney in any roles. She always looks so dour.
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Excellent Idea to add Maura Tierney to the Show!! Great Beginning!! Looking forward to More!!
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She was terrible . Tierny brings more to the show. Mannheim should have cast as a judge.
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