Law and Order

[BrianL]

Traditional L&O was always GREAT casting, and I loved the passion of the show. Excited that it has come back!! [Anthony Anderson is a returning character, I'm having harder time with the other guy, Donovan, fitting.]

On the new show, I can say that I really don't like Donovan as a person, but he's fine as a character because you sometimes need that contrarian or even jerkish character to enhance the drama. I don't think Bernard and Donovon get along very well, but that sometimes happens too. I am less enamored with the new ADA Maroun - she's coming off as maybe not that bright. I am surprised she is in that position. That role was often used as the contrarian too - Abbie, Serena, even Claire - but at least with them they could articulate their positions with understandable reasons.

 

[CdnCarrie]

omg how did I forget Anthony A was in the original?
Maybe I didn’t watch those years in repeat or maybe I didn’t watch the original much in the last couple years? I even watched the whole run of Blackish and it didn’t ring a bell!
Are the last few seasons of the original on a streaming service?

maybe that was before our PVR and I had young children and blocked out/missed some of the last couple seasons!?

 

[soccerdad72]

omg how did I forget Anthony A was in the original?
Maybe I didn’t watch those years in repeat or maybe I didn’t watch the original much in the last couple years? I even watched the whole run of Blackish and it didn’t ring a bell!
Are the last few seasons of the original on a streaming service?

maybe that was before our PVR and I had young children and blocked out/missed some of the last couple seasons!?

I think he was only on like 2 seasons in the original go around.

 

[BrianL]

I think he was only on like 2 seasons in the original go around.

Kevin Bernard took over as Cyrus Lupo's partner at the end of Season 18 after Ed left. He was on for 19 & 20 with Lupo, who was considered "Senior Detective". Bernard is now the Senior with Donovan as the Junior. Bernard also appeared in a few previous episodes as an member of IA, but the Lou took a shine to him and brought him over to her squad.

 

[Skippy918]

SVU is one of my favorites. I’ve been watching that show for a long time. I do miss the former ADA’s Cabot and Casey. I really hate how they wrote off ADA Rafael.
I like organized crime, but the Wheatley story line is dragging on too long. The Albanian storyline was good but it seems like that one abruptly ended. I’ll continue to watch cause I’m curious to see what happens.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Nice to see Sam W. back!

 

[fla4fun]

Since SVU has had the longest run and on the most for re-runs, I would say that is a favorite. Not a fan of Amanda and her part is too big now but love Fin.

I thought I was the only one who disliked the Amanda character. I have never warmed up to her and have a hard time watching the seasons she appears in. I have enjoyed Kelli Giddish in other programs, so I’m not sure why I dislike Amanda so much. Writers maybe?

I agree with Fin though. I would much rather see more Fin and a lot less Amanda. That might make it palatable again. I used to love the Fin/Munch dynamic.

I miss some of the old characters, like Munch and Cragen. I understand that in a police drama which has lasted more than twenty years it is realistic to have retirements and new hires, but there were some characters that just seemed to gel well as an ensemble and the show feels a little “less than” without them.

 

[BrianL]

So, what are everybody's favorite episodes. There are a few from teh original that I will always stop and watch if they are on as they are always so enjoyable.

My faves:

Rebels: This is an early one with Rey, who is a bit overzealous when taking on a motorcycle gang. Lenny is great in this one as he teaches the kid the ropes.

D-Girl, Turnaround, & Showtime: This is the one where they go to LA in a take on the OJ trial. The culture shock is great, Jamie's ex-husband is merciless, and Jack tells off a California judge in epic fashion! They even impound Steven Berger's [Spielberg's] private jet! Also, it has Lauren Graham in it!

Refuge - Parts 1 & 2: This is the one where a young boy sees the Russian mob kill someone and things get really out of hand, up to the attempted bombing of a police station. There is lots of great rightous indignation from Jack in these!

Mayhem: This one has Lenny & Ed running from case to case all day with little reprieve. There is no major court case, just police work and some araignments. A woman ran over her cheating husband with a car. When it is mentioned that the victim had bought her the Cadillac, Lenny says, "Turns out a Volkswagon would have been safer." Great Lenny moment right there!

Vaya con Dios: This is the one were they prosecute a Chilean general for the killing of an American in the 70's. This is the last episode with Adam Schiff, and while the verdict at the Supreme Court is left ambiguous, they do explain that Adam went to be a part of an international war crimes court, so I believe that implies that the prosecution was successful.

 

[BrianL]

I miss some of the old characters, like Munch and Cragen. I understand that in a police drama which has lasted more than twenty years it is realistic to have retirements and new hires, but there were some characters that just seemed to gel well as an ensemble and the show feels a little “less than” without them.

I absolutely miss Munch - he's one of TV's greatest characters too, and appeared in a LOT of shows. Richard Belzer was fantastic. I love the Homicide crossovers where he and Lenny are together - what a great dynamic they have! They should have just put Jerry and Richard in a room together and let them riff!

 

[CdnCarrie]

Just rewatched old episode of original and it was the start off point for SUV. Both casts on several episodes.

 

[BrianL]

Just rewatched old episode of original and it was the start off point for SUV. Both casts on several episodes.

Yeah, they did a few crossovers to promote the new show, sometimes just mentioning SVU or having a brief appearance by one of the new characters. This is right around the best era for the show!

 

[soccerdad72]

Years ago, there was a weekend marathon on one of the cable networks that focused on all episodes where they were either saying goodbye or welcoming a new character. It was pretty interesting seeing the various ways characters came and went from the show.

 

[LoveSpringsteen]

My favorite is the original and the seasons with Lenny are the best. I used to watch Criminal Intent regularly when it first aired, but never watch it in reruns now.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Not sure I have fav episodes. Like it when I can tell which headline they are basing it on.

 

[HopperFan]

Dylan McDermott will be the new good guy on FBI's most wanted starting next month.

I thought you were joking so I had to google. I'm good with this. Was watching the FBI episode this week and DH and I looked at each other in shock. I googled that too.

On the new show, I can say that I really don't like Donovan as a person, but he's fine as a character because you sometimes need that contrarian or even jerkish character to enhance the drama. I don't think Bernard and Donovon get along very well, but that sometimes happens too. I am less enamored with the new ADA Maroun - she's coming off as maybe not that bright. I am surprised she is in that position. That role was often used as the contrarian too - Abbie, Serena, even Claire - but at least with them they could articulate their positions with understandable reasons.

YES!!! She has said so many dumb things that I was like "hello, in her position she should have already thought of that and been on top of it. Not acting oh wow good idea." I mean I guess it's bad writing for her, but is there a reason? But I'm not impressed.

Years ago, there was a weekend marathon on one of the cable networks that focused on all episodes where they were either saying goodbye or welcoming a new character. It was pretty interesting seeing the various ways characters came and went from the show.

One of the big jokes at our house is how SO MANY of the main good guy characters were once bad guys on another L&O series. And then the guests that come back over and over as other people.

But we have decided that if you have not guest starred on these shows, you haven't made it yet. Either you got a start there or you came back as a successful actor wanting to have some fun, but it needs to be on everyone's resume.

 

[BrianL]

One of the big jokes at our house is how SO MANY of the main good guy characters were once bad guys on another L&O series. And then the guests that come back over and over as other people.

But we have decided that if you have not guest starred on these shows, you haven't made it yet. Either you got a start there or you came back as a successful actor wanting to have some fun, but it needs to be on everyone's resume.

Yep, even Jerry Orbach played a defense attorney before he was Lenny! The reason is that they pull largely from the pool of New York based actors. These are the same people you might see on stage or in any other NYC based production. It's not as wide of a pool as LA has!

Paul Sorvino actually left the show because he didn't like the effect that filming outside in New York winters was having on his singing voice.