Law & Order: Organized Crime Review: An Inferior Product (Season 1 Episode 5)

After a three-week hiatus, Law & Order: Organized Crime is back with a brand new episode. This is the first of four new outings to wrap up a highly anticipated first season. Dick Wolf does not disappoint with this one, which comes after a cross-over event with sister series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 1 Episode 5, “An Inferior Product” can be viewed as a stand-alone episode, but fans may be a little confused by some elements from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.  Dick Wolf loves crossover events in his series, so don’t be surprised if we get several more of these in future seasons.

Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler’s relationship continues to progress much to the delight of fans craving a future romantic rendezvous between the two characters. Some think it is too soon for these two to get together, but is it really? Olivia and Elliot have know each other since at least 1999, which is longer than most marriages last. 

Sure, Elliot’s wife just died and they are still trying to find the killer, so  it would be a little too early for some Benson/Stabler smooching. If their relationship continues to progress, a romance at the end of season two is very likely. Gotta love that slow burn.

Though it is hard to believe that the former duo has not talked in ten years, their chemistry is still as strong as ever. It would have made more sense if they talked periodically before Elliot moved out of the country instead of just cutting off all connections. 

Elliot is now able to lend a shoulder to cry on as Olivia reopens the case of her brother’s death. This seems almost too convenient that another relative’s death allows them to continue crossing paths, but we can forgive that if we get to see these two soul mates together week after week.

The (inappropriate?) relationship between Elliot and Angela Wheatley continues. She has been the person he has turned to for support after Kathy died. Their moments are almost too awkward to watch, especially if you are a shipper of Benson and Stabler. The acting is superb, but this seems like a forced and unlikely pairing.

Additionally, it was shocking to see Elliot and Angela kiss so soon after Kathy’s passing. Happy to see Bones‘ Tamara Taylor included a bit more, even if it is for a cliched physical interaction with the leading male character. Women can be used for more than hooking up with the guy. Think Buffy Summers, Leslie Knope, etc.

One of the supporting characters that needs more screen time is Gina Cappelletti. This undercover cop increases the entertainment factor when she is put up against Richard Wheatley. She should be featured in more scenes as a cop working the case to connect her to the series more. Sometimes it is easy to forget she is an undercover cop.

Bell’s personal life (instead of Stabler’s) is included more in this episode. It is refreshing to see a Black LGBTQ+ woman in a leadership role on a television series. And she can hold her own against Mr. Tough Guy Elliot Stabler. Dick Wolf’s shows do include some LGBTQ+ characters, but still lacking in comparison to a show like Grey’s Anatomy.

Overall, this week’s story does become a little muddled in order to fit in elements from the crossover. It is mentioned that dirty cops, something prevalent in many Dick Wolf’s series, are behind the injury of Bell’s nephew and killing the drug lords for their product. However, no one is arrested or even investigated. The story isn’t quite finished and shifts focus back to who killed Elliot’s wife too quickly.

Plus, it takes 45 agonizing minutes before an interaction between Richard and Elliot takes place. These encounters are amazing and help advance the continued storyline of Wheatley being the big baddie that continues to get away. Hopefully, this continues to hold viewers’ interest as the series progresses. If not written properly, this could become old quickly.

The team does get word that Bell and her crew need to take Wheatley down or the department will be closed. Does this mean that Dylan McDermott’s time on the series will be short-lived? Though Meloni has the star power to keep the show going, seeing McDermott as a bad guy is a nice change of pace from his days on The Practice.

In really shocking news, Angela Wheatley is revealed as the one behind killing Elliot’s wife. It is surprising such a high profile moment is already addressed. This leaves fans wondering how her character is going to be worked into a second season.

And what about the rest of the Organized Crime team?  I had to look up the hacker character’s name because she is literally only in one minute of each episode. In case you were wondering, her name is Jet Slootmaker. Hopefully, the three remaining episodes of season one include more of her, Washburn, and Morales (had to look them up as well).

It doesn’t feel like the department is as cohesive as it needs to be for the series to work like its predecessors. It is still early, so let’s give this one a pass as the other characters are still being developed.

What did you think of this episode of Law & Order: Organized Crime? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Law & Order: Organized Crime airs Thursdays at 10/9c on NBC.

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