Law & Order Review: The Right Thing (Season 21 Episode 1)

After almost 12 years off the air, Law & Order Season 21 Episode 1, “The Right Thing,” aims to show that sometimes tried and true is the best way to go.

Fortunately, the show succeeds with a few well-placed casting choices and a case that leaves viewers conflicted.

Fans of the original series that jumpstarted Dick Wolf as a household name are grateful to see Jack McCoy is still fighting the good fight from the District Attorney’s office. Only now, fresh-faced Nolan Price, played by Hugh Dancy, has taken over his old role of E.A.D.A.

Hugh Dancy is a solid addition to the Dick Wolf family with his honest yet logical delivery of the hard decisions.

Dancy has us rooting for Price even though he seems to be impervious to the emotionality of the case. 

The new dynamic in the D.A.’s office between McCoy, Price, and Moroun (Odelya Halevi) ensures that while this show is well-known and formulaic, it still has some new tricks up its sleeve.

The three prosecutors take on the case of a rape victim killing her rapist once he was released from prison — none of them fully agreeing on what the stance should be in the case.

Moroun doesn’t believe the D.A. should even take the case because, in her eyes, it’s justifiable. McCoy and Price have a similar opinion that the law is the law and should be followed regardless.

What makes this episode stand out is the moral ground that McCoy and Price can’t seem to agree on.

Price believes that on a case-to-case basis, cops lying to get a confession is illegal. Meanwhile, McCoy argues that if the practices are ethical, they are automatically legal.

The back half of the episode — the prosecution side of things, definitely drives the story better than the front half. Maybe that’s because the back half of the episode holds the most weight; the most moral ambiguity. 

To come back after so many years away, Law & Order doesn’t pull any punches when ensuring things remain memorable. It’s a case that doesn’t satisfy even when the verdict is called.

On the one hand, if the rape victim is found not guilty of murdering her attacker, it’s a smack to the face of our written laws.

On the other, if she is found guilty, it’s horrible to put a past victim in jail for simply doing something most of the world believes her attacker deserved.

While Price doesn’t come out and say it, it’s clear he believes there are no clear-cut winners. It will be fascinating to watch Moroun and Price work together, considering her empathy drives her, and he is driven by the written letter of the law.

Of course, we can’t talk about the lawyers without mentioning the detectives who make a case for them. Anthony Anderson’s return as Detective Kevin Bernard is a draw for those seasoned fans.

However, he also proves that Detective Bernard can grow and evolve even if his new partner struggles to do the same. So while partnering a white and black officer together is a clear attempt at softening our feelings on cops, it’s not a total loss.

Detective Frank Cosgrove is a hothead who needs a calmer, more collected partner such as Bernard to reel him in — which he does.

One episode isn’t nearly enough time to get an honest read on their partnership, but one scene definitely stands out.

Cosgrove approaches a suspect with a brusk attitude and implies that he will throw his weight around if he has to. Bernard could have stood by. Instead, he calls him out on his behavior and applauds the individuals who filmed the interaction.

He’s correct in saying that the cameras keep them honest. And while that’s a safe take that many a cop show has taken since things heated up between cops and communities of color, there is a good chance Law & Order is more than just a show.

The universe isn’t known for making big statements on such issues without well-thought-out storylines to back it up. The series knows its audience and the microscope it is put under because it is a law enforcement show.

This doesn’t stop the show from really diving into stories that matter. This case is a prime example; while it’s not frame-by-frame accurate to the Bill Cosby situation, there are similarities that anyone can relate to. 

If this procedural continues to tackle the tough topics and does not shy away from staying true to the communities it represents, Law & Order could make a solid comeback.

Stray Thoughts:

• I’m curious to find out if Cosgrove’s beef with Price is personal or just lawyers in general.
• This episode definitely needed more Camryn Manheim
• Also, Norm Lewis and Alicia Coppola are rounding out the stellar guest star list. You know the show came to play!

—

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

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

Law & Order airs Thursdays at 8/7c on NBC.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

Warner Bros. TV Group Announces ‘All American: Homecoming’ Scholarship for HBCU Students