Law & Order Review: Free Speech (Season 21 Episode 5)
The QAnon phenom that currently runs rampant in parts of the United States takes center stage on Law & Order Season 21 Episode 5, “Free Speech.”
This makes for an interesting watch, even if not much actually happens during the episode. Audiences have to remember that some cases are just cut and dry, with no crazy twists to get them to the conclusion.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t always work for the enjoyability of a network drama as iconic as this.
Politicians: Good Or Bad?
One of the biggest takeaways from this episode comes from the right-wing conservative QAnon nut who conspires against Derek Hoyt. He points out that Democrats put their politicians and figureheads on a pedestal — I’d be inclined to agree but from both sides of the fence.
It isn’t just Democrats who idolize their politicians, but Republicans as well. The difference is that Liberals don’t use language that incites others to create murder plots against their opponents.
The radio personality behind it all is a dead ringer for real-life Conservative Tucker Carlson in how he approaches misinformation and its spread to his followers.
The big takeaway is that we can’t put any kind of public figure above everyday people because they aren’t perfect. However, we also can’t end the life of politicians because their views don’t match up with ours or the internet creates false accusations against them.
Words Have Power
While it is disappointing that the court couldn’t prosecute the real killer of Derek because he died, it is great to see the radio host see the inside of the courtroom. It makes for the more fascinating moments of the episode.
The back and forth on the moral obligations of his messages to the general public is a conversation worth paying attention to. Things get muddled in terms of free speech in social media, podcasts, and just general ease of communication.
While people have the right to say whatever they want and believe, when it encourages others to commit crimes, shouldn’t the speaker be held accountable? That’s precisely the tactic Price and Maroun takes when handling the case.
Dylan Baker slays as the defense attorney trying to argue that his client didn’t kill Derek; therefore, he can’t be held accountable. To be quite frank, this is a good defense, but when you have video footage of your client telling others that he hopes to rile up the group of “morons” to kill someone, that’s no longer permissible.
Court is in Session
This show is becoming more exciting on the courtroom side of things versus the police side.
That’s not to say Bernard and Cosgrove don’t have their moments. However, it’s more fun to see Price and Maroun work literal magic on their stage.
The combination of Baker and Dancy on this episode makes for literal fireworks as they go up against each other on the stance of moral obligation. It truly feels like we were sitting ringside or on the jury for this fight.
While morally, it is easy to take sides — either/or — from the artistry of the scene alone, it’d be easy to switch sides. Instead, they make believable, compelling arguments that could sway just about anyone.
Baker proves he’s the defense attorney to have if you are ever in court against Price. He takes an easily losable — on his part — case and makes it an extremely tough decision.
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Law & Order airs Thursdays at 8/7c on NBC.
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Mads Misasi
Mads is a part-time entertainment journalist and full-time marketing content creator. They love any and all TV Dramas with a few sitcoms mixed in. Join in the fun talking about TV by following them on Twitter: @dorothynyc89.