Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 3 Episode 2 Review: Everybody Knows the Dice Are Loaded

One of the things that is great about Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 3 Episode 2, “Everybody Knows the Dice Are Loaded” is the return of the multi-episode story arc.

Starting out this episode seems like it’s going to be a one-and-done, but as things progressed the twists kept coming and we knew it wasn’t going to be resolved tonight. The idea of the Organized Crime Unit going after a New York City mob family is bringing the vibes back to Season 1. 

Stabler vs. Stabler Jr.

There is a new member of the team and his name is Jamie Whelan. It’s immediately fun to watch him rub not just Stabler the wrong way but Jet as well. 

Even better is that Bell tells Stabler Whelan’s a young version of himself — which soon proves to be accurate. The kid is an act first, plan later kind of cop. 

Sound familiar?

Every step of the way during this episode viewers are reminded of a much younger Stabler in every move Whelan makes. He’s overly eager to take down the suspects that he takes unnecessary risks.

This season is going to be especially interesting if Stabler has to contend with teaching this kid how to stay alive. If the final moments at that club are anything to go on Stabler has his work cut out for him.

Stabler vs. Bell

Law & Order: Organized Crime works as well as it does because Stabler and Bell have this dynamic that reminds us of a combination of Benson and Cragen from Stabler’s old unit. It’s a partnership dynamic that keeps us tuning in every week.

“Everybody Knows the Dice Are Loaded” proves that nobody can truly contain Stabler — not even Bell who he clearly respects. While this is Stabler’s MO, he maybe should think about freezing up on that a little bit as he’s teaching Sparky (what I’ve decided to call Whelan). 

Stabler will always skirt authority, but in this case, Bell has a point. This family is dangerous and could make anything look like an accident.

Further proven by Henry Cole but also Stabler and Whelan’s run-in with falling construction materials on the build site. Moving forward I really hope Stabler keeps himself and the newest members out of harm’s way.

Stabler vs. Teddy Silas

While Richard Wheatley has been a hell of an opponent for Stabler, Teddy Silas and his father may one up even him. From the moment we meet Teddy we get a sleazy vibe from him and the more we see him the stronger that vibe gets. 

Even worse he thinks he can get away with anything because he’s a Silas and what he deems as attractive. I have a feeling Teddy’s fall from grace is going to happen sooner than we think.

Stabler doesn’t trust him as far as he can throw him and that definitely counts for something. Luckily, the other new guy — Bobby Reyes is of the same opinion. 

It wouldn’t surprise us at all if, in the next few episodes, Teddy’s wife comes forward to report her suspicions about her husband. She may be part of the mob family, but there is clearly some good in her.

Unlike Wheatley’s wife, if Silas’ wife comes forward, I doubt it would be a two-faced attempt to throw off the cops. Teddy is extremely manipulative and controlling of her and she’s near her breaking point.

Stray Thoughts:

• I laughed harder than I probably should at Stabler referring to TikTok as Tic Tac
• NY may have a rat problem, but Jet knows this rat problem is a bit more stinky
• Bell needs to give Jet a raise, that’s all I’m saying.

 

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

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

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

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

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

20 Toughest Law Enforcement Agents on Television