Law & Order Season 22 Episode 1 Review: Gimme Shelter — Part Three

Quite a bit happens to round out the crossover on Law & Order Season 22 Episode 1, “Gimme Shelter — Part Three.” First and foremost, the story moves away from the action of tracking down the suspects and moves into the courtroom to battle for true justice.

One of the great things that Law & Order has always done is give viewers an outcome they aren’t always expecting. Of course, with TV we have become used to court cases working in our favor and idealistic justice being achieved. 

Unfortunately for us and fortunately for this case, justice is served but not in the way anyone could have predicted or expected. 

After the death of Stabler’s CI on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 24 Episode 1, “Gimme Shelter — Part Two,” Stabler is on the warpath against Sirenko and Rublev. So, it comes as no surprise when he confronts Nolan outside the courtroom for giving Sirenko a deal. 

While a deal with Sirenko isn’t an ideal situation, it’s the only choice Price and Maroun had with the cards they held. If they wanted this case to see the inside of a courtroom they had to make a deal with the devil — which sucks but is often a reality in the United States legal system.

Rublev and Rollins

The deal wouldn’t have been so devastating overall if it hadn’t been for the next few moves on the part of the enemy — aka Rublev’s Russian friends. The shooting of Detective Rollins — more on that in a bit — and Rublev makes this the most action-packed episode of Law & Order in decades. 

Rublev’s death may seem like a crappy situation — especially to Stabler who wants to see the man pay for his crimes — but ultimately it is the best justice there is. That moment is also a moment of growth for Price.

Price is known as a loose cannon who actively wants justice for the victims he helps in court. So, no one would’ve batted an eye if he let Rublev just bleed out without moving to help him. 

Fortunately, Price does try to help staunch Rublev’s bleeding and even makes a passionate plea for an ambulance. It’s a side of Price fans never thought they’d ever get to see. 

Rollins’ shooting on the other hand is much more devastating to see. The looks on both Detective Benson and Carisi’s faces alone are enough to break our hearts into a million pieces. 

But, it’s Nicole’s reaction to the whole situation that really punches us in the gut. This young girl is traumatized and also feels guilt for her actions that may have caused everything to go down.

Benson vs. McCoy

Benson going to bat for a victim is simply an old hat, but what is not usual for her is actually going up against someone with as much power as McCoy. Benson proves she has balls when she tries to tell McCoy that no way in hell would she allow Nicole to take the stand.

The meat of this episode truly lies between Benson and the DAs office. We see it first when Olivia pushes back against Price and Maroun and then again with her and McCoy. It’s great to see her passion interacting with Price and McCoy because usually Law & Order only has Cosgrove pushing back which doesn’t have the same level of excitement.

We rarely see McCoy lose his cool, but Benson pushes him too hard and he falls apart. It’s good to know he’s just as susceptible to moments of frustration as every other character on the show — we don’t get to see it as often.

Fortunately, for Benson with Rublev’s death comes the outcome she has been looking for all along — keeping Nicole as far away from testifying as possible. It’s great to see Benson personally ensure that Nicole gets rehomed in Canada where she can’t be extradited or pulled into this case again should the need ever arise.

It’s the perfect way to end this three-hour crusade to honor the victims of the Russian sex trafficking ring. It may not be the results we expect, but it’s the best result we can ever hope for.

Stray Thoughts:

• If I ever have to see Carisi cry again it will be too soon.
• I’m glad they didn’t kill Rollins, but I’m especially glad it didn’t happen in a time slot that isn’t her own.
• Honestly, Benson owned this entire crossover, I said what I said.
• Funny that Cosgrove and Shaw were barely in this segment of the crossover — which is their own time slot.

 

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

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

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