Law & Order Season 22 Episode 8 Review: Chain of Command

The military and its common practices are pulled into focus on Law & Order Season 22 Episode 8, “Chain of Command.” The death of a decorated officer uncovers some not-so-desirable actions by the United States armed forces in Iraq. 

Bringing the military into any story — especially a murder — is a touchy subject. No one wants to see our nation’s heroes portrayed as anything less than honorable.

That is what makes this whole episode that much more emotional and complex.

Who’s the Perp? Who’s the Victim?

It’s not very often that Law & Order delivers an episode with a satisfying conclusion that doesn’t give us all the answers. It is hard to celebrate the victory when the perp is just as much a victim.

While this case starts off extremely cut and dry, the further Cosgrove and Shaw dive into things the messier it gets. There are so many mishandlings along the way to this murder that it is hard to discern who is really the perp and who is really the victim.

While Fallon is clearly guilty of murdering his former commanding officer — Alexander Lockett — who is to blame for what happened to him? Because those events are what lead him to pull that trigger.

The devastating part in all of this is Fallon finding out that if he had simply spoken to Lockett he would have known how much Lockett sacrificed to bring justice to his men. Yes, Lockett followed orders in Iraq, but he didn’t come back and deny how terrible those actions were.

Fallon might be walking away with a guilty verdict, but this episode makes a big case for charging the military for how they’ve handled and treated the men who serve. Men like Lockett, Fallon, and Risner make the ultimate sacrifice for their health and their reputations.

McCoy Vs. Price

Everyone who has been a fan of Law & Order since the beginning of the series knows that McCoy isn’t going to take anything laying down. That is what’s so great about Price because they are of the same mind — which sometimes creates great friction.

It’s not very often that their stubbornness works against each other. Usually, when they become stuck in their ways about a case they are battling their wits against Maroun — not each other.

However, something about this case really gets under McCoy’s skin to the point where he pulls rank. It’s disappointing that the episode doesn’t circle back and explore his stance a bit more because that could’ve been an opportunity for character-driven storytelling.

There is a fabricated piece of evidence before them and rightfully so, Price refuses to use it in open court. His reasoning is sound and logical, but McCoy’s fervent stance to the contrary is jarring — which is why it could be nice to get more out of him on why.

There is defending the military and there is blindly believing everything the military hands you even if the timing is suspiciously convenient for them. It makes my admiration of McCoy go down a bit. 

 

 

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

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