Law & Order Season 22 Episode 9 Review: The System
After two seasons with Price, we finally see him falter in his belief that he’s always doing the right thing. Law & Order Season 22 Episode 9, “The System,” shows us that even the most stoic of characters is one situation from faltering.
For the first time we see a case that shows the courtroom first, and then switches gears to investigate. It’s a nice change of pace that makes room for unique interactions between Price and Shaw.
These are two characters who never really talk to one another let alone connect on a deeper level. Seeing them commiserate over the mistakes made with Troy Booker is the kind of writing we’ve been waiting for.
The Case of Shaw and Price
One of the things I’ve been critical of with the writing of Law & Order is its tendency to put a white character and a black character together in a situation as a way of saying, “look at us we do diversity and relevant issues.” This time the story between Price and Shaw makes sense and isn’t trying to be a big selling moment.
It isn’t even trying to put them on equal ground regarding their reactions. We see them separately come to terms with their role in the false accusations against Troy Booker.
“The System” has a beautiful scene with them coming together over some alcohol and Shaw lets Price know that he will never feel or understand the gravity of the situation like he does — a black police officer. They leave their interaction understanding that they both feel guilt but that their guilts are completely different based on their own history and experiences.
It’s a solid move in the right direction for this show to show us they know current feelings without trying to be over-the-top relevant to those feelings and issues.
Telling a human story is the best way for it to get these messages across to the audience.
Nobody Wins
This case overall is a hard one to come down on either side of the aisle with regard to results.
On one hand, sending him back to prison after he wrongfully spent 18 months there seems a bit harsh. However, he did also harm a cop — resulting in his death — in order to escape police custody.
For the first time since coming back, Law & Order shows us a suspect who isn’t easily seen one way or another. The case itself leaves us wondering just how many crimes have been created because of a police mistake.
After all, Booker doesn’t seem to be that horrible of a person — but 18 months in prison unnecessarily changed him and made him the person who would try anything possible to escape. This case will have long-lasting repercussions for both sides of the justice system.
Price isn’t going to be so quick to accept the blind faith he used to have in the law. Shaw became a police officer to prevent young black men from getting arrested — and yet he falsely arrested one. That guilt isn’t going to just disappear.
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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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.
3 comments
I was livid watching this episode. They never show them messing up and losing a good case. That man should be free from prison and on house arrest or patrol. Not at Rikers…they might lost a fan after that one…
I’m so enraged this episode following the next three especially where the white boy gets off for killing the black man. Is Dick Wolf racist? Has he gotten so wealthy that he can just air his true colors… it’s a shame this was aired!
Perhaps the best-written Law and Order episode ever. The defendant had clearly been wronged. I was troubled that the writers chose to make Jack McCoy not care. That behavior is not consistent with his history. Also, I found it difficult to believe that a mixed-race jury would all agree on what a harsh and unfair sentence. In reality, I would hope a public outcry would be so great that it would destroy the career of the District Attorney.
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