Law & Order Season 22 Episode 10 Review: Land of Opportunity
The issue of migrant buses and illegal immigration takes center stage with Law & Order Season 22 Episode 10, “Land of Opportunity.” While overall the case is a win for Price, it’s a loss for Maroun.
Diving into the nitty-gritty of big-city business practices isn’t something this show has ever shied away from. Only this time it takes a more modern spin to show that things really haven’t gotten much better in the past few decades.
Human Condition Trumps Murder
“Land of Opportunity” isn’t the most hard-hitting episode Law & Order has ever seen, but it does manage to hit us right in the feelings. We are immediately drawn into the story of Luis Morales based on the picture painted by those who knew him.
This sets up the feelings of misgiving and distrust we are supposed to feel when we meet the foreman for Wise Construction. It’s a level of writing this show hasn’t successfully demonstrated much of this season.
Michael Park, playing Eric Wise, leaves us feeling disgusting after only a five-minute conversation between himself and the foreman. All of this is before we even see the inside of the courtroom — which doesn’t always happen.
More often than not, these episodes don’t really grab our attention until after the court proceedings have started. Sure, we see the investigation play out, but we aren’t really made to care about the victim until hearing testimony.
That is the great thing about this episode, from start to finish we are on this ride of seeking justice for Morales — and by extension all undocumented workers. Even before his death, we see Morales facing down an upper-crust New Yorker who is antagonizing a fellow displaced human.
It shows that we are intended to see him as the kind, caring, dedicated human that he is instead of the immigrant villain Eric Wise’s lawyer tries to make the whole situation out to be. Morales’ only flaw was that he witnessed wrongdoing and instead of going to the police, he confronted the foreman.
Maroun Becomes Even More Human
The overarching theme of this episode boils down to being good, compassionate humans. Maroun goes on her own journey with this as she assists Soraya with her testimony against Wise.
Realizing that Soraya and her daughter are from the same country as herself, Maroun makes it her mission to ensure no harm comes to the undocumented pair. Unfortunately, she also learns how much of a slimeball Wise is when he calls the feds on his own secretary.
Maroun fights tooth and nail to get Soraya and her daughter the defense they deserve, but the United States government doesn’t play fair. The look of devastation on Maroun’s face when McCoy tells her the immigration people lied to her regarding a hearing is enough to break anyone’s heart.
Maroun is able to be a lawyer in America because her parents escaped Lebanon legally before she was born. But, Soraya tries to escape for her daughter’s safety and is met with challenge after challenge.
The justice system isn’t fair, and as much as we know Maroun loves her job this case may be her last straw. This case could truly break her faith in a just and fair system in America.
We saw her start to lose faith a bit with the previous episode, Law & Order Season 22 Episode 9, “The System.” However, with a case that hits completely close to home, she is going to be left feeling even more disheartened.
I just hope this means she will fight harder for the Sorayas of the world instead of becoming jaded in her position.
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.