Law & Order Season 22 Episode 13 Review: Mammon

Once again, Law & Order Season 22 Episode 13, “Mammon” exists to prove that the investigation side of episodes is the least interesting aspect of the show. It shouldn’t take until the court proceedings for the viewer to care about who has been killed and who is responsible.

Unfortunately, the majority of the episodes this season have struggled to find the perfect balance between the first and the second halves. It’s disappointing considering how strong the first revival season was overall.

The Dynamic Is Off

If the only part of your episode viewers can remember is what happens in court then something needs to be altered in the writing of the show overall. 

While the acting skills of Jeffrey Donovan and Mehcad Brooks are strong — something that has been previously shown — there is a lack of connection between them. They seem to co-exist in scenes without giving viewers the feeling that they are partners.

When we look at previous detective partnerings in the long history of Law & Order, Cosgrove and Shaw rank particularly low. There is no brotherly camaraderie between them. 

In fact, more often than not it seems as though Cosgrove simply tolerates being partnered with Shaw. “Mammon” is a prime example of how the actors seem to be going through the motions to get through a scene instead of working off each other to create emotionality.

Shaw could be a really strong character if he has a better partner. Nothing against Donovan but, Cosgrove is flat and lifeless outside of being a “tough on crime” kind of detective.

Price and Maroun Bring the Heat

While the overarching theme of this episode falls very short of what can be seen as the intended target there is something to be said about how Price and Maroun never back down. Even when McCoy spooks a bit toward bringing prosecution against a religious entity, Price insists on remembering who is the real victim.

While in previous episodes, Price’s intensity has exploded in his face, this time it works in his favor. He manages to make a case for fraud against Pastor Mike — something that is completely unexpected. 

Anytime television decides to put religious organizations and churches at the center of criminal behavior it can go one of two ways. There is the possibility of it seeming too sensationalized or too blasé — it’s hard to find the perfect balance.

Fortunately for “Mammon,” Law & Order keeps us interested with every twist and turn because of the added element of manipulation. Fraud for the church in question means — as Price and Maroun point out — manipulating people into giving up their money to the church.

We find ourselves sympathizing with Lonnie because he had been down the hard road of addiction when Pastor Mike got his claws in him. The young man got sober with the help of the church but he also gave up all he earned to that church in exchange.

In the end, Pastor Mike might be guilty of murder and fraud, but that doesn’t bring back Emily. Nor does it erase the irreparable harm his actions cause Lonnie. That final scene of Price trying to revive Lonnie is as heartbreaking as they come.

 

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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