Law & Order Season 22 Episode 16 Review: Deadline

When we say Law & Order Season 22 Episode 16, “Deadline” is the dullest episode this show has had to date — we mean it. Which, quite frankly, is disappointing considering how complicated and intriguing the story could’ve been.

How does an episode with conspiracy, multiple murders, political schemes, and a neo-Nazi material witness fall so short? By failing to give any depth to what has recently been happening to the characters on this show.

For an episode centered around racial slurs and anti-Semitic hatred, there is little — think blink, and you’ll miss it — mention of Detective Shaw’s recent racial woes.

A Lack of Connection Fails Across the Board

The last time we saw Shaw, he was being suspended due to his “behavior” toward white cops. This episode dives right into the murder — of a Jewish journalist — with only a quick “Welcome Back” from Cosgrove to even show he’d been away.

For a moment, it seems likely that Cosgrove will make some connection to Shaw’s recent situation and Ackerman’s murder when they catch a neo-Nazi tagging the man’s house and spewing generalized hatred—instead, crickets. 

It’s horrible enough that Law & Order Season 22 Episode 15, “Fear and Loathing,” dropped the ball terribly by making Shaw the bad cop. Now, to have the writers act as if Shaw’s persecution wasn’t anything at all is despicable. 

The whole episode, Shaw has to stand there and act like he hasn’t just been hung out to dry by his police brothers for daring to challenge the innate racism in the NYPD. The only time we see him slip up is during their interrogation of the tagger when he threatens to meet the guy on the streets.

“Deadline,” being partially about anti-Semitism, is the most effortless connection this show can make, and nothing. It’s as if Cosgrove and Shaw can only grow within a singular episode’s realm before their characters reset.

Give Shaw His Moment

Furthermore, Law & Order is failing its most significant advocate for continuing to watch cop TV in today’s political climate — Detective Shaw. It’s bad enough that this episode drops the ball on providing an update to his headspace or even acknowledging what happened.

However, giving no attention to Shaw at all in this aftermath episode is a complete disservice. Yes, this show is about murders and subsequent trials, but fans don’t tune in for that alone.

We want to see our favorite characters act like we would in similar situations. In the case of Shaw, there is room for the show to expand on his emotions toward his direct squad and the NYPD as a whole. 

A simple conversation between Cosgrove and Shaw discussing his recent suspension while they investigate Ackerman’s death could’ve given this episode the juice it needs to stand out.

Unfortunately, the writers seem afraid to dive too deep into polarizing waters. It was previously evident on Law & Order Season 22 Episode 15, “Fear and Loathing,” when Shaw is penalized, but the white cops who racially profiled him are not.

In 2023, TV needs to be taking opportunities to change the hearts and minds of viewers instead of playing it safe without creating follow-through. 

Political Conspiracy Puts Us to Sleep

How is the fraudulent scam which caused the death of multiple people the most forgettable aspect of this entire murder case? Come on! It could easily write itself into the history books as an exciting piece of evidence that nails a coffin closed.

The suspect, Costa, is your typical scam artist criminal with a violent past. Nothing sets him apart from any other person Price and Maroun have tried within the courtroom thus far.

His whole character could’ve been explained more and given a more detailed motive for his crimes. Sure, he was on trial for murder, but it’s not clearly identified why he felt the need to scam the Lieutenant Governor, leading to her and Ackerman’s deaths.

The entire back half of this episode — usually the best part of Law & Order — could’ve been condensed into a five-minute courtroom scene. Price’s hesitance and disdain for their xenophobic witness, while a true reflection of his character, doesn’t need to come up more than once. 

It’s as if “Deadline” has no idea what kind of story it wants to tell. Are we concerned about a neo-Nazi getting a pass on jail time or the death of multiple people by a typical, everyday crook?

There is no excitement within the guilty verdict of this case because, somehow, we aren’t given a reason to care. Additionally, none of our favorite people of the law have any level of growth or development, which is disheartening after the previous episode.

 

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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