Law & Order Season 22 Episode 18 Review: Collateral Damage

After discord between McCoy and Price during Law & Order Season 22 Episode 17, “Bias,” it is a surprise that McCoy and Price are a united front this time.

They have to be when their case against a cult makes their jobs much more difficult. Law & Order Season 22 Episode 18, “Collateral Damage,” shows that all kinds of relationships can survive if there is strong trust to back them up.

In the end, the story of Ava and the Lode Star cult is a cautionary tale about when to allow a victim a free pass for becoming a victimizer and when to not.

Female Empowerment? More Like Female Manipulation

From the start, this episode tries to be fascinating and give the audience a look into something that has been in the news for the better part of the past decade. Unfortunately, cults only work as a plot device if the viewers feel they can connect or relate to the characters being presented.

It is unfortunate that the story jumps from Ava’s to that of all these women so quickly because it denies us the chance to care. We barely know who Ava is before all these other cult victims are thrown at us and given the attention Ava’s story should’ve had. 

Adding Ava’s parents to the courtroom proceedings is a nice touch, but it’s not enough to help us know their daughter. Ultimately, we can see from a mile away that the women are all in a cult, even if they try to sell it as female empowerment.

Sadly, Cosgrove and Shaw don’t delve deeper into who Ava was and how she fit into the group because it would’ve given them more to do. As it stands, the detective side of Law & Order continues to be inconsistent and weak.

The mystery and mystique of Ava’s new “friends” could’ve been drawn out more and seem less cultish from the start. The key to a great story is the journey — don’t give us all the information at the beginning.

Instead of Cosgrove and Shaw showing up and happening on them all just standing there and being defensive, it could’ve helped to see them find one or two of them.

Less is more in some cases — especially this one. 

Price and McCoy A More United Front

As viewers, we all love when McCoy and Price go head-to-head against each other because of differing opinions. Usually, we get Maroun there to strengthen one side over the other.

The great thing about “Collateral Damage” is that Maroun kept her distance and held a different stance from McCoy and Price. So for the first time, it felt like the DA’s office had three varying perspectives on one case — fun.

While McCoy and Price don’t see eye-to-eye on this case, it’s still miles away from the animosity between them during Law & Order Season 22 Episode 17, “Bias.” It seems that getting their tension out during the previous episode helps them respect each other’s views regarding this case.

The emotions are running high for everyone because it hits each of them differently. For McCoy, it’s a black-and-white case; for Price, there is a small amount of a grey area where victims shouldn’t be held accountable; and for Maroun, it’s a case that pushes the limits on what the legal system can do.

None of these prosecutors are wrong in their stance, making it much harder to determine who wins when a verdict comes down. Maroun is okay with the outcome even though Price has misgivings all because the victim crossed the line and became a victimizer.

Here’s the Rub

Cases like the Lode Star cult could be solid and exciting episodes if only the front half stood up to the back half. Sometimes this season, it seems like the writers for Cosgrove and Shaw are the same as the writers for Price, Maroun, and McCoy because the episodes ebb and flow seamlessly.

Then, on episodes such as “Collateral Damage,” there is a clear halfway point in which the viewer can guarantee the story will pick up and become more engaging or less predictable. Those episodes are less fun because it feels like half the episode is a waste of time and potential.

Cosgrove and Shaw are complex characters with points-of-view that can enhance a variety of these cases, yet they are hung out to dry. Viewers could sleep through Cosgrove and Shaw during these episodes and not miss a single detail needed to understand the case.

When half of the season is devoted to such episodes, this show is no longer a strong contender for engaging television. It needs to feel more cohesive on a more consistent basis moving forward.

 

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

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