Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 3 Episode 21 Review: Shadowërk

For the second half of the crossover, Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 3 Episode 21, “Shadowërk,” expands on the case brought forth on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit while also ringing true to what we have come to expect from the show itself.

First and foremost, seeing these two sets of characters interact with one another for the first time since the start of the season poses as setting up a fantastic bookend to this season — considering the crossover concludes during the finale episodes for both series. Secondly, despite dealing with two very different realms of depravity, as Elliot Stabler mentions on this episode, these two teams work well together.

While this episode simply brings up even more questions, there are some answers during some intensely satisfying moments.

Stabler As The Go-Between

When Olivia Benson calls on Elliot Stabler he will always drop everything and run to assist her. Such is the case for this investigation, but more so because he’s actually involved in the story already through his current murder-for-hire ring.

What comes as a bit of a surprise is Stabler automatically knowing to call upon Amanda Rollins when they uncover the dark web page involved in the murder-for-hire/rapist ring case. While they were both a part of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit at different times, there is a dynamic between them that falsely convinces us they were once partners. 

Naturally, it doesn’t take much to realize just how much of an asset Rollins is to this case and with psychoanalyzing the mysterious perp. The fact that Stabler came to that conclusion all on his own without any indication from Benson or anyone else is fascinating.

They have a chemistry that rivals his dynamic with Benson — which has been going strong for almost a quarter of a century. It makes you wonder if the writers are putting this new dynamic into the spotlight just to show us, and Benson, how special the bond is between Elliot and Olivia.

After all, since their almost kiss, Stabler hasn’t really been around Olivia, and now they are working a case together. He is letting her call the shots and dictate where they move when they are together — despite clearly still caring deeply about her.

This all shows up in the way he smirks when Benson is affronted that he would utilize Rollins without first speaking to her about it. It is in the way his eyes continue to find her in the room and how he jumps to protect her when the case turns to Oscar Papa — Benson’s attacker from earlier in the season.

Stabler knows where he stands with Benson, but it’s clear that his emotions are a bit muddled because of what he’s going through with his mom and having just hallucinated Kathy. This is why he moves with her and doesn’t make any sudden, unexpected decisions — until Rollins.

It’s a power play on his part. He’s utilizing the best person in the business who just so happens to be on rocky ground with the person he wants to let her guard down and actually express her emotions. That’s calculated; pure and simple.

With the crossover continuing into next week’s finale it’ll be interesting to see if he continues to walk softly around her or if he regains his authority that we know and love.

30 Years of Human Depravity

If the writers were ever going to showcase what Stabler is best at they have nailed it with this case. Not only does it tie back to prior cases for Benson, but it also brings to light just how well Stabler is able to get into the mind of a depraved individual. 

His strength is what made him such a strong detective on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit for so long. When most of the male detectives in the precinct were burning out after a few years, Stabler was there for around 2 decades. 

In that time he learned how to suss out the lowest of the low, and it has helped him with his transition to this task force. Stabler is a top-tier detective because he is able to psychoanalyze people and understand their motives for preying on others. 

The way he handles their suspect, Josh Conklin, reminds us that he knows the difference between someone who is a true sociopath and someone who’s been pushed into terrible situations by life circumstances. Josh isn’t a killer, he is just at the end of his rope financially and needs a bit of a break.

Watching him interrogate this young man takes us back to his SVU days. It also brings out his more compassionate, understanding side which his task force team rarely sees. 

All around, Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 3 Episode 21, “Shadowërk” brings together a team of people who know each other under very different circumstances and allows some of them to grow within their expectations of them. Beyond this investigation, Stabler’s team will likely trust his instincts more and question him less — Bell included.

Everyone now knows Stabler has an instinctual way about him that drives him to succeed as a detective — no matter which job description he puts his hat under.

Stray Thoughts:

• Reyes with the sandwich was the exact levity this episode needs to keep us focused on the end goal.
• Now that Elliot has opened the door, I’m going to need Rollins to consult on more task force cases.
• I know I compare Stabler to his past a lot, but the way he stopped himself when confronting Papa is living proof that he can be a better person.
• Just when I think the world can’t get more depraved an international hit list in the form of a website shows up.

 

What did you think of this episode of Law & Order: Organized Crime? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Law & Order: Organized Crime airs Thursdays at 10/9c on NBC.

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