Law & Order Season 23 Episode 2 Review: Human Innovation
Price nails the point of this case on the head when he tells Maroun that knowing what is real and fake has become harder and harder thanks to technology, making their jobs more difficult. Law & Order Season 23 Episode 2, “Human Innovation,” recovers from last week’s horrendous outing with a case that has you questioning from moment to moment.
As we get deeper into this new age of technology, the extent of AI begins to step on the toes of everyone else. Sure, it was great when technology was helping us, but now it’s teaching itself to move beyond even our capabilities.
Which is exactly what the murder of Evan Marks is all about. Human vs. Technology, Real vs. Fake.
Riley is Growing on Us
Despite his initial introduction during Law & Order Season 23 Episode 1, “Freedom of Expression,” Riley’s second outing shows the man actually does have restraint and can be a well-rounded detective. Never once did he try to assert his power over a suspect, aside from jumping over a banister to collar the guy trying to get away.
It’s a total cool-down from the character we met previously, which shows that maybe the case they were initially working on is what set him off. I’m not making excuses for his trigger-happy behavior, but I will give him props for being better this time around.
The writing of his character isn’t much yet, we are only two episodes in, but if this trend continues, he might turn out to be a better option than Cosgrove ever was. However, we still need more time with him to make a fair assessment.
After all, Detective Stabler (Law & Order: Organized Crime) isn’t always a hotheaded detective either. There are times when he, too, can be calm, collected, and the epitome of “good cop.”
It is a good sign that Detective Shaw seems to be gelling quite well with Detective Riley. The two will be spending all their scenes together going forward, so having good chemistry will be half the battle.
Is Stafford the Villain or Victim?
One of the biggest issues brought to light with this case is where we stand on sympathy for the murderer. If it really is Stafford, then his motive for killing Marks is well justified.
That is not to say people should go around killing their bosses when they get fired, but if you do it’s completely understandable what made you reach that point. Marks forced Stafford and others to create the AI technology that could assist with their job, only to have it make their jobs obsolete, firing them.
I said earlier, “if” because that’s the other situation with this case. It’s very hard to separate out what is real and what is exaggerated or falsified. Stafford could be building up that Marks and Sawyer made him a scapegoat as a defense, or it could be the truth.
There are just too many circumstantial situations going on that even viewers can’t figure out what way is up. It really makes this episode more compelling that we don’t know, it keeps us tuning in until the bitter end.
What makes this even harder is just how believable Stafford’s defense could be. Sure, it’s quite a stretch, but wouldn’t a billionaire be willing to stop at nothing to keep his power and money, if not increase it?
Both Sawyer and Stafford are equally plausible perpetrators, and despite getting a guilty verdict on Stafford, the ruling doesn’t feel earned.
Price At a Loss
It isn’t often that ADA Price doesn’t know where to stand on a piece of evidence. When they get this highly convenient piece of surveillance putting Stafford at the scene, he doesn’t even want to use it.
This is evidence that could make their case, and yet, Price can’t be sure that it is authentic. Price, who is always assured and confident, can’t decide what to do.
It’s a fascinating look at how AI can be troublesome for even the most self-assured district attorneys. If it had been given to them by someone other than Sawyer, would Price have questioned it less? That is truly hard to say.
In the end, Stafford goes to prison for it, but is he really the one to blame?
Cases like this, if they happened more often, would keep Law & Order on the map and relevant, without trying too hard. Unfortunately, they don’t come around much anymore, so we are left clinging to the glimmers of them when they do.
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.
One thought on “Law & Order Season 23 Episode 2 Review: Human Innovation”
Great review! However, major flaw in the latest episode ‘s23e2’ was the inability and negligence of the prosecutor and defense to request longer time footage after the defendant was shown shooting the victim to see if the earlier suspect in the case (rapper/drug dealer) whom was lurking nearby would appear on camera doing everything he said he claimed and confessed he did including the robbery of the cash and jewelry. That would’ve been information and key details pertinent and confidential in the case that could’ve have been able to be deep-faked. Hence, the flaw. In my opinion, a BIG flaw and poor execution of the writers and the episode itself.
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