Law & Order Season 23 Episode 3 Review: Turn the Page

After having Lieutenant Dixon as part of the team for three seasons, Law & Order Season 23 Episode 3, “Turn the Page,” finally gives viewers insight into her history. Even better is how it connects to not only the current case, but Detective Riley as well.

Since he joined in the wake of Detective Cosgrove’s sudden departure, Detective Riley has felt like a repeat of his predecessor. However, with this strangulation case, the writers decide to push him in a different direction that makes him a bit more palatable.

In the current climate, it’s hard to paint an aggressive cop in a positive light, but somehow, this case brings it out in Riley. Instead of being written off as just another hothead, Dixon gives us proof that he’s much more respectful than initially meets the eye.

Riley’s Been Here Before

At first, the murder of Celeste seems to be a run-of-the-mill strangulation case. But then digging deeper into the signature way she was killed brings up three previous cases.

While overall, this case isn’t that exciting or even interesting, there are elements of it that keep us hooked from time to time. Most notably, Riley’s connection to a previous victim, whom he was never informed had been located.

Viewers can tell from Riley’s face that he has regrets about the case, whether it be because he was never able to locate her body or because they couldn’t ever find enough evidence to convict someone. It’s a small glimpse into the type of person Riley might be underneath his extremely tough exterior.

Couple it with the casual mention of spending quality time with his son at his game, instead of getting proper sleep, we start to think maybe we misjudged him. It is only his third episode, but already the cracks are starting to form, and we find ourselves wanting to know more.

He manages to give a few insights into what he remembers about the old case, but ultimately there isn’t enough to solidly link their suspect in Celeste’s killing to the young woman from before.

In court, Riley all but admits that he found nothing wrong with Bruce Elliot when he questioned him for the prior murder. Despite being confident in what they can’t prove, Riley appears to be compassionate about the father who yells out in anguish over the death of his daughter.

Dixon Would Die for Riley

One of the biggest reveals from this episode has very little to do with the case and everything to do with the beloved characters. Price is fishing for a way that he can discredit Riley’s assessment from years ago, so he goes to Dixon.

What he doesn’t expect is the truth about Riley’s suspension to be something that makes him that much more endearing. Making Price’s choice to negatively attack him in court that much more disgusting.

Dixon’s tale about how Riley was trying his best to care for an ailing father, defend his coworker from a sexist boss, and still perform his job gives a clear picture of the man he truly is. There might be walls to hide this side of him from the rest of the world, but Dixon knows.

And as such, she would go to the ends of the earth to defend him and say he’s one of the good ones. The thing is, the viewers are also starting to believe it.

The way he could have begrudged Price’s actions, justifiably, but instead gives Price the nail he needs to make a guilty verdict shows that he’s not one to take things inside a courtroom personally. He knows that, above all else, these women deserve justice, and he has the proof necessary to make that happen, so he hands it over.

This is a cop who knows what needs to be done to do his job the right way. He can put aside his emotions and look at a case logically to ensure the victims are heard and respected.

Dixon would die for Riley, and honestly, I am starting to think I probably would too.

Price Crosses a Line

From his introduction, I have always found ways to defend some of Price’s less savory attributes. However, this case has me questioning just how decent of a person he is.

While he doesn’t outwardly say he’s prejudiced against the prior three victims, his actions imply otherwise. He doesn’t want to include their murders in scope because he feels their lifestyle will muddy the waters.

Of course, Maroun and McCoy sway him toward going for it, but it takes some convincing. The simple fact that Price assumes the jury will care less about the three dead black women who have a history of sex work muddies the waters for how we perceive him.

It’s messy, and there is no defending it. Overall, it shows a lack of care for all of Bruce Elliot’s victims, which Maroun deftly points out to him in her own way.

In the end, Price does get justice for all four of the victims, so we can’t judge him too harshly. But, we are giving him side-eye for this display.

 

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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