Law & Order Season 23 Episode 8 Review: Facade

Tackling the subject of white supremacy is always a gamble because of how polarizing it can become the more you boil it down into nitty-gritty details. Law & Order Season 23 Episode 8, “Facade,” takes white nationalism to court and attempts to show that everyday people can secretly be a racist underneath.

Unfortunately, the evidence isn’t stacked enough, which hurts the verdict but not the performance of Nolan Price in the courtroom. It’s a somewhat compelling case from start to finish, with only a couple of missteps along the way.

With this show, in particular, most episodes have some parts that capture your attention from start to finish. “Facade” is one such episode, reeling us in a little bit with the investigation but totally enamoring us with Price’s presence during the trial.

Price and Baxter Smooth Things Out — Sort Of

The biggest takeaway from this episode is that Nolan Price can serve in the courtroom whenever he wants. He is a very strong prosecutor and with this case, we finally hear DA Nicholas Baxter admit it.

After Law & Order Season 23 Episode 7, “Balance of Power,” audiences were left wondering what Baxter’s motivations were. With “Facade,” he leaves us with no lingering questions. 

Sure, Price might’ve been hesitant to continue the case without calling their slam dunk witness, an undercover cop, but Baxter has no qualms. It’s a situation in which an outside observer can see the merits of both sides. 

Price wants to ensure the accused goes to prison for the murder he committed. And he doesn’t think that the undercover operation at a gym is worth compromising that.

Baxter is on the opposite side and sees the bigger picture of multiple white supremacists being taken down by this operation. It’s frustrating that Price can’t see it too, considering how much it aligns with his sensibilities of taking as many criminals off the streets as possible.

While they might still be at odds about this particular decision, overall, Price seems to have moved into his accepting Baxter era. They manage to have heated, yet civil, discussions regarding the facts of this case and then come to a final verdict together versus apart.

Price’s Courtroom Performance

Hugh Dancy has been hit or miss with his role as Nolan Price. Sometimes we are blown away by his mere presence, while other times, audiences find themselves wishing for more.

Law & Order might not always give us a case worthy of a courtroom drama, but with “Facade,” it does. Which gives Dancy a moment to shine as the ever-persuasive Price.

The way that Price takes hold of the courtroom after the female witness from the subway mentions that Arnou talked about “blood and dirt” is one of note. He grabs hold of the possibility that Arnou actually said, “blood and soil,” a famous white supremacist slogan, and runs with it in the vain attempt at taking back control of the case.

In fact, I was convinced he had swayed the jury when he brought Kovak up to testify. Which is why the verdict becomes a shocking TV moment. 

Price gives his all during this case which we haven’t seen nearly enough during his current tenure. It’s just unfortunate that it wasn’t enough to get Ellis Joiner the justice he deserved. 

In the end, Price raises a great point. Sure, Arnou has no prior bad acts in his history, but that doesn’t exclude him from having a racist agenda hiding just under the surface.

Stray Thoughts:

• I’d be interested to see the undercover operation come up down the road and Price get to see Arnou and his buddies brought down.
• Baxter is slowly growing on me, he’s still no McCoy, but he’s not a bad DA
• It’s a bit strange that it took most of the trial for Price to present that Joiner could’ve been having an asthma attack. Maybe it’s because he waited for the witness to come forward.

 

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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