Law & Order Season 25 Episode 18 Review: Ride or Die
Law & Order Season 25 Episode 18, “Ride or Die,” is an intriguing episode that explores critical themes, including sexism and workplace power imbalances.
The show thoroughly examines these concepts by portraying Samantha Maroun as the star of the episode — an excellent choice that pays off immensely.
Before the narrative shifts to Samantha, Detective Riley and Lieutenant Brady execute a fascinating investigation that provides a brief glimpse into the world of beauty pageants.
For the last century, beauty pageants have been an iconic staple. From Miss America to Miss Universe, these competitions, for better or worse, are integral to society’s perception of womanhood.
However, the show reveals a shocking truth: the rise of social media influencers has instigated the downfall of beauty pageants.
Despite this revelation, it is not surprising. Social media influencers currently dominate various industries, from visual media to travel to product recommendations.
It is no surprise that beauty pageants are affected by social media influencers as well. Law & Order opting to highlight this factor emphasizes the murder victim, Katie Harrington.
She is one of the few remaining prominent public figures involved in this industry, especially as the number of pageants steadily dwindles. This aspect could also ignite a fiercer competition, widening the pool of suspects.
Curiously, Katie Harrington’s murder ends up having nothing to do with beauty pageants, but rather, her position as an up-and-coming journalist at New York 32.
This decision immediately shifts the narrative to focus on themes of sexism and mentorship, driven by Ann Merrick’s motive.
Ann’s defense is based on Extreme Emotional Disturbance. It is ironic her lawyer reasons that men get away with extreme murder with this defense, but women cannot.
It is a strange claim because the statement itself has sexist undertones. As Samantha Maroun says, it suggests that women are prone to hysteria and incapable of being anything but emotional.
Ann’s lawyer, Abby, might think this defense is progress for women in the legal system, but it also reinforces misogynistic stereotypes.
Samantha and Abby’s disagreement over Ann’s defense is quite complex because it is not simply two lawyers disagreeing. Abby used to be Samantha’s mentor at the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, as Ann was Katie’s mentor at New York 32.
By establishing this parallel, Law & Order effectively strengthens the storyline. Samantha and Abby mirror Katie and Ann in the most notorious way possible: both mentors cross the line and fail their mentees.
Of course, Ann kills Katie, but it turns out that Ann has a history of terrorizing her protégés when they do not fall into line. On the other hand, Abby asks Samantha to let Ann plead guilty to manslaughter instead of trying her for second-degree murder.
The circumstances could not be more different, but both scenarios depict a mentor letting down their mentee in a grievous manner.
It is a particularly devastating situation for Samantha, who is utterly heartbroken when Abby tries to manipulate her.
It is not about what Abby asks of Samantha; it is about Abby putting Samantha into an impossible situation and then insisting that she owes her for her current job.
Mentorship should not come with a cost. A true mentor will never ask for anything in return that compromises the mentee’s values or jeopardizes their career.
Ultimately, Abby takes advantage of an inherent power imbalance between her and Samantha, just as Ann capitalizes on the imbalance between her and Katie.
Katie should not have to die because Ann decides to punish her due to a journalistic error.
Of course, Ann has every right to be angry, but ending Katie’s life illustrates how Ann will take advantage of their dynamic at the first opportunity, even if Katie pays with her life.
Law & Order Season 25 Episode 18, “Ride or Die,” ends on a stark contrast that perfectly concludes the storyline.
Samantha refuses to adhere to Abby’s demands, fracturing their relationship for good. However, the narrative subtly hints that Samantha now has a new mentor — Nick Baxter.
Nick Baxter: And no mentor worth her salt would ever ask that of you.
Nick supports Samantha through this difficult ordeal and guides her to make the right choices. Nick and Samantha might not agree on everything, but he is always there for her when she is in trouble without expecting anything in return.
Nick effectively demonstrates what a good mentor is, further underscoring how Abby’s behavior is unprofessional, unfair, and unethical.
Abby believes Samantha betrays her by refusing to allow Ann to plead guilty to manslaughter. However, it is really Abby who betrays Samantha the moment she asks her to compromise her integrity by manipulating their mentorship.
What did you think of this episode of Law & Order? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!
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Law & Order airs Thursdays at 8/7c on NBC.
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Sarah Novack
Sarah has been a passionate writer and blogger about various forms of media for as long as she can remember, and her favorite method of expressing this passion is through writing and discussion. She loves way too many TV shows, books, and movies, specializing in book-to-screen adaptations, fantasy, sitcoms, and procedurals.