Law & Order Season 25 Episode 20 Review: Once Burned
Law & Order Season 25 Episode 20, “Once Burned,” places Price in a difficult spot when he begins to second-guess everything about the trial. While he understands the evidence as presented, he wonders whether his prior knowledge of what the killer did years earlier clouds his judgment.
This leads him to understand why the judge dismissed his motion. If the jury knew everything he knows, they would probably side with him. Nevertheless, the jury comes to the same conclusion after hearing all the evidence.
With the result and Price’s doubt, the show pushes the viewer to think whether someone’s past can truly be erased or if they will always follow the same pattern. Can someone truly have a second chance?
The episode falls quite short. Being so close to the Law & Order Season 25 finale, the show should have taken a different route. This episode should have been one that reminded viewers of the greatness of the show.
Instead, we get the kind of episode that will soon become forgettable. There is nothing innovative about the storyline. And even though Price’s dilemma is interesting, it’s not enough to make this episode stand out.
However, we can note that what does indeed stand out is the partnership between Riley and Walker. What may have once been new and awkward now works in perfect synchrony.
The two understand one another better than we had once expected. They are at the point where they finish each other’s sentences and thoughts, communicating without needing to go into detail. Their connection is probably the one thing that helps them solve the cases the way they do.
No matter what happens, they know there is always someone there to have their back.
While we understand Price’s relevance on the show, it’s time we question why Maroun doesn’t receive the same kind of treatment. Her storyline, her beliefs, her presence, and her entire persona are never discussed or explored as deeply as Price’s.
The truth is, her character still feels like a big enigma at times. Even though we know a bit about her background, particularly when it comes to her sister, there is so much potential in everything she is and represents.
Now that Law & Order Season 26 has been confirmed, we wonder if the show will take advantage of this to help her character grow further.
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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Lara Rosales
By day, Lara Rosales (she/her) is a solo mom by choice and a bilingual writer with a BA in Latin-American Literature known as a Media Relations Expert. By night, she is a TV enjoyer who used to host a podcast (Cats, Milfs & Lesbian Things). You can find her work published on Eulalie Magazine, Geek Girl Authority, W Spotlight, Collider, USA Wire, Mentors Collective, Instelite, Noodle, Dear Movies, Nicki Swift, and Flip Screened.