Law & Order Season 25 Episode 21 Review: Liberty

Law & Order Season 25 Episode 21, “Liberty,” boldly tackles military and federal corruption in a shocking season finale.

The episode drops bombshell after bombshell, with several unexpected twists that amplify the storyline. 

Even the investigation is exciting as it kicks off with the gruesome murder of a Navy Officer who recently paid off a bookmaker, immediately establishing potential corruption.

This case is unlike anything the homicide department has witnessed before, due to the difficulties Riley and Walker face at every step.

The FBI even hinders the murder investigation, illustrating how unique Wally Kane’s murder is. The FBI’s sudden involvement raises the stakes significantly as they reveal their covert operation to take down corrupt members of the Navy for bribery. 

Nick Baxter: Does everything have to be so damn political? Us vs. You? Can’t it just be about the law?

“Liberty” is ultimately an episode about truth, honor, and justice in the face of a powerful opponent, once Admiral Garvey is arrested for Kane’s murder.

Garvey is set to become the next Secretary of Defense, so the federal government stands behind him during his trial. Garvey also has the judge in his pocket, underscoring the corruption entrenched in the justice system and the challenging prosecution Nolan faces.

These factors amplify Nick Baxter’s predicament: he is currently running for re-election, and Baxter’s opponent insists that he is “soft on crime.”

It is ironic because once the DA charges Garvey with murder, Baxter’s opponent is suddenly horrified at the turn of events and immediately demands Garvey’s release. 

If Nick Baxter is soft on crime, then he would drop the charges against Garvey. However, he believes in upholding the law no matter who the culprit is. It illustrates the hypocrisy of politicians who insist certain DAs are “soft on crime.” 

Rich and influential people like Admiral Garvey — who become the next Secretary of Defense — never count when it comes to holding criminals accountable. The only people who are worth prosecuting as criminals are those who belong to marginalized communities.

Baxter recognizes the hypocrisy, and, as a result, he is determined to indict every corrupt judge, politician, and public figure involved.

Nick Baxter is usually hesitant to be morally righteous because he has his constituents to consider. However, “Liberty” illustrates that, above all, he will never tolerate corruption in the justice system and in the government.

Baxter is right — it is not about the right versus the left, Republicans versus Democrats. No matter someone’s political affiliation, no one is above the law. It is a principle that Baxter upholds to the point of being willing to throw his career away to ensure true justice.

Nick Baxter: In this country, we do not prosecute to please a crowd, and we do not neglect to prosecute to appease one. The courtroom is a place where facts still matter, where evidence still matters, where the law quietly and deliberately does its work. And we must fight as hard as we can to protect the sanctity of this hallowed institution because if we don’t, this whole thing, this grand experiment will crumble.

The most shocking reveal on Law & Order Season 25 Episode 21, “Liberty,” is when Nolan makes a deal with Garvey’s lawyer to secure a lesser charge and sentence.

Nolan is usually the one who has to convince Nick to do what is right. However, he realizes what Nick is risking by charging multiple judges and federal politicians, even if he is right to do so.

Nolan realizes that even though Nick is doing the right thing, it would effectively end his career and change the DA Office as they know it. This move would also risk his job and Samantha’s.

Nolan hates that he was right about the corruption involved in the case, but pursuing it would only backfire. For the first time, Nolan and Nick change places — Nolan has to make the difficult choice while Nick recklessly charges on.

The reality is, Nick is right, but so is Nolan. Corruption is so embedded in the justice system and the government that if someone tries to do the right thing, it would be the end of their career, while criminal politicians get away scot-free.

Serious reform is necessary for both the justice system and the government. However, it requires far more than a DA prosecuting several powerful figures way out of his league.

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Law & Order airs Thursdays at 8/7c on NBC.

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