Try as it might, Law & Order still can’t fully break a nasty habit. Jesse L. Martin worked his final case as Det. Ed Green in last night’s episode, and the show just couldn’t resist one more gotcha exit. (Go ahead and start singing Roberta Flack’s "Jesse," if you must. I’ll wait.)
As I was saying, there’s a pattern here — consider the history. Poor Claire Kincaid (Jill Hennessy) was smashed in a car crash. Alexandra Borgia (Annie Parisse)? Sliced by a psycho and dumped in the trunk of a car. Serena Southerlyn (Elisabeth Rohm) and Adam Schiff (Steven Hill) were the lucky ones — L&O just outed Serena as a lesbian and killed off Adam’s unseen wife. To be sure, not everyone gets so dramatic a send-off (notice how quietly they packed off Milena Govich’s one-and-done Nina Cassady?), but L&O does like its exclamation points. So we shouldn’t exactly be surprised that Green turned out to enjoy the company of croupiers.
As Green explained it, back in the dark days after the death of Lenny Brisco (the forever missed Jerry Orbach),he reignited a gambling habit that had him frequenting an undergroundcasino in Harlem. Bad luck for him, the latest victim-of-the-weekturned out to have a connection to Ed’s old nemesis from the tables. Itall came crashing down when said thug ended up dead in the street withEd’s bullet lodged firmly in his back. Cue the grand jury, strike upthe indictment… a good cop ends up off the force.
Ah, but not dead. Or in jail. Or even all that sullied, really. Instead of nicking an artery, Law & Orderlet Ed Green walk out the door dignified and chivalrous (nice touch,having him protect the honor of a lady). “The man’s been in my office100 times,” said Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston). “I just kind of assumed hewasn’t a murderer.” Murderer? Let’s see, he recovered admirably from anaddiction, defended a troubled woman, and dispatched a homicidal freak.Any other city they’d be running him for mayor.
But this episode wasn’t only about giving fans and Martin — an L&O vet of nearly 200 episodes — a fitting send-off as he steps out the door to star in the Marvin Gaye biopic, Sexual Healing.It was also a chance to learn more about Jeremy Sisto’s Det. CyrusLupo, and meet his new partner, Kevin Bernard (Anthony Anderson).Verdicts? Well we know we dig Lupo because he has a cute dog, and we’reeasily swayed by puppies. But Bernard? Let’s just say Anderson gonnahave to keep bringing his special sauce, because so far B.’sinvestigative skills are iffy. Still, it’s a curious pairing, andperhaps the most dynamic since Brisco met Logan (Chris Noth). Andbottom line, it’s probably best to go ahead and decide right now thatwe like them. I mean, what are we gonna do? Pick season 18 to suddenlystop watching?
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Lenny Briscoe retired. Jerry Orbach died.
actually there was a comment made in last night’s episode that Lenny retired and then died, which I believe was new information. Nice little nod to Orbach I think.
Did anybody else think the baby was going to be Ed’s?
I loved the shout out to Lenny. He makes my Drama in the Daytime on TNT.
I totally think that baby was Ed’s. I like the send off they gave him…I’m not a big Anthony Anderson fan, I do heart L&O so I’ll put up with him.
i too loved the mention of Lenny; and also Lupo stating he owed Ed for helping him after his brother died. I always revel in the personal stuff since there is so little of it. Also loved seeing Jesse in his street clothes instead of the suit. HOT
I thought the baby was going to be Ed’s too…I think that Anthony Edwards will fit in nicely even though my sister has already decided she hates him…
Ha…Anthony ANderson I ment…
Can’t believe I fell asleep before it was over, thanks for good updates. agree with granda, will always miss Jerry O. Hope the Lt. stays on forever. Best show on TV, love the re-runs! Good luck, “Det. Green!”
MsDaisy – FYI – after Jerry Orbach died, it was mentioned on L&O (plus, I believe the SVU version) that Lenny had died unexpectedly. On one of those shows, they had a scene with the characters returning from his funeral. It was a nice way to pay tribute to Orbach’s passing.
Like I’ve mentioned on other blogs…not a fan of Anthony Anderson…never was…and after watching last night…with an open mind…I still don’t like him as an actor. I personally, would’ve loved to see Ice T’s “Fin” get transfered over to homicide.
I think the success of L&O hinges on the compatibility with the two detectives and ADA’s. If they have no sparks (which has happened) it gets very long winded. Maybe AA himself is a little rough, but his chemistry with Sisto is right on, so I’m not complaining.
I was so happy to see Anthony Anderson and to know he was getting a regular gig. My husband and I watched his New Orleans series and he was why. His no nonsense attitude with his slight smirk and that twinkle in his eye just make his likability factor really stand out.
I was so happy to see Anthony Anderson and to know he was getting a regular gig. My husband and I watched his New Orleans series and he was why. His no nonsense attitude with his slight smirk and that twinkle in his eye just make his likability factor really stand out.
i will always miss jesse l martin he was always my favorite next 2 jerry
HUGE fan of Martin’s and sad to see him coming off of a 9 year run. I do however remember how he mentioned Jerry being like a father figure to him. They had great chemistry as actors, and I find that even with the most ‘tragic’ case those two put the humor into it. As I am sad to see him leaving the show I do know that his movies are going to be worth seeing. As Jesse mentioned on the Rachel Ray show back in March “Law and Order’s on… Law and Order’s always on.. dun, dun, dun duuunnn dunn…” So I’m glad there re-runs! Orbach had Cancer if I do remember correctly, and I think the chemo got to him too soon before they could remove the cells.
Yes, I was correct Orbach died of Prostate Cancer at the age of 69.
Lenny Briscoe retired and Jerry Orbach died and then Lenny died on the show and they went to his funeral. I have watched shows on reruns for a long time and this is the only show that I can watch reruns over and over again without any problem. I love them all and have since the beginning of the show. I am not sure the new Anderson is to my liking but that is to be seen. I am sure I don’t care for the new fellow at the DA’s office. They would have been better served to move the lady up the chain and give her a new ADA. By the way, what was their problem there? Did they think they had to have another Jack McCoy. Gee, they even got someone who looked like him. How bland.
I’ll miss Jesse – good luck to him.
I love Linus Roach – I think he makes a great DA!
not sure about Anthony Anderson – we’ll see.
hmm Fin and Lupo – I thought Munch and Lupo – oh heck someone bring Frank Pembleton out of retirement – if Munch could transfer why not?!?
I still love this show.
Great episode. Is it just me or have they finally given Sandy Merkeson some chances to shine. She was wonderful. Nice to see them acknowledge Briscoe and Green’s past gambling jones.
My only quibble was how the usually nattily dressed Green became a slob as soon as he shot some guy. I doubt his character would even own half the crud they made him wear last night. Adios Ed. Hope you land someplace that will allow the character to come back for a visit or five.
As much as I’ll miss Jesse L. Martin, I’m willing to give Anthony Anderson a shot…I’m just glad they didn’t use his character from SVU.
great send off to ed. I will miss him. I always loved Lenny’s one liners at the beginning of the show. I will always love law and order as the shows are well written and they always have a cool twist.
Brilliant. Cast a repeatedly accused sexual assaulter as a TV cop. Way to go NBC. Anthony Anderson will force a sharp decline in viewership for the flagship show if he doesn’t incur an additional lawsuit from his female co-workers first.
Last night when they mentioned Lenny, it made me realize how much I miss him. I will miss Jesse almost as much.
I liked them both tremendously. Lupo is growing on me but Bernard is a definite miss. I agree they should have brought the underused under appreciated Fin from SVU. Pembleton — I like that idea too. Andre Braugher is a fantastic actor who I always make a point to watch.
Truly I thought there must be a new cast of writers and directors. The story line too riduculous for words. All these events in Ed’s life come popping up in less than 60 minutes.
Shame on L& O, i would have expected so much more….
I have been a fan of Law and Order since day one. Far and above any other program on TV. Sad to see Lt. Green go. Would have liked to seen him go in a more positive way instead of downgrading him. It was out of character.
Make that Detective Green.
Couldn’t he just opened up a restaurant in Santa Fe with Angel?
I fell asleep on the last 15 minutes of the show..after he gave van buren his off duty gun that was it….what else happened???
AAARRRGGGHHHH!!!! I watched this show every week for years – then stopped for a while when Lenny left – and THEN when they paired up Lupo and Green – the showed got “good” again!! I will miss that hot piece of ass Det Ed Green -however – Cyrus Lupo is just as delicious!
ed always had a gambling problem – briscoe and him talked about it once in a while (Briscoe – AA, green – GA)