About Last Night…LAW & ORDER, MATLOCK, FOUND, and More

Let’s talk about Thursday night’s TV!

LAW & ORDER: A great episode. The show really balanced Price’s personal spiral well with the case—and that was even before the twist that revealed how similar the case was to what Price was juggling with his father. Hugh Dancy was fantastic as Price tried to hold on to his denial about the situation, both with his brother and Sam, unwilling (or unable) to process his father’s health was in a very, very bad place. (And thank you to the writers for having Sam realize he wasn’t okay and getting him to actually talk about it.) The series really has benefited from how many personal beats they’ve injected into the storytelling this year.

(Only complaint: I would have loved it if they had actually utilized the SCANDAL reunion. Alas. At least the episode itself was strong.)

GHOSTS: Oh my God, Thor and Hetty. I love whenever they touch on their pre-(her) death friendship, and this was so, so, so lovely, especially as she was spiraling over being Irish. “Hetty love Gordon”?! MY HEART. And, hey, I’m glad she can appreciate Colin Farrell now. 

(Man, Thor’s message that we’re all basically the same was needed for some people right now. I’m sure they won’t acknowledge it, but…)

LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT: I’m grateful we got some courtroom scenes; they’re still an inexplicable rarity on the show.

Unfortunately, the episode itself didn’t work for me. It wasn’t exactly the same, but there was enough similarity in the hour to the case that aired two weeks ago where it was revealed rapes were also facilitated by a third party. The scope/betrayal was different! But given the wide capacity of crimes this unit has investigated in the past, it was frustrating to come back to this beat in the same season, let alone weeks later.

The pacing also just felt wildly off, too. The long cold open didn’t work; it felt like they were simply padding the episode for the majority of the time versus showing us anything that actually added to the storytelling or any vital bit of insight into the character. Every episode can and should have its own rhythm, but slower, more intimate episodes can be compelling. This just wasn’t.

MATLOCK: Well, “I trust my friend” had me writing very, very dramatic things in my notes. It’s a beautiful sentiment, I’m sure it’s true. And yet as much as Matty trusts her gut about Olympia, I’m trying to ignore my gut that is saying they’re going to make it her because nothing would hurt (us and her) more. And it also feels like this could cause real issues, unfortunately, between Matty and Edwin. Sigh.

And, uh, I am worried about the Julian and Olympia battle. They’re right they were unprofessional with their fight but I don’t want to have to pick between them and I worry about what the board’s choice would be. Sigh again.

FOUND: What?!?! (Times three.) Gabi being arrested wasn’t the biggest shock, admittedly, because we knew it was coming. But her using herself to lure our Sir to get him arrested was badass. And then Jamie—maybe—approached Margaret?! This feels so destabilizing for M&A and I worry how they’ll cop with Gabi being gone and Margaret being distracted. Also, Sir may be locked up, but in no way do I trust that he’ll actually behave behind bars. In many ways, this feels like the calm before the storm. (AKA I’m nervous.)

[For more on what’s next, here’s what Arlen Escarpeta shared.]

ELSBETH: Carrie Preston was incredible as Elsbeth broke down. I had assumed Elsbeth might have been bound by confidentiality given the mess she’s been in, but the fact that she was tricked was just awful. Elsbeth has been complex so far, but really never this vulnerable. Just a fantastic performance from Preston as Elsbeth confessed to her journey partner about how she was tricked and the toll it took on her.

[For more on the powerful scene, here’s what showrunner Jonathan Tolins shared.]

THE PITT: Oh, God, I was so worried about the impact of Robby fudging the dates of the ultrasound scan that I ignored the quiet, but steady, red flags about the abortion case…but the second the girl’s actual mom burst into the room, the pieces clicked into place. It’s absolutely awful we’re in a place where this kind of storytelling is necessary, but given how our laws have regressed in recent years, I’m thankful the show is tackling this storyline.

Okay, what else is going to be splattered on Whitaker this season?!

Which shows did you watch last night?

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