cdollaz

The problem with a "proper sendoff" is that, except for Jack and Van Buren, these characters haven't been around long, so there isn't really much of a connection with the audience yet. I guess they could bring back all of the old cast members, but I'm not really sure how they would build a story around it, unless they were just all at Van Buren's benefit at the end. They obviously wouldn't all retire at the same time (most are too young, anyway), and some may appear from time to time on the other L&Os.

outlander78

I agree completely. I like the idea of leaving the characters to carry on - their work doesn't change, just the documentary crew stops following them around.

L&O always had a documentary feel, at least to me, and I liked it that way. It had a long run, got a lot of NY actors work, and I hope they all do well in the future. As you said, without a permanent cast, it is hard to have an emotional send-off.

Poink

The name was most likely intentional. 4chan might not be a household name along the lines of Google, Amazon, etc, but if you're a writer for a crime series and do ANY amount of research on "internet crime," you're likely to come across 4chan.

Either way, the whole Law & Order thing took them by storm; when you post on there the "Post Successful" screen is L&O themed; has the date & time on a black screen and does the "duh duh" sound.

DJLinus

I haven't watched a first-run episode of "Law & Order" in years, but just finished last night's finale. Since when did they abandon the cops-in-the-first-half-and-law-talkin'-guys-in-the-second-half format?

mikehunt

thought it was good
looks like Van Buren is in remission

lisadoris

They usually stick with the regular format, this was just a special occasion. My guess is they wanted to give Van Buren a bit more screen time given they knew it was her last episode (before they knew it was everyone's final episode).

Charlie Goose

And every struggling actor in NYC just died a little inside and signed up for an extra shift at TGI Friday.

nateman

This was a really good season finale. I said this when the news first broke about Law & Order being cancelled and I'll say it again; this show should not have been cancelled.

It would've been hard for Law & Order to have a series finale where we find out everyone's fate and what's going to happen to them next, etc. It was nice to see Van Buren find out she's going to be ok. She's been on the show longer than everybody else and that's probably as close as L&O could get to a series finale type episode.

NBC just doesn't know what they're doing anymore. They cancel the one show that gets decent ratings and they know will continue to get decent numbers every year.

This cast was great and it's going to be really weird not having Law & Order to watch next season.

Eric D.

I read an article saying that The Good Wife has been catering to that crowd, espeically all the theater actors who used to get work on L&O.

Fist of Doom

The ratings weren't that much better than Jay Leno's show, which was considered a disaster.

The fact that NBC greenlit L&O: LA tells me that it was more about production costs than ratings, though. Maybe they lost some tax credits in NY or something.

Shazam

Jerry Orbach and Chris Noth were the best. DUN DUN.

nateman

I know. I'm just pissed that Law & Order is cancelled.

Derrich

did we ever find out if McCoy slept with Claire?

D

stopgap

He so hit that.

Fist of Doom

Jack had some hot assistant DA's, didn't he?

wmansir

There was a cross over episode with Homicide: LotS that had McCoy being grilled by an over zealous Independent Council. I believe McCoy admitted to sleeping with Claire under questioning.

stopgap

Forgive me if I am wrong. I can't denote the episode but Jack and Claire kind of made an agreement to do it over lunch. The dialogue left a casual viewer up in arms, but if you watch in hindsight you can see/hear it. Jack brought up the consequences and Claire was ok with it. It was consensual IMO (i.e. not a situation of Claire trying to climb the ladder).

There was no follow-up.

CharlieK

I thought the episode where Claire died made it pretty clear they were an item.

Red Dog

Not to mention the episode Under the Influence in the season after.

As for this ep, for a regular cop investigation, it would have been fine on any tv show, but the whole feel of this episode just wasn't Law & Order.

I did like them giving the teacher's union a black eye though.

Derrich

Speaking of Homicide:LOTS, didn't Claire hook up with one of the cops there during the crossover, too?

Jack had a rep for sleeping with his ADA's which ended with Jaime (if i remember, she basically said it aint gonna happen). Although it was never hinted at with Abby, how could he not at least try? Serena...well, that definatley wasnt gonna happen.

D

Red Dog

You remember wrong. There was no such hint of a relationship with Jaime. Jaime was engaged in her 2nd season, so one can assume that she was probably dating the guy for some time before that. Jack had that reputation, but it clearly ended with Claire.

Claire did not hook up with a HLOTS cop. Bayliss was hitting on her. That's it.

DJariya

https://deadline.com/2021/09/law-ord...id-1234846181/

Bump after 11 years

Officially renewed for a 21st season

DJariya

Twitter

I assume this will be in the works for next season (2022-23) There's no way they can get this ready for this season. But, it might be possible to do a backdoor episode with OC or SVU in the Spring.

Mike86

I was surprised that NBC cancelled this back in the day. I always liked it and may check out the revival once it starts.

Paff

I've never watched a first run episode of Law and Order, only really getting into it around 2014. I'll certainly give this a go.