The Badger Herald: ArtsEtc.: 'Law & Order' orginal still best

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'Law & Order' orginal still best

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Also by Matthew Dolbey:

Harry Potter film leaves viewers wanting something more (November 21, 2005)
Television not to blame for society (February 10, 2006)
Innovative Olympic sports proposed (February 17, 2006)
'Law & Order' orginal still best (February 24, 2006)
Poos, don'ts of toilet stories (March 3, 2006)

Friday, February 24, 2006 12:00 a.m.

4 Vote 0 Votes

The original is the best.

This statement rings true for many things, from KFC's original recipe to the original creepy fast-food chain mascot (Burger King's aptly named, "the King") to the first "Jurassic Park" and "Cape Fear."

The phrase is also a new slogan for TNT's almost endless stream of "Law and Order" reruns. I don't even think new ones have been made for a decade. "The original is the best," denoting that the original "Law and Order" series is better than the eventual spin-offs, including "Trial by Jury," "Special Victims Unit," "Criminal Intent" and "Tactical Submarine Squad." Pretty soon NBC will show nothing but different "Law and Order"s during the week … and the Olympics.

But, for once, TNT is telling the truth. "Law and Order" Version 1.0 is the best. The reasons are plethoric, and the long-running drama's moral compass remains unwavering.

Not since Batman swooped into primetime did America want the protagonist (the detectives and prosecutors of "Law and Order") to "get the bad guy." Whap-Pow! You're guilty of felony murder!" I can even imagine ACLU lawyers huddled around a television with a bowl of popcorn saying, "You get 'em, Jack McCoy."

Needless to say, the characters are great in the original version. Lenny Briscoe so convincingly plays a recovering-alcoholic police detective with a troubled daughter — there's no chance that seems contrived. Better than some old Marine from "SVU" wanting to pummel sex offenders. Put the cuffs on that old hat!

And the characters easily have much more staying power. Hell, Detective Briscoe was on the beat for 27 of the show's 46 seasons.

Only old, liberal prosecutor Jack McCoy can make defendants cringe in his shocked expression aimed at whatever judge is presiding over the case.

Unlike the spin-offs, "Law and Order" puts focus on both prosecution and the detective work. This inherently leads to educational experiences. NBC and TNT fulfill the educational programming requirement by airing the show twenty times a day. I've learned all my Latin from "Law and Order," "Da Vinci's Code" and old vampire movies. There is also a connection between police and court worker people — something most Americans would never know had it not been for "Law and Order." This beats the kind of learning taking place on the likes of "SVU," which is best described as creepy, icky and rapey.

But, if you're into the watching for looks department, hardly anything can beat the cast of the "O." Not only can he not act, Ice-T looks like a mean pit bull. I've been told Mr. Big looks good for an older man, but he started out in Version 1.0, as a younger looking Det. Logan. Det. Green has also melted quite a few hearts — and he can speak Spanish: the language of amor. I don't mean to keep on talking about the hunky men of the show, because the leading ladies offer an unending well of material for the spank bank. "SVU" does not have Abbie Carmicheal or Serena Southerlyn. The amount of dirtied socks on Jack McCoy's sexy and very professional assistants staggers common logic.

But, in the end, the entire "Law and Order" universe is connected. Det. Logan went to jail for some time after pummeling a bad guy post-trial, took a long hiatus, became a business man where he changed his name, then came back as Det. Logan on the team of "SVU." Occasionally the different departments overlap, when the tactical submarine squad had a case involving a rape in the middle of Long Island Sound, then a body was dumped on Manhattan Island somewhere. And we're all connected to "Law and Order" a little bit — Noth is a Madisonian by birth.

But if you don't believe me about the importance of "Law and Order" educating viewers about the human condition, just turn on your TV. Odds are it's on right now.

Matt Dolbey is a UW senior. He can be seen building a shrine to Lenny Briscoe on library mall most days. He can be reached at mdolbey@badgerherald.com.

4 Comments | Leave a comment

Anonymous | February 24, 2006 8:36 AM | Reply
IP hash: 1c27c3e3

Obviously you don’t watch that much L&O. Mike Logan was sent to Staten Island after punching a city councilman in the face in 1995. Some years later he returned to the 27th precinct to investigate a homicide that uncovered the corruption of Det. Profaci, a supporting character in the early seasons. Ten years later, he joined the Major Case Squad on L&O: Criminal Intent, which since the departure of Jerry Orbach/Lennie Briscoe from this life has quickly become the best of the bunch.

Anonymous | February 26, 2006 9:49 AM | Reply
IP hash: a1a2ac5c

Though I agree with your worshipping of Lennie Briscoe (Jerry Orbach), I can’t say I feel the same about the original L&O. After Jerry died, the show lost a lot of its spark. The only reason I watch is Det. Green (Jesse L. Martin). Don’t even get me started on that Det. Fontana or the new ADA Borgia. The half-cop shop, half-court room aspect of the show is different from the rest; I’ll give you that, but it also can be a bit on the boring side. I find myself watching the first half, switching over to CSI: NY and switching back for the last five minutes to hear the verdict. My personal favorite is SVU, hands down. Yes, the subject matter may be gritty, but it also lets you in to the personal lives of the detectives. You don’t see that on “the mothership” very often. You can see Det. Stabler (Chris Meloni), a.k.a. some old Marine from SVU, trying to overcome his rage. Or his partner Det. Benson, a product of rape herself, saving the world one victim at a time. Of course, the comic relief of Det. Munch (Richard Belzer) can’t be beat. And yes, Ice-T may not be the greatest actor, but he sure beats Annie Parisse.
You want leading ladies? Well, let’s not forget about the amazing Det. Olivia Benson, played by the beautiful and intelligent Mariska Hargitay. Or ADA Alex Cabot (Stephanie March), who now will be seen in the new series “Conviction.” Even though she isn’t my favorite, you can’t forget about ADA Casey Novak (Diane Neal). Last, but certainly not least, ME Melinda Warner (Tamara Tunie), who was the feature of her very own episode. And by the way, Mr. Big (Chris Noth), plays Det. Logan on Criminal Intent, not SVU.

Anonymous | February 26, 2006 12:59 PM | Reply
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No….SVU is so the best!!!!!!! Dont get me wrong, I like the original one, but SVU wins. It is much more interesting and lets you see the lives of the characters, as well as their work. You have Olivia Benson and Elliott Stabler, the best working detectives ever!! They are so great together!! Detective Munch and Fin are also an amazing duo! They have a way of bringing a little comedy to the show. Yes, SVU may be sad or kind of disturbing, but it happens way too often in reality. I think that they are just opening our eyes to things like rape and battery. Women, as well as men, need to be aware of reality. Sex crimes happen a lot….Maybe they are just preparing us. Captain Cragen does better in these episodes. Hes just free to be who he is. I think they do a great job and they deserve to be congratulated for it!! SVU is of course the best show out there!!!!

Anonymous | March 25, 2006 8:11 PM | Reply
IP hash: a38f64bc

This was the best dialogue about Law and Order I have ever participated in. Respectfully disagreeing, and full explanations. Awesome. Therefore - I say the most intelligent people on campus are attracted to Law and Order.