Law & Order

Season 22

Gimme Shelter - Part Three

1. This episode marks the crossover of three Law and Order franchises. Dick Wolf first proposed a cross-over for Law & Order (1990), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999), and Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001) which centered on a terrorist's plot and a ticking time-bomb scenario. It was nixed when terrorists hijacked the planes that brought down the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001.
2. Up to April 2024, the 3 Law & Order series air on the same night in the following order: Law & Order (1990), followed by Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999), with Law & Order: Organized Crime (2021) rounding off the block. However this crossover aired in the reverse of its regular order, opening with Organized Crime and ending with Law & Order.
3. The medal that Daniel Rublev is wearing is awarded to a "Hero of the Russian Federation". Hero of Russia is the highest honorary title in Russia and is awarded for "service to the Russian state and nation, usually connected with a heroic feat of valor", it can be awarded to both civilians and military. The title and medal are awarded by the President of the Russian Federation, being a citizen of Russia is not a requirement, it can be awarded to anyone who performs a great service to the Russian people and/or government. It is equivalent to the United States' highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
4. When aired in the UK this crossover episode wasn't shown with the first two in the trilogy. This episode Gimme Shelter - Part Three aired in the UK in 2024. Gimme Shelter - Part Two (2022) aired in the UK in 2023 and Gimme Shelter - Part One (2022) hasn't aired.
5. The conclusion of a 3 part episodic run hinges on a cellphone video which is deemed inadmissible because 1)the owner was killed & couldn't provide testimony as to its authenticity 2) the eyewitness was shipped off to Canada to live with a relative. But according to New York Law -Metadata is both discoverable and admissible. so based on the cellphone metadata the video would most definitely be ruled as admissible evidence.
6. Pasha D. Lychnikoff, the actor playing Daniel Rublev, guest starred in the SVU Season 11 episode Ace (2010), as the broker of a black market adoption ring Stabler and Benson are investigating.
7. This episode appears to be based on several cases/incidents:
   • The crisis of human and sex trafficking during the 2022-2023 Ukrainian refugee crisis due to the 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine.
   • The increase in political assassinations and suspicious deaths attributed to the Russian president Vladimir Putin.
   • The 2022 Tioni Theus case. Tioni Theus was killed and dumped alongside the 110 Freeway in South Los Angeles one year ago. Her murder still remains unsolved.
   • The 2000 Danguole Rasalaite case. Danguole Rasalaite was a Lithuanian girl who was sold as a sex-slave in Sweden in late 1999. Her mother had abandoned her when she was 14 years old and left for the USA. When she was 15-16 years old, she was sent from Lithuania by an older man who pretended to be her boyfriend.
   • The 1984 Brighton hotel bombing involving Patrick Magee. Magee was a member of the Irish Republican Army, who planted a time bomb at the Tory Party conference, at the seaside English Hotel, in 1984 and tried to kill Margaret Thatcher and her cabinet.
   • Partially ripped from the 1975 Italian film The Suspicious Death of a Minor (1975).
   • The opening scene is ripped from the 1989 play A Bronx Tale and its film adaptation (A Bronx Tale (1993)).
8. The episode title "Gimme Shelter" is a nod to song by the group The Rolling Stones, which was inspired by the chaos and civil unrest of the Vietnam War era of the 1960's.

Battle Lines

1. This episode is directed by Milena Govich, who played Detective Nina Cassidy (for just one season) in Season 17. Her aunt, actress Milica Govich, guest stars as Judge Dreben.
2. This episode appears to be based on several cases/incidents:
   • The 2016 murder of Seth Rich and the related conspiracy theories.
   • The 2020 Roy Den Hollander case and the related shootings of the son and husband of Judge Esther Salas.
   • The 2022 Jane's Revenge abortion movement.
3. A victim is said to be a student at Barton Creek High School, a suburb outside of Austin, Texas. In reality, there is a well known water source in Austin named Barton Creek, and a Barton Creek Mall.

Camouflage

1. This episode appears to be based on several cases/incidents:
   • The 2022 New York City Subway attack. On April 12, 2022, A suspect named Frank R. James released smoke bombs into a confined area, in addition, he shot and injured 29 passengers, on a Manhattan-bound Brooklyn train.
   • The 2021 Atlanta Asian spa shootings.
   • The 2021 mass shooting at a FedEx Ground facility in Indianapolis, where 90% of the workers were Sikhs.
   • The increase of anti-Asian racism and hate crimes in reactive outrage over the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
   • The recent increase and escalation of hate crimes in New York City and the subsequent concerns of public safety.
   • The ongoing debate on whether extreme racism meets the criteria for a delusional mental disorder.
   • The 1993 Colin Ferguson Long Island Rail Road shooting case.
   • The trial of Joseph Paul Franklin (a.k.a. "The Racist Killer").
   • The 1984 trial of Ronald Ebens and Michael Nitz for the 1982 killing of Vincent Chin.

Benefit of the Doubt

1. Dick Wolf: Man named Ray who was using a metal detector where the detectives were looking for evidence.
2. In the state of New York a Molineux hearing is a pre-trial hearing on the admissibility of prior uncharged crimes by the defendant as evidence. In most instances evidence of a person's prior crimes, that they have not been convicted of, is inadmissible due to the fact that they were never found guilty of them and that it can be highly prejudicial; in fact New York is the only state that makes an exception for it. In New York under certain circumstances a defendant's prior bad acts can be submitted as evidence if they show a pattern of behavior similar to the current crime the defendant is being charged with. This is most commonly used in the trials of people that commit serial crimes, like rape and murder, when there is a clear pattern in the victim type, MO and signature of the attacks. If a prosecutor wishes to bring in evidence of prior uncharged crimes they must request a Molineux hearing, it is then up to the judge to determine if the pattern of behavior in these prior crimes is similar enough to the current crime in question and to weigh that against how it might prejudice the jury.
3. This episode appears to be based on several cases/incidents:
   • The 2021 Marilyn Manson torture and domestic violence cases.
   • The 2021 Armie Hammer cannibalism fantasies and rape allegations.
   • The Emily Ratajkowski book draft leak involving Robin Thicke.
4. Jeffrey Donovan gets the "starring" billing in the opening credits after it was missing from the previous episodes (following lead star Anthony Anderson's departure).
5. The character of Jerry Ryan was played by John Bedford Lloyd, who had previously played the character of Frank Cosgrove on the Netflix series Ozark (2017), Frank Cosgrove also being the character name of one of the two lead cops on this season of Law & Order.

12 Seconds

1. This episode appears to be based on the Eric Adams racial slur video. In early February 2022, a video of Adams from 2019 leaked in which the then-Borough President boasted about being a better cop than his "cracker" colleagues. Adams apologized for his comments, saying, "I apologize not only to those who heard it but to New Yorkers because they should expect more from me and that was inappropriate."

Vicious Cycle

1. The set up of an overworked Assistant District Attorney not taking or returning calls and a murder ensues as a result already happened in (S06E21) Pro Se (1996) with ADA Claire Kincaid. Jack McCoy was the Executive ADA working with her at the time and he could have, and should have, mentioned it to ADA Samantha Maroun.
2. The Early Case Assessment Bureau (ECAB) screens all arrests, determining whether a prosecution will be declined or will go forward and if the latter, what charges will be brought. ECAB staff members interview police officers and, in some instances, victims and witnesses. The bureau drafts the charging document (i.e., the complaint) upon which the defendant will initially be arraigned, and prepares supporting documents and notices to be submitted in court. Assistant district attorneys in the bureau also staff and supervise prosecutors in the arraignment court parts in Criminal Court.
3. This episode appears to be based on two separate cases/incidents:
   • The 2022 Bui Van Phu (a.k.a. "The Gloved Beast") case.
   • The 2022 escalation of smash-and-grab heists at retail stores in major American cities.
4. The opening murder of the fashion designer on the steps of his building echos the 1997 murder of Gianni Versace of Miami.

Only the Lonely

1. The episode was directed by Elisabeth Röhm, who starred as Assistant District Attorney Serena Southerlyn in seasons 12-15.
2. The character Grace Pollard is a fictionalized representation of real-life feminist lawyer Gloria Allred.
3. "13 Moons (Seeds)" was a public art installation (from June 21, 2022 to June 20, 2023) developed by the Peruvian artist Jaime Miranda-Bambaren with the support of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. While the Executive ADA Nolan Price and ADA Samantha Maroun talk and walk crossing park and she receives a phone call [scene shot at Thomas Paine Park, Manhattan, New York]. it is possible to observe in the background several of the thirteen heavy sculptures (between one and five tons) of the public art installation.
4. Several of the actors and actresses in this episode have appeared before on the various iterations of the Law & Order series, including episodes of the original run of Law & Order. Some of them have also appeared in one or more episodes of The Blacklist (2013) series.

Chain of Command

1. This episode appears to be based on the increase of medical problems in American military veterans from use of burn pits. For a long time, the US military has disposed of certain waste materials like old uniforms, soiled medical gowns, plastics, cardboard and even damaged electronics by burning them in pits on bases. This practice was especially used heavily starting in 2001 with the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. Joint Base Balad, the largest US military base in Iraq, had a massive burn bit 10 acres in size, the base would burn an average of 400 tons of solid waste per day. Personnel stationed at the base reported that the wind often blew the smoke from the burn pit into the base, people reported that ash would cover everything including their beds. Personnel also reported symptoms like headaches and breathing difficulty when exposed to the smoke, after leaving the service an increase in chronic illnesses was seen in them. Prior to 2022 the VA denied 75% of claims based off burn pit smoke exposure, claims for chronic illnesses like asthma, migraines and even cancer were often denied because they were "not properly reported at the time" and due to "lack of scientific evidence regarding burn pit smoke exposure". In 2009 President Obama ordered studies to be done on the health effects of exposure to this smoke, a number of studies did indeed show that exposure to this smoke could cause respiratory issues like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. Other studies showed that exposure also could cause high blood pressure, low sperm count, reproductive harm and increased the risk of certain types of brain and lung cancer. Starting in 2022 the VA acknowledged the validity of these studies, after denying them for years, and began accepting claims of disability and chronic illness from veterans stationed at bases with burn pits. And while the Department of Defense has not yet prohibited the use of burn pits most bases of scaled back their use and begun using other methods of waste disposal.
2. Col. Alexander Lockett's medal display case includes: A U.S. Distinguished Service Cross (upper left), a U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross (upper right), the gap where the missing (second) U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross was placed (center), and two Bronze Medals (lower left and lower right; tops of the ribbons only).
3. A guilty verdict in a court martial that results in a dishonorable discharge is equivalent to a felony conviction in a civilian court. A dishonorable discharge carries the same life-long consequences as a felony conviction including: loss of military benefits and pension, loss of VA benefits, not qualifying for unemployment, loss of the right to vote and the right to purchase and/or carry a firearm, and it makes getting a job more difficult.
4. The Army Distinguished Service Cross, along with the Air Force Cross, Coast Guard Cross and Navy Cross is the second highest military decoration in the United States, second only to the Medal of Honor. The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to a person who: "distinguishes themselves by extraordinary heroism, not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor, while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States".The Distinguished Flying Cross is the sixth highest military decoration and is awarded to any member of the United States Armed Forces who "Distinguishes themselves by showing heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight".The Bronze Star is the eighth highest military decoration and is awarded to any member of the United States Armed Forces for "Heroic or meritorious achievement or meritorious service in a combat zone". If the Bronze Star is awarded for a heroic act during combat it is also awarded with a combat V-device, which consists of a bronze capital "V" worn on the medal's ribbon and on the service ribbon.

The System

1. This episode appears to be based on two separate cases/incidents:
   • The 2010-2013/2015 Kalief Browder case. Browder was an African American youth from The Bronx, New York, who was held at the Rikers Island jail complex, without trial, between 2010 and 2013 for allegedly stealing a backpack containing valuables. During his imprisonment, Browder was in solitary confinement for 700 days. Two years after his release, Browder hanged himself at his parents' home. His case has been cited by activists campaigning for reform of the New York City criminal justice system and has attracted widespread attention in the years following his death. In 2017, Jay-Z produced a television documentary mini-series titled tt6133034. In January 2019, New York City settled a civil lawsuit with the Browder family for $3.3 million.
   • Partially based on the 2002 Casey White/Vicki White case. Casey White, was awaiting trial in a capital murder case, when he escaped the Lauderdale County Jail in Florence, Alabama, United States with help of Corrections officer Vicky White (no relation). Vicky White engineered and facilitated the escape by taking Casey to a car to what she claimed to her coworkers was a scheduled mental health evaluation at the courthouse. The manhunt for the pair was widely covered by American media. Law enforcement caught up with Casey and Vicky White on May 9 in Evansville, Indiana with the manhunt ending in Casey White crashing the car he was driving. Vicky White shot herself in the head, while Casey White was apprehended and returned to Alabama. She later died from her injuries and Casey was charged with her murder under Alabama's felony murder rule, but the charge was dropped when Casey pleaded guilty to prison escape on May 5, 2023.

Land of Opportunity

1. This episode appears to be based on the 2022 "migrant buses" crisis.

Second Chance

1. Cannabis induced psychosis is a real, though still poorly understood condition. There have been cases of it documented since at least the 1960's, though more cases are being seen in recent times with the gradual legalization of cannabis products. While overall cannabis products have excellent uses in treating a wide variety of medical problems, and are generally safe, its use is not without risk and psychosis is one of them, although it is rare. Typically cannabis induced psychosis is seen in people that either do not use cannabis products often (or at all) and then suddenly take a large amount of THC or in those that use large amounts (at least 2 grams) on a daily basis, those with prior psychosis like disorders (schizophrenia) and teenagers are more likely to experience it. Highly potent cannabis concentrate (dab/hash oil) use in those that do not use it on a regular basis is one factor in the increase of cannabis psychosis cases in the past 20 years, typical marijuana plants have THC levels between 10-20%, however dab oil usually is at least 70% THC, some types can be as high as 96%. The common symptoms of cannabis induced psychosis are paranoid delusions, suspiciousness of others, a sense of grandiosity, hallucinations, detachment from reality, disturbing thoughts, inappropriate emotional responses and unusual behavior. These symptoms can be similar to disorders like schizophrenia but they cease when the cannabis clears the system and they typically do not respond to antipsychotic medications the way schizophrenia symptoms do.

Almost Famous

1. This episode appears to be based on two separate cases/incidents:
   • The 2021 Todd Smith case in Arlington, Washington.
   • The controversial TikTok app and the related "challenges and dares" and marketing influence scandals.

Mammon

1. Mammon is the Biblical term for wealth and riches, specifically the evil influence the pursuit of wealth and Earthly riches can cause; also sometimes used to refer to the worship of riches as a false idol. A Middle Age era religious text lists Mammon as one of the seven Princes of Hell, a demon that personified covetousness, greed and desire for material things and money.
2. While interviewing the victim's roommate, the roommate mentions going to a bar in "DUMBO," which means "Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass." It's a neighborhood located in the Brooklyn, where the Bridge links the Boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn.
3. In season 15, episode 12 - Mammon (2005) is also entitled "Mammon".

Heroes

1. According to the Bulletin Board outside the District Attorney's Office, Consuela Rubirosa, is still on staff as Executive Assistant District Attorney (Nolan is the Chief Assistant District Attorney) . Also, it was noted in Silver Lake (2011) she transferred to Los Angeles to be with her ailing mother. Consuela or Connie was played by Alana De La Garza. Currently she is on Dick Wolf other project, FBI (2018) as Special Agent in Charge Isobel Castille.
2. This episode appears to be based on the following cases/incidents:
   • The 2017 Cameo nightclub shooting in Cincinnati.
   • School Resource Officer Scot Peterson's controversial inactivity during the 2018 Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.
   • The 2021 DaBaby homophobic remarks controversy.
3. Shawn Hatosy who plays PO Riley, was also in Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999), and Law & Order: LA (2010). He also played a cop before in Southland (2009) and a hood in Animal Kingdom (2016).

Fear and Loathing

1. Othello, as mentioned by Detective Frank Cosgrove, is a play by William Shakespeare. It centers on very powerful Moor, or Black man, and the people who try to destroy his personal and professional life over petty jealousy.
2. Even though the Real Estate Agent did not physically harm the victim, he did instigate the matter for personal gain. In the 1970's real estate agents engaged in similar practices, one in particular was called "block-busting". Some of these agents would spread scurrilous rumors that certain undesirable minorities were moving into the neighborhood, in order to convince white owners to sell homes before there property values dropped, and then flip those properties to said minority groups for an inflated price.
3. Lieutenant Kate Dixon said when it comes to issues of the "Blue Wall", going against a fellow police officer, we are "stuck back in 1974" in a culture that prizes loyalty over integrity. She is referring to the heyday of Frank Serpico and other vocal critics in the department concerning corruption. Serpico filed numerous complaints with his commanding officer, Internal Affairs, and the Knapp commission set up by Mayor John V. Lindsay to address such issues. Also during that time he was demoted and (/or) reassigned, and eventually he was close to being fatally injured in the head during a drug raid in 1971,despite make multiple calls for assistance, and retired a year later on medical disability. For further insight consult the film Serpico (1973) starring Al Pacino based on the book by Journalist Peter Maas , and the documentary Frank Serpico (2017)
4. In previous episodes, District Attorney Jack McCoy said his father was a police officer in Chicago, and that he had a violent streak.
5. This episode appears to be based on several cases/incidents:
   • The 2020 murder of Ahmaud Arbery.
   • The 1984 Bernhard Goetz (a.k.a. "The Subway Vigilante") case.
   • The 2020 Caron Nazario pepper-spraying case.
   • The term "blue wall of silence".
   • The crisis of false or exaggerated crime reports targeting racial minorities.
   • The ethical debate about redefining the limitations of freedom of speech to prevent the incitement of violence.

Deadline

1. In the past, a Journalist would have been compelled to give up their source under penalty of contempt of court. In the last twenty years, the Journalist Shield Laws have been beefed up, especially in New York State, make this less of a plot point in legal dramas.
2. In the previous episode, Fear and Loathing (2023), Detective Jalen Shaw received an administrative punishment of a week's suspension without pay, because he did not comply with an order given by a policeman, which in turn was a reprisal for Jalen's insistence for involving Internal Affairs.
3. This episode appears to be based on several cases/incidents:
   • The 2022 murder of Jeff German.
   • The 2023 murder of Eunice Dwumfour.
   • The 2023 murder of Russell Heller.
   • The 2022 Twin Parks Bronx apartment fire
   • The 2019 Alpine Motel Apartments fire.

Bias

1. "13 Moons (Seeds)" was a public art installation (from June 21, 2022 to June 20, 2023) developed by the Peruvian artist Jaime Miranda-Bambaren with the support of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. While the detectives Frank Cosgrove and Jalen Shaw, the Executive ADA Nolan Price, and Tyler Minter talk and walk crossing a park ("Foley Square, Centre Street, Thursday, January 19") [scene shot at Thomas Paine Park, Manhattan, New York], it is possible to observe in the background several of the thirteen heavy sculptures (between one and five tons) of the public art installation. After the detectives leave, Nola Price and Tyler Minter have a conversation. It is possible to observe a few of the sculptures around them, too.
2. The restaurant named Luchardi's looks to be the real life restaurant La Pecora Bianca SoHo.
3. This episode appears to be based on the 2017 Alex Kozinski sexual misconduct and hostile work environment allegations.

Collateral Damage

1. Lodestar is an old navigation term mainly used by sailors to refer to a star used in celestial navigation, by far the most common lodestar used was Polaris (North Star) as it is always in the same position in the sky and a reliable indicator of north.
2. Detectives Frank Cosgrove and Jalen Shaw debate with Lieutenant Kate Dixon about what exact criminal charge they could bring against someone if they did in fact prevent the victim from seeking medical attention. Cosgrove mentions assault for the brand, but that's only if it was done against her will, and it sounds like the cult members willingly are branded, so that doesn't apply. However if someone did prevent her from leaving and seeking medical treatment they would be guilty of at least two crimes: unlawful imprisonment in the first degree, a class E felony, and manslaughter in the second degree, a class C felony. This person would be looking at a minimum of 4.5 years in prison, and a maximum of up to 19 years, though that is unlikely unless they have prior felony convictions.
3. This episode appears to be based on several separate cases/incidents:
   • The 1995 Death of Lisa McPherson.
   • The 1993 Ant Hill Kids cult case involving Roch Moïse Thériault.
   • The 2017-2019 NXIVM sex cult case and the related 2019 disappearance of Kristin Snyder.
   • The 2010 Sarah Lawrence College sex cult involving Larry Ray.
   • The 2019 Jeffrey Epstein and the 2022 Ghislaine Maxwell cases.
   • The 2010 David Letterman blackmail attempt by Joe Halderman.
   • The 2022 T.J. Holmes/Amy Robach extramarital affair scandal.
4. 'Lodestar' seems to have taken its main premise from 'Scientology'. Hidden behind a philosophy but a blackmail scheme in reality. You get people to "confess" their darkest secrets and then get them to pay you to keep them. Has worked for many cults in history.

Private Lives

1. This episode appears to be based on several separate cases/incidents:
   • The Luna Younger case.
   • The 2022 assault of Paul Pelosi.
   • The 2022 Ashley Kalus scandals and the related outrage over her husband Jeffrey Weinzweig's involvement in gender-affirming care.
   • The 2009 assassination of George Tiller.
2. Brooke Smith, who played the defending lawyer had a starring role as a victim in the movie The Silence of the Lambs (1991), whilst Hugh Dancy, who played the prosecuting lawyer in Law & Order had a starring role in the TV series Hannibal (2013).
3. Sasha Alexander appeared on Rizzoli & Isles (2010) with former Law & Order star Angie Harmon.

Class Retreat

1. Aired on 30th July 2024 in the UK on Channel 5.

Appraisal

1. In an early scene, Frank is seen celebrating his birthday at the precinct. Jeffrey Donovan actually did celebrate his birthday the day this episode aired.
2. Frank Cosgrove was born on March 2, 1973.
3. Matthew Nelson was born on July 11, 1996.
4. This episode appears to be based on the 2022 Sam Bankman-Fried case.

Open Wounds

1. This is Sam Waterston's 400th episode of the series.
2. Jeffrey Donovan's final appearance as Detective Frank Cosgrove. He is replaced by Vincent Riley (Reid Scott ) for the upcoming season. When asked about his whereabouts, Shaw revealed to Riley that he (Cosgrove) was let go for being "too open about his opinions" and got "jammed up".
3. Rebecca McCoy is played by Sam Waterston's real-life daughter, Elisabeth Waterston. Elisabeth previously guest starred in Season 10's High & Low (2000).
4. This episode appears to be based on several different cases/incidents:
   • The 2022 Glenn Thompson controversy involving the Respect for Marriage Act.
   • The 2022 Brett Kavanaugh Assassination plot.
   • The involvement of Arnulfo Reyes in the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting.
   • The 2019 Dayton shooting at Ned Peppers Bar and the story of survivor Jeremy Ganger.