Lupo and Bernard believe they are in a race against time to find a student threatening on an Internet blog to blow up a school--only to discover that they are looking for a disgruntled teach... Read allLupo and Bernard believe they are in a race against time to find a student threatening on an Internet blog to blow up a school--only to discover that they are looking for a disgruntled teacher instead.Lupo and Bernard believe they are in a race against time to find a student threatening on an Internet blog to blow up a school--only to discover that they are looking for a disgruntled teacher instead.
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Did you know
- TriviaLast episode of the original series, until the series came back 12 years later in 2022.
- Goofs18:58 Caption shows "Department of Education, 52 Chambers St". 52 is an even number on the south side of Chambers St which puts the location at the rear of City Hall.
- Quotes
D.A. Jack McCoy: Just how far up your ass is your head? A member of your union is threatening to shoot up a school!
Mr. Kralik: Really? I find it hard to believe any teacher could be pushed over the edge. What do you think did it, Mr. McCoy? Is it being micromanaged by the Department of Education, or having all the responsibility and none of the authority? Or, is it having to dig into their own pockets to pay for classroom supplies, or maybe it's being abused and assaulted daily by students and their parents?
D.A. Jack McCoy: You get no argument from me there. But if your obstruction allows a massacre to happen, I will crucify you Mr. Kralik. I will charge you with negligent homicide and after I convict you I will resign my job and represent the families of the victims in a wrongful death suit against you and the union. By the time I'm done, you'll be finished. So my advice to you is GET OUTTA MY WAY!
- ConnectionsFeatured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Best Law and Order Episodes (2024)
A numbskull teen sexts a pic of herself topless, which her parents discover. Of course, the pic gets spread around the Internet, causing the parents to go to the police. During that investigation, the squad discovers someone is stockpiling weapons and materials to attack a school.
The rest of the episode becomes one of the few that is all about the investigation -- the only courtroom moment involves a grand jury that is more concerned about the privacy of teenagers -- what exactly do they think they are they hiding? -- than their safety. Meanwhile, everyone involved gets a good look at why so many teachers are leaving the profession today -- the low pay, long hours, constant threats, bullying from parents and administrators, and, as one professional puts it, "all the responsibility and none of the authority."
No, the episode doesn't have any answers, but all of these assaults to teachers becomes germane to who ultimately is the attacker. And there are some flaws, such as Sam Waterston bullying a teachers union lawyer (which is ironic given how much the episode shows educators being pushed around) and, of course, Anthony Anderson.
At the same time, the episode concludes the arc for Lt. Van Buren, the last great leader on the show. Compared to the awful Manhands in the reboot, Van Buren is smart, decisive, independent, and colorful. She's a true leader and not just someone with a title.
It's a shame the series was cancelled at that point. With the momentum, it could have continued for years in excellence. But the reboot is like a child's dress up game by comparison, a coloring book with nothing crayoned in. Hard to believe the series was so good once.
- bkkaz
- Mar 30, 2023