Law & Order: Organized Crime 3×11 “The Infiltration Game” asks viewers to suspend disbelief in a way that just flat out doesn’t work. It is way, way, way, way, way too soon to send Elliot Stabler undercover — even with “new” criminals in town — after his face has literally been all over everywhere. Period. And no intelligent viewer is going to buy that, especially when we’re dealing with very calculating criminals who absolutely do their research and have connections everywhere, almost certainly including in law enforcement. So, El can change his name, pop a few extra buttons beyond his normal lack of care for them, and look an extra kind of hot with a cigar — cigars are not actually hot. And yet — but…come on. He didn’t even bother to get a wig or some fake facial hair…or literally anything. Please.
Much like the baffling lack of continuity in the overdue relationship between Detective Stabler and SVU‘s Captain Benson, this choice is an unfortunate distraction from everything this series does incredibly well. Also like that other frustration, the undercover op is also…the opposite of what we were looking forward to prior to the season’s launch.
So, since nothing about Elliot going undercover makes sense, let’s live in our own parallel universe where we get to only discuss the things about “The Infiltration Game” that are worth discussing. Mostly, at least.
“I could’ve done it, Jet. But then he wouldn’t be the guy.”
Pretending for a minute that Stabler going undercover isn’t one of the most ridiculous things ever, his decision to “take over” the case does give us some interesting moments with Detective Whelan. Elliot himself is…not exactly known for always thinking before he acts. So, for him to be the guy sent in to fix a mistake everyone thinks Jamie’s made by ditching his wire — when, really, he’s seconds away from making a connection with Duran when Reyes crashes the meeting to “save” him — is understandably upsetting for Whelan.
Brent Antonello does an excellent job of showing how slighted Jamie feels, pretty much from the second the character gets benched. And, aside from the performance, what really resonates here is how the character’s reaction is framed. At least for me, the message his behavior sends is that of someone who’s upset, who feels passed over and underestimated, and who thinks Stabler’s just out here trying to be the center of the universe or whatever — but who isn’t going over the top with it and is still doing the work. Because the work of taking this crew down still matters to him, even when he’s not happy about how it’s being done.
Of course, Elliot isn’t about the credit or being the star — even if Christopher Meloni is, in fact, the star of this show…obviously. If there’s anything about his need to be “the guy,” as Jamie puts it, it’s all about him seeing a problem and not being able to live with himself if he doesn’t fix it. He feels responsible for everyone and everything, and with 84 many years of service under his belt, he just thinks he needs to step in for the less experienced detectives and show them how it’s done. There’s probably also a bit of him wanting to settle some sort of cosmic “score” here, so to speak seeing as how…Well. Let’s reference his guilt complex again, shall we?
For me, knowing the character for part of my teen years and my entire adult life, El’s motivations are obvious. But for Jamie, who knows the legend of Detective Stabler — especially recent events with the Brotherhood — it’s a natural reaction to see things the way he does. Especially when this was his “shot,” and now, he feels like it’s been taken away.
Stabler and Whelan’s argument, therefore, winds up being a highlight for multiple reasons. First, Jamie really needs to put those feelings out in the open to get them off his chest. Elliot also needs to know what’s going on and how he comes across so he can do better as the next generation’s leader and set good examples without trying to do it all himself. (Although, good luck there.) The fight also leads to a decent, if grudging, sort of reconciliation by the end of “The Infiltration Game.” That scene, too, is another highlight. Which leads us to the another reason why the argument itself is a favorite: Performances. Meloni and Antonello do that. But, of course, that shouldn’t be surprising in the least bit at this point.
And whether you believe Jamie is kind of a baby Elliot who’s been adopted by a grudging Zaddy Daddy Stabler or is simply more of a younger brother, that type of confrontation just fits. It’s tough being in the shadow of someone you look up to. You’re starting out already feeling like you won’t measure up — but desperately want to — and then, anything that has the potential reinforce your perception in the tiniest of ways is going to actually do so in a huge way. That’s true whether the person is your mentor, your surrogate dad, your older sibling, or pretty much anything else. So, Organized Crime 3×11 really sets up an interesting, meaningful sort of tension here that resonates well with the audience — even if the way it all kicks off is…
Well. Again, I say, come on. Stabler, undercover?!
Let’s not discount how it’s difficult to take your eyes off of Danielle Moné Truitt in the end scene where Stabler tries to smooth things over either. Sergeant Bell is aware of what’s going on with her squad, and she’s making sure both Stabler and Stabler Junior are ok. She knows she doesn’t need to insert herself to force them to play nice, but we can tell from every single tiny expression that she absolutely will step in if, and when, the time comes. It’s possible she may even be proud of Elliot for not being an ass on this one, but maybe that’s a bit of projection here. Because, yeah, we’re proud he’s not being an ass.
Bell vs. New Guy, aka WTF?
Law & Order: Organized Crime 3×11 also continues showing us, through Bell, that the new Deputy Inspector is…something. And whatever it is, it’s not good. There’s something very off about him, and no, it’s not that he does random push-ups in his office in the middle of the day. We’re used to that sort of thing because, well, Stabler. Or that ridiculous article about Meloni, which Meloni himself made fun of… Take your pick.
But…then, Bell sees what’s on this man’s desk, sees the spots of blood on that towel. And there’s him forcing the guys from Miami on her squad with no notice. Not to mention, there are all these elements of his story, his supposed background, that really don’t add up. She can’t find anything about him when she starts researching his claim about playing for the Tar Heels, and his constantly asking Bell why she didn’t take the job is also pretty weird. We can also all tell Bell is sick of that line of discussion — was sick of it before it even started.
Elliot picks up on Ayanna’s discomfort, but it’s pretty clear that she’s doing the bulk of her investigating, of her questioning everything, on her own for now. Whatever Thurman is up to, and whoever he really is, there’s nothing worth trusting here. Bell knows that, we know that, and we can only hope that the story itself winds up being good in the end. What matters for now, and this relates back to the other point with Whelan, is that her people are a cohesive unit in the meantime. Luckily, regardless of anything else Organized Crime might pull that’s a load of “come on,” they remain a pretty great team. Let’s hope it stays that way. Or else, we’re fighting someone.
More on Law & Order: Organized Crime 3×11
- Is Jet just “person who has to awkwardly interrupt Elliot’s fights” now or. Like, there was all the tension with Bell before the break…and now the thing with Jamie. Ok! What I’m saying here is give her more. Yesterday.
- Great moment with Jamie, right at the beginning, where he has to check his hand and just calm himself.
- “I just gotta murder you first.” Olivia before she finally hooks up with this man, am I right?
- The “murder” itself is really good while we’re at it. Antonello really sells it as Jamie really selling it, if you will.
- Let’s not think about Elliot Stabler in that hoodie either.
- “Play nice. For now.” And that pause before he repeats her “play nice.” Mmmmmhm.
- “Let’s get out there and buy some drugs.” I actually hate this man sometimes.
- “Who are you?” BE FOR REAL FOR A MINUTE. There is suspension of disbelief, and then there’s this.
- Ah, yes. Loyalty. Honor amongst thieves. At least that checks out, both for Real!Elliot and LulzUndercoverAgain!Elliot.
- The deliberate way Duran carves that thing is scary, actually.
- “He’s also smart. Very smart. He’s going to want to be thorough” and…not find out you’re actually a locally famous cop? COME ON.
- Y’all really said, “let’s hurt Elliot again and make him feel guilty/responsible for yet another person.” That moment where he’s watching the news and starts worrying for Esteban is absolute Meloni gold.
- “I want to know what you care about.” Her name is Olivia. You’ll find that out with barely any effort.
- “No wife.” “Women are trouble.” Speaking of Olivia, if she heard you talking like that, she’d punch you and call it empathy.
- “There’s nothing scarier than a man who has everything to lose.” So, when he gets his “everything,” watch out.
- “Anybody has a problem with me or how I run OCCB, they can tell me.” …and I will fight them for you, Sarge.
- “I’ll deliver.” She will. We been knew.
- Elliot “I will blow my cover by being a helper when I’m playing a tough guy” Stabler just can not stop himself from trying to help Cristobal. People who want to see him as something else entirely will ignore this, as well as his trip to the hospital, though.
- “Whose side is he on?” “His.”
- Is the mention of the online DNA test finally a crumb of continuity with the other show, which seems to be obsessed with them as of late, or.
- Did they…did they really reduce Fernanda down to a betrayed lover trope? UGH.
- “Devastated.” Didn’t even bother with a true sarcastic tone, just deadpanned it. That’s how you know this man is done.
- “This job is not about ego, or pride, or who gets the credit. This is about catching criminals. And we do it as a team.” Imagine if this were true of actual cops.
- “You’ll get your shot again; you just gotta be ready when it happens.” Actually can’t wait!
- Thurman’s giving Amanda Lee from ER. Jot that down. If y’all know, you know. (And if not…what even are you waiting for?)
Thoughts on Law & Order: Organized Crime 3×11 “The Infiltration Game”? Leave us a comment!
Law & Order: Organized Crime returns on Thursday, January 26, at 10/9c on NBC. (And for the record, no, we’re still not ok after that promo.)