‘Law & Order: Organized Crime’ 4×07 Review: “Original Sin”

Law & Order: Organized Crime 4×07 “Original Sin” leaves us at a loss for words, at least as far as trying to write a one-liner to get this review started goes. We could say it’s yet another strong hour, sure. But that feels like an empty, insufficient copy/paste of pretty much every other time we’ve sat down to discuss this series. So, we could give a neat, little summary about how it’s all about Elliot Stabler seeking justice, even if it means losing everything. Or it’s about Meredith Bonner learning the horrible truth about her family, even as Elliot continues being so invested in his work, it helps him avoid all the things he can’t quite handle about his family. But that, too, is an over-simplification, one that risks painting two very different struggles as totally the same.

Even looking at a few key aspects of the story is, as usual, going to risk leaving so many themes — several possible interpretations of those themes, even — out. So, what we’re left with is saying to consider everything we’ve always said about what makes this series work. Because this episode continues to embody all of the above. In addition, the hour adds something more…but we couldn’t quite say what. (Even though we’re very much going to spend a lot of time trying to explain.)

The crucifixion 

One thing we really appreciate about this series is how we can know the usual formula, can see an episode promo and be convinced we’re in for something specific based on our many experiences in watching television over the years…and realize, by the end of an hour, that we really had no idea what was coming. Sometimes, the surprises are small. Or, on occasion, they’ll have us like, “ok, in hindsight, we should’ve guessed this instead of that.” In the case of Law & Order: Organized Crime 4×07, though, we can say we were genuinely, pleasantly surprised.

Even on a show that does “dark and gritty” very well, and even with the obvious religious imagery, the predictable can still become unpredictable. Most of “Original Sin” is very grounded, very much about day-to-day working the case and dealing with life — not torture. And as much as our hearts were in our throats when, with not very much time left in the hour, El wound up exactly where we were warned he’d be going, it turns out the team never actually lost him. No need to drag out the violence for violence’s sake. And no need to spend multiple episodes with everyone worried sick — at least not about Stabler’s physical well-being.

Emotionally and career-wise…well. No comment. And, really, not much new there. (Though, yes, let’s keep going on this painful, yet beautiful, journey.)

A series like this one — known for multi-episode arcs — could easily have justified telling that kind of story. Probably, even, would’ve done it better than other procedurals since the format’s already set up to work that way. But the lack of a need to prolong the inevitable rescue comes from simply doing everything right. Elliot’s situation is dire. It’s dark, and Eric is creepy. Soulless, even, as he talks about saving the souls of all the girls he’s murdered. And we have no doubt, thanks to the always-stellar performance of Christopher Meloni, that Elliot is disgusted. Unnerved. And yes, some part of him is scared to death. But mostly, he’s just trying to figure out a way to stall for time and figure out a way to get the upper hand. 

Insert snark about how maybe we didn’t lean on torture porn because we’re not trying to do a Strong Female Character™ thing here. (Really, would we be at all on brand if we didn’t?) But…we’re not even sure that, were any of the women on this series in Stabler’s place, the pacing would be much different. Because this show isn’t about proving how strong its main character is. Instead,it’s about showing all the ways he isn’t a superhero, doesn’t have control over everything…but just keeps trying, desperately, to be the best at both he can possibly be. So, maybe just insert something about the value of character-driven, as opposed to lazy and formulaic, stories instead?

At any rate, Law & Order: Organized Crime 4×07 manages to make the big “rescue” less about the cavalry swooping in to save the day than it is about the incredible price we sometimes have to pay to be the hero. And it’s not really even so much about Elliot and his faith, or even Detective Stabler and his brute strength, as it is about his selflessness. About him rushing out of his psych evaluation so Sam could go to his wife, even throwing it in everyone’s faces that the threat of losing a job wasn’t going to make him afraid to do the right thing. And about him getting up, as soon as he could, and going to support Meredith as she dealt with the grief of losing her brother and the guilt of being the reason he’s dead.

The family secret

It is absolutely insane to think about how far Meredith Bonner has come since we first met her and were sure there was something shady about her. And yet, such is the power of a series that focuses on characters — even those who are “just” part of a case. It’s devastating to see her own father remove her from her position. Especially since we know long before she does just exactly why he wants to force her to “rest” and declare the case closed. And it’s fascinating to see how, even as she knows what their “whole twisted father/daughter dance” is, she can’t help but be at least a little bit shocked it’s come to this. Because sometimes, loving someone means refusing to see them.

One of the strongest parts of Law & Order: Organized Crime 4×07 is just how well it deals with Meredith trying, and failing, to keep lying to herself. All the evidence is there. Someone lied to her about the lack of viable DNA, and her father took an unnaturally strong interest in Jessica’s case way back when. Jessica, who was Eric’s friend until something about his behavior…changed. And then, there’s the frantic denial and complete panic when she sees Eric on the camera footage around the right church at the right time. Jennifer Ehle expertly portrays the progression from trying to convince others, to warring with herself over what the evidence clearly tells her, to that gutted look of realization as it all sinks through the cracks in the walls she’s built to keep those horrible truths out.

But, even after all that — after such shocking revelations — Meredith still wants to work with Elliot and his team. She wants to do the right thing, even though it is going to cost her. (Though, she can’t possibly know how much at first…can she?) She nervously goes looking for evidence, then is visibly uncomfortable, terrified, sickened when she runs into Eric himself. Now, her eyes are wide open, and she sees every single chilling aspect of his character for what it is. Her brother says all the right things about how “really great” randomly seeing each other is, yet there’s no warmth. No emotion. And his reaction to the news about Jessica Clark is exactly the opposite of what an innocent person’s should be.

Later, it’s Meredith who rushes off without backup to save Elliot. She’s the one who has to try to fix it. To face her brother, beg him to let her help him. And, ultimately, she’s the one who has to put him down when he not only shows no remorse but also starts coming for her. Even knowing everything, she whimpers about how sorry she is, calls him her “sweet boy,” and is genuinely heartbroken about all of it. What big sister wouldn’t be? To learn the truth far too late, try and fail to make one last, desperate plea…and then lose so spectacularly?

But the emotional trauma for Chief Bonner just keeps on coming, even after we think Law & Order: Organized Crime 4×07 has delivered her its final blow. The end scene in the diner…Somehow, it’s easy to not expect it. There’s the big shock of the Bell/Cragen meetup, and Elliot Stabler is nothing if not someone who’d want to just check up on someone who’s been through a lot recently. So, when they meet up in those last moments, maybe we’ve put Eric’s first victim’s unknown identity aside. Who could blame any viewer for not knowing what’s coming, when we’ve already been on such an emotional journey?

But then…in the “oh, of course we should have known” sort of surprise twist that’s not a surprise at all, Detective Stabler has to deliver more bad news. The first victim…was Meredith’s mother. Which, in its own sick way, that makes all the sense in the world. We just didn’t want to think or see it — kind of like how we don’t want to think about Meredith still having to learn the true depth of her dad’s involvement. Or for Elliot to have one more person he feels responsible for. (Which, we’re pretty sure, it’s too late for that last part.)

More on Law & Order: Organized Crime 4×07

• Leave it to Elliot Stabler to be distracted by his own at-home conspiracy/murder board while his brother is checking on him about his suspension and trying to get him to accept his mother’s wishes already. Good God. That phone call could’ve been an episode.
• “Either they stopped caring, or they just…don’t want to know.” Tag yourself. I’m in Sam’s bitter, twisted expression there.
• Danielle Moné Truitt and Chris Meloni, joking over deli food. A thing I never knew I needed but now just have to have more of. I know I say it all the time, but their characters’ partnership is so very special. Elliot’s checking up on his injured friend. She’s trying to keep him in line and taking his whole IAB predicament seriously. And through it all, even with all that serious…stuff, they’re still just so much fun. More to the point, when Elliot makes his comment about thinking the investigator has it out for him, Ayanna trusts him enough to look into it. Even after he was just trying to avoid the issue altogether. A big deal, actually!
• I’m sure if this were an EO scene instead, I could make some kind of horrible joke, though. Missed opportunity for El to stab the Captain with a pickle. Hm. We can do better…
• Maybe something like: Why hold your pickle hostage when you can go stab your Captain with it?
• …or whatever. IDK.
• It’s just that Meredith Bonner has learned how to “Meredith, yes” when someone tells her “Meredith, no.” And that’s entirely down to following Elliot’s big, stubborn S.O.B., lead. Love that! Inspiring!
• …ok but Liv waking up in that bed, under completely different circumstances, W-H-E-N.
• Speaking of Elliot being a stubborn S.O.B.: “Stabler. Naz could call you at any time.” “Good thing I’m bringing my phone.” And his big, dumb smirk.
• Also, Jet/Elliot continues to feel way too much like me/my coworker. Rude.
• “It was like his own daughter had gone missing.” …or like he was covering something up.
• The uber villain shot of Keith Carradine glancing out that window…
• “I know how important your work is to you. You’re a believer” Hate to say this, considering. But, uh. Pot, meet kettle.
• “He’s like a little boy who never grew up. He’s…he’s odd, but he’s not — he’s not violent.”  The way we make excuses for the people we love…
• “We’ve never done this before — hang out. It’s…pretty cool.” Look how empty those eyes are. Will Janowitz is scary AF in this arc.
• “And Dad can be so…not cool.” Well, even the creepy torturer/murderer type can be right sometimes!
• “Make sure you wear a nice suit.” “WHYYY!!!” Oh, he gets me.
• “He’s monitoring this op while he’s on a psych evaluation?” “Tells you everything you need to know about him.” That it does, Jet. That. It. Does.
• “How’s it going, Old Man?” Again. I feel like someone was stalking me at my other job and taking notes…
• Yeah…the “confidential” psych evaluation absolutely should not have had that dude in there without Elliot’s consent. Can’t decide who’s worse with boundaries: Liv’s new therapist…or these people. (Paula Agard of Suits infamy is always the absolute worst, though.)
• “I thought we were here to discuss my career. Not my father’s.” We call that growth, actually.
• Elliot zoning out in his psych eval because he’s too busy listening to what’s happening with the op, then just jumping into action and talking back in a way that could have made him look like he was talking to no one…just brilliant. It really does tell you everything you need to know about the character (as if we didn’t already know). And it is the most Elliot Stabler thing ever.
• “What? You’re gonna fire me? Because if that’s your threat, you’re gonna have to do better than that. My wife was killed because of this job. So we’re clear. Now, I have been a detective for nearly 30 years. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to be. I’ve made a lot of mistakes — yes. But I’ve never been unfaithful to my oath, and I’ve never turned my back on anyone in need. And I’m not about to start now.” Get them!!!!
• Un-Stabler found dead, honestly.
• …except that Olivia Benson would like a word. 10 years’ worth of them, actually. Bald B*tch.
• The staredown between Elliot and Eric, though!
• Wasn’t ready for this.
• Nope.
• Still nope!
• …does he get paid extra for adhering to the “no buttons” clause in his contract when it’s the whole chest or.
• That was a joke.
• Eh, mostly.
• “You’re a big fish. I wonder how much our savior weighed.” I am way too Jewish for this.
• “Pain teaches acceptance. That’s the first step to absolution.” Men writing Olivia Benson.
• Ok but where’s the fic of her…and him…and him like that…
• Anyway.
• “See, forgiveness of sin is possible. But someone has to suffer.” Ok but again I ask: When does Olivia get to make him suffer?
• ” I didn’t torture them — I saved them. I purified them…released them of this sinful world.” Again: Men writing Olivia Benson. (Or Strong Female Characters™ in general, tbh.)
• The hanging plastic sheets are very much giving Dexter Morgan…interesting considering who plays Eric’s daddy. Also interesting, considering SVU made me think about him this week, too.
• Also: the lighting in this whole torture scene. Wow.
• Love seeing Jet take charge and have a real leadership role here. With everyone else injured, taking personal time, or a total disaster (El, obvs.), she’s the senior member of the team! Our girl!
• “…evil existence.” Me.
• Ok but how did he…???
• Kinda similar to Liv saving herself that one time, except…not?
• You know it’s serious because Jet asks if El’s ok instead of poking the bear.
• “You had no choice.” Ok but did he ever learn that about himself, all those years ago? What is the truth.
• Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous shot of El and Meredith as just dark blotches in that brightly-lit church. Art.
• “Stabler’s dad’s ex-partner…” A mess.
• “Warren blames Elliot for what happened with his mentor.” FFS.
• “This thing just gets messier by the minute.” That’s it: That’s Elliot Stabler.
• I would’ve liked to have had more Bell/Cragen stuff, honestly. Maybe one day.
• …speaking of messier by the minute: that news from Sam. Can someone give the old man a break?
• There are totally coffees that are 90-minutes’ drive kind of good, by the way.

Thoughts on Law & Order: Organized Crime 4×07? Got takeaways we’re sure we missed, even with everything we’ve said here? Leave us a comment!

Law & Order: Organized Crime airs Thursdays at 10/9c on NBC.