‘Law & Order: Organized Crime’ 4×08 Review: “Sins Of Our Fathers”

Law & Order: Organized Crime 4×08 “Sins Of Our Fathers” is a powerful, emotional hour that reminds us — yet again — that this is easily one of the best shows on TV. In this particular chapter, the series highlights the many, many ways our families can be complicated. Sometimes, we can know that someone we love is capable of horror…and still refuse to let them go. And sometimes, we don’t need to look far to find evidence of people loving and supporting us through difficult times. Those are some of the simplest takeaways, but they don’t even begin to scratch the surface of everything this episode accomplishes. Also, while there is a clear emphasis on fathers and father figures — otherwise, what would be the point of the title — there’s still the extended Stabler family, both by blood and not, to reckon with. 

As always, the series proves that it is possible to pack so very much into a single hour of television without sacrificing anything at all. Others may try and fail to bring a mere two parts of the whole together. But “Sins Of Our Fathers” is, yet again, an example of what success looks like when bringing together multiple personal storylines and a complex, constantly-evolving, case.

Two fathers, one son

Let’s start with Stabler. The opening moments of Law & Order: Organized Crime 4×08 might technically be about the Bonner family, but there are some dreadful parallels to Elliot’s own childhood. As we experience the flashbacks to Meredith’s childhood, it seems impossible not to think about everything we’ve heard about how horrible Joe Stabler was. The fighting parents, Meredith discussing how there was some sense of “finality” in her mom’s voice and “desperation” in her dad’s on that final night…Stabler shouldn’t have any problems picturing exactly what she describes there. Additionally, knowing what we know now about Bernie and the tickets to Randall’s…it’s actually gutting to think about how much worse things could have turned out.

“Maybe he was just used to it, or maybe he didn’t care. But me? I couldn’t take it anymore. I ran. As far as I could, as fast as I could.”

Additionally, we can’t help but draw a parallel to how Randall left, or how Elliot joined the military, or any other number of things — anything to get out of that house. Just like Meredith Bonner. As haunted and…detached, almost…as Jennifer Ehle’s voice sounds during that entire opening sequence, we can’t help but also be blown away by the many emotions Christopher Meloni projects in response. Elliot Stabler gets it. Yes, he can empathize in a way no one should ever have to. Nevertheless, and unfortunately, he just does. But he also just…grieves for this person, one he’s practically just met, who has lost her little brother — by her own hand, no less — and is now having to live with the knowledge that her own father took her mother away from her.

Pair all of this with the gutted reaction he has to hearing about his own dad’s demise in the end, and one might think Elliot Stabler is at another low point. While that would be a logical enough conclusion, there’s the brilliant scene between Meloni and Dann Florek that proves that isn’t the case. Joe Stabler may not have been a good father, and he may have been gone for a number of years now. Obviously, that’s all true. But Donald Cragen exists! And, unlike pretty much anyone else in Elliot’s life, he’s able to give him some fatherly advice about how to handle the whole IAB fiasco.

“Everybody is fighting for you. Except you.”

Cragen sees Elliot giving up. (Whatever you do, don’t ask yourself whether or not this is all too familiar. Definitely don’t ask yourself if they had a similar conversation…back then.) He also knows Stabler wants to use his new knowledge about Warren’s inherited vendetta as an excuse to admit defeat. But, as his mentor and father figure, Don can tell El all the things he doesn’t want to hear. And he can force him to open his eyes to see that he has people in his corner. People like himself, and Ayanna Bell (queen that she is), and every single person helping him work this case. As an added bonus, Don’s pretty fantastic at faking a heart attack to save Elliot’s life. Imagine if they didn’t still have that easy, beautiful camaraderie, what might have happened.

Law & Order: Organized Crime 4×08 goes, mostly, to dark places. But to see the pure joy El experiences when he first sits down to talk to Don, or even the way he ribs Randall over also delaying Bernie’s move in that “I told you so” kind of way — when contrasted with all that darkness — is truly something else. After all, that’s the nature of a real, fully-fledged character’s journey. Life is just…exactly this. And family, for all its messiness, all its painful history and tragic losses, also looks very much like Elliot Stabler’s blended group.

“Sins Of Our Fathers”

Both times Meredith Bonner confronts her father in Law & Order: Organized Crime 4×08 are masterclasses in…everything about TV, really. Acting from Ehle and Keith Carradine (especially the final showdown for Carradine)? Check. Storytelling? Check. Visual beauty? Also check. We could keep going, but you probably get the point by now.

Viewers will almost surely have a variety of “favorite” parts of this episode — any number of thoughts about the Bonner family dynamic, even — but for us, what stands out most is how, even knowing Clay killed her mom, and even knowing what Eric grew up to be, Meredith Bonner is not at all afraid to confront her dad. In fact, she outright tells him she knows what he did, and she’s going to prove it. In spite of everything, and even as she dares him with her eyes to make a move, even when she’s at least somewhat afraid, she knows, deep down, that she actually has nothing to fear. Whatever this father/daughter relationship is, Chief Bonner knows she can handle herself.

Even after the attempt on her life, Meredith is convinced — and correct! — that her dad would never have ordered it. And, in the end, despite the way he unravels, some part of her remains strong, bold, and intent on reasoning with her dad, putting the gun away, and just…begging him to stop. To not take one more life, including — maybe especially — his own. Because she just knows, as complex and warped as it is, her dad does love her. And somewhere in Clay Bonner’s mind, he really believes he did everything out of love for his kids. Ultimately, that same love is what gets him to stand down.

The entire story shows how impossible it is to put people in these black and white, “good vs. evil,” boxes. Especially when we love those people, in spite of ourselves and in spite of who — and what — they are.

Don’t mess with Ayanna Bell — period.

Can we just…Danielle Moné Truitt, folks. That scene where Bell stands up for Stabler and tells Warren what she has to say about him and his shady mentor is everything. The fact that something seemingly so “small,” when compared with this massive murder investigation/for-profit prison commentary/story about folks with sinful fathers, still stands out as much as it does is as a direct result of how utterly fantastic Truitt is. Everything about her demeanor just screams tough, determined, and incredibly angry with the whole situation…but holding it back just enough to still be professional. Glorious.

And let’s not even get started with how much we legitimately wanted to yell “yesssss” at the TV over that “sit. down.”

Basically, Sergeant Bell was not at all lying, earlier in the episode, when she told Stabler she was there to “provide the muscle.” Pair that light affection with the steel in the Bell/Warren interaction, and what you have is even more evidence that the Bell/Stabler partnership is the best of the best. Because it always brings out the best in them — always. They are equal parts light ribbing, complete loyalty, and steadfast support. And don’t get us started on how Elliot is vibrating with insecurity when he asks about the final verdict on his status. Coming from someone who’s always so strong, that moment speaks volumes about how safe he feels with Ayanna.

As usual, there just aren’t enough words to describe this character and what she means not just to Elliot Stabler as a partner and boss — as someone who’s part of his family, in a way no one else is — but, more importantly, what she means to this series overall. So, instead of aiming for some descriptive, yet utterly insufficient words, we’ll just say: Watch Law & Order: Organized Crime 4×08. Pay attention to everything about her. She’s all of that. And so very much more.

More on Law & Order: Organized Crime 4×08

• “All this time, I thought she abandoned us. I have been so angry with her for so long.” So much guilt and grief…more things Elliot Stabler knows far too well.
• “Monsters make monsters. Isn’t that what they say?” Meloni’s pained expression in response to this line…wow. We know how Elliot feels about himself, how much he’s struggled with his father’s legacy. And we also know about the many times one Olivia Benson proved that line wrong — and El pointed it out to her.
• The casual way Randall talks about the abuse he suffered as a child…man, someone get that man some therapy.
• Bernie has had enough.
• The quilts…no one talk to me. I’m with Joe Jr. on not wanting to hear about it.
• …but I am not with him on shooting up in the car like he’s John Carter’s cousin Chase or something.
• “We’re supposed to believe you knew nothing.” A true journalist, holding people accountable!
• “Somebody has to provide the muscle.” “Muscle?” …and Bell’s look. I LOVE THEM.
• Shah’s “seriously.” Honestly, this series is trying to trick us into believing it’s a comedy.
• “All of those fractures. It wasn’t enough for her to just die. You had to break her.” Oof.
• The stare down…and the “please. Leave.”
• “I have been saying that for 20 years, and you’re the first person to believe in me.” Me when someone finally makes EO canon.
• “She’s not to be touched.” A protective, if kinda evil AF, father!
• “Your dad was always telling him to slow down.” So, about that…
• “I’ll just be here.” Tate Ellington, comedian.
• “You’re a long way from home, Cap.” And their smiles. Shut up.
• “Heart attack?” “I thought it worked.” SCREAMING.
• Ayanna Bell brings receipts. I know that’s right.
• The whole scene, every line, pure gold.
• And the look Bell gives Warren on the “how can you pass judgement on anybody else” line.
• “You missed.” SMUG S.O.B. Stabler has entered the chat. Truly out here, daring the man.
• Meredith Bonner, action hero!
• Ummm, ok but do the youths know about a VHS?
• Something about the way Meloni does Stabler’s grabby hands to indicate he doesn’t have a gun…
• “Never thought much about legacy. Maybe that’s a good thing.”
• Even the lighting in that scene…Wow.
• “You say you love me, don’t do this. Don’t do this to me.”
• Carradine with all that grief, the single tear, the quivering chin…I almost feel bad for Clay? WTF.
• …and just…so much going on in Meloni’s performance as Stabler watches the arrest, I literally have no idea how to even begin describing all those emotions.
• “Caring is not one of my problems.” We been knew.
• “Stubbornness, on the other hand…authority issues, resistance—…” “We get the point.” Again, I say: I. Love. Them.
• “All I really feel is guilt for all the things I didn’t do.” Just gonna…nope. Not going to make this about this bald man and disappearing acts…Ok. Maybe I am.
• “You are a damn fine cop. And we need more of you, not less.” Antis found dead.
• Are we seriously never going to see these two new besties together are? Seems fake. I love her, and I love how shocked El is with the hug.
• That disgusted “where is my chair” moment. And then Elliot’s “hate that chair.” Partners gonna partner!
• “Who are you talking to? You couldn’t do it, could you?” I also continue to love Meloni and Dean Norris as brothers. Can not say that enough.
• …just TL;DR love it all.
• Except, perhaps, that final shot. Because pain. (And, to be nitpicky for a second…did we not already know something similar about Joe?)

Thoughts on Law & Order: Organized Crime 4×08? Leave us a comment!

Law & Order: Organized Crime returns Thursday, April 11, at 10/9c on NBC.