‘Law & Order: Organized Crime’ Season 5 To Peacock: It’s Good News, Actually

This week, we learned that Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 is finally official. And so is its move to Peacock. Along with the move, the series will be dropping from this season’s 13 episodes down to 10. Put that all together, and we have some mixed feelings. Obviously, getting anything more is good news, especially after the absolutely ridiculous wait to hear anything for certain. (No, really. Who thought it was a good idea to lead with the two — sorry, not sorry — weaker shows in the franchise?) But not getting as many episodes means…well. Exactly that — not getting as many episodes. And we’re, uh, greedy for the good stuff. Just saying.

Despite being disappointed that we won’t get at least as many episodes next time around as we did in this just…beyond fourth season, though, we’re kind of thrilled. Sure, coupling an Organized Crime move to Peacock with SVU staying on NBC probably says nothing good about that whole Benson and Stabler mess. But, like, let’s be real. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. And there hasn’t been a will in a while, so another 84 years of scraps it is. So, forgetting something that’s just…been ignored this year outside of a few one-sided voicemails (unless you count Benson’s jewelry — which we do not) anyway, we’re good.

No, seriously. It works.

Here’s why a shorter Season 5 and move to Peacock are both good for Law & Order: Organized Crime

In the first place, Law & Order: Organized Crime just shouldn’t air on the same night and network as the other two shows in the franchise. Why? Because, let’s be real: It makes them both look…uh, not great (to say the least) by comparison. It’s also just a completely different format. Sure, the cops are still the heroes. That’s still…not always the best message. But unlike on a true copaganda procedural, nobody’s spoon-feeding us lies about NYPD basically being perfect while anyone who has a problem with them is pure Evil™. (Not to be confused with Evil…) Furthermore, as Amy Berg put it, the series is actually “a character-driven serialized drama.”

And, honestly, the character-driven aspect is exactly what fits streaming far better than broadcast. Not to say it can’t be done on NBC — it very clearly has been this season — but one of our absolute favorite, shining examples of character-driven storytelling that also takes time to just breathe in between thrills is actually…on Apple TV+. (Sorry to Peacock? Please don’t come for us, dear overlords…) And, actually, to go back our earlier (admittedly-terrible) Evil reference, that series’ history is proof that the move can work. When that series went from CBS to Paramount+, everything we loved about it became even stronger. We can definitely see that happening with Organized Crime. (And um. That’s kind of scary to think about because, like, how much more can these writers and actors hurt us? Sky’s probably the limit.)

On a much less serious note, we’re just looking forward to having a little bit of fun with the kind of freedom streaming can bring. Goodbye, broadcast rules around those “bad” four-letter words. Are we expecting Suits-level counts of sh*t (mean of 15ish per episode, max per episode of 32, series total 2616)? Of course not. But imagine getting to hear someone call Stabler a dumbf*ck or a bald b*tch. And if our fave Danielle Moné Truitt wants Bell to be able to drop a “FREEZE MUTHAF*****!” or “I know you f*ckin’ lyin’!” (without the censorship, obvs.), well, she deserves.

This…might not get her there? But it goes from impossible to possible, so. Win. Same goes for Jet going full FML…or any number of other options.

Admittedly, the lower episode count is always going to sting because, like we said at the top, we just want as much of this show as we can get. But, at the end of the day, we’re more grateful to get to see more than disappointed it’s not more more. Too many shows wind up canceled before they even have a chance to find their eleventy-fifth showrunner who sticks footing, so every single episode remains a gift. (Especially when they’re all so good.) And if any series can rise to the challenge of delivering just as much content in slightly less time, we know this one will.

So, let’s do it. We’ll see you in the streaming world next season.

Thoughts on Law & Order: Organized Crime moving to Peacock for Season 5? Leave us a comment!