Grade the 'Law & Order' premiere:

27 Comments

  • Sharon Thorbourne - 2 years ago

    I’ve watched Law and Order since it’s start. I loved all the police partners, Dezundza, Sorvino, Noth and Bratt. My favorite team was Briscoe and Green. I have no use for Anthony Anderson or Jeremy Sisto. Quite frankly after Jerry Orbach died I had no more use for L&O. This reboot of the show with the exception of Sam Waterson can go to hell! I know you can’t go back but this reboot is weak and reflects none of the quality of the original drama. The ADAS are ridiculous and Camryn Mandhiem needs to be cut! Just because she’s big and attempts to look tough does not equate her role to S.Epatha Merkerson. I’m watching the 2nd episode now and I’m sorry but I will not watch this hot mess again!

  • Claire - 2 years ago

    I was very disappointed in the reboot. But because I love the show I will give it a chance to improve. Mc Coy was a shadow of himself. Detective Bernard was the only bright spot. His new partner was over the top hard-boiled, bigoted, and humorless. The new lieutenant was okay but I still miss Van Buren. The writing was very stilted. Sure a lot has changed in the past several years regarding policing and accountability, as it should have, but the writers did not have to bring us up so literally. Don't tell us, show us. Some of the acting was terrible. The first thing I would do to improve the show would be to get rid of the new detective. There was absolutely no chemistry between the two detectives, no humor, no comraderie. Bring back Loops or Greene or Curtiss.

  • phil howard - 2 years ago

    It's a start. Pick up the plot quality. Not on the level of original series writing. Still -- glad to have it back!

  • Lizzie Romine - 2 years ago

    Van Buren is a great actress !
    Miss her,but I love her on Chicago Med.
    I miss all the ORIGINAL actors !!
    CHRIS NOTH He Needs to come back , Anthony and Logan would be very good!!
    It's needs to get better !!

  • Lizzie Romine - 2 years ago

    Mike Logan !!! Green !!

  • Victor, Cole - 2 years ago

    This was not Law And Order! Bad acting, bad story line, the actors was dead and dry. Worst DA. ever. I have been a fan of the real Law and Order, love when they have a Marathon, I watch all day. Would love to see a Black woman as part of the cast. Many talented, beautiful Black woman, you could give a role to. Was happy when I was told this show was returning. So far Bad, Bad!

  • Lenny - 2 years ago

    The show was awful.Any decent defence attorney would have gotten the defendent acquitted.
    The Defence Attorney did not present a closing argument.
    Sam Waterson was a shell of his former self.
    I did not recognize Carey Lowell.
    The acting was awful.

  • Karen119 - 2 years ago

    I was pretty shocked at Carey Lowell’s appearance. If it wasn’t for her voice I never would’ve known who she was. And when did Jamie Ross stop being a defense attorney and switch back to being an ADA? So far I’m not a fan of the two new ADA’s or Det Bernard’s partner. I miss Ed Green but think they might want more diversity in the detective unit. How about one of the detectives from Criminal Intent? Not Goren and not Logan but any of the women or Jeff Goldblum would be great. Love Camryn Mannheim. I hope Skoda and/or Olivet plus Rodgers return. It was very good to see Jack McCoy again. How about bringing back my favorite ADA, Abby Carmichael?

  • Wayne Williams - 2 years ago

    LAW & ORDER is not back, I have watched every episode of L&O at least 3 times. One of my favorite shows of all history is history. This was beyond ridiculous as they tried to cover ALL of the years they were off the air in 1 episode (lamely I might add). Beyond predictable and never met the L&O bar. The final argument by the new assistant DA was not only a very poor closing but worse was the terrible acting. Anthony's original character was channeled in his counter part and done poorly. Sam W. Looked like his character was suffering dementia, stare blindly and backing down in 2 seconds. THIS WAS NOT LAW & ORDER , back to the reruns. SAM W run you are better than this.

  • Lorie - 2 years ago

    Cosgrove stunk up the place. My excitement about the return is dashed with his addition. I won't watch with him as apart of the team. I thought the story line was weak and late.

  • Sue Wilson - 2 years ago

    More SAM WATERSON PLEASE !!! That is the reason we watch !!!

  • csmz - 2 years ago

    The only reason I watched was to see Jeffery Donavan again - just streamed BURN NOTICE. Lazy writing, ruined the music, can't related to any of the characters. How about some injected humor? Sometimes we can't go back because its never as good as the first time. How about something original, instead of reboots? There are so many new original stories out there. Networks: take some chances! REACHER & BOSCH paid off.

  • Beverly - 2 years ago

    I agree with Carrie about some of the critiques. I wasn't thrilled about this episode, still I'll watch next week and the week after. How many character changes did the previous L&O have, yet it survived for 20 years. Sam Waterson's voice may be scratchier than before but it would be unrealistic if it wasn't after 12 years.

    The one common complaint I agree with and a possible deal breaker for me is the Det. Cosgrove character. I really like Donovan as an actor but this character is not likeable and cringe worthy. Most new series, character adjustments are made as it progresses. Hopefully, Wolf will quickly adjust the portrayal of Det. Cosgrove.

  • john repsher - 2 years ago

    The main characters acted like they hated each other. There was no warmth in either the show or the characters. It left me cold and uncaring.

  • Bob Dole - 2 years ago

    It was okay.

    Not bad, not great.

    Writing is pretty bleh.

    Do attorneys really ask "how come?" that often in court?

  • Louise - 2 years ago

    I am a die-hard fan of the show. I enjoyed the show. Good to see the old favorites back. I thought, however, writing not strong. Donovan's part: not great, I did love him in Burn Notice. The ADA's, not fitting for the positions. All ADAs are not 25 and sexy. Go to a courthouse and check it out.

    Sam Waterston? More of him, please. He is the drawing card of the show. I love him. His ADA, not a good fit for the position. Van Buren's counterpart? Time will tell. As far as I am concerned, we need Logan back. It's a darn shame that women can ruin a man's career and he has not been proven guilty in a court of law.

    Actually, the story line was also one which seemed so familiar from year's past. Writing needs more strength.

    I will watch Law & Order as long as it's on. Oh, the music at beginning, go back to the original sound. I did not care for it. I had hoped for a stronger and more dynamic premiere.

    Where was Benjamin Bratt?

  • Stephanie Morse - 2 years ago

    I watched because I loved Jeffrey Donovan in Burn Notice. I hope they write his character better. Anthony Anderson did as good as he could. The ADA’s were terrible. Am I the only one who thinks the girl looks like AOC?

    I was also hoping the jury would acquit. A couple cases were lost in the original series

    I’ll watch a couple more times, but not impressed

  • deborah brown - 2 years ago

    I am a hardcore Jack McCoy fan! I have searched the on demand on my Dish Network for anything and everything Sam Waterston has ever done and he is so popular that there is not a single free movie to be seen with Sam Waterston. However he is worth the money! That being said I wish we could have seen more of Jack McCoy in this first new episode as he is always dynamic and charming and strong. That being said I do not like his a d a. I think he's wishy-washy and he does not have Jack's Spirit of the law. Jack was always determined to get his man or woman and he worked his ass off to do that. This guy and frankly I don't even remember his name is plastic. His partner seems reluctant to do anyting other than be a window dressing. I was happy to see Jamie Ross but confused about the convoluted mess they made of her presence. The writing was not up to the standard of any of the prior Seasons even those insufferable ones in season 17. Would love to see detective Logan pop in regardless of all the controversy around Chris Noth. Yes I realize he's 67 years old but I am still a huge Detective Mike Logan fan. I would think Dick Wolf would be able to make that happen. I think true Law & Order fans don't care about the accusations made against Chris since we've heard nothing about it lately. I don't like Donovan as he is wooden and creepy. I tuned in for one reason and that was to see The Real McCoy. I realize Sam is 81 years old but he is every bit as charismatic and delightful as he's ever been just by walking in the room. 90% of us tuned in to see Jack McCoy. He is the face of Law & Order. One thing I did like that all six of the main characters walk together in the opening of the show. Never seen that before and it was a delightful surprise. As for Camryn Manheim in the role of lieutenant the jury is still out on her. I don't have anything negative to say about her performance it's just that she had some huge shoes to fill in the absence of lieutenant Van Buren. Anthony Anderson gave us all a good performance in the reprisal of his role but I was never that crazy about him to begin with so again the jury still out on him. I know we can't go back 25 years and get Lennie Briscoe God Rest his soul Jerry Orbach was the best! I wish there was a way for them to write in the occasional flashback to an argument or a discussion or just a warm moment between Jack McCoy and Lennie Briscoe. if you think that wouldn't jolt the hardcore fans into attention oh my goodness yes it would. I have every episode from the first 20 Seasons saved in my DVR and I'm watching them right now and I'm currently in the middle of season 8. I'd like to see a flashback of a tender moment or a laughter between Jack and Claire Kincaid. Well they were always so subtle it was obvious they were deeply in love and I think it would be awesome if just for a moment they show Jack in a deep thought thinking about Claire. I will continue to watch because I am hooked on Jack McCoy. I'm hoping things get better but it won't stop me from continuing to support my favorite procedural drama the flagship Law & Order. I didn't erase it after I recorded it. I'm going to give it a chance but if something happens to Jack the show is doomed

  • Christopher Howell - 2 years ago

    Well... the first new L&I episode in nearly 12 years wasn't too bad. The only couple of things I didn't like was Jeffrey Donovan's character. Frank Cosgrove's attitude could use some improvement. He's a cop. His character needs to be like maybe not so harsh, like Lennie Briscoe.

    The second thing I didn't like was who veteran composer Mike Post completely "tweaked" the theme music. I was expecting the original 1993-2010 theme, but then again, it is what it is.

    I'll watch next week and hopefully the characters and the stories improve. I wouldn't want NBC to once again ax the show that started a phenomenon of a successful franchise.

  • Carrie - 2 years ago

    There are only a few comments on this site so far with mixed reactions. Here are the main complaints and my thoughts on those complaints:
    1. "I don't like the newbies or their acting. I am giving it a few more shows before I quit." How many times over the 20 seasons after every cast change did you find yourself saying that, yet the following week you still watched?
    2. "The writing was horrible." How many times over 20 seasons did one viewer or another not like the particular storyline, yet watched the following week?
    3. "I wish so-and-so would be back". So do I (Linus Roache); however, some have other shows, did not want to return, or are no longer with us. These new actors/characters will grow on us as well. Remember how every new police officer/ADA had a different story? Some we might not have liked at all, but our eyes were still glued on the next case.
    4. Sam Waterston's voice is scratchy. He is 81! But still knocks it out of the park as "the" Jack McCoy!
    LAW & ORDER is an addiction like any other. You might say you are going to quit, but you will be watching next week. And if you don't like the next episode, you will be saying to yourself that maybe it will be better the following week, until you don't complain anymore and just accept the fact that you are a Law & Order junkie.

  • Ginger Krissinger - 2 years ago

    I thought the show was good. I was hoping it was going to be on every week.

  • James Monty - 2 years ago

    Horrible writing. Horrible acting. Horrible actors. Horrible script. Thank God for reruns on TNT.

  • JillR - 2 years ago

    These are good actors. I’ve seen them all do different stuff and do it pretty well. We all know the premise works but it was almost painful to watch this episode. I think it’s the writing. I’m going to give it a couple more episodes. After that I’ll go back to the reruns.

  • Paul Rose - 2 years ago

    I didn't like Jeffrey Donovan's acting. He was too hard. Where's Benjamin Brat or Jessie L.Martin.?
    Hugh Fancy is so so. Where a Angie Harmon ?
    Sam Watersons voice was scratcy.
    Show needs work and new actors. Dick Wolf should look around for other former stars.

  • Jim Kerner - 2 years ago

    I'm sorry to say this. But sometimes you can't go back home again. I've been watching L&O since Logan & Greavy, Stone & Robinette & of course Cragen. So, I was looking forward to it's return. I'll watch it two more times, but if it doesn't get better. Then, I shall say good by. I still miss Lennie Briscoe and watch on different cable channels and my DVD's.

  • Paul Rose - 2 years ago

    I didn't like Jeffrey Donovan's acting. Meet different actor.
    Where's Benjamin Bratt or Jesse L.Martin? Sam Waterstons ovoice is scratchy. Hugh Fancy is so so.
    Where's Angie Harmon? Show needs work.

  • Sandra Meadows - 2 years ago

    Loved this re-premiere!!! All the returners resonated and the newbies will make the show interesting again!!! Hope others from before come back like Ed at LT Van Buren and of course the sensational Benjamin Bratt

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