A great and somewhat surprising return to excellence. Yes the storyline may rely upon the personal affairs of a main character but the build up, linkage and pace are straight out of the classic episodes from previous seasons. As ever in a superior episode the context for what takes place is rooted in previous character relationships. This is important because up till now the problem in this series has not been the story lines but the lack of depth in the main characters since Jerry Orbach left and Sam Waterston was kicked upstairs. The hope for the future comes from the superb acting of Jeremy Sisto. In this episode he dominates in the first episode that really gives him any real opportunity. The series also needs Linus Roache to fill Waterston's boots with purpose. Too early to opinionate so far this series but his character's risk taking and independence from colleague loyalties in order to win bode well.
7 Reviews
Exit Ed Green
bkoganbing11 April 2020
This was the farewell episode for Jesse Martin as detective Ed Green. In his time
on the show Martin went through four different partners. Sadly he leaves under
a cloud of suspicion.
It all starts when Lupo and Green get assigned a case of a man who was killed for his massive gambling debts. When interviewing a witness an unforgettable image of a black man with hair dyed blond. Martin knows instantly who it is, they have some nasty history.
But this perpetrator is shot down in the streets with Martin there at the scene looking good. What was only eluded to since Martin arrived on the scene was a gambling problem. Now it's out n the open.
Jeremy Sisto's next partner Anthony Anderson makes his debut as one of the Internal Affairs detectives investigating Martin.
Sad Ed Green had to retire under a cloud, but it makes for a great episode.
It all starts when Lupo and Green get assigned a case of a man who was killed for his massive gambling debts. When interviewing a witness an unforgettable image of a black man with hair dyed blond. Martin knows instantly who it is, they have some nasty history.
But this perpetrator is shot down in the streets with Martin there at the scene looking good. What was only eluded to since Martin arrived on the scene was a gambling problem. Now it's out n the open.
Jeremy Sisto's next partner Anthony Anderson makes his debut as one of the Internal Affairs detectives investigating Martin.
Sad Ed Green had to retire under a cloud, but it makes for a great episode.
There's a lot we didn't know about you Ed
jbirks1067 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Throughout his lengthy stint at the two-seven, Ed Green made knowing references to gambling, so in retrospect it's not altogether surprising that his career would end over the body of a bookie. It's a poignant episode, and a clever way to introduce the excellent Anthony Anderson to the cast.
He's kicking us out, Lupo. This is for bigger brains than ours now.
Mrpalli7713 March 2018
In a lousy neighborhood, two drunk men were dragging a guy; they didn't noticed he was shot dead. Detectives found his cellphone beside the dumpster. The victim was married but he had a relationship on the side; furthermore, he used to bet on basketball games, a degenerate gambler. Green shot dead one suspect (a bookie): why did he do that? Bookie's gun matched the one used in the murder, case closed. A senior investigation took place in order to blame Green, Lupo tried his best to defend his partner, but what he found out left him speechless: Green shot the criminal over gambling debts. But there is something more, a man like him can't do such a stupid thing without strong motive, a girl (Carmen Ejogo) is involved....
Characters acted differently towards Green: Rubirosa, Lupo and Van Buren did their best to keep him out of jail, Cutter indeed wanted him behind bars. I'm very sorry Green leaves the series, his farewell resembles the one of Briscoe in the final scene.
Characters acted differently towards Green: Rubirosa, Lupo and Van Buren did their best to keep him out of jail, Cutter indeed wanted him behind bars. I'm very sorry Green leaves the series, his farewell resembles the one of Briscoe in the final scene.
The dark side of gambling
TheLittleSongbird17 October 2022
"Burn Card" is the final episode of Ed Green. Really liked the character overall, his partnership with Briscoe was the best of the show's policing partnerships and he was also one of the consistently good things about the post-Briscoe seasons despite his other partners being nowhere near on Briscoe's level. Really appreciated that the episode explored a subject that is still very relevant today but was also worried about it being personal life dominant.
Along with "Betrayal", "Illegal" and "Executioner", "Burn Card" is one of the best episodes of an inconsistent season. It is a great, if very sombre, farewell to Green and one of the original 'Law and Order's' better character farewells (along with Briscoe and Borgia, the others were a mix of abrupt, indifferent and downright cheap, Cassady and even more so Southerlyn faring worse). And a wonderful 'Law and Order' episode overall and its tackling of the dark side of gambling was laudable.
Pretty much everything works and the episode contains one of the season's better and more compelling first quarters. Jesse L Martin is marvellous in his final appearance, one of his best of the show and it helps that character development-wise this is something of a showcase for Green. Who was always an interesting, gritty and commanding character, but this is the first proper time we got to know him as a person. Some may say that what is revealed here was sudden, but there was some subtle foreshadowing in other episodes that were only picked up upon on rewatch.
He has great chemistry with a more understated Jeremy Sisto and with the rest of the cast, S Epatha Merkerson always delivers. Anthony Anderson makes a promising first impression and the friction between Lupo and Bernard worked very well in this episode, with it being an intentional part of the plot. It did take a while for me to get used to their partnership in the episodes after this one, due to Bernard turning out to be a more interesting character but here any personality clashes or disconnect work.
Was a bit concerned at first about "Burn Card" being so heavy on showing Green's personal circumstances, but his plot tied in with the case (actually was the case/story and wasn't actually a subplot) incredibly well and was intense and also moving. It wasn't melodramatic, like too many of latter seasons 'Special Victims Unit's' personal life stories, didn't feel dragged out and didn't feel disjointed. It is also a case of both the first and second halves being equally good, rather than the second half being superior to the first or vice versa. The arrest and handing in of belongings was lump to the throat worthy at the thought of seeing Green go.
The episode is tightly and intelligently scripted, with the right amount of gritty edge and melodrama kept at bay. The dark side of gambling is familiar territory (all three major 'Law and Order' covered it at least once) but felt fresh here, with one of the most unyielding and most tense explorations of it of the franchise. Can find nothing to fault the production values for though, the slickness and grit still present and likewise with the more fluid editing. The music is used relatively sparingly and is not too intrusively orchestrated, fitting too with the mood. The direction is generally alert but also sympathetic, shining in the character interactions.
Overall, wonderful episode with one of the show's best faring farewells. 10/10.
Along with "Betrayal", "Illegal" and "Executioner", "Burn Card" is one of the best episodes of an inconsistent season. It is a great, if very sombre, farewell to Green and one of the original 'Law and Order's' better character farewells (along with Briscoe and Borgia, the others were a mix of abrupt, indifferent and downright cheap, Cassady and even more so Southerlyn faring worse). And a wonderful 'Law and Order' episode overall and its tackling of the dark side of gambling was laudable.
Pretty much everything works and the episode contains one of the season's better and more compelling first quarters. Jesse L Martin is marvellous in his final appearance, one of his best of the show and it helps that character development-wise this is something of a showcase for Green. Who was always an interesting, gritty and commanding character, but this is the first proper time we got to know him as a person. Some may say that what is revealed here was sudden, but there was some subtle foreshadowing in other episodes that were only picked up upon on rewatch.
He has great chemistry with a more understated Jeremy Sisto and with the rest of the cast, S Epatha Merkerson always delivers. Anthony Anderson makes a promising first impression and the friction between Lupo and Bernard worked very well in this episode, with it being an intentional part of the plot. It did take a while for me to get used to their partnership in the episodes after this one, due to Bernard turning out to be a more interesting character but here any personality clashes or disconnect work.
Was a bit concerned at first about "Burn Card" being so heavy on showing Green's personal circumstances, but his plot tied in with the case (actually was the case/story and wasn't actually a subplot) incredibly well and was intense and also moving. It wasn't melodramatic, like too many of latter seasons 'Special Victims Unit's' personal life stories, didn't feel dragged out and didn't feel disjointed. It is also a case of both the first and second halves being equally good, rather than the second half being superior to the first or vice versa. The arrest and handing in of belongings was lump to the throat worthy at the thought of seeing Green go.
The episode is tightly and intelligently scripted, with the right amount of gritty edge and melodrama kept at bay. The dark side of gambling is familiar territory (all three major 'Law and Order' covered it at least once) but felt fresh here, with one of the most unyielding and most tense explorations of it of the franchise. Can find nothing to fault the production values for though, the slickness and grit still present and likewise with the more fluid editing. The music is used relatively sparingly and is not too intrusively orchestrated, fitting too with the mood. The direction is generally alert but also sympathetic, shining in the character interactions.
Overall, wonderful episode with one of the show's best faring farewells. 10/10.
Wrong Moves; Positive Results
refinedsugar17 April 2024
'Burn Card' is an episodes many people hold up as a standout because it deals with an established well liked character, some rough history that's related to his exit from the show. I don't deny the journey isn't good, but it also feels anticlimactic too. You know deep down Det. Ed Green (Jesse L. Martin) isn't a murderer but you have to wait for the gingerbread trail to be dropped piece by piece in formulaic fashion.
A man is found shot, killed in an alleyway and digging into his past finds out he was an on & off again gambling addict. As Green (Martin) & Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) investigate it turns up an African American suspect with dyed blonde hair and a cauliflower ear. Ed gets triggered by this last fact, bounces. Next thing you know the man matching this description "Bunny" is dead outside an illegal gambling spot and Green is under arrest as the main suspect. As pieces of his past, association with this person come to light painting him into a dark corner.
What partially bothers me is tv shows involving cops - L&O universe included - are always looking for ways to give their characters vices. Alcoholics have been done to death in the past and quite effectively I should add. Drugs are hard to build up to something not cliche. So what's left? Gambling. As it was established in his past it doesn't feel forced, but it ultimately turns out to be window dressing. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention their 'Special Victims Unit' spinoff went on to use this later too.
Directed by actor Mario Van Peebles, 'Burn Card' isn't a bad trip. It gives Green a nice sendoff and allows moments for Lupo, Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson). Cutter (Linus Roache) & ADA Connie Rubirosa (Alana de la Garza) get to play two sides of a coin. Establishes Det. Bernard (Anthony Anderson) too. However the ending is a little too clean cut at the eleventh hour.
A man is found shot, killed in an alleyway and digging into his past finds out he was an on & off again gambling addict. As Green (Martin) & Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) investigate it turns up an African American suspect with dyed blonde hair and a cauliflower ear. Ed gets triggered by this last fact, bounces. Next thing you know the man matching this description "Bunny" is dead outside an illegal gambling spot and Green is under arrest as the main suspect. As pieces of his past, association with this person come to light painting him into a dark corner.
What partially bothers me is tv shows involving cops - L&O universe included - are always looking for ways to give their characters vices. Alcoholics have been done to death in the past and quite effectively I should add. Drugs are hard to build up to something not cliche. So what's left? Gambling. As it was established in his past it doesn't feel forced, but it ultimately turns out to be window dressing. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention their 'Special Victims Unit' spinoff went on to use this later too.
Directed by actor Mario Van Peebles, 'Burn Card' isn't a bad trip. It gives Green a nice sendoff and allows moments for Lupo, Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson). Cutter (Linus Roache) & ADA Connie Rubirosa (Alana de la Garza) get to play two sides of a coin. Establishes Det. Bernard (Anthony Anderson) too. However the ending is a little too clean cut at the eleventh hour.
That's It For Me
taraangel-4096012 April 2021
I've watched this show since the first season. Most of the people I liked left. With Ed gone, all that are left are McCoy and Van Buren. It was bad enough when Jeremy Sisto joined the cast. I'm just not interested anymore. The series used to be really well-written and entertaining, but it's been going downhill for a while now. Bye Law & Order.
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