User Reviews

Bias is a disappointing episode of Law & Order that fails to deliver a satisfying resolution to a complex case. The episode revolves around the murder of a public defender who was involved in a controversial trial with Executive ADA Nolan Price. The prime suspect is a judge who had an affair with the victim and a history of stalking and violence against women. However, Price's personal connection to the case and his clash with another judge who is friends with the defendant undermine his credibility and put the prosecution in jeopardy.

The episode tries to explore the theme of bias and how it affects the justice system, but it does so in a superficial and unrealistic way. The judges are portrayed as one-dimensional villains who abuse their power and ignore the evidence, while Price is shown as a righteous crusader who is blinded by his own prejudices. The twist that Price is accused of being the real killer is absurd and implausible, and the way he manages to clear his name and convict the judge is too convenient and contrived.

The episode also wastes the potential of Sam Waterston's return as DA Jack McCoy, who has little to do except give some moral support to Price and make a few speeches. The episode could have used more of his insight and experience to balance out Price's impulsiveness and arrogance. The episode also neglects the detective side of the story, as Cosgrove and Shaw are reduced to mere sidekicks who follow Price's lead without much questioning or input.

Bias is an episode that tries to tackle a serious and relevant issue, but it does so in a clumsy and unconvincing way. It lacks the nuance, realism, and suspense that made Law & Order a classic show. It is a missed opportunity to showcase the talents of the cast and the writers, and to engage the viewers with a compelling and thought-provoking story.

The Garden Gnome is on his way to meet a friend for dinner or something, and for some reason, they decide to meet at night in a deserted park. Golly, nothing bad ever happens there in NYC. When he finds her dead - GASP! - Derp and Lurch arrive on the scene to derp and lurch.

It turns out she's a public defender, so any number of people could have done it, but guess who is soon up to his neck in it? Maybe they're really after his pot o' gold.

There's a great bit of comedy early on. Owing to the fact the writers don't really know the characters and treat and Derp and Lurch interchangeably, as two generic lunkheads, Lurch is now the one with the temper. Remember when he was supposed to be Mr. Smooth to Derp's mouthy bigot?

We saw it last week, when he more than once got in someone's face, but this week, he's offended when the head of the Public Defender's Office points out the cops treat a crime against a cop or DA differently than a lowly public defender - and here's the funny part: DERP TELLS HIM THEY TREAT ALL CASES THE SAME! I mean, entire episodes of Law and Order have been built around how relentless the police and DA's Office are when it's one their own who's a victim whereas if you're just an ordinary citizen, they'll get to it when they can.

But in this age of not wanting to offend anyone, instead of the guy in the Defender's Office rolling his eyes and saying something justifiably smart-alecky back like a real human being, he just has a slightly doubtful look on his face and moves on. Because, you know, drama is all about theatrics but never taking any risks.

There's the requisite nonsense with Manhands back at HQ, who shows she can multitask by filing while listening to Derp and Lurch rattle off some banal dialogue.

Sam Waterston gets another one of his hallway dialogue scenes. They seem to write his scenes now so he can just walk in or walk away rather than, you know, actually be in the office.

Then there's another one of those moments that show the writers have no real world experience: When the case points to a judge as the culprit, he's like a soap opera caricature. Angry, defiant, one dimensional. Because, you know, in real life, people get all the way through law school and then are either appointed or elected to the bench in a major city to only turn out to be one-dimensional mustache twirlers whose only response to a legal accusation is to lash out and make threats. You know, that's what all that law school taught them. Oh, and to leave incriminating evidence in - get this - their house!

And it turns out - get this - he's a garden variety stalker, too! Way to push it into SVU territory as usual.

And equally one dimensional is his buddy, the judge who will preside over the trial. He has all of the subtlety of an ax murderer in where his loyalties lie. Seriously, does anyone think the real power brokers in the world behave this obviously?

Law and Order used to be treated with a lot more respect than that. This episode is so lacking in anything that remotely resembles that respect, the people involved should be ashamed. Perhaps younger audiences don't know any better or expect much, but anyone who's been out of their house or away from a phone screen for more than five minutes knows this is all grotesquely unbelievable.

There is a big twist in the trial though - and not the one you'd expect. No, it's not that the pontificating, self-righteous Millennial Garden Gnome -- so offended that two judges know each other and this obviously compromises their suitability for a fair trial -- not only discovered the victim but also used to date her. It's that the Garden Gnome is actually into women. Go figure. Didn't see that one coming.