IR TV Review: LAW & ORDER - ORGANIZED CRIME - EPISODE 1 (“The Man With No Identity”) [NBC-S2]

The texture of "Law & Order" is predicated on the case of the week. In order to draw Chris Meloni back into the fold, there needed to be a difference in approach: to have a longer perspective of how or why Stabler does what he does. With the S2 premiere of "Organized Crime": "The Man With No Identity", the aspect of being a different character and bringing that chameleon status obviously is what appeals to the actor. After many years, understandably, maybe Stabler as a character became stale to a point while Mariska Hargitay's Olivia Benson might have suited more her personality. The original exit of Stabler seemed abrupt of course so the coda here makes much more sense. Some of the strife in terms of the focal point of Stabler's approach and investigation still lurks vaguely but this season explores an undercover approach that is both dangerous but also skirts a lttle bit of suspension of disbelief. Stabler has long worked in certain circles so even with a large goatee he would still be recognizable.

That said, the new season does follow the infiltration of an Armenian crime family led by Vinnie Jones, who has become a bit older and bulkier but still maintains that darkness. Dash Mihok, after an interesting turn on "Ray Donovan", plays his guy in much better shape but again the path seems to feed towards a downfall which he can play well. Stabler's personal life is on display but seems disconnected which likely is precisely the point. The balance of loyalty but also how far Stabler can skirt the line before mortality becomes a point of interest is also probably the point as well. The approach, even peripherally, of Stabler going out in grand fashion in terms of "The Godfather" actually has some interesting consequences that we don't often see on Dick Wolf's shows with a major character. This, of course, depends where the season goes and how far it can adjust in this texture, especially on network. But Stabler's risk is going in a different direction. As indicated, he left the force to live a quiet life but the consequence of his wife's murder leading into the series definitely gives the proceeds weight. And with the new season, considering there were only 4 episodes of S1 (obviously abbreviated because of the pandemic) simply built the superstructure, so the twists to come are definitely anticipated. B+

By Tim Wassberg