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| Law & Order | |
|---|---|
| Season 12 | |
 Season 12 U.S. DVD cover | |
| No. of episodes | 24 |
| Release | |
| Original network | NBC |
| Original release | September 26, 2001 (2001-09-26) – May 22, 2002 (2002-05-22) |
| Season chronology | |
| ← Previous Season 11 Next → Season 13 | |
| List of episodes | |
The following is a list of Law & Order episodes from the series twelfth season, which originally aired from September 26, 2001 to May 22, 2002. This season is the last season to feature Dianne Wiest as DA Nora Lewin and the first to feature Elisabeth Röhm as ADA Serena Southerlyn.
Cast
Season 12 began with an unchanged cast. Serena Southerlyn (played by Elisabeth Röhm) replaced season 11's Abbie Carmichael (Angie Harmon in the role of Assistant District Attorney).
Main cast
- Jerry Orbach as Senior Detective Lennie Briscoe
- Jesse L. Martin as Junior Detective Ed Green
- S. Epatha Merkerson as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren
- Sam Waterston as Executive Assistant District Attorney Jack McCoy
- Elisabeth Röhm as Assistant District Attorney Serena Southerlyn
- Dianne Wiest as Interim District Attorney Nora Lewin
Recurring cast
- Leslie Hendrix as Dr. Elizabeth Rodgers
Episodes
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | U.S. viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 254 | 1 | "Who Let the Dogs Out?" | Don Scardino | Kathy McCormick & Douglas Stark | September 26, 2001 (2001-09-26) | E2208 | 20.68 |
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The investigation into the death of Sandy Meekin a jogger mauled by a vicious dog leads to an Attica inmate, his attorneys, and an underground dog-fighting ring.
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| 255 | 2 | "Armed Forces" | Martha Mitchell | Richard Sweren & Sean Jablonski | October 3, 2001 (2001-10-03) | E2210 | 22.55 |
| The fatal stabbing of Joseph Eastman a man leads to the discovery of his status as a Vietnam war veteran and the truths uncovered about an incident that occurred with him and three former soldiers in his division. | |||||||
| 256 | 3 | "For Love or Money" | Constantine Makris | Wendy Battles & Sean Jablonski | October 10, 2001 (2001-10-10) | E2207 | 22.07 |
| The death of Ronnie Buck a parolee, who was a hit man, leads to a wealthy widow and daughter who may have hired him to kill their rich relative. | |||||||
| 257 | 4 | "Soldier of Fortune" | Richard Dobbs | Barry Schindel | October 24, 2001 (2001-10-24) | E2206 | 21.39 |
| The daring daylight kidnapping of a diamond dealer which results in two murders at the scene uncovers an international dynasty of blood diamonds sales and its links to a foreign civil war. | |||||||
| 258 | 5 | "Possession" | James Quinn | Robert Palm | October 31, 2001 (2001-10-31) | E2202 | 18.07 |
| Investigating the murder of Virginia Boone a woman in a rent-controlled apartment, Green and Briscoe initially turn their attention to janitor Roberto Ramos, who had been given a cash gift of $5,000 by the deceased but claimed he didn't remember her when questioned. But it isn't long before the detectives discover that she was engaged in a long-running battle with her landlord and had been blocking the potentially lucrative sale of the building. | |||||||
| 259 | 6 | "Formerly Famous" | Richard Dobbs | Wendy Battles & Marc Guggenheim | November 7, 2001 (2001-11-07) | E2201 | 18.96 |
|
The shooting death of a former singer's wife leads the detectives to investigate his manager and sons after his explanation of the events surrounding her death have no credibility.
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| 260 | 7 | "Myth of Fingerprints" | David Platt | S : Eric Overmyer; T : Terri Kopp & Aaron Zelman | November 14, 2001 (2001-11-14) | E2209 | 20.42 |
| A murder investigation uncovers deliberately faulty forensics in the wrongful conviction of two men 12 years earlier in the case that paved the way for Van Buren's promotion. | |||||||
| 261 | 8 | "The Fire This Time" | David Platt | David Black | November 21, 2001 (2001-11-21) | E2205 | 17.77 |
| When a building is set ablaze, a girl must be identified despite her fatal burns. Through further investigation, it turns out that an extreme environmentalist group struck the match. | |||||||
| 262 | 9 | "3 Dawg Night" | Stephen Wertimer | S : Aaron Zelman; S/T : Richard Sweren | November 28, 2001 (2001-11-28) | E2203 | 20.22 |
| When a celebrity is implicated in a nightclub murder, McCoy and Southerlyn battle the flaks who attempt to insulate their client from any involvement or interrogation. | |||||||
| 263 | 10 | "Prejudice" | Ed Sherin | Jill Goldsmith | December 12, 2001 (2001-12-12) | E2213 | 19.39 |
| The murder of Thomas Reddick a magazine publishing company's black CEO leads to a suspect who has a clear streak of racism and whose attorney intends on using that as a mental defect. | |||||||
| 264 | 11 | "The Collar" | Matthew Penn | Richard Sweren | January 9, 2002 (2002-01-09) | E2214 | 19.95 |
| The death of Father Grady a cleric leads the detectives to a priest who was given information by a murder suspect outside of the church but insists that he can't discuss anything about it, bringing McCoy to question whether the confessional seal should apply. | |||||||
| 265 | 12 | "Undercovered" | Jace Alexander | Wendy Battles & Noah Baylin | January 16, 2002 (2002-01-16) | E2220 | 21.17 |
| The father of a dying girl gets his revenge on an insurance executive who denied a leukemia treatment for his daughter. One problem arises when the father is technically on both sides of the law. | |||||||
| 266 | 13 | "DR 1-102" | Richard Dobbs | Marc Guggenheim & Aaron Zelman | January 30, 2002 (2002-01-30) | E2216 | 20.56 |
| The bludgeoning of two women in their apartment leads the detectives to a suspect who has taken a hostage while demanding legal representation. Southerlyn's actions to secure the hostage's release, while heroic, result in disbarment proceedings against her for violation of Disciplinary Rule 1-102. | |||||||
| 267 | 14 | "Missing" | David Platt | S : Barry Schindel; T : Eric Overmyer & Matt Witten | February 6, 2002 (2002-02-06) | E2212 | 18.95 |
| When a girl's parents frantically search for her, Briscoe and Green see that the girl's belongings were packed up in her apartment. They learn that the girl had been seeing a married man — her boss. When the boss is brought up on charges, his wife sheds some new evidence. | |||||||
| 268 | 15 | "Access Nation" | Constantine Makris | Sean Jablonski & Terri Kopp | February 27, 2002 (2002-02-27) | E2215 | 17.90 |
| The murder of Tracy Conley a psychologist leads to a case involving a computer company that sells information and their responsibility in shielding their clients' history in order to serve their needs. | |||||||
| 269 | 16 | "Born Again" | Jace Alexander | S : William N. Fordes; T : Jill Goldsmith & Matt Witten | March 6, 2002 (2002-03-06) | E2204 | 20.09 |
| The investigation into the death of Paula Weston an 11-year-old girl uncovers the possible culpability of the child's mother and a rebirthing therapist. | |||||||
| 270 | 17 | "Girl Most Likely" | Steve Shill | Lynn Mamet | March 27, 2002 (2002-03-27) | E2227 | 19.25 |
| When Julie Cade a high school student is found dead in an apartment building, Briscoe and Green suspect that the murder was a result of her getting a message board shut down. As McCoy and Southerlyn investigate the case further, they realize that her best friend, who was reluctant to come forward as a witness, may be the answer to the murder. | |||||||
| 271 | 18 | "Equal Rights" | James Quinn | Terri Kopp | April 3, 2002 (2002-04-03) | E2221 | 18.93 |
| A stock analyst's murder leads the detectives to a corporation whose stock had fallen. | |||||||
| 272 | 19 | "Slaughter" | Constantine Makris | Rob Wright | April 10, 2002 (2002-04-10) | E2218 | 19.54 |
| The investigation of Andrew Hatcher a student's killing leads to a case involving meat contamination at a food service. | |||||||
| 273 | 20 | "Dazzled" | Lewis H. Gould | Eric Overmyer & Matt Witten | April 24, 2002 (2002-04-24) | E2224 | 19.15 |
| When Katy Snyder a "gold digging" wife is found dead, there are plenty of possible perpetrators. Her husband has become "whipped" and blinded by his young wife and then messes up his story to Briscoe and Green. When he finally comes around, it seems that the wife's ex-boyfriend was getting revenge for being fired from a contracting job. The medical examiner uncovers some more clues which point to a bitter alcoholic ex-wife. Eventually, the criminal comes forward but the only crime she has committed is trying to save her family. | |||||||
| 274 | 21 | "Foul Play" | Richard Dobbs | Richard Sweren & Stuart Feldman | May 1, 2002 (2002-05-01) | E2222 | 19.30 |
| The investigation into the death of Mike Drucker a private investigator uncovers corruption, deceit, and immigration fraud in a Youth Baseball League whose manager will go to any lengths to win. | |||||||
| 275 | 22 | "Attorney Client" | Matthew Penn | Jill Goldsmith | May 8, 2002 (2002-05-08) | E2225 | 19.77 |
| The wife of an attorney with many disgruntled clients is killed, but the detectives believe that he was the intended target as he was willing to reveal information despite confidentiality agreements. As the investigation continues, his tumultuous love life is exposed and the prosecutors are suspicious of his desire to return to the courtroom. | |||||||
| 276 | 23 | "Oxymoron" | Constantine Makris | Michael Harbert | May 15, 2002 (2002-05-15) | E2217 | 18.30 |
| The murder of Eliza Glazer a young doctor leads Briscoe and Green to her involvement in an underground oxycodone ring, of which the leaders have hatched a plan to con McCoy and Southerlyn out of a trial. | |||||||
| 277 | 24 | "Patriot" | David Platt | William N. Fordes & Sean Jablonski | May 22, 2002 (2002-05-22) | E2226 | 19.51 |
|
A tenement building explodes and the lone victim is Joseph Haden. The building was rent controlled and there had been a tenant strike, so the police initially suspect arson. But the landlord doesn't have insurance, ruling out their arson theory, and the medical examiner discovers that Haden's neck was broken and he was tied up before the explosion happened. Trying to figure out Haden is even more difficult. He didn't appear to have a family or a girlfriend and never got any substantial mail. He worked at the Jiffy Job service station making minimum wage, yet had $90,000 in the bank. Briscoe and Green do some more digging and find out that Haden was using an alias, and his real name was Yusuf Haddad.
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Notes
 | This section contains a list of miscellaneous information. Please relocate any relevant information into other sections or articles. (May 2022) |
- In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, the main title voiceover by Steven Zirnkilton was changed for the first few episodes to include the following dedication: "On September 11, 2001, New York City was ruthlessly and criminally attacked. While no tribute can ever heal the pain of that day, the producers of Law & Order dedicate this season to the victims and their families and to the firefighters and police officers who remind us with their lives and courage what it truly means to be an American". This voiceover was also heard at the beginning of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.
- Throughout the season, police in the series are seen wearing black mourning bands on their badges, as was done by the NYPD following September 11.
- Elisabeth Röhm joins the cast as ADA Serena Southerlyn in this season.
- This is the final season to feature Dianne Wiest as IDA Nora Lewin.
- In the episode "Attorney Client," Annie Parisse plays a stripper named Jasmine Blake before assuming a regular role on the series as ADA Alexandra Borgia, Season 15, Episode 14.
- Barry Schindel, Jeffrey M. Hayes, and Peter Jankowski serve as executive producers this season, René Balcer having left to be the executive producer for the series's second spin-off, Law & Order: Criminal Intent (Balcer left CI after the 5th season and returned to L&O in its 17th season).
- The second Law & Order spinoff, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, debuted at the time of this season.
References
- "National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 24-30)". The Los Angeles Times. October 3, 2001. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 1-7)". The Los Angeles Times. October 10, 2001. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 8-14)". The Los Angeles Times. October 17, 2001. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 22-28)". The Los Angeles Times. October 31, 2001. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 29-Nov. 4)". The Los Angeles Times. November 7, 2001. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 5–11)". The Los Angeles Times. November 14, 2001. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 12-18)". The Los Angeles Times. November 21, 2001. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 19-25)". The Los Angeles Times. November 28, 2001. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- "National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 26-Dec. 2)". The Los Angeles Times. December 5, 2001. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Top 20 Network Primetime Report". Zap2it. Archived from the original on April 27, 2003. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
- "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 7-13)". The Los Angeles Times. January 16, 2002. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 14–20)". The Los Angeles Times. January 25, 2002. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- "National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 28–Feb. 3)". The Los Angeles Times. February 6, 2002. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 4–10)". The Los Angeles Times. February 13, 2002. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- "National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 25-March 3)". The Los Angeles Times. March 6, 2002. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- "National Nielsen Viewership (March 4–10)". The Los Angeles Times. March 13, 2002. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- "National Nielsen Viewership (March 25–31)". The Los Angeles Times. April 3, 2002. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- "National Nielsen Viewership (April 1–7)". The Los Angeles Times. April 10, 2002. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- "National Nielsen Viewership (April 8–14)". The Los Angeles Times. April 17, 2002. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- "National Nielsen Viewership (April 22–28)". The Los Angeles Times. May 1, 2002. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- "National Nielsen Viewership (April 29-May 5)". The Los Angeles Times. May 8, 2002. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- "National Nielsen Viewership (May 6–12)". The Los Angeles Times. May 15, 2002. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- "National Nielsen Viewership (May 13–19)". The Los Angeles Times. May 22, 2002. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- "National Nielsen Viewership (May 20–26)". The Los Angeles Times. May 30, 2002. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
External links
| Preceded by Season Eleven (2000-2001) |
List of Law & Order seasons (1990-2010) |
Succeeded by Season Thirteen (2002-2003) |
| Law & Order | |||||
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