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What’s the Story?

Reviewed by Liz Perle

Part police procedural, part courtroom drama, the long-running series LAW & ORDER gets its story inspiration from real crimes. Detectives Joe Fontana (Dennis Farina) and Edward Green (Jesse L. Martin) lead the criminal investigations. Their supervisor is precinct lieutenant Anita Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkerson). In the second half of the show, the focus shifts to the criminal courts, as Executive Assistant District Attorney Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) and Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Borgia (Annie Parisse) work within a complicated justice system to prosecute the accused under the guidance of District Attorney Arthur Branch (Fred Thompson).

Is It Any Good?

4

The show's "ripped from the headlines" mantra makes engaging -- but fictional -- drama. Key to the series' success is its first rate cast. Because of both the subject matter and the details of the courtroom procedures, this is not a show for kids.

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