Rent or buy TV shows on YouTube or Google TV
Purchasing TV shows is no longer available on Google Play

Law & Order

1990
4.6
59 reviews
Eligible

Season 8 episodes (24)

1 Thrill
9/24/97
A young delivery man is found shot to death and the murder trail leads Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) to the two teenagers who placed the order. When McCoy (Sam Waterston) and Ross (Carey Lowell) realize that one of the suspects' confessions is protected in the name of religion, they strike a deal to ensure that justice is served. Donna Murphy ('Murder One') guest-stars as defense attorney Carla Tyrell. S. Epatha Merkerson and Steven Hill also stars.
2 Denial
10/8/97
In this ripped-from-the-headlines plot, Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) are summoned to a cheap motel where a maid has found bloody sheets but no clues to what crime has been committed. Following the trail of a stolen credit card, the detectives stumble upon two teenagers who they suspect may have killed their newborn baby. McCoy (Sam Waterston) and Ross' (Carey Lowell) case against the lovers is thin. A disturbing find brings about a surprising twist. S. Epatha Merkerson and Steven Hill also star.
3 Navy Blues
10/15/97
An investigation into the murder of a Navy officer helps Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) crack a rash of murder/muggings. But when the two cases are proved unrelated they find themselves up against the Navy. Later, McCoy (Sam Waterston) and Ross (Carey Lowell) do battle to win jurisdiction and confidential information. Patti LuPone reprises her role as defense attorney Ruth Miller. S. Epatha Merkerson and Steven Hill also star.
4 Harvest
10/29/97
Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) are called in to investigate a random drive-by shooting, but the victim's husband seems to know more than he's telling. Later, after the shooter is found, McCoy (Sam Waterson) and Ross (Carey Lowell) discover a discrepancy in the medical reports that unleashes a bevy of questions, like who's to blame - the gunmen or a doctor (guest star Michael Nouri) with a growing 'God complex'? S. Epatha Merkerson and Steven Hill co-star.
5 Nullification
11/5/97
A security guard is killed and another is injured when a New York State betting facility is robbed by three masked gunmen. Upon investigation, Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) are led to a quiet suburb - and a militia that does its recruiting over the Internet. Later in court, McCoy (Sam Waterston) is pitted against the outspoken leader of the group and finds himself questioning his beliefs - and his and Ross' (Carey Lowell) safety. S. Epatha Merkerson and Steven Hill also star.
6 Baby, It's You (Pt. 1)
11/11/97
Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) investigate the death of a 14 year-old fashion model and find that the cause of death was toxic shock syndrome. It is later discovered that although the girl died in New York, the toxic shock was triggered by a violent sexual assault that may have taken place at the victim's home in Baltimore. While the victim's parents retain an attorney (guest star Dan Hedeya, 'Cheers') to protect themselves, Detectives Briscoe and Curtis enlist the help of Baltimore Detectives Munch (Richard Belzer, 'Homicide: Life on the Street') and Falsone (Jon Seda, 'Homicide: Life on the Street') to assist in the Baltimore end of the investigation.
7 Blood
11/19/97
Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) are called to the scene when a new mother takes a leap off her balcony. The case becomes complicated when the baby is nowhere to be found -- and the evidence seems to show that the victim was pushed. When McCoy (Sam Waterston) and Ross (Carey Lowell) dig deeper, they discover a husband with a dark secret and an ex-wife with a serious problem. S. Epatha Merkerson and Steven Hill also star.
8 Shadow
11/26/97
The murder of a bail bondsman leads Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) to discover a dirty lawyer who bribes his clients. McCoy (Sam Waterston) and Ross (Carey Lowell) teeter on the brink of good judgment when they set up a mock trial to nab the lawyer and uncover his connection within the District Attorney's office. S. Epatha Merkerson and Steven Hill also star.
9 Burned
12/10/97
A murder confession left on the wrong answering machine prompts Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) to reopen a two-year-old arson case that claimed the life of a little girl. The evidence leads to the victim's teenage stepbrother -- an unstable kid sheltered by his politically connected grandfather (guest star Robert Vaughn, 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.'), a longtime friend of D.A. Schiff's (Steven Hill) with a secret of his own. Anne Jackson guest-stars as Judge Simons. Carey Lowell, Sam Waterston and S. Epatha Merkerson also star.
10 Ritual
12/17/97
Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) jump to the wrong conclusions when an Egyptian man is found murdered. But the case turns more bizarre when Ross (Carey Lowell) discovers that the prime suspect, a visiting doctor thought to be a terrorist, specializes in female circumcision. Later, McCoy (Sam Waterston) faces a moral dilemma when the case comes to trial. S. Epatha Merkerson and Steven Hill also star.
11 Under The Influence
1/7/98
A hit-and-run accident that claims the lives of an elderly millionaire and a father and his young son hits Detective Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) close to home and brings back painful memories for McCoy (Sam Waterston). In court, McCoy's motives and a judge's political agenda make Ross (Carey Lowell) uneasy. Jerry Orbach and S. Epatha Merkerson also star.
12 Expert
1/21/98
When a forensic expert is the target of a botched assassination in a restaurant bathroom, Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) must piece together the motive of a seemingly unassociated suspect. Later, McCoy (Sam Waterston) and Ross (Carey Lowell) stumble upon evidence that questions the ethics of the good doctor. S. Epatha Merkerson and Steven Hill also star.
13 Cast-Off
1/28/98
Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) find themselves tracking a charismatic serial killer when they investigate the shooting of a doctor with a shining reputation -- and a dangerous sex life. Later, McCoy (Sam Waterston) and Ross (Carey Lowell) go up against a lawyer with a unique defense -- the murders are the result of too much television. S. Epatha Merkerson and Steven Hill also star.
14 Grief
2/4/98
When a man is found brutally beaten, Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) must piece together a motive before they can find the culprits. A pair of protective brothers shed light on the case but confusion ensues as to who should be prosecuted for what crime. Later, Ross (Carey Lowell) discovers a shocking twist involving an unlikely accomplice. Sam Waterston, S. Epatha Merkerson and Steven Hill also star.
15 Faccia A Faccia
2/25/98
When a partially dressed corpse is discovered, Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) find themselves faced with a dead FBI witness, an overeager hitman and a Mafia capo who's finding it hard to remember his own name. Schiff (Steven Hill) pushes to prosecute the mob for murder but complications force McCoy (Sam Waterston) and Ross (Carey Lowell) to find other alternatives. S. Epatha Merkerson also stars.
16 Divorce
3/4/98
Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) unwittingly become embroiled in a messy divorce case when a psychologist is found stabbed to death only days before she was to present an annulment evaluation. Later, McCoy (Sam Waterston) and Ross' (Carey Lowell) proceedings are manipulated by the suspect's ethically challenged lawyer (guest-starring two-time Oscar nominee Jill Clayburgh, 'An Unmarried Woman'). S. Epatha Merkerson and Steven Hill also star.
17 Carrier
4/1/98
Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) find themselves in a dilemma about who is responsible for a young girl found shot to death in her bedroom following a wild party. Is the suspect the one who pulled the trigger or is there someone else who needs to be stopped from murdering more innocent women? McCoy (Sam Waterston) and Ross (Carey Lowell) must work around the law without destroying what they stand for -- the right to privacy. S. Epatha Merkerson and Steven Hill also star.
18 Stalker
4/15/98
When a woman is found unconscious at the bottom of her apartment stairs, Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) must figure out what happened -- before it's too late. In order to make his case, McCoy (Sam Waterston) pits Briscoe and Curtis against each other in the courtroom. Carey Lowell, S. Epatha Merkerson and Steven Hill also star.
19 Disappeared
4/22/98
Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) try to unravel the mystery of a high-class couple who disappear from their apartment. When their key suspect also vanishes, their only lead is a man cautious about divulging any information before he makes a deal with Ross (Carey Lowell). Facing a choice that could cost Ross her reputation, McCoy (Sam Waterston) and Ross try to honor their informant's request -- and serve justice at the same time. S. Epatha Merkerson and Steven Hill also star. Donna Hanover reprises her role as Judge Deborah Bourke and Tovah Feldshuh reprises her role as defense attorney Danielle Melnick.
20 Burden
4/24/98
When Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) are called in to investigate the death of a 13-year-old quadriplegic boy, they are puzzled by the clues. After a suspect is found, McCoy (Sam Waterston) and Ross (Carey Lowell) find evidence that questions whether the murder was motivated by mercy - or thrills. Steven Hill and S. Epatha Merkerson also star.
21 Bad Girl
4/29/98
Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) investigate the murder of a police officer found stabbed in Central Park. The killer's sudden religious 'conversion' forces McCoy (Sam Waterston) and Ross (Carey Lowell) to battle over the death penalty. The outcome of the case and an old enemy's (guest star Robert Vaughn) grudge endanger Schiff's (Steven Hill) chances for re-election. Meanwhile, Briscoe finds himself in a tough spot after his daughter is arrested for dealing drugs. Cliff Gorman also returns to guest-star as Judge Gary Feldman. S. Epatha Merkerson also stars.
22 Damaged
5/6/98
Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) investigate when two teachers are shot in a high school parking lot and a group of male students have sex with a developmentally disabled girl in an unused part of the school. McCoy (Sam Waterston) and Ross (Carey Lowell) must prove the case involves rape instead of consensual sex because they believe the girl did not have the sense to say no. S. Epatha Merkerson and Steven Hill also star.
23 Tabloid
5/13/98
Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) investigate when a female law professor who is a noted public figure is chased by a tabloid journalist into the street and killed by a car. Her husband, who is also from a well-known 'Kennedy-esque' family, fights to keep some of his own family secrets out of the press. Sam Waterston, Carey Lowell, S. Epatha Merkerson and Steve Hill also star.
24 Monster
5/20/98
In this season finale, a young African-American girl is found sexually abused, badly beaten and near death in the basement of an apartment building. Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) must search for the 'monster' who committed the vicious assault. Their investigation is slow, due to a lack of cooperation from 'the bosses' that may have to do with Lt. Van Buren's (S. Epatha Merkerson) lawsuit against the department. While the young girl hangs on to life, District Attorneys McCoy (Sam Waterston) and Ross (Carey Lowell) must find a way to work within the law to convict the abuser. Will the judge be fair, or will his past conflicts with McCoy and his attempt to unseat Schiff (Steven Hill) as District Attorney in the upcoming re-election get in the way? Meanwhile, Ross is torn between her career and having custody of her daughter, and Briscoe struggles with the death of his daughter.

About this show

In the criminal justice system the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the police who investigate crime and the district attorneys who prosecute the offenders. These are their stories. From Emmy-winning creator Dick Wolf, with its groundbreaking "ripped-from-the-headlines" format, comes the highly-acclaimed, longest-running crime series in television history.

Ratings and reviews

4.6
59 reviews
austen wilson
October 29, 2015
Its best show to ever from seson 1 to the present before the chief goes over to svu
Did you find this helpful?
Hannah Victoria Farrell
April 10, 2015
The best show I have ever seen in the entire world truly outstanding
6 people found this review helpful
Did you find this helpful?
Kathryn M
October 4, 2021
Up to season 10 (maybe 12) this is the best police drama.
Did you find this helpful?

Rate this show

Tell us what you think.