Heaven (26 Nov. 1991)

An arson at an Hispanic social club that killed 53 people is related to a powerful Cuban, an INS agent, and the sale of fake green cards.

Director:

Edwin Sherin

Writers:

Dick Wolf (creator), Nancy Ann Miller (teleplay),

Stars:

Paul Sorvino, Chris Noth, Dann Florek

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Paul Sorvino	...	Sergeant Phil Cerreta
Chris Noth	...	Detective Mike Logan
Dann Florek	...	Captain Donald Cragen
Michael Moriarty	...	Executive A.D.A. Ben Stone
Richard Brooks	...	A.D.A. Paul Robinette
Steven Hill	...	D.A. Adam Schiff
José Pérez	...	Roberto Diaz
Lisa Emery	...	Katrina Van Brocklen
Luis Guzmán	...	Cesar Pescador
Victor Campos	...	Domingo Guerra
Robert Hogan	...	Patrick Monahan
Phyllis Somerville	...	Kristen Cameron, Head Nurse
Tom Tammi	...	James Collins
Gil Rogers	...	Ireland
Raul Aranas	...	Oscar Vergilio

Storyline

Based on a real life event that happened in 1990. Ceretta and Logan investigate the fire of a social club where illegal immigrants frequented. With over 50 people killed in the blaze, the pressure is on both Ceretta and Logan to find clues as to why it happened, who was behind it and where will it lead?

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

---

Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 November 1991 (USA)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Wolf Films, Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

[viewing bodies of people killed in a fire]
Det. Mike Logan: I've never seen this many. You?
Sgt. Phil Cerreta: Not in civilian life.

---

Connections

References The Godfather (1972)

User Reviews

Heaven on Fire.

A nightclub, El Cielo, burns down, killing fifty-three Latinos, most Salvadoreans, mostly working class, and mostly illegal. Cerreta and Logan find that it was deliberate arson and finally track down the fumbling executor of the plan, Luiz Guzman, he of the broadly pinched face. The arson was designed as revenge for someone's having peddled badly faked green cards. Guzman's confession draws in a friend of Ben Stone's in the local INS office. Ben's friend refers to their college experience "in New Hampshire." In more than one episode, there is some sly reference to Michael Moriarty's real alma mater, Dartmouth, in Hanover, New Hampshire. The trail leads to the Cuban Godfather and a subordinate of his. Everybody gets what they deserve, except the victims.

Well up to the standards set by the other episodes in the early years. One of the features that made this series distinctive is on display here. The writers appear to have done their homework. They know their way around the Latino milieu in New York City, or at least they appear to.

For instance, we learn the Spanish slang term for green car. We also see the superior attitude shown by some Cubanos towards recent arrivals from Central America, like the Salvadoreans. The older Cubans were disproportionately wealthy professionals fleeing Fidel Castro. They were, by and large, quiet, respectable, and gangless. When I was a kid you could walk without trepidation through Cuban neighborhoods, and buy a cup of espresso for a nickel. You would hesitate before trying that in some other Latino neighborhoods.

This episode lacks a trial but it isn't missed. The denouement is given in a printed epilogue.