In a case somewhat reminiscent of the suit against a certain former POTUS, at the height of the pre-pandemic "Me Too" craze, Sam Waterston sings his swan song as Jack McCoy.
A woman is found dead in Central Park and, initially, suspicion is focused on an early-bird hot dog vendor with a prior conviction for sexual assault. Then, the cops latch on to a Princeton graduate who's like a cross between Donald Chump and Steve Jobs. In short, a billionaire who thinks he's literally above the law.
When Mr. Princeton's personal friend, the Mayor, pressures MCoy's Senior Assistant DA to offer a misdemeanor-level plea deal to the billionaire suspect to avoid being fired in public disgrace by McCoy's political opponent, MCoy takes over as prosecutor and wins. He then resigns in order to force the governor of New York State to appoint a new Chief District Attorney for Manhattan.
I love the wistful way he gazes at the court house as he walks off into the night. Because it made me just as wistful!
I remember the episode in which Sam Waterston first debuted as Jack McCoy. Arriving at the courthouse parking lot in a black leather jacket and motorcycle helmet while dismounting a Harley-Davidson! I also remember when he got on the wrong side of a senile judge and wound up in city jail for contempt of court. But, my favorite McCoy-centric episode is the one where the cops thought they had arrested a copycat killer. Only to determine that he was also guilty of the original murder.
Meaning the Bronx resident doing time for that first murder is innocent!
MCCoy tries to get the latter unconditonally pardoned. But, the state appellate court in Albany splits down political party lines. So, McCoy--in an effort at being bitterly sarcastic without going to jail for it--exclaims:
"I find this court's reluctance...difficult to fathom!"
Jack McCoy was a master of eloquent venom. And, as played by Sam Waterston, he will be sorely missed.
A woman is found dead in Central Park and, initially, suspicion is focused on an early-bird hot dog vendor with a prior conviction for sexual assault. Then, the cops latch on to a Princeton graduate who's like a cross between Donald Chump and Steve Jobs. In short, a billionaire who thinks he's literally above the law.
When Mr. Princeton's personal friend, the Mayor, pressures MCoy's Senior Assistant DA to offer a misdemeanor-level plea deal to the billionaire suspect to avoid being fired in public disgrace by McCoy's political opponent, MCoy takes over as prosecutor and wins. He then resigns in order to force the governor of New York State to appoint a new Chief District Attorney for Manhattan.
I love the wistful way he gazes at the court house as he walks off into the night. Because it made me just as wistful!
I remember the episode in which Sam Waterston first debuted as Jack McCoy. Arriving at the courthouse parking lot in a black leather jacket and motorcycle helmet while dismounting a Harley-Davidson! I also remember when he got on the wrong side of a senile judge and wound up in city jail for contempt of court. But, my favorite McCoy-centric episode is the one where the cops thought they had arrested a copycat killer. Only to determine that he was also guilty of the original murder.
Meaning the Bronx resident doing time for that first murder is innocent!
MCCoy tries to get the latter unconditonally pardoned. But, the state appellate court in Albany splits down political party lines. So, McCoy--in an effort at being bitterly sarcastic without going to jail for it--exclaims:
"I find this court's reluctance...difficult to fathom!"
Jack McCoy was a master of eloquent venom. And, as played by Sam Waterston, he will be sorely missed.