OG ‘Law & Order’ is Now Streaming

They were streaming on Peacock for a long time.

Only the late seasons, R1. Hence “OG” in the thread title. You couldn’t get anything before season 13 on Peacock, and you still can’t today.

LOVE this! I have the DVD box set, but it is a hassle to pull them out.

I can’t imagine what it’s like going on a binge with a DVD box set, R3. 😭 Streaming is way better.

Got them from the usual places many years ago... I only kept the OG from 1-16, though -- after that, it was all downhill.

Jerry Orbach made that show.

It is in widescreen for me? Not a complaint, but I thought it would be in 4:3.

Still a subscription.

It’s in widescreen for me, R6.

For the longest time, it was as if the Michael Moriarty seasons didn’t even exist. I can recall some stations, after running through the entire series (this was before it got rebooted), cycling back to the introduction of Sam Waterston in season five instead of the first season with Moriarty. I almost fell off my chair a couple of years ago when I happened to surf past an episode one day and it featured Moriarty.

Obviously, this was due to the enormous popularity of Waterston and the Jack McCoy character, which I totally understand. The man was fabulous.

Moriarty is an extreme right wing conspiracy kook.

I’ve never watched an episode, not even a moment, of this television fixture.

It's no Storefront Lawyers.

New York before it was turned into a suburban shopping mall.

[QUOTE] I’ve never watched an episode, not even a moment, of this television fixture.

This should be a source of embarrassment for you, not pride.

Embarrassed, R14?! About not watching a television show?! Not in the least. By the way, I can make the same claim about the CSI franchise, too.

Then why are you on this thread, freak?

Why are you bragging about not experiencing something, r15? You must be some kind of religious freak who takes pride in abstaining from fun things.

Wow, does Chris Noth have a honker on him! Look at that thing.

R18, it works for him. Too bad about him being an asshole/sex pest.

[QUOTE] Embarrassed, R14?! About not watching a television show?! Not in the least. By the way, I can make the same claim about the CSI franchise, too.

Yes, embarrassed, R14. Nothing wrong with never seeing an episode of CSI, but Law & Order is way better and you should at least give it a try.

Sorry, meant R15 there.

Jerry Orbach is extremely comforting

I'd ruin a young Chris Noth. DUN DUN

[QUOTE] Jerry Orbach is extremely comforting

He made us want to believe that the world was guarded by tough but fair crime stoppers like Lennie Briscoe.

Does anyone know if they are the full episodes as originally aired?

I've been watching L&O: Criminal Intent on some fly-by-night channel on YouTubeTV,, and I'm pretty sure some scenes are edited out to fit in yet another three-minute ad for St. Jude's or supplemental Medicare insurance. Sometimes it really affects the plot. For example, the episode in which Merritt Wever and the woman who played young Judy Garland in that TV movie play nannies who are obsessed with a soap opera and wind up killing some guy, they find a row of peas next to the body. I'm pretty sure in the original episode this was explained as lining up peas was the Wever character's way of keeping control of things while she was in an institution. In the episode I watched last night, they just find the peas and it's never brought up again. (Wever is amazing in the episode, BTW. Her performance in her final scene is shocking and amazing.)

II might start L&O: Original Recipe again if the episodes are complete.

They are the full episodes as far as I know, R25.

R24 YES!

He was there for me when my parents divorced

The death of my grandparents

College and law school finals

Studying for the Bar

And countless other times I was depressed, anxious, and trying to overcome my inner demons

Where am I? Watch me!

I can't believe R25's persuaded me to look at my L&Os for a row of peas.

BTW, it's Season 13, Episode 1. I'll let you know.

Nope, I was wrong. Not that episode. I'll try again.

Chris Noth was so hot.

The "Pea" episode is season 2, episode 7 of CI. It's called "Tomorrow."

A Law & Order thread is always a great time to tip the hat to Leslie Hendrix, ME Elizabeth Rogers. More than one hundred episodes of L&O. More than 100 episodes of L&O:Ci and quite a few appearances on SVU and the other, lesser L&Os. It's intimated Rogers dated both Danny Rodd and Lennie Briscoe in various episodes.

Also, Hendrix was the understudy for Jessica Lange in "A Streetcar Named Desire" and Kathleen Turner in "Indiscretions."

Hopefully, she's financially comfortable from all of her her short, sharp scenes.

Now the stories are ripped from the history books.

I just watched the episode where Van Buren kills a kid during a robbery. That has to be one of the best. It’s like a one hour movie.

[quote]It's intimated Rogers dated both Danny Rodd and Lennie Briscoe in various episodes.

Who?

"Danny Rodd" sounds like a porn star.

Sorry...It's ROSS.

My finger messed up.

R24- In 1976 he was hawking the NEW Chevrolet.

What I love about Law & Order is that it gave a ton of professional theater actors work in television.

George Grizzard, Philip Bosco, Elaine Stritch, Jerry Stiller, Tovah Feldshuh, Jeffrey DeMunn, Pati Lu Pone, and many others were memorable and regular defense attorneys who gained more recognition on the stage than in film or television.

Even Edie Falco pre-Sopranos was practically a series regular as a shrewd and fast-talking defense attorney.

Oh, it's CI, R32!! We were taking about the OG here, so I just assumed. I'll have to dig out the CI.

Was Hudson University as dangerous back then as it is today?

Woohoo. Maybe I”ll reactive my Hulu which I currently have on pause. I do need to watch the last 2 episodes of Aaron Hernandez after all. The first 6 seasons of the original L&O are some of the most riveting court room drama there is. It was so well written and the detective segments had good cunt remarks by the detectives themselves.

[quote] I'm pretty sure in the original episode this was explained as lining up peas was the Wever character's way of keeping control of things while she was in an institution. In the episode I watched last night, they just find the peas and it's never brought up again.

R25, the entire explanation of the peas, sans them knowing who the killer is, is presented at the beginning of the episode, around the 7:35 mark. See peas lined up again at the 21:10 mark, on a kitchen table, obviously by the Wever character. And that's it.

Hope that helps.

Mr. BIG is looking fine in OP's pic

The earliest seasons were the best.

Did anyone else thin Paul Robinette (Richard L. Books) was gay?

^Nope

Yeah he definitely pinged to me.

R22 and R24: Jerry Orbach and his wife were very kind and caring in real life, too. He was beloved in NYC.

Rest In Peace.

R33 I agree. Rogers was my favorite character. Snide one liners from a world weary medical examiner with ever changing hair color.

This is the best news i’ve heard all day!

R51 this is all I’ve been watching for three days now.

There have been quality rips of the DVDs on the torrent sites for years. L&O is a fixture on my media hard drive.

Riding R15’s coattails-never watched any of that. Not proud Not embarrassed just kinda not interested.

Chris Noth was hot in them days. Afraid to look up a current pic of the man-could be fatal.

Was in love with Noth’s hair.

I don't live in the U.S. but it seems every L&O spin-off airs all the fucking time on TV -- all but the original L&O, the only one worth seeing.

My enthusiasm for the old show and the old episodes has probably waned considerably, but how nice it would be to have them available on a streaming network, or even one of the TV package of channels that comes with a mobile phone and wireless package. There's a sea of terrible American police procedurals available, just not the only one worth the occasional binge watch, L&O original (less those first few seasons with that prickly Moriarty cunt )

Just started Episode1, Season 1 OP! Forever grateful…

I LOVED the original episodes and as a jaded NYer prided myself I could quickly identify every street corner even if they obscured or changed the business signs. The first year I was in NYC, I was working in film production, and shot all over the city, It really was quite different NYC and I’m kind of afraid to rewatch them and see how different it’s really become.

A coworker was the key hairstylist for the L&O series for a decade, I remember when he got the job, and I thought, “Wow! What a great job to have.” Our previous boss had a horrible habit to bounce payroll checks!

There's an OTA channel, [bold]Charge![/bold], that shows L&O CI every weeknight from 9PM-1AM.

[quote]Jerry Orbach and his wife were very kind and caring in real life, too.

Orbach was the original Billy Flynn in Broadway's Chicago and voiced the candle in Disney's animated Beauty and the Beast.

As someone who grew up in NY in the 90s and 2000s, no show does a better job of capturing the city in all its complexity and variety. The show understands that life in NY is tribal and that social interactions and expectations are governed by the customs of one’s class and race.

And the accents. No other TV show gets the subtle variations of a New York accent so right. You can understand a character’s entire backstory from just a few words by their accent.

The main cast was phenomenal. From 1990 to 2005, they had a roster of great actors who disappeared into their characters:

Chris Noth

Michael Moriarty

George Dzundza

Richard Brooks

Dan Florek

Paul Sorvino

Carolyn McCormick

Jerry Orbach

Jill Hennessy

S. Epatha Merkerson

Sam Waterston

Benjamin Bratt

Carey Lowell

Angie Harmon

Jesse L. Martin

Elisabeth Rohm

Dennis Farina

Dianne Wiest

Fred Dalton Thompson

and, of course, the ever stoic Steven Hill

Jill Hennessy is one of the most beautiful women who ever lived

Seconding the poster who commented on how Law and Order really knows how to use NYC. And they don't rub your face in it, constantly shoving it in your face, which makes it even better.

[quote]Orbach was the original Billy Flynn in Broadway's Chicago and voiced the candle in Disney's animated Beauty and the Beast.

You've never heard of a little show called "The Fantasticks"? He was the original El Gallo. The show only ran for 17,162 performances.

I enjoyed "L&O:UK" and wish it has lasted longer.

In this New York police department S Epatha Markesan goes from poor single mom living in the projects to police lieutenant in less than 3 years.

R62 agreed which makes me sad because the new York accent is literally dying.

[QUOTE] In this New York police department S Epatha Markesan goes from poor single mom living in the projects to police lieutenant in less than 3 years.

And she worked hard for it.

R70 I watched and L&O recently and one of the Judges had a very specific kind of wealthy, educated, older, Jewish lady accent. It’s not the accent my grandmother had, but it was the accent of my grandmothers rich friends.

Just from the Judge’s voice I could tell: what her education was, what her values were, how she would treat the Jewish defense attorney.

I rarely hear that accent in real life anymore. Hearing it on an old episode of L&O order evoked a very specific kind of nostalgia.

$50 that was Fran Lebowitz, R72.

R72 I think I know what you mean. Patti Lupone has it too. New York has the most universal accent among all the ethnic group while still having subtle differences based on class and race. Patti Lupone plays a defense attorney for a family whose au pair is accused of “shaken baby” ripped from those mid 90s au pair scandals.

The Execution episode was just on Sundance TV. Poor Jamie Ross. Lenny shouldn't have fallen off the wagon and had that drink.

R75 you mean Claire Kincaid (Jill Hennessy)

Fun fact, network wanted Eric La Salle. Dick Wolf wanted Richard Brooks. Wolf got what he wanted.

I loved Law and Order so much in the 90s!

Episode 2–Cynthia Nixon as subway vigilante who kills a Black kid. 35 years and still ripped from the headlines

Sarah Paulson played the Long Island Lolita in an episode lol.

I remember the episode where Patricia Clarkson played a socialite madame.

Felicity Huffman as a soccer mom who was turning tricks during the day

Allison Janney as the whistleblower on the mob

R73. I know Fran Leibowitz very well. To me, her accent is New York Jewish, but very much of the Boomer generation. You can tell she grew up in the suburbs.

The actress I was talking was talking about was Joan Copeland

Turns out she’s the sister of Arthur Miller.

You can hear her accent in this video

R81 That was the first season. She was operating a high end whorehouse. One of her gals got HIV.

There is a very good episode during the first season about a closeted gay guy. It’s done very well. I actually first saw it my freshman year of college which made realize I was gay. I just was. Took me 4 more years to finally accept it.

[quote]one of the Judges had a very specific kind of wealthy, educated, older, Jewish lady accent.

R84, subtle (ha!) humblebrag, eh? If Joan Copeland was the woman who had the accent, why didn't you just say so?

The first episode has a doctor on trial for being a drunk drink 6 bourbons in a hour lunch before being cross-examined. Come on, now.

R89. Yep the original pilot is actually episode 6 I believe. Yes I am obsessed with OG Law & Order.

Fun fact— Both Robinette and Dan Florek lost their jobs in season 4 because NBC insisted the show include some women.

I agree with those above that Jerry Orbach gave the show its spirit. It was still pretty good afterwards, just not quite as good.

R92 I agree he did leave his mark. But to me the show is actually better in the 3 seasons that predated him.

I liked the episode where Robert Klein played a Jerry Springer-type and someone was murdered on his show.

R91 Florek went on to play Cragen on SVU while Brooks became a great defense attorney.

Episode 3–N-word, F-word and R-word. Gasp.

[quote]R-word. Gasp.

Republican?

R96 Come on, it is the '90's!

Logan’s mouth can be distracting. It seems like he’s wearing lipstick. I keep thinking he rushed to work on a call while in the middle of a drag show.

Paul Sorvino is really underrated as a detective.

r49 I know this sounds weird but his death was actually sad to me. He didn't seem that old. It's crazy to think he has been dead for 20 years now.

How is that weird? The man was a national treasure. His death should’ve been sad for everybody. If I was President at the time, I would’ve addressed the nation from the Oval Office.

Twenty years! I guess it seems more recent because I still watch the show and it doesn’t seem dated.

Chris Noth can arrest me.

Season 1 is a bit odd but it does start picking up after a couple of episodes. It's so funny seeing things like break dancing and rapping in the first few episodes and the reaction by Chris Noth and his cop partner lol. I like the attorney the best of the main players. I was a middle schooler in the late 90s and I have never seen any episodes before the 7th season or so. I have some catching up to do!

Looking at the ratings history in wikipedia, I'm surprised that it didn't even hit the top 20 until it's 9th season (where it stayed until Season 15).

r105 The show really shows the Disneyfication of Manhattan through the years. The early seasons had more of a gritty vibe, even when dealing with the upper class characters who may have committed the crime Something about the first 6 seasons just seems raw.

R107, it really is a time capsule, for sure. It took place at the perfect time, pre-Giuliani, during Giuliani and post-Giuliani. But, then again, even the first two seasons of SVU were gritty and those took place in the late 90s/early 00s.

R75, thank you for catchng my mistake. Yes, I meant Claire Kincaid died in the accident. I typed that while looking at Jamie Ross.

L&O killed two ADAs; Claire and Alexandra Borgia.

There is an episode featuring Charmaine from the Sopranos. She hates the mob in the L&0 episode too. I wonder if it's a personal reflection.

[quote] Yep the original pilot is actually episode 6 I believe.

Definitely episode 6. Different tone; different structure; different visual style. Dzundza is thin; Max is not a Sgt,. Robinette is introduced as the new guy and someone else is the DA.

[quote]There is an episode featuring Charmaine from the Sopranos.

Is there an episode with Rosalie Aprile (Sharon Angela)?

She was gorgeous

Aida Turturro and Vanessa Williams in episode 5.

r113, she was as well as the first female attorney. Those 2 and Angie Harmon were beauties.

r114, You know thats not THE Vanessa Williams. I mean you'd have to know if you seen the episode. They don't shit alike, but it is other black chica who starred in the Soul Food tv series.

R116, Vanessa William's attempt to play "ghetto" in Candyman is hilarious. The way she says "gang bang". It's like she was back to playing that Shakespearean actress on The Cosby Show!

r117 I haven't seen the original Candyman in ages. But I know in New Jack city she accurately portrayed an around the way sounding chica. Rock-a-bye baby.

R118, should I give New Jack City a try? It looks very early 90s (maybe in both good ways and bad).

r119 Its no Goodfellas, but its a solid urban crime flick. The acting is good. There are so many quotable lines which grew to be notable urban pop culture.

Is there a better show to truly show the realness and rawness of New York City?

What kind of bullshit is two actresses with the same name at the same time (they are weeks apart in age). Don’t they have rules about this kind of thing?

r122 Vanessa Williams is always credited was Vanessa L. Williams. But she pretty much was always bigger than the other lovely one, she just wasn't an actress first. I think this Vanessa Williams had registered her name with SAG first, for some soap opera. Anyone remember when she was on the first season of Melrose Place. She was bohemian as fuck. I just remembered as my mom used to love that show.

always credited as* Vanessa L. Williams.

R123, that did suck that she was let go after the first season.

r121 well if you want true grit, watch the movie Kids by Larry Clark.

[QUOTE] Is there a better show to truly show the realness and rawness of New York City?

Law & Order is tops, but New York Undercover is up there too.

Another show that did a great job of showing the rawness of New York was Kojak with Telly Savalas.

It always bothered me that the show labels the cops “law” and the lawyers “order.” It’s the other way around.

r129 No its not you OCD cunt. The cops are enforcing the law, and the lawyers deciding the appropriate punishment-- the order. Now carry on.

r129 Also what about the handful of episodes where they started with the lawyers you filthy cunt.

I’m talking about the opening credits which labels the detectives “Law” and the prosecutors “Order.” . You might argue that the cops are enforcing both the law and order, but the prosecutors are just focused on the law. The argument that the lawyer’s are deciding the “order” is just weak.

In any case homicide detectives aren’t really about either law or order. They are investigating facts.

r132 You matter of fact, whore. Everyone colloquially refers to the police as the law. Like why you snitching to the law? The attorneys establish order for charged criminals and, "here here order in the court."

By the way, I am just being playful but thats how you should view it.

I started at Season 13 on Peacock. It was the earliest one they featured. No0w I have to go back and watch all the other ones. Thanks, Hulu.

I am aware that people refer to the police as “the law,” but no one refers to lawyers as “the order.” The title is fine. It’s the graphic motif of the credits I have a problem with—suggesting that that the two functions can be separated and “Law” assigned to detectives and “Order” to the prosecutors. It suggests a significance that isn’t there.

r135 But what about us?

What’s happened to you is especially heinous.

Lorraine Toussaint was great as recurring Defense attorney Shambala Green

The Hedda Nussbaum episode had a long, elaborate disclaimer.

Michael Moriarty was a drunk and got into a fist fight with Chris Noth.

Paul Sorvino had to break it up.

Carolyn McCormick as Elizabeth Olivet was also a great character!

[QUOTE] Michael Moriarty was a drunk and got into a fist fight with Chris Noth. Paul Sorvino had to break it up.

He’s lucky Paul didn’t get him wacked.

[quote]Michael Moriarty was a drunk and got into a fist fight with Chris Noth.

I saw them together at Circle in the Square for a performance of The Rose Tattoo, sometime in 1995 or thereabouts. They seemed to be getting along fine. They're so tall.

I also got to talk to Anne Heche outside before the play started. I told her how much I liked Vicky on Another World. She thanked me, and was very nice.

R143 I find that odd. Moriarty isolated the entire cast by the end of his run.

My character ranking:

Detectives:

1. Lennie Briscoe

2. Mike Logan

3. Rey Curtis

4. Phil Cereta

5. Ed Green

6. Joe Fontana

7. Max Greevey

8. Cyrus Lupo

9. Kevin Bernard

10. Nick Falco

11. Nina Cassidy

Captains:

1. Anita van Buren

2. Donald Cragen

EADA:

1. Jack McCoy

2. Ben Stone

3. Michael Cutter

ADA:

1. Claire Kincaid

2. Paul Robinette

3. Jamie Ross

4. Abbie Carmichael

5. Serena Southerlyn

6. Alexandra Borgia

7. Connie Rubirosa

DAs:

1. Adam Schiff

2. Arthur Branch

3. Jack McCoy

4. Nora Lewin

5. Alfred Wentworth

Speaking of wack, Sopranos star Michael Imperoili also guest starred as a limo driver stalker borderline autistic. He was so fucking hot.

I also remember Edward Hermann as a formidable defense attorney

The 3 part episode based on OJ is good too.