Law & Order has always been about the plots, not about the characters. The characters are all but interchangeable, which is why the show has survived a 100% cast turnover.

So I'm not surprised at the plot focuse over a character/actor focus....

krad | October 15, 02:30 CET

Exactly. I think Brooks has appeared several times as a defense attorney on the show, which they don't really mention in the promos. The case is always the thing. It was the same case when Carey Lowell came back as a defense attorney, and later a judge, I believe.

impalergeneral | October 15, 02:52 CET

Let's face it, 9/11 is going to be more of a selling point than a character.

[ edited by gossi on 2006-10-15 01:35 ]

gossi | October 15, 03:15 CET

Yes.

And what krad said too.

And we're not really about editorialising in such a fashion on the front page. So I've moved them to the extended description section.

Simon | October 15, 03:56 CET

As great as it is for fans of the show to see returning characters, it's not really why the great majority of viewers watch the show. I suspect the core audience of the first few years isn't the same as the core audience now. The demographics might be similar, but the viewers are seventeen years older now... so some of us might have moved on.

There was a time when the characters were important - at least their reactions to each case were important. Now they are a bit more cardboard/stock characters in the paradigm. But it has always been about the plot first and foremost - which is great, because these kinds of stories can be interesting too.

crossoverman | October 15, 05:06 CET

Richard Belzer's 'Munch' character was important - especially considering how the character originated on a prior tv show, the acclaimed 'Homocide: Life on the Street.' (Incidentally, Homocide was the only tv show prior to Buffy which garnered my interest such as to never miss an episode.)

napua | October 15, 06:13 CET

napua, I must compliment your taste in television shows.

jaynelovesvera | October 15, 06:16 CET

Valsadie, I liked your quoting from his character on Firefly. And it engendered an interesting discussion, so kudos.

Lioness | October 15, 07:45 CET

I saw him on Firefly long before I ever started watching Law & Order reruns (don't ask), and I saw the latest episode of L&O. I thought he was great as a bounty hunter but I've never heard a trial lawyer with such mumbly delivery, or saw one with such an indescriminatley hostile mein. I mean in real life and I know some lawyers.

I think his best roles might be in another genre. Like the ones we like best.

dreamlogic | October 15, 11:48 CET

Like "G vs. E"? :-)

mangydog | October 15, 18:23 CET

gossi vs. embers? I thought you guys were friends?

jaynelovesvera | October 16, 03:56 CET

G vs. E was relentlessly awesome. The orange Volvo! The Corps! Blowing up Emmanuel Lewis!

Damn, I miss that show.

Robogeek | October 16, 04:58 CET