The death penalty has just been passed in New York and prosecutors must decide whether or not it is appropriate after an unlikely suspect murders an undercover police officer.The death penalty has just been passed in New York and prosecutors must decide whether or not it is appropriate after an unlikely suspect murders an undercover police officer.The death penalty has just been passed in New York and prosecutors must decide whether or not it is appropriate after an unlikely suspect murders an undercover police officer.
Photos
- Sarah Tabor
- (as Angelica Torn)
Storyline
Did you know
- GoofsThe date of the sentencing hearing is February 11. The date the sentence is handed down is February 17. However, everyone from Jack, Claire, the defense, and even the jury forewoman is wearing the exact same clothes, right down to the jewelry, from six days previously. It's clear both scenes were shot the same day, then just had different dates added in. In addition, it states that February 17 is a Monday. That would make it President's Day, a Federal holiday, and court would not be in session.
- Quotes
Claire Kincaid: They strap you down. They stick a needle in your arm and run poison through your veins. It's barbaric.
Jack McCoy: I wouldn't weep for Paul Sandig.
Claire Kincaid: Revenge is sweet, huh?
Jack McCoy: Yes, it is. It's a natural human instinct and there's no need to apologize for it.
Claire Kincaid: No, except for the fact that it's illegal.
Jack McCoy: That's exactly my point. There is no private right of action under the criminal justice system and so the state has obligation to mete out fitting punishment.
Claire Kincaid: And that's why we have prisons. Because life without parole is fitting enough.
Jack McCoy: Let me ask you, Claire: Why do you suppose 38 states, and the federal government, and the military have all of a sudden adopted or readopted the death penalty?
Claire Kincaid: Like you said, people are sick of crime.
Jack McCoy: And the death penalty gives the feeling of control demanded by society. People are frustrated by the uncertainty of the system. They want to know for sure that Charles Manson won't ever be walking the streets again.
Claire Kincaid: You don't think there are less Draconian ways to gain the public's confidence?
Jack McCoy: No. I don't. And, believe me, if the state doesn't seek retribution then, the people will. There'll be more Ellie Nessler's walking into courtrooms with loaded pistols. You kill a cop; how long do you think it will be before the cops kill you? Legal execution is a means to prevent street justice.
- ConnectionsReferences First Blood (1982)
"Savages" however always has blown me away. Maybe not one of the all-time great 'Law and Order' episodes, but it's the first outstanding episode of Season 6 (a big upgrade from the previous two episodes) and one of my favourites from Season 6. It is also one of the most interesting and one of the ones that has always sparked much discussion with family and friends. Namely with its handling of the whole death penalty argument, something of much controversy still today, and it was good to see that people's opinions on whether it's right or wrong were similar back then, except expressed more tactfully here (the pro side of the argument is a lot more vicious now).
Everything is brilliant here. The production values are slick and have a subtle grit, with an intimacy to the photography without being too claustrophobic. The music isn't used too much and doesn't get too melodramatic. The direction is sympathetic but also alert. All the regulars are absolutely terrific, particularly in the scenes detailing the death penalty debate that the episode centres around. So primarily Sam Waterston.
Victor Garber is strong casting in his role, was surprised to see the side to him that he shows. Was not sure as to whether he'd pull it off but he does. "Savages" contains some of the most thought probing and most compelling real writing of Season 6, it was absolutely brilliant to have an episode that explores the dilemmas and arguments surrounding the death penalty and do so so realistically. This is especially apparent in McCoy and Kincaid's exchange where their views on it are revealed to each other, where it was very easy to see both points of view and side of the argument.
The story is engrossing throughout and is not predictable (was not expecting the perpetrator for instance). The policing aspect of it fares so much better than it did in the previous two episodes of the season and the first episode of the season where the quality is near-equal to the even more brightly shining legal scenes. Curtis was a bit ehh in the previous two episodes and was a bit up and down throughout Season 6, but he actually works better and he is more interesting, like when we see more of his intimidation tactics, and he and Briscoe are slowly gelling (another aspect that was somewhat yo-yoing in the season) as a team despite being a very odd couple.
In conclusion, brilliant. 10/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jan 21, 2021