"Nullification" begins with a broad daylight armored car heist that is badly botched, resulting in the death of a guard and a robber. The detective story is pretty compelling as Lenny and Ray unexpectedly end up in the suburbs and quickly suspect a militia. We get to see techno-geek Ray in action using something called a "search engine" for the big break in the case.
The legal side is plenty dramatic, with militia members passionately defending their beliefs, sometimes through chaotic outbursts in court. The leader acts as his own attorney, and Jack McCoy's own beliefs on the will of the people and even apparently on jury nullification are unexpectedly used against him.
As compelling as some parts of this episode are, I thought the portrayal of the militia was a bit cartoonish and off-base at times. They gave them a bit too much credit, making them all respectable suburbanites who attended Militias 101 then committed the mandatory murder in Manhattan to get them on the show.
It's just a bit too uneven for me to consider one of L&O's better efforts.
The legal side is plenty dramatic, with militia members passionately defending their beliefs, sometimes through chaotic outbursts in court. The leader acts as his own attorney, and Jack McCoy's own beliefs on the will of the people and even apparently on jury nullification are unexpectedly used against him.
As compelling as some parts of this episode are, I thought the portrayal of the militia was a bit cartoonish and off-base at times. They gave them a bit too much credit, making them all respectable suburbanites who attended Militias 101 then committed the mandatory murder in Manhattan to get them on the show.
It's just a bit too uneven for me to consider one of L&O's better efforts.