A female Naval officer is killed during a drunken party. The Navy claims jurisdiction in the case, but detectives soon suspect that the guilty party is being protected and the wrong man is b... Read allA female Naval officer is killed during a drunken party. The Navy claims jurisdiction in the case, but detectives soon suspect that the guilty party is being protected and the wrong man is being railroaded.A female Naval officer is killed during a drunken party. The Navy claims jurisdiction in the case, but detectives soon suspect that the guilty party is being protected and the wrong man is being railroaded.
Photos
- Dr. Elizabeth Olivet
- (credit only)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis episode appears to be based on two separate cases/incidents:
- The 1991 Tailhook scandal case. In September 1991, the 35th Annual Tailhook Association Symposium in Las Vegas featured a two-day debrief on Navy and Marine Corps aviation during Operation Desert Storm. It was the largest such meeting yet held, with some 4000 attendees: active, reserve, and retired personnel. According to a Department of Defense report, 83 women and 7 men stated that they had been victims of assault and sexual harassment during the meeting. A series of official investigations was conducted, but all were widely criticized, involving official cover-ups by senior Navy and civilian officials and denial of due process to hundreds of individuals, most of whom were not accused of any wrongdoing.
- The ongoing crisis of sexual assault in the United States military.
- GoofsDeaths of active duty naval personnel are not investigated by local police, but instead by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). This is later confirmed by ADA Robinette in Captain Cragen's office.
- Quotes
Captain Allard Bunker: Don't you judge me.
Ben Stone: I am not judging you, sir. That luxury belongs to your conscience and twelve taxpayers, and I assure you, the latter will not be nearly as lenient as the former.
- ConnectionsReferences Candid Camera (1948)
"Conduct Unbecoming" is a great showcase for him and it handles its subject very well, intelligently and not in a sleazy way. Like the previous episode "Jurisdiction", it is an extremely good episode in its own way and has a huge amount to recommend (and that is including Cariou himself). Like that episode though, "Conduct Unbecoming" also does slightly lack the extra something that the very best Season 3, and 'Law and Order' overall, episodes had.
My only complaint of "Conduct Unbecoming" is actually the same as for the previous episode "Jurisdiction" in an episode with very little to criticise. Do feel that other episodes before and since have more intensity and emotion.
The performances however are very good. Michael Moriarty effortlessly dominates in the courtroom and Jerry Orbach relishes his one-liners. Love how he and Chris Noth have already gelled so well, and although he would give even better performances the meatier Briscoe's character writing got Orbach was always one of the best things about 'Law and Order' when he was on it (most of the show's run).
Cariou is also wonderful in his role, it is not a subtle one as it is obvious that he is not to be trusted almost immediately. But Cariou gives it all he's got without over-acting and is quite unsettling.
Script is tight and intelligent, with nice tension in the exchanges in the second half and Briscoe's one-liners and wisecracks will never get old. The case is a compelling and clever one and makes one think and unsettled. The episode is well made and there isn't anything inappropriate or misplaced about the use of music and sound.
On the whole, great. 9/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Aug 3, 2020