Law & Order (TV Series) Everybody's Favorite Bagman (1990) User Reviews

How it all started, even if it is the sixth episode aired

[AlsExGal · 7/10 · 31 July 2015]

The series pilot, "Everybody's Favorite Bagman" was actually the sixth episode aired that year. If you wonder why this episode of Law and Order looks as though it was shot in a different decade - different film quality, George Dzundza (Max Greevey) has magically lost 20 pounds, and a completely different actor (Roy Thinnes) is playing a completely different DA (Alfred Wentworth)- it is because this episode was shot as a pilot for CBS in 1988, and rejected by that network. Thus when you hear comments made that seem to be introducing the characters after you have been watching them work together for six episodes, that is actually what is going on.

There is really nothing really remarkable about the plot, so I'll let you watch and see what happens. In this actually first show, it is the structure of the episode - all police first half, all prosecution second half, that is actually on display.

The (actual) beginning of 'Law and Order'

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 4 August 2019]

Despite the Briscoe (generally the later ones, post-Claire Kincaid when talking about main female attorneys, so we're talking about Jamie Ross and Abbie Carmichael) and post-Briscoe episodes being aired much more often than the very early seasons, it is very interesting to see 'Law and Order' in its early years and before it properly hit its stride. People really should see more of this particular period, even if it didn't see 'Law and Order' at its period.

As has been said, "Everybody's Favourite Bagman" may have been the sixth episode of 'Law and Order' aired but it was actually the pilot, or intended to be at least. So that is an interest point. "Everybody's Favourite Bagman" is a pretty good episode but to me it did have the understandable feel of a pilot episode and was slightly on the bland side compared to what came later, the first episode to air "Prescription For Death" actually felt much more found-its-feet.

Do prefer 'Law and Order' episodes where there is more of characters having conflicts and moral dilemmas. Also ones that tackle difficult themes, subjects and social issues and the "taking influence from a real life case" ones, those kinds of episodes provoked more thought and connected with me more emotionally.

The case here is compelling enough, if more the legal element than the police procedural but only marginally, but fairly standard. If you've seen the later 'Law and Order' before seeing "Everybody's Favourite Bagman" it may feel a little like familiar ground.

However, there is a nice balance of the law and order rather than one featuring more than the other, which was great. More so than a couple of the other five episodes that had been aired so far at this point of the show. It was interesting seeing how the detectives work and solve their cases and what work goes into preparing defence and especially prosecution. The script is thoughtful enough, did like the heresy/hearsay exchange between Greevey and Simonize. As somebody who has been known to accidentally say the wrong word and it means something else entirely, especially when annoyed about something, oddly found myself relating to that.

Production values are suitably slick and gritty and the music is a good fit tonally and in placement. The acting is good, though it did get much better later when everybody became more comfortable. Nice to see William H Macy, and Michael Moriaty makes a lot of out of Stone. George Dzundza and Chris Noth and their chemistry gelled better later but they have the right amount of edge.

Concluding, pretty good but much better was to follow. 7/10

"I hate media cases"

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 23 October 2017]

George Dzundza had it right when he says he hates media cases when the eyes of the public are on your every move. That's what happens when a councilman is found strangled and clinging to life on one of our city streets.

This councilman got to where he is by being a bag man in the good old days before the powers that be tapped him for public office. What was thought to be a street mugging is really an organized crime hit that Dzundza and Chris Noth uncover.

A couple of elected officials are involved and a popular minority police commander who Richard Brooks says is a neighborhood hero. It's all about a city contract for parking meters and who can get an inside track.

The pilot was a good one as the 20 year run indicated.

Interesting direction and camera work

[rmreddicks · 8/10 · 23 November 2020]

Sets the plot line for the future of the series. Looks like the director and the camera crew pulled out all the stops in the attempt to sell the series. The principal actors mostly all do some fine work. The bailiff (clerk of court?) reading out the charges is a nicely shot scene - among others.

The Pilot Episode

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 19 September 2022]

When a stabbed man is found almost dead in his Mercedes Benz by two police officers and two black guys robbing him, Detectives Greevy and Logan investigate the case. Sergeant Greevy identifies the man as the city councilor Halsey. Soon the detectives arrest the two black teenagers, but they deny stabbing Halsey. Greevy knows Halsey's reputation that he is a corrupt politician and proceeds the investigation with Logan. Soon they find a truck driver that witnessed his death and they find that the mafia hitman Tony Scalisi is involved in the murder of Halsey. Now EADA Ben Stone and ADA Paul Robinette join the investigation and offer a deal to Scalisi to catch the powerful politicians behind the contracts of parking in New York used to steal money from the city. Stone also asks assistance from the FBI that is immediately accepted by AUSA John McCormack.

"Everybody's Favorite Bagman" is a good episode of "Law & Order", with a good story of corruption of politicians. Indeed, it would be the pilot episode and it should be the first appearance of Robinette. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Escândalo Público" ("Public Scandal")

The true beginning

[safenoe · 7/10 · 20 February 2023]

It was only when I saw Roy Thinnes name in the special guest credit that it dawned upon me that this episode was actually the pilot of Law & Order. Roy Thinnes played the D. A. but decided not to return when the pilot was picked up NBC (hence Steven Hill playing the role and listed in the opening main credits).

The line about whether a luxurious fur coat was "Meryl Streep or Whoopi Goldberg" was kind of sly with racial implications. This was a few years before the Ted Danson infamous roast of Whoopie.

The ending featured a grand jury, one of the few times a grand jury is featured in Law & Order. Also, the ending had a postscript, probably one of the only times there was a postscript.