Brother's Keeper

Two friends were in their way out of a golf course. They bumped into a man shot dead while playing, with a stick still in his arms. The local clerk didn't see anything, because he was taking a nap at the time of the murder, so there weren't witnesses, apart from a cab driver shot dead as well shortly afterwards (much to Green disapproval and anger, because he was a refugee working double shift to take his family away from a war zone). The victim was a salesman just divorced from a wife he married as a teenager; he was behind schedule in sexual relationship, so he used to switch girls every day. Anyway, he had a regular fiancèe who was the niece of a local Irish mobster; when detectives figured out the girl was dead from an overdose, they know someone should have held a grudge against him. But it's not as easy at it seems, there are FBI agents covering for him and he has got an identical twin...

An episode in which Briscoe and Green have difficulties in dealing with FBI agents. Besides, Briscoe have a long history against the perp and his gang when he was a patrol officer. This time the "Order" plot overcome by far the "Law" plot and I like it.

When it comes to talking about the early seasons of 'Law and Order', 'Special Victims Unit' and 'Criminal Intent', those for 'Law and Order' were to me the most consistent in quality. Seasons 1-10 had some disappointments but were overall of a solid standard, whereas 'Special Victims Unit' was already inconsistent by its Season 7 and 'Criminal Intent' for half its run (both with outstanding episodes, but when 'Special Victims Unit' in particular missed it misfired big time.

Season 11 was a hit and miss season, and the start of when 'Law and Order' started to not be as strong as it was. It did have its winners though and "Brother's Keeper" is one of them. Reading the synopsis, it is a plotline that could easily have passed for an early seasons episode. And the episode in quality is pretty much likewise on the most part, and this is meant as a good thing and not in any way suggesting a going backwards in development quality.

"Brother's Keeper" succeeds in almost every way. Jerry Orbach and Jesse L. Martin are such a fine pairing, my personal favourite actually of the police pairings and the one that settled quickest. Both of them are reliably excellent, particularly Orbach on suitably gritty form (something that he did so well). Michael O'Keefe plays his difficult double role expertly, no easy picnic playing dual roles and O'Keefe's portrayals do disturb without being too obvious.

Production values are slick and professional, not ever resorting to cheap or untested gimmicks or anything. The music is haunting in the right places and isn't constant or too loud, and the direction gives the drama urgency and breathing space. The script is lean without being over-heated and while there is a lot to digest there is no extraneous fat.

Also had very few issues with the story, which had tension and constant intrigue. The conflict doesn't get confusing or predictable and has suspense, the dilemmas that come with getting results and how the case is complicated are insightful and handled tactfully. It is not simplistic or convoluted, even with a lot going on and with being quite intricate.

The final quarter is slightly rushed and over-stuffed, not uncommon with 'Law and Order'.

Otherwise, great episode and one of the season's best. 9/10.

The death of sporting goods salesman with ties to the west side Irish gang is the case that Jesse Martin and Jerry Orbach are assigned in this story. This episode is one that Jesse Martin shines in as well as guest star Michael O'Keefe playing a deadly, but charming Irish crime boss.

The investigation shows the deceased was also a drug dealer and sold some junk that caused the death of his niece. That sure gives motive, very personal motive. But identification will be a big problem because the victim's father who is an upstate college professor is O'Keefe's younger brother who is also played by O'Keefe.

You almost hope that O'Keefe gets away with it but for the fact that an innocent cabdriver is killed, an African immigrant played by Teagle Bougere who was persuaded by Martin to come forward and give testimony. His death sets Martin on edge and the audience someone pays for all this.

O'Keefe the gangster leads a charmed life with law enforcement and there are a couple of FBI agents responsible for it. One of them Robert John Burke has a lot of history going back with the brothers O'Keefe.

There's justice of a sort in the end, but for all the wrong reasons.

...concerning the morally questionable nexus between the FBI and a crime family in Hell's Kitchen.