Law & Order (TV Series) Fed (2009) User Reviews

Merkerson deserves an Emmy nod for this one!

[garrard · 9/10 · 11 December 2009]

With the possibility that this, the 20th season of the long-running drama, may be its last, producer Dick Wolf seems determined to go out with a bag, drawing more controversy with the story lines and allowing the veteran cast members a chance to shine.

"Fed", which makes commentary on the "right" and the "left", gives S. Epatha Merkerson as Lt. Anita Van Buren the lion's share of the installment, giving her significant scenes with Sam Waterson (D.A. Jack McCoy) and Benjamin Bratt, making his return as Detective Rey Curtis. Curtis is back to bury his now-deceased wife and he and Van Buren share a poignant reunion, making a touching reference to Lennie Briscoe, played by the late, brilliant Jerry Orbach. Merkerson also has a tear-jerking scene at the show's end as Van Buren breaks down in the arms of her husband (Ernie Hudson), thinking about her fight with cancer.

The story itself is engaging but the episode is more a showcase for the Golden Globe and Emmy-winning actress.

Powerful

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 9 March 2023]

The main selling point of "Fed" is the character of Anita Van Buren. She made a big impression in a good way right from when she was first introduced way back in Season 4 and sixteen seasons on she is one of the longest serving and popular characters of the original 'Law and Order' justifiably. She had plenty of great moments, some truly fine episodes centered around her and S Epatha Merkerson (who doesn't get talked about enough, am guilty of this myself sometimes) played consistently to a high level.

"Fed" is the episode where she has shone the most in a long time, she was consistently a great character throughout the show's run but she had not had material this meaty or moving in goodness knows how long. This reviewer remembers vividly how much emotional impact Van Buren's cancer subplot, that featured a good deal in Season 20, had and "Fed" is one of the most memorable and most emotional examples. It is also a great 'Law and Order' episode in its own right, episodes of the franchise revolving heavily around personal life stories varied a lot but this is a case of this working more than extremely well.

It does start off on an ordinary note and to me the Van Buren subplot is more compelling than the case. Nothing wrong with the case, just that Van Buren's story however was pretty special.

When the episode does get going, it is very powerful and thought provoking that does everything else right. Merkerson first and foremost is absolutely magnificent in an emotionally devastating and Emmy-worthy performance, one of her best of the show. Benjamin Bratt (in a rare post-Season 9 return), in an affecting subplot of his own, and Ernie Hudson (one of the best scenes, the most moving one since Briscoe's departure in the Season 14 finale, involving him and Merkerson) are also beautifully sympathetic. The interplay between her and Bratt are also full of heart and will resonate with anybody who has had cancer or knows someone who has or had it, likewise with MS.

That is not to say though that the case is bad, it is a long way from that. The opposite. It is still very absorbing, twisty and has a wide range of emotions without preachiness or mawkishness, but is just missing the extra something of Van Buren's circumstances.

Production values are slick and are simple without being simplistic. The music is haunting and not too over-emphasised when used. The direction is sympathetic while having momentum and personality. The script is tight and thoughtful, with no signs of rambling or trying to do too much.

Overall, one of the best episodes of Season 20. 9/10.

Infiltrator

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 23 August 2015]

S. Eptha Merkerson's health issues and a visit from a former cast member share this Law And Order episode with the regular story about a right wing journalist going undercover in a left wing activist organization. The plot is borrowed quite liberally from ACORN expose in real life.

The victim is found beaten to death and it's learned he was a member of the left wing organization doing voter registration. But an investigation by Jeremy Sisto and Anthony Anderson reveals that he was in 2004 working for the re-election of George W. Bush. As the robot on Lost In Space used to say, 'that does not compute.

The deceased did not have any kind of come to Jesus moment. He was an Andrew Breitbart type looking for a story.

Two suspects develop. A right wing yahoo played by Boris McGiver and people in his own office who caught on. That could lead to the millionaire who founded this group called Rights Alliance.

A little continuity from the past is here as S. Eptha Merkersson attends the funeral of Benjamin Bratt's wife whom as we remember had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis back then. The nostalgia talk was touching and special between Merkersson and Bratt. It also is the only reference to the late Jerry Orbach and his passing in the show.

That alone makes this worth watching.

Convoluted

[WilliamJE · 1/10 · 20 February 2022]

This episode is just plain confusing. I still don't understand why the victim was killed. The politics/who's screwing who is confusing. Fed is one of Law & Order's all-time lows.