I've seen most of the original Law and Order episodes and just saw this one. I would say it's the most significant episode of the series, and also marks Steven Hill's (Adam Schiff's) final episode.
This seems to be based on the subject of the film, "Missing", which was based on the true story of how an American was killed in the CIA backed 1973 Chilean coup. Not sure if this was based on that or a similar story, or a synthesis thereof. Anyway, it takes on the most important subject there is: human life and when and if to draw a line in pursuit of justice for murder.
It begins with the usual discovery of a body, that turns out to be a man seeking the ones who killed his son in the coup. It leads to a Colonel who ends up on trial and goes all the way to the Supreme court, where McCoy (Waterston) gives the most important argument of his Law and Order run. Namely should murder be protected by diplomatic immunity, juridiction, etc. The court decision is wisely withheld from the viewer.
Marks the last episode containing all 3 of the best actors of the series: Waterston, Hill, and Orbach.
Note: only inaccuracy is when it mentions that Allende was killed by the Chilean military, but there is pretty solid evidence that he commit suicide.
This seems to be based on the subject of the film, "Missing", which was based on the true story of how an American was killed in the CIA backed 1973 Chilean coup. Not sure if this was based on that or a similar story, or a synthesis thereof. Anyway, it takes on the most important subject there is: human life and when and if to draw a line in pursuit of justice for murder.
It begins with the usual discovery of a body, that turns out to be a man seeking the ones who killed his son in the coup. It leads to a Colonel who ends up on trial and goes all the way to the Supreme court, where McCoy (Waterston) gives the most important argument of his Law and Order run. Namely should murder be protected by diplomatic immunity, juridiction, etc. The court decision is wisely withheld from the viewer.
Marks the last episode containing all 3 of the best actors of the series: Waterston, Hill, and Orbach.
Note: only inaccuracy is when it mentions that Allende was killed by the Chilean military, but there is pretty solid evidence that he commit suicide.