Law & Order (TV Series) The Drowned and the Saved (2009) User Reviews

Political and Legal

[viv_harv · 9/10 · 13 June 2010]

It took me a while to realize that there is a reason this series has survived for so long. The best thing I like is that personal lives have been kept to a minimum, and the legal aspect, binded by laws and manipulating or fitting the case in the rules to serve justice, is what keeps the boat afloat as in many cases, disappointing as it is, the right thing is not done.

This particular episode takes a sleaze based homicide to a surprising political twist which is refreshingly fascinating for a telly version. I never watch West Wing but I do like the window view on a ferris wheel, where you are carried from ground level to a surprising height. Fantastic though the position of the main characters are, this series seems to carry a little less of the non-sense and superfluous gimmicks of most other contemporary series of this genre.

I would recommend this episode to most fans of law & order series, svu is like cartoon when compared to this series, not disrespecting the subject matter of the former.

Jack finals got him.

[lifeisgood110 · 9/10 · 20 April 2022]

Jack McCoy has had many negative dealings with the governor of New York in past episodes. At the end of this episode, it finally comes to an end as Jack takes down both the governor and his wife for criminal misconduct. The governor's house of cards finally comes tumbling down as the investigation into a murder turns up evidence of the governor's wife paying for that murder.

Well worth saving and not one to drown

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 9 December 2022]

Was really surprised at how good Season 19 was, and was not expecting to like it as much due to not getting on board with the chemistry between Lupo and Bernard at the end of the previous season. Which fortunately did become a lot better. While a few episodes underwhelmed (though still watchable), particularly "Crimebusters" (with "Lost Boys" close behind), there were also some wonderful episodes such as "Skate or Die", "Zero" and "Chattel".

"The Drowned and the Saved" is a great, excellent even, ending to Season 19 and one of its best. Not quite as brilliant as "Skate or Die", which had more tension and a more memorable guest star, but very, very nearly in the same class. Thanks to the fascinating conflict that sees more of a too under-utilised fan favourite and also the guest stars playing the couple the episode centres around. As an episode in its own right, "The Drowned and the Saved" is every but as excellent.

Maybe the conclusion could have slowed down a little.

Otherwise, there is nothing else to be mildly critical of. It looks professional and the camerawork is neither overblown or static. The music has a haunting and not too melodramatic presence. The direction keeps things tight while allowing time to breathe. The script is intelligent, layered, lean and provokes a lot of thought. The story is compelling and is intricate without being convoluted, the moral dilemmas of the case are intensely and thoughtfully handled and it is amazing seeing how relevant the episode is still.

Conflict has a lot of tension, very fascinating in the subject it covers and the kind where a result, and the right kind, is rooted for, while the approach to the subject is uncompromising and suspenseful while not being preachy. It was fantastic to see more of McCoy, his underuse in some of the previous Season 18-19 episodes was criminal but here not only does he play a quite active role he also has a subplot that reminds one fondly of the kinds of subplots he had in the early seasons. The content could have been over complicated, but just about wasn't.

Acting all round is excellent, with Sam Waterston coming off best with the meatiest material of the regulars, while Tom Everett Scott and Alison Elliott indeed play cold blooded characters and really unsettle.

Summing up, excellent way to end a surprisingly well done season. 9/10.

Love it !

[i-tietz-137-149361 · 10/10 · 27 December 2014]

+++ SPOILER ALARM +++

My favorite scene is almost at the end of the episode: Cutter's remaining quiet during the whole deal between McCoy and Shalvoy. When McCoy got what he wanted he leaves the room and Cutter takes out the Governor for good ...

Congratulations to the script authors - this is an excellent scene! An unexpected turn to finish off the arch enemy. Right before that scene viewers are expecting the main protagonist McCoy to do that job, but he leaves with less than viewers hoped for. Then Robin takes over for Batman.

And all that performed by Linus Roache, the impersonated coolness. You don't want to play Poker against him ...

Coldblooded couple

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 14 July 2013]

One never knows where an investigation will take you on Law And Order and in real life. And this episode was taken from a couple of real life stories, the fall of Governor Elliott Spitzer in New York and the sale of a US Senate seat in Illinois by Governor Rod Blagojavisch.

It starts out as a homicide of a man who was director of an acclaimed charitable foundation who had a few sexual interests on the side away from marriage which included S/M with the victim as the M. The investigation leads to the sale of a US Senate seat by the Governor's wife in turn for her getting the foundation directorship of the late victim. When blackmail didn't work, murder was tried and Luke Kirby who was a private investigator for the first lady of New York State does the deed and is set up to do the fall.

Tom Everett Scott and Alison Elliott are the Governor and his wife and a truly coldblooded couple who will stop at nothing to gain their aims. Scott made the temporary appointment of Sam Waterston as DA, but the two have come to a parting of the ways and Scott is backing an opponent in the primary. Their feud was the background for several episodes until like Spitzer, Scott falls overnight.

In fact Spitzer's return to the political arena gives this episode a relevancy no one could have dreamed of when it was filmed.