A man opens fire during the docking of a dinner cruise boat. The Governor appoints a special prosecutor because Schiff refuses to seek the death penalty; McCoy helps Schiff appeal while Ross... Read allA man opens fire during the docking of a dinner cruise boat. The Governor appoints a special prosecutor because Schiff refuses to seek the death penalty; McCoy helps Schiff appeal while Ross helps the special prosecutor at trial. Schiff's wife is hospitalized following a stroke.A man opens fire during the docking of a dinner cruise boat. The Governor appoints a special prosecutor because Schiff refuses to seek the death penalty; McCoy helps Schiff appeal while Ross helps the special prosecutor at trial. Schiff's wife is hospitalized following a stroke.
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- Carolyne Trang
- (as Liana Pai)
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Did you know
- TriviaThis episode paralleled real events that occurred in New York City in 1995 and 1996. First, Chapter 1 of the Laws of 1995 established a new death penalty in New York State. Second, District Attorney Robert Johnson of The Bronx had a "blanket" policy of declining to seek the death penalty in cases authorized (Murder 1, see NY Penal Law §60.06, and §125.27). Dissatisfied, Governor George Pataki ordered Johnson replaced with the Attorney General when Johnson declined to seek the death penalty in the shooting death of Police Officer Kevin Gillespie by one Angel Diaz (who ultimately committed suicide and whose accomplices were ultimately convicted of Federal RICO charges and not brought to answer in State Court.) Litigation ensued, and the New York Court of Appeals upheld Governor Pataki's actions in Johnson v. Pataki (91 N.Y.2d 214, 1997).
- GoofsSeveral distinct shots are heard during the prologue. Rey Curtis picks up a shell casing from the dock and remarks it looks like a "9mm auto". Later he asks Carolyn Trang if she owns a "Glock semi-automatic pistol". An automatic weapon produces multiple shots with one trigger pull; this is obviously not the case as separate shots are heard. A modification can be made to produce an automatic effect, but almost all handguns sold in the US are semi-automatic.
- Quotes
Mr. Axtell: Mr. Panatti asked my client if he knew of a reasonable person who would believe him. Mr. Schiff is a reasonable person. I think his views are admissible as rebuttal.
Judge Lisa Pongracic: Overruled. Go ahead, Mr. Axtell.
Mr. Axtell: Petitioner's refusal to indict defendant on first-degree murder led to his removalo. Using his prosecutorial discretion, petitioner concluded there was insufficient evidence of intent to commit robbery to sustain a charge of first-degree murder. I have nothing further.
What a great way to end Season 7. While not quite one of my favourite episodes of the season, "Terminal" is in the better half. It is an extremely absorbing episode and an immensely powerful one and cannot agree more with the raves about the ending and Steven Hill's performance. Do agree though that "Terminal" is at its weakest with some of the writing for the supporting characters, but luckily the great things are many and brilliantly done.
Really do wish that the supporting characters' writing had a lot more subtlety and was less one-dimensional. The special prosecutor in particular really irritates and is too much of an overdone cartoon.
However, that is overshadowed vastly by the things that are done right and that are so well executed. The production values are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough without being leaden, while having enough momentum to make the drama sing in its atmosphere.
Script is very thoughtful, and despite having a lot of (thankfully still interesting) talk it doesn't ramble. It does a fine job at showing the moral dilemmas that come with such a difficult case with a lot of obstacles to overcome. The exchanges are uncompromisingly gritty, intelligent and snappy. The story pulls no punches, with an emotionally devastating final scene that stayed with me for a long time after, with a compelling case that feels realistic. Of the Season 7 finales of 'Law and Order', 'Special Victims Unit' and 'Criminal Intent', "Terminal" had the most finality and felt the most like a season finale.
Acting is terrific from all, with the best performance coming from a very moving Steven Hill. Who in my mind doesn't get enough credit for his acting on 'Law and Order'. Perhaps because there are not a lot of episodes that have him heavily focused on or where a case or situation is personal to come.
In conclusion, truly great finale to a very good season. 9/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jun 1, 2021