New York district

Terrible writing! Terrible casting! Hugh Dancy is just plain awful in his role. In episode 5, his witness "hangs himself" while in custody, and when he's told he shakes his head up and down while having a dumb look on his face! That's just one of many horrible pieces of acting!

The stories are poorly written, and the character played by Jeff Donovan is just unlikable, and I'm a big fan of his and his starring role in Burn Notice.

I'm HOPING that they get better writers and recast Hugh Dancy. This show has a proud history. It deserves better treatment!

I was really looking forward to this original Law & Order returning. But, I'm beyond disappointed. The characters are just not likable, and the writing is awful. The new DA is a self absorbed person who always thinks he'd right, and Sam Waterson's character doesn't really challenge him, and just gives in. Jeff Donovan's character is the worst. Jeff was terrific in Burn Notice. In this, he comes off as an nasty cop with a really bad attitude, and a bigot to boot. Time to fire the writing staff and do some recasting.

I was so looking forward to this show coming back, but I've got to say I'm disappointed. Jack McCoy is in his eighties and clearly way too old for his position as D. A. He was brilliant back in the day, no argument from me, but that was then. It appears he has trouble enunciating and walking, not to mention comprehension.

And this new prosecutor (whoever he is) isn't half the guy McCoy was. It struck me tonight as I watched episode three, when he pulls his furrowed browed, oh so serious face, he'd make a great Stan Laurel impersonator.

Anyway.... despite the above this is still a show worth watching. Better than any lame, scripted 'reality' show any day.

I only started watching L&O a few years ago, and am hooked on the brilliant writing, acting, and direction that have made this show so popular for so long. Jerry Orbach is great as Lennie, and I was stunned to learn that he also played the voice of Lumiere, the French candlestick in Beauty and the Beast! His sarcastic one-liners never fail to get me laughing, and he and his new partner, Jesse L. Martin as Ed Green, have a good rapport and are believable as partners. On the "Order" side, Sam Waterston, Dianne Wiest, and Elisabeth Rohm are equally compelling. New cast member Rohm has gotten better as she's gone along; she had big shoes to fill as Angie Harmon's replacement. Because the stories are all driven by the plots, and not the characters' personal lives, it makes the constant cast turnover more believable. It's a testament to Dick Wolf and co. that such a smart, sharp show has stayed on the edge after almost 12 years! My only beef is I'm tired of hearing "Ripped from the headlines" in every promo. That, though, is a minor quibble. Wednesday nights wouldn't be the same without it!

To be honest, I didn't become a real fan of the series until Jerry Orbach (Detective Briscoe)and Sam Waterston(EADA McCoy)came into the picture. This is when the series starts to pick up steam. Watching the show, you can't help but laugh at Briscoe's remarks or feel the passion of McCoy. Both of these men want justice, and will do everything within limits to bring the wrongdoers to justice. What I really like about the show is the wonderful twists and turns that they throw to the audience, as well as the "ripped from the headlines" episodes. Even though you have 2 more in the "Law And Order" franchise, the original is STILL the best!