'Law and Order' season 24 is everything fans wanted - and that cliffhanger? Unforgettable!

A strong indicator of an exceptional TV series or film is its ability to captivate and sustain your interest. It’s probably a big ask, especially if you are the type who multitasks by scrolling through socials while watching. 

Admittedly, I am guilty of doing such. 

However, there are exceptions, and the 24th season of Showmax's “Law & Order” is a testament to this.

When it comes to the amalgamation of procedural and legal dramas, it is safe to say that this Dick Wolf series has set a wonderful benchmark. 

While the faces have changed over the years, the crux of the storytelling, the compelling cases, which sometimes walk a very fine line between right and wrong, and the character backstories often leave the viewer with a lump in their throat. 

The moral ambiguity is also weighed against political agendas. 

Honestly, this season had me in my feels. Also, I couldn’t help but cheer the main characters on. 

Let’s get into it. 

The New York backdrop gives it a gritty, fast-paced setting. 

On the law enforcement side, there’s Detective Vincent Riley (Reid Scott), his senior partner Detective Jalen Shaw (Mehcad Brooks) and tough-as-nails Lieutenant Jessica Brady (Maura Tierney).

A family man, Riley follows the letter of the law. Shaw trusts his gut instincts. He’s also blindly loyal. In the series, the struggles of the black community are addressed, and Shaw is torn by some of the calls they have to make. 

Brady is no pushover. Challenge her, and she will read you the riot act. She’s unapologetic. If she has to take on the higher-ups, she’s willing to make that tough call. 

Every episode opens with a crime, followed by an investigation, subsequent arrest and culminates with a courtroom showdown. 

On the legal front, there’s executive assistant district attorney Nolan Price (Hugh Dancy) and assistant district attorney Samantha Maroun (Odelya Halevi), working on the cases.

And district attorney Nicholas Baxter (Tony Goldwyn) is always on hand to offer sage advice or play devil's advocate, depending on the circumstances. 

Of course, the beauty of the storytelling is how the writers dovetail the personal struggles of the characters alongside their professional battles. 

And make no mistake about it, it gets personal. 

In episode two, for example, Captain Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) makes a guest appearance in a case involving Tyler Miller, the founder of an AI-infused dating app called E.L.I. (Enigmatic Love Interface), who was shot dead in Central Park. 

When the DNA evidence got hits in their CODIS database, they ran it through a local one, which is not endorsed by everyone, as it has a few questionable loopholes.

The results point to a rape victim as the suspect. And it raises a few ethical debates. 

Benson also leads the charge on the latter aspect of the case. 

The 24-episode series explores a wide range of complex issues, including hate crimes, drug addiction, political intrigue, police corruption, assisted suicide, high school violence, post-partum depression, and other psychological struggles.

What’s great is that every case is so unique and keeps those armchair detectives on their toes. 

The personal struggles of Price, unwilling to take his father off life support, or Maroun, who lost her sister to a rape crime, hit close to home. 

While they work on the cases they are prosecuting, he adopts a black and white approach, while Maroun looks at them with more empathy. 

While Baxter is a sounding board for them both, the cases involve making tough decisions.

Hats off to the person behind the casting for this series. Each actor plays their part with commendable conviction. 

From start to finish, the viewer is captivated by the subtle character nuances and morally conflicted scenarios, juxtaposed with the legal framework.

The direction is sharp, focused and amplifies the drama. 

In an era where storytelling has shifted with revolutionary strides, it’s good to know that some, like “Law & Order”, can still maintain its stronghold with a tried-and-tested formula.

The cliffhanger ending will throw the audience for a loop. However, it just means that the next season is not to be missed. 

Rating: **** a standout series with exceptional qualities.