Law & Order (season 12)

Law & Order (season 12)

Season 12 U.S. DVD Cover
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 24
Broadcast
Original channel NBC
Original run September 26, 2001 – May 22, 2002
Home video release

DVD release

Region 1 February 26, 2013[1]

The following is a list of Law & Order episodes from the series' twelfth season, which originally aired from September 26, 2001 to May 22, 2002. This season is the last season to feature Dianne Wiest as DA Nora Lewin and the first to feature Elisabeth Röhm as ADA Serena Southerlyn.

Cast

Serena Southerlyn (played by Elisabeth Röhm) replaced season 11's Abbie Carmichael (Angie Harmon in the role of Assistant District Attorney).

Actor Character Main cast Recurring cast
Jerry Orbach Lennie Briscoe entire season N/A
Jesse L. Martin Ed Green entire season N/A
S. Epatha Merkerson Anita Van Buren entire season N/A
Sam Waterston E.A.D.A. Jack McCoy entire season N/A
Elisabeth Röhm A.D.A. Serena Southerlyn entire season N/A
Dianne Wiest I.D.A. Nora Lewin entire season N/A

Episodes

No. in
series
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date Production
code
2541"Who Let the Dogs Out?"Don ScardinoKathy McCormick & Douglas StarkSeptember 26, 2001E2208

The investigation into the death of a jogger mauled by a vicious dog leads to an Attica inmate, his attorneys, and an underground dog-fighting ring.

2552"Armed Forces"Martha MitchellRichard Sweren & Sean JablonskiOctober 3, 2001E2210

The fatal stabbing of a man leads to the discovery of his status as a Vietnam war veteran and the truths uncovered about an incident that occurred with him and three former soldiers in his division.

2563"For Love or Money"Constantine MakrisWendy Battles & Sean JablonskiOctober 10, 2001E2207

The death of a parolee, who was a hit man, leads to a wealthy widow and daughter who may have hired him to kill their rich relative.

Special Appearance: Katherine Moennig and Cathy Moriarty
2574"Soldier of Fortune"Richard DobbsBarry SchindelOctober 24, 2001E2206
The daring daylight kidnapping of a diamond dealer which results in two murders at the scene uncovers an international dynasty of blood diamonds sales and its links to a foreign civil war.
2585"Possession"James QuinnRobert PalmOctober 31, 2001E2202
Investigating the murder of a woman in a rent-controlled apartment, Green and Briscoe initially turn their attention to janitor Roberto Ramos, who had been given a cash gift of $5,000 by the deceased but claimed he didn't remember her when questioned. But it isn't long before the detectives discover that she was engaged in a long-running battle with her landlord and had been blocking the potentially lucrative sale of the building.
2596"Formerly Famous"Richard DobbsWendy Battles & Marc GuggenheimNovember 7, 2001E2201

The shooting death of a former singer's wife leads the detectives to investigate his manager and sons after his explanation of the events surrounding her death have no credibility.

2607"Myth of Fingerprints"David PlattTeleplay by: Terri Kopp & Aaron Zelman
Story by: Eric Overmyer
November 14, 2001E2209

A murder investigation uncovers deliberately faulty forensics in the wrongful conviction of two men 12 years earlier in the case that paved the way for Van Buren's promotion.

2618"The Fire This Time"David PlattDavid BlackNovember 21, 2001E2205
When a building is set ablaze, a girl must be identified despite her fatal burns. Through further investigation, it turns out that an extreme environmentalist group struck the match.
2629"3 Dawg Night"Stephen WertimerTeleplay by: Richard Sweren
Story by: Richard Sweren & Aaron Zelman
November 28, 2001E2203
When a celebrity is implicated in a nightclub murder, McCoy and Southerlyn battle the flaks who attempt to insulate their client from any involvement or interrogation.
26310"Prejudice"Ed SherinJill GoldsmithDecember 12, 2001E2213
The murder of a magazine publishing company's black CEO leads to a suspect who has a clear streak of racism and whose attorney intends on using that as a mental defect.
26411"The Collar"Matthew PennRichard SwerenJanuary 9, 2002E2214
The death of a cleric leads the detectives to a priest who was given information by a murder suspect outside of the church but insists that he can't discuss anything about it, bringing McCoy to question whether the confessional seal should apply.
26512"Undercovered"Jace AlexanderWendy Battles & Noah BaylinJanuary 16, 2002E2220
The father of a dying girl gets his revenge on an insurance executive who denied a leukemia treatment for his daughter. One problem arises when the father is technically on both sides of the law.
26613"DR 1-102"Richard DobbsMarc Guggenheim & Aaron ZelmanJanuary 30, 2002E2216
The bludgeoning of two women in their apartment leads the detectives to a suspect who has taken a hostage while demanding legal representation... and Southerlyn's actions, while heroic, result in disbarment proceedings against her for violation of Disciplinary Rule 1-102.
26714"Missing"David PlattEric Overmyer & Matt WittenFebruary 6, 2002E2212
When a girl's parents frantically search for her, Briscoe and Green see that the girl's belongings were packed up in her apartment. They learn that the girl had been seeing a married man — her boss. When the boss is brought up on charges, his wife sheds some new evidence.
26815"Access Nation"Constantine MakrisSean Jablonski & Terri KoppFebruary 27, 2002E2215

The murder of a psychologist leads to a case involving a computer company that sells information and their responsibility in shielding their clients' history in order to serve their needs.

26916"Born Again"Jace AlexanderTeleplay by: Jill Goldsmith & Matt Witten
Story by: William N. Fordes
March 6, 2002E2204

The investigation into the death of an 11-year-old girl uncovers the possible culpability of the child's mother and a rebirthing therapist.

27017"Girl Most Likely"Steve ShillLynn MametMarch 27, 2002E2227

When a high school student is found dead in an apartment building, Briscoe and Green suspect that the murder was a result of her getting a message board shut down. As McCoy and Southerlyn investigate the case further, they realize that her best friend, who was reluctant to come forward as a witness, may be the answer to the murder.

27118"Equal Rights"James QuinnTerri KoppApril 3, 2002E2221

A stock analyst's murder leads the detectives to a corporation whose stock had fallen... and plenty of suspects in the investors.

27219"Slaughter"Constantine MakrisRob WrightApril 10, 2002E2218
The investigation of a student's killing leads to a case involving meat contamination at a food service.
27320"Dazzled"Lewis H. GouldEric Overmyer & Matt WittenApril 24, 2002E2224

When a "gold digging" wife is found dead, there are plenty of possible perpetrators. Her husband has become "whipped" and blinded by his young wife and then messes up his story to Briscoe and Green. When he finally comes around, it seems that the wife's ex-boyfriend was getting revenge for being fired from a contracting job. The medical examiner uncovers some more clues which point to a bitter alcoholic ex-wife. Eventually, the criminal comes forward but the only crime she's committed is trying to save her family.

27421"Foul Play"Richard DobbsStuart FeldmanMay 1, 2002E2222
The investigation into the death of a private investigator uncovers corruption, deceit, and immigration fraud in a Youth Baseball League whose manager will go to any lengths to win.
27522"Attorney Client"Matthew PennJill GoldsmithMay 8, 2002E2225
The wife of an attorney with many disgruntled clients is killed, but the detectives believe that he was the intended target as he was willing to reveal information despite confidentiality agreements. As the investigation continues, his tumultuous love life is exposed and the prosecutors are suspicious of his desire to return to the courtroom.
27623"Oxymoron"Constantine MakrisMichael HarbertMay 15, 2002E2217
The murder of a young doctor leads Briscoe and Green to her involvement in an underground oxycodone ring, of which the leaders have hatched a plan to con McCoy and Southerlyn out of a trial.
27724"Patriot"David PlattWilliam N. Fordes & Sean JablonskiMay 22, 2002E2226

A tenement building explodes and the lone victim is Joseph Haden. The building was rent controlled and there had been a tenant strike, so the police initially suspect arson. But the landlord doesn't have insurance, ruling out their arson theory, and the medical examiner discovers that Haden's neck was broken and he was tied up before the explosion happened. Trying to figure out Haden is even more difficult. He didn't appear to have a family or a girlfriend and never got any substantial mail. He worked at the Jiffy Job service station making minimum wage, yet had $90,000 in the bank. Briscoe and Green do some more digging and find out that Haden was using an alias, and his real name was Yusuf Haddad.

  • Guest stars: Leo Burmester, Terry Serpico, Chris Bauer, Jordan Gelber, Leslie Hendrix and David Aaron Baker
  • Last appearance of Dianne Wiest as DA Nora Lewin.

Notes and references

  1. Lambert, David (November 23, 2012). "Law & Order - Separate DVD Set is Scheduled for 'The 12th Year'". TVShowsOnDVD. Retrieved November 23, 2012.

External links

Preceded by
Season Eleven
(2000-2001)
List of Law & Order seasons
(1990-2010)
Succeeded by
Season Thirteen
(2002-2003)