Shark Bytes

Jumped day one

To the guy who complained about the way the guy with Asperger's Syndrome was depicted on the show - sorry, but you have completely missed the point of the episode (I think you might have put a similar post on IMDb)? The whole episode was centred around trying to show that Asperger's Syndrome did NOT explain what he had done, and that people with AS were NOT predisposed to commit such crimes.

It was billed as a behind-the-scenes look at both the prosecution and the defense, but as the first few episodes progressed, the defense portion of the show all but disappeared, leaving us with nothing but an extended version of the second half of any Law & Order episode. And Bebe Neuwirth was completely miscast. Can't really say it jumped Day 1, but it certainly started its jump by Day 2.

This show was doomed when Jerry Orbach sadly passed away. He would`ve some much needed class to the show. Of course i also agree that the cast was pretty lackluster.

I liked the show. Not Bebe completly out of her range. As I recall this show was shuffled around leading to it's death. I like Jerry Orbach but he didn't cause it's demise.

I would like to respond to the guy who posted the message about Bebe Neuwirth mispronouncing the word "Asperger". I also happen to be an Aspie and don't remember watching that particular episode. I will have to say that the show's days were numbered when Orbach passed away.

This show was SO Bad....unwatchable

The second Bebe Neuwirth started repeating "ass-burger", it was all over. Aspies like myself started complaining left and right, and the show has not been seen on Australian TV since. It is not every day a show tells you that a neurological difference you were born with and has people wanting to murder you in the hopes of "curing" you makes you a rapist in waiting. I wonder if Dick Wolf or anyone else involved in the show would have the guts to meet an angry Aspie in person?

I hated this show from the very beginning. Granted, I've only seen one episode, and only because they did some continuation event thing with SVU. But I hated it simply because it took over Third Watch's time slot for a month. And then Third Watch ended. And I blame TBJ.

This is the first entry of the L&O franchise that I have really enjoyed since the original. I don't like SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT or CRIMINAL INTENT but thus far I have enjoyed this show very much and do not feel it has jumped the shark yet. Like the original, the show concentrates on interesting stories and compelling writing. I believe Bebe Nuewirth is doing strong work as DA Tracy Kiber and Amy Carlson is fine as her assistant. The tragic death of Jerry Orbach was a great loss, but I would not consider it a shark jump. Kirk Acevedo and Scott Cohen offer strong support as the detectives. Of course, who knows what the new season will bring, since it has not returned yet, but, as for now, this show is quality television and as of now, has not jumped the shark.

Not only did the show lose its heart with the death of Jerry Orbach, there was no mention at all of Briscoe dying. He just suddenly disappeared after the second episode without a word. Yes, Law & Order has dedicated a few episodes to Orbach, but the Briscoe character never got any tribute at all.

Trial By Jury failed to live up to its potential, but that isn't the same thing as Jumping the Shark. The first few episodes held out the promise of an in-depth look at how the legal system works from ALL angles, including the jury, but this was quickly altered to a focus on the Bebe Neuwirth character and her investigators. In effect, it became an hour-long version of the second half of the original L&O. Still, the show was interesting and entertaining, and its crossovers with other L&O shows were fun. I enjoyed Neuwirth, both her acting and her character, I wasn't put off at all by her bitchiness or cynicism, and I think she had great chemistry with her female sidekick. Some of the storylines did seem to be retreads of stories from other L&O shows, but if the writers could have managed to overcome that trend, and stayed true to the show's original potential, then it might have been the strongest L&O show out there. I do have to say, however, that even though I liked the show, the fact that its creativity started waning after a few episodes caused me to be less disappointed by its cancellation than I might have been. I will miss Neuwirth's character, but at least now, with my VCR busted, I don't have to stay home on Friday nights or worry about how I'm going to record the shows.

When Jerry Orbach died this show was doomed because the lead played by Bebe Neuwirth is such a colossal bitch! I understand that prosecutors have to be tough to do their jobs but Tracy is just rude. Granted, a sign of a good show that the good guys aren't always good or necessarily nice (Stabler on SVU means well but is often a jerk) - makes things interesting. The stories still work - a good thing about L&O is that it's plot-driven and you don't like to like or care about the characters to make it work - but without a strong sympathetic lead (which I think Jerry Orbach, may he rest in peace, was supposed to be) the show sank like an iron duck. (I heard it was cancelled, the first L&O to flop, and fast.) Even eye candy Amy Carlson couldn't balance out the Neuwirth character.

After one episode it is too early to tell if the show has jumped, however some of the writing was terrible for a show about lawyers; i.e. the exchange between the defense lawyer and client when he says that he did it and IT NEVER CAME UP WHEN HE TOOK THE STAND. The prosecuting attorney should have at the very least asked him. Come on what bad writing. Hopefully the writing will improve and at least it's better than criminal intent.

I know it's only been one show, but I don't think the Law and Order franchise has gained any more fans with this latest incarnation. First off, it's just depressing to see Jerry Orbach, especially since he looked so haggard and tired during his scenes. Second, it seems like the jurors are half-retarded! I mean, convicting the guy without a shred of physical evidence just because he had his dogs put to sleep!?! WTF?! I know we as the audience are aware he did the murder, but the jury wasn't. Third, "coaching" a witness is okay, feeding them scripts of exactly what to say is not. Hopefully future shows won't invoke such a cynical attitude in the justice system. The theme music sucked too.