‘Law & Order’ Recap: ‘Enemy of the State’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

LAW & ORDER -- "Enemy Of The State" Episode 24009 -- Pictured: (l-r) Mehcad Brooks as Detective Jalen Shaw, Reid Scott as Detective Vincent Riley -- (Photo by: Will Hart/NBC)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 2409 of ‘Law & Order’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
​
It is definitely safe to say that we live in a world that is filled to the brim with fear. Fear that revolves around our financial security, our political and moral future and of course… fear of being attacked by foreign forces. Which exists now because the Russian Federation opted to try and resurrect old haunts by invading territory that no longer belongs to them. Because Israel has set foot into the Gaza strip and in the United States of America… that fear exists because we have in fact, never forgotten 9/11. In fact, we let it be the driving force of our current xenophobia, to the point where great division exists now between citizens and anyone deemed to be a foreigner.

To the point where there is a desire to remove immigrants from a nation built upon immigration… for some reason… and where we truly have our eyes peeled for agents of chaos. Courtesy of the occasional lone wolf that causes trouble. Leaving all of us to wonder when the fear will end and if it doesn’t… what will become of us? Well, it just so happens that the next episode of Law & Order on NBC explores the answer to that question in a supremely bleak and powerful manner. A feat that ‘Enemy of the State’ accomplished by lulling us into a false sense of security with the story it presented. For this one opened up with what seemed to be a standard murder case, after we learned that Lieutenant Brady was back at work following a suspension for her actions in 'Bad Apple', between two longtime friends no less.

For one of them shoved the other in front of an incoming subway train and as the investigation unfolded, this murder made no sense. For the victim wasn’t a troublemaker in the slightest, and really was beholden to nothing dark. So, it made no sense that someone would impart harm. Even more so, his best friend. But when that bestie turned up with an explosive vest on his body, it became clear something deeper was at work here. In fact, Noah, the man responsible for his friend’s death, was happy to speak upon his actions. In that, he was working as a violent activist. Someone that wanted to stand up for the people his family descended from in China, and his friend learned of his plan to punish the wicked with that bomb… so he chose to murder him to keep the plan safe.

One that was orchestrated, by an FBI Agent named Joshua Haddad. Who was working undercover to find individuals that were lost and potentially radicalized, and it was his job to push them and see if they could be, and act accordingly. But clearly, this got out of hand, and because a death was involved, Haddad was charged with Manslaughter charges. A move that exposed this plan in court and even brought DA Baxter to the stand to testify. Simply because he helped create this program back after 9/11, and knew its structure and rules, and he was quick to point out that Haddad broke every rule out there regarding this program and cost someone their life because of that. Which brought forth justice, and much for the viewer to ponder upon regarding that heavy question.

Since this episode let us know… that if we keep letting this fear control us and keep feeding it day in and out… we will turn on one another. Some might say we already have, but this is where it could go. Which means, it’s clear we have to stop being so afraid, and stop being so divided, so we don’t start creating our own chaos and well, let the bad guys win by ripping ourselves to shreds. Which made for a powerful episode, one that was dark, powerful and thoughtful to say the least, and oddly… reflects the times to a tee. But this show is indeed good at that, and it will be interesting to see what other powerful observations await us the good people in this show, continue to fight the good fight to prevent fear from taking over. Until next time.

---

Watch ‘Law & Order’

Powered by JustWatch